Warning: spoilers ahead for Daredevil #23!
In the latest issue of Elektra comes to him, sharing that an old and ancient threat is making a return once more; one that she and Matt have been trained to fight - the Hand.
The Hand is a ninja death cult with agents and influence all over the world. They seek to serve their supernatural demon lord, known as the Beast, who grants them the power to be resurrected in order to continue serving him even after death. Originating from the earliest days of civilization, the Hand are kept in check by rivals known as the Chaste, who have battled them for centuries. One such member of the Chaste was a man known as Stick, who trained both Elektra and Matt before abandoning them, seeing them as too corrupt and impure at different points in their training. However, Matt and Elektra were rare pupils known as "adepts," which seemingly means that they have a greater prowess for combat, as well as mystical attunement. This could be why Daredevil was so susceptible to possession by the Beast in Marvel's Shadowland event.
In any case, Elektra reveals to Matt in Daredevil #23 (from writer Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto) that the Hand is planning on making a big comeback with an all-new leader. This is why she stole billions of dollars from the Stromwyns, which is what drove a wedge between her and Matt in prior issues. She tries to convince Matt to give up his nobility and sense of responsibility in turning himself in, and to instead her in the fight Stick had always trained them for. Unfortunately for Elektra, Matt declines.
Daredevil decides to stick to his principles in the issue, still frustrated by Elektra's lack of during the attack on Hell's Kitchen and her overall lack of concern for individual people, as opposed to the grander, more operatic war with the Hand. However, this doesn't mean that the Hand and the threat they pose is any less real. It just means that Elektra will be on her own in fighting them, which can't be a good thing.
What is the Hand planning, and who is their new leader? Most recently, of the Hand were seen in the depths of Hell during Wolverine's quest to get the Muramasa Blade for the X-Men's "X of Swords" event. During that altercation, fans saw that the Beast was still quite active, so it will be interesting to see who gets appointed to lead the Hand in service to his dark whims as Daredevil continues. Whatever happens with Daredevil's trial, it's more than likely that Matt will end up helping Elektra in some way to stop the Hand, despite his current anger towards her. Daredevil is a hero and a good person after all, but even more that that... it's Elektra and the Hand. How could Daredevil not be involved?
