REVIEW: ‘Daredevil: Woman Without Fear,’ Issue #2

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 is written by Chip Zdarsky, illustrated by Rafael de Latorre, colored by Federico Blee, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. It’s published by Marvel Comics. The end of Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 saw Elektra Natchios being drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with Aka, her former trainer from the Hand. As part of Aka’s manipulations, Elektra is now drawn into battle with Kraven the Hunter!

The events of Devil’s Reign have seen the definitions of hero and villain get flipped upside down as heroes are being hunted all across New York City and the villains have been deputized as the Thunderbolts thanks to Wilson Fisk. Pair that with Elektra trying to abide by Matt Murdock’s non-killing rule, and you have a recipe for chaos. Zdarsky chooses to focus on Elektra and Kraven’s battle, sprinkling in flashbacks from Elektra’s past along the way. And those flashbacks happen to focus on her relationship with Murdock, as she calls him her “greatest weakness”. Daredevil and Elektra have had one of the most passionate yet messy romances in the Marvel Universe, and I’m glad that romance takes focus in this miniseries.

The issue also makes great use of Kraven, as he views Elektra as one of his biggest “hunts” yet due to her past as an assassin. If I can be frank, Kraven hasn’t had that much impact in a Marvel story since the classic Spider-Man tale Kraven’s Last Hunt. Thankfully, Zdarsky has a clear grasp on what makes the character works and places him in a situation that requires his unique talent. It’s also nice to see heroes fight villains who aren’t a regular part of their rogues’ gallery, since it makes for more interesting stories.

De Latorre and Blee tackle the action with gusto, especially when Elektra and Kraven engage in battle. de Latorre draws their fight with all the ferocity you’d expect; Kraven’s knives clash against Elektra’s sai, and kicks and punches draw blood. The flashbacks are also filled with a different kind of action, as they depict many of the times Daredevil and Elektra have had sex. Even the opening page shows Elektra and Murdock in the throes of passion.

This has got to be one of the sexiest comics I’ve read in a long time. Blee utilizes a trio of colors for the issue: red, black, and white. Red and black is most prominent in Elektra’s Daredevil costume and her narrative captions. There are even whole sections of black, where Cowles puts snow-white letters representing Elektra’s thoughts. And the majority of the issue takes place in a wintery New York City, with snow falling as Elektra battles Kraven and outruns the Thunderbolts.

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 pits Elektra Natchios against Kraven the Hunter, while also exploring her passionate and messy relationship with Matt Murdock. With one issue left to go, Kraven has Elekra dead to rights-and this may be one fight she can’t win.

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 is available wherever comics are sold.