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DD Book Club: Elektra Assassin
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This one felt like an intense ride from beginning to end. Elektra seems to now have a weird power to trade bodies with a woman in a coma, Sandy. She's using that power to assassinate Ken Wind. Garrett goes to talk to Wind and is overwhelmed by the smell of the Beast (or Beast's milk?). The art and dialogue really work to sell the whole nauseating feeling. He considers killing Wind himself, but Wind can read his thoughts. He manages to overpower Garrett. The Hand then manage to take over Elektra's mind with the mind of Sandy. What follows is chaos in motion. The use of competing thought bubbles just adds to the confusion all the way until the end.

Overall, I'm not really sure how to feel about this one. The Hand and the Beast manage to be terrifying. We've seen Elektra in control in the past, so the fact that she's basically taken over and in dire straits works well. Garrett desperately clinging on as everything seems to fall apart is great too. On the hand, while I defended some of the sexual violence imagery last time as being thematically important, this just feels a bit gratuitous. There's something overwhelming about the young girl's fantasy projecting in a way that takes over Elektra, but I also felt uncomfortable in a way that I don't think was intended.

The emotions of this issue are probably its strongest points. I'm going Four and a Half Stars.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Less than one week until Defenders premieres!

Elektra Assassin # 5 - Chastity



Quote:
Elektra and Garrett take a "tour" of Washington, D.C. The question is, how much of the city will survive?


Due 8/19
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This issue picks up where the cliffhanger last issue lets off. It doesn't forget what happened as Garrett and Elektra are forced to fend off first the Hand and then SHIELD. The arrangement feels surprisingly conventional with six panel grids and the like. Garrett seems fully on Elektra's side, but I like the twinge of loyalty. He asks Elektra to not kill them, which she promptly ignores and decapitates an agent. Neither the story nor Garrett really dwell on this beyond Garrett's statement that this will make it harder for him to go back to his job, but it does continue the moral ambiguity where everyone kinda sucks. The only exception is Chastity McBryde, who I actually kinda like. She's a no nonsense SHIELD agent who respects her oponent and does her job.

The story flips between Ken Wind and the President. If Ken Wind is a satire of liberals, the President is the exact opposite. He's a Nixon-esque gremlin looking dude who is literally caressing the button to launch the nuclear missiles while drinking and proclaiming how strong and tough he is (while clearly being the opposite). The thing is, if Ken Wind is the bad guy of this story, does that make the President a good guy?

I think the moral ambiguity and extremes of the characters are all very deliberate and deliberately contrasted in this issue. It's also no coincidence that Chastity represents goodness and purity, not just with her name, but with the crosses she has as earings. Miller has her going directly against Elektra and Elektra seems to be going out of her way to kill SHIELD agents. Garrett, of course, is turned on by this. In the end, Garrett rejects the pure Chastity and chooses Elektra.

I wasn't really in the mood to read this story, so I was worried it was affecting my judgment, but I actually do like the contrast of personalities displayed here - with the good, evil, and ambiguous all thrown together. I thought it was a well-paced, fun issue. Four and a Half Stars.
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
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Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 12:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The woman on the cover is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named Chastity McBryde. She doesn't seem to be a noteworthy character outside of this miniseries. She doesn't leave a strong impact once you're done reading this issue. It kind of makes you wonder why she's on the cover, let alone why this issue is entitled "Chastity."

This issue picks up in the aftermath of the thrilling chase scene from the previous issue. Elektra has come to Garrett's rescue underwater, but is attacked by agents of the Hand, along with the Beast, who actually gets the better of her. Garrett is able to rescue her, since he is made out of so little flesh, preventing the Beast from attacking him. The Beast's realization of that is one of the strongest moments from this issue.

The Beast seems to be able to take control of S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel without other agents, let alone Nick Fury, being aware. Elektra's murder of them, and Garrett's complicity in those murders, is endangering his ability to remain in S.H.I.E.L.D., and that seems to be Garrett's main concern in this issue, along with his lust for Elektra.

I don't think this issue held me in the same thrall this issue, and I think it's because it picked up right where it left off: underwater after the chase scene. It didn't start in a quiet place and build -- it started off at a hundred decibels and the issue ended at a hundred decibels. There's a sameness that pervades throughout the issue.

However, because it's Miller and Sienkiewicz in their prime, the material in this issue is top notch. However, there is still a sameness throughout this issue.

