Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1: Wake Me Up Inside

Writer Erica Schultz opens Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 with a flashback to “Before:” Elektra trains Alice (a young orphan in Elektra’s care) while reminding her that “Hell’s Kitchen is a dangerous place.” As Elektra maneuvers Alice to the ground—TRIP and SLAM—a voiceover introduces the idea of regret to the story. Then Schultz smash cuts to “Now,” and—WHAK and BAM—fighting continues as Alice, now dressed in a black hood, beats up four thugs in a dark alleyway of Hell’s Kitchen.

I have a confession to make. After years of silence and unnecessary shame, I have something that I need to share with the world. I have kept this secret for twenty years, and I cannot stay quiet any longer. Here, in this review of Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1, I finally need to speak my truth.

I loved the 2003 live-action Daredevil film. I loved everything about it. I loved Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, with his wry smile and unconvincing enthusiasm. I loved the lengthy suit-up scenes that featured copious close-ups of red leather. I loved Murdock’s Matrix-like visions of physical space. But most of all, I loved Jennifer Garner as Elektra Natchios. And I particularly loved the iconic scene in which she parkours around an empty room and stabs burlap sacks while Paul McCoy and Amy Lee scream the chorus of Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life”: “(Wake me up) / Wake me up inside / (I can’t wake up) / Wake me up inside / (Save me) / Call my name and save me from the dark.”

I will, Elektra. I will call your name.

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 is not 2003’s Daredevil film, but it does contain the passionate noir-esque action-focused drama of Jennifer Garner’s scene. Most panels are beautifully sparse, and the watercolor-like hues seem to bleed together. Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 contains an expertly choreographed blend of multi-panel action and whole-page displays. Every single one of Elektra’s poses could have been placed on the cover of the issue. Even more, the action sequences are steadily paced, allowing the reader to appreciate the artistry of every beat. Erica Schultz understands that action sometimes requires a slight touch: readers should be enticed by subtlety, not spectacle.