Daredevil, but since 2023, his former lover Elektra has also operated under the cowl as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen – naturally leading fans to question which of the two is the better Daredevil; in an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, current Daredevil writer Erica Schultz revealed her answer to that question.

Daredevil: Unleash Hell – written by Erica Schultz, with art by Valentina Pinti – is the author's third series writing Elektra as Daredevil, following Daredevil: Gang War – which featured art by Sergio Davila – and Daredevil: The Woman Without Fear, illustrated by Michael Dowling.

Throughout all of Schultz’s series, Elektra has undergone growing pains as a hero, especially considering her checkered past. Though Elektra has come into her own as Daredevil, the question as to who is the best vigilante between her and Matt Murdock is up for debate.

Elektra's Character Growth & Bad Girl Persona Make Her The Better Daredevil, According To Erica Schultz

Hell's Kitchen Is Safer Under Elektra's Watch

Elektra was created by iconic Daredevil writer, Frank Miller, and introduced in 1981 in Daredevil #168. Elektra was originally intended to be a femme fatale answer to Matt Murdock, and Schultz believes that is exactly what makes Elektra the better of the two Daredevils:

Everyone loves the bad girl, and Elektra is the ultimate bad girl. She's sexy and unapologetic, and she can kill you with a glance. She's had so many experiences throughout her life (and many lives, if you count all the times she's died!) that helps inform who she is. But like all people, she's constantly evolving and learning new facets of herself.

Elektra’s history adds complicated layers to the character. Her experiences, as noted by Schultz, have led to enormous growth and development that continues into Elektra’s current comic storyline. After all, Matt Murdock is still learning new things about himself well after sixty years of publication history.

Elektra’s history is covered with the blood of her enemies. Her past as an assassin and affiliation with the Hand are in stark contrast to her current life as a hero. Schultz believes that Elektra’s past is what strengthens her and makes her the better Daredevil.

If you told her 20 years ago that she'd be a full on hero, she may have stabbed you for lying to her, but look at her now! Just in the past few years, she's been Queen of the Fist, the role model of a teenage ward, and paired up with another incredible Marvel heroine, Wolverine! So, yeah…she can do anything she puts her mind to.

Elektra’s tenacity is what makes her a compelling character. Taking that tenacity and putting it full force behind the Daredevil persona is a powerful combination. Elektra’s progressing belief in herself as a hero is very clearly illustrated from Daredevil: Gang War, to Daredevil: The Woman Without Fear, to Daredevil: Unleash Hell.

Matt & Elektra Have Both Earned Their Place As Top Marvel Heroes, But Schultz Gives The Advantage To Elektra

Elektra Has Qualities Murdoch Lacks

Matt Murdock and Elektra have a sometimes fraught, sometimes intimate relationship. As a pair, readers never quite know whether the two will come to blows or work side-by-side. Their back-and-forth dynamic is inherently tied into who the two are as a couple--romantic or otherwise. Both are incredibly skilled, making it difficult to say who would come out on top in an all-out brawl. Schultz believes she knows the answer:

In of a fight, Elektra and Matt have fought many times. It may be a slim victory, but I'd give it to Elektra every time.

While Elektra may be more inclined towards extreme fighting tactics, Matt has the advantage of his enhanced senses--including his radar ability--at his disposal.

As Schultz noted, Matt and Elektra have fought many times before, but the outcome could be determined by the tiniest of margins. Elektra has gone up against many skilled foes, including Black Widow, the Silver Samurai, and The Hand themselves. Similarly, Matt has faced some of Marvel Comics’ deadliest villains and lived to tell the tale. But even Matt had itted that if someone could beat Elektra, then he doesn’t stand a chance, illustrating that he knows where he stands when it comes to the ranking of Marvel's Daredevils.

Source: Erica Schultz, Screen Rant Interview