My favourite part of this issue is the two page scene of the Nixonesque president watching Ken Wind's ad. The president displays such a fragile ego, and his gigantic wife treats him like a child. It's surprisingly strong political satire.

It's a fantastic series, but I feel like we've plateaued with this issue. I give it a four out of five.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, I do think this series may have been a bit over-long. But, hey, we just had some fun Elektra moments in Defenders. Maybe that'll raise my enthusiasm a bit:

Elektra Assassin # 6 - What We're Fighting For



Quote:
Elektra and Garrett spend the night at a sleazy sex motel to plan their final assault on the Beast!


Due 8/26
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think the strongest thing about this issue is the unique voice possessed by every character, particularly Beaker and the general. Beaker is so moved by ExTechOp's work to a demented degree. I also really enjoyed hearing about Arthur Perry's background. That makes him a truly fearsome villain, especially since he has the same narcotic in his blood that Elektra has.

Honestly, the least interesting part of this issue were the scenes involving Elektra and Garrett. It seems they were put in simply to titillate a male audience. To be fair, they very likely fulfilled their purpose. However, there is a lot of character development in the scenes involving Fury and McBryde. We learn more about Garrett from McBryde than we do from his own scenes. He is as scummy a character as we suspected, but not nearly as bad as Perry.

I'm somewhat surprised by what the Beast was trying to accomplish with the general. Did the Beast get what it wanted? Was the Beast trying to show that there was a dangerous level of insubordination in the military?

This issue suffers from a lack of importance in the title character's scenes, however that is made up for in the ExTechOp scenes and the terrifying background reveal for Perry. I give this issue four out of five.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A lot of time early on is spent on Garrett obsessing over/trying not to obsess over Elektra. It's hard to really tell the point of this. The plot seems to develop with other characters so it almost feels like it's just there to keep them appearing in the comic and maybe some humor with the bondage stuff.

Chastity still seriously injured at Garrett's hands. She gives a bit of the background of Garrett. I think this is the first time we get a clear distinction between Extechop and SHIELD. It's still a subdivision or in partnership, but it's very autonomous and Garrett is apparently not a SHIELD agent. Extechop is talking about reviving Perry. I think they gave enough information earlier, when combined with Extechop's shady practices to realize this is not a good idea. I like it as the evidence develops and Fury kicks into high gear. This is Sienkewicz, so there's no reason to think Fury's gun is supposed to be that big, but everything in this story is somewhere between surreal and satire, so maybe it is. Speaking of the art, the little creature thing with Perry never ceases to amuse me. It had to spend some time looking to see if it's supposed to look that way. Apparently it's a product of Extechop's experiments as well.

Meanwhile, Ken Wind is taking over the mind of a general. This does a good job raising the stakes and demonstrating the danger in everything because of his ability to start nuclear war without necessarily even winning the White House. The ending with the general killing himself does set the tone for what's to come.

Overall, this built a lot of side plots in ways that I think were necessary. At the same time, it also felt like it was a bit of a distraction. Four Stars.
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry about the delay in getting this posted. I wasn't near a computer yesterday.

Elektra Assassin # 7 - Vox Populi



Quote:
The Beast-possessed Ken Wind is about to win the Presidency of the United States. Elektra and Garrett are out to kill him before he does.


Due 9/2
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Matt Murdock's cooler twin brother

Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This one is going to be shorter than my usual, because I have less to say.

It seems that this issue exists almost solely to move the characters into position for the big finish. I feel like Miller and Sienkiewicz applied less effort here than usual. A lot of the issue is eaten up by splash pages depicting the Beast's visions, along with a double page spread of Ken Wind's election victory.

We find out more details about Perry's mechanical make-up. Elektra tastes the Beast's milk again this issue, but is able to handle it this time -- I'm not sure why.

This issue is fine, but it feels like the least essential issue of the series. It does what it has to. I give it three out of five.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I go back and forth on whether it was a good idea to add an entire subplot at this stage. Elektra vs. the Beast was interesting, but it ran of the risk of staleness. On the other hand, you don't want this plot to be a distraction. Eventually, it seems the two intersect. I think this confirms the narcotic that found in Elektra's system they're synthetically producing is the Beast's milk. Apparently even with an artificial version, Wind is in control of Perry (or, more accurately, is able to use him for his plan).

Honestly, though, I found the opening scenes quite fun, but the next several pages are quite dull. The only thing that eventually saves it are the splash pages of Sienkiewicz that are at least interesting in their enthusiasm. The Beast's plan is to destroy the world. It's not a particularly new plan. Nor is using nuclear war to do it. But it does show the stakes (although given how the current President is holding that button, it's hard to imagine we're in a much better world either way).

Overall, this was a bit dull and slow. Three and a Half Stars.
_________________
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Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Elektra Assassin # 8 - Hail to the Chief



Quote:
Elektra and Garrett are prisoners of S.H.I.E.L.D.! Has Elektra's ultimate enemy, the Beast, truly won?


Due 9/9
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Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now that I've finished reading this whole story again, I have to stress how unique this series is in the comics medium. The combination of Miller and Sienkiewicz makes for comics unlike any other the world has ever seen. Of their two collaborations, I rate Elektra: Assassin above Daredevil: Love and War, simply because this series makes better use of its title character.

When this issue started, I was worried that we were four months after the last issue's cliffhanger. I was afraid that Miller was pulling a Bendis -- telling an entire issue in flashback for no other reason that to make a boring story more artful than it really is. I shouldn't have worried. Having now read the entire issue, it was an inspired choice to tell the story this way, since we only find out how different the present day is at the issue's end.

There will always be things about this series that will continue to amaze me. Where did Sienkiewicz get the idea to use that single image of Ken Wind throughout the story? Why does nobody within Marvel remember Elektra's psychic abilities?

Also, there was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named Simpson in this issue, but he was quickly killed by Perry. If Elektra: Assassin occurs before Daredevil #158, could it be that this agent was rebuilt by ExTechOp and turned into Nuke? Miller wrote this pretty soon after "Born Again," so I think there's a good chance.

If these events do predate her debut appearance, it's kind of funny how serene and calm the life of a bounty hunter would seem in comparison to the fight against the Beast and S.H.I.E.L.D. in this series.

Sienkiewicz's shifting and often messy artwork gives the violence in this issue a truly chaotic feel, and at times the shifting point of view from Chastity to Garrett to Elektra herself is tough to follow. But in the end I think it all comes together.

If I have to knock this series for anything, it's that it's easier to respect than to love, and I think that's because we're lacking a hero. Elektra, to be certain, is courageously going up against the Beast, but she's also a murderer, so that keeps her at a distance. We don't want to connect with her in an emotional way. Garrett is a straight-up asshole, and he seems to serve as a conduit through who we see everything. We're reluctant to connect with him in a deep way. We get precious little time with Nick Fury. I'm curious how different this story would have been had Miller made him a more central character. My point is, it's easier to connect with a story if it has a heroic figure like Matt, no matter how brilliantly crafted a story featuring unsympathetic characters may be. I respect Elektra: Assassin very highly, but I can't give my heart to it.

I give this issue a 4.5 out of 5, and I recommend this series whole-heartedly to anyone with any interest in the comics medium.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm trying to think back on how I felt the first time reading this story. Knowing the ending, this story feels very different. I seem to recall the whole thing with the Soviets very much in line with the vision of the Beast destroying the world. There's a certain narrative distance here. The whole story is told with a certain sense of it being a foregone conclusion. Given the opening, that definitely made me wonder how it would turn out. Was there time to reverse course?

As things become more chaotic, it is nice to actually see the other SHIELD agents encounter the Beast and validate some of what Elektra and Garrett have been doing. I think the story does a good job being its natural confusing nature while hiding the clues in obvious plain sight. The ending itself is something I think the groundwork has absolutely been laid. I also like how Elektra is still the character who wins the day even though Garrett has been the lead character since the second issue.

That being said, it's an ending I felt very uncomfortable with the first time and still do. The politics of it are very weird. Is it a satire of Republicans? Democrats? The political system? None of it? I'm glad we didn't get nuclear war, but we almost did even without the Beast. In the end, I think it's deliberately uncomfortable. I'll give it Four and a Half Stars.

Dimetre wrote:

There will always be things about this series that will continue to amaze me. Where did Sienkiewicz get the idea to use that single image of Ken Wind throughout the story?


More impressively, that's apparently a picture of Bill Sienkiewicz.

Quote:
Why does nobody within Marvel remember Elektra's psychic abilities?


Honestly, there are enough continuity issues in this story (such as those related to John Garrett) that I try not to think too hard about it. The Chaste can at least communicate telepathically, even if the rest of Elektra's powers seem unique to this story.
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
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