Summary

  • Elektra is back as Daredevil in a new series, facing off against the new Punisher in a generational conflict.
  • July 17 marks the return of Erica Schultz as the writer for Elektra in "Daredevil: Woman Without Fear."
  • The series explores Elektra's struggle with Daredevil's no-kill rule, setting up a showdown between her and the new Punisher.

Elektra is back with a new series as the new Daredevil, taking on the new Punisher in a generational conflict. Elektra is currently coming off the heels of her latest miniseries, Daredevil: Gang War, written by Erica Schultz and drawn by Sergio Davila. After working with Spider-Man to clean up New York City (not like she needed their help), Elektra is exploring what kind of hero she is now that she continues to carry the Daredevil mantle, especially in trying to abide by Matt Murdock's no-kill rule.

Starting July 17, Erica Schultz returns to the writer's seat alongside artist Michael Dowling to bring Elektra back to the forefront for the four-part Daredevil: Woman Without Fear, per Marvel. The series will see Elektra traveling to Madripoor on a mission that brings her into conflict with Crossbones, the new Punisher and more. She will set off on this mission due to the events of Daredevil #11 by Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder, where she and Matt Murdock will have a confrontation with Bullseye and the Kingpin. Below, readers can find Mahamud Asrar's cover art for the first issue of Daredevil: Woman Without Fear. Further below, readers can find John Romita Jr's cover art for Daredevil #11. That issue will be released July 10.

Daredevil Woman Without Fear cover art

Asrar's cover gives readers a glimpse at Daredevil's fight against Crossbones on the streets of Madripoor. What's even more exciting is that this series promises an all-new iteration of Daredevil vs. Punisher for a new era, proving whoever holds the mantles are destined to do this forever.

Punisher vs. Daredevil is a Generational Feud

What's Old Will Be New Again

Punisher and Daredevil have been linked together for years in stories that have contrasted their opposing worldviews. Frank Castle and Matt Murdock first crossed paths in Daredevil #183 by Roger McKenzie and Frank Miller, released in 1982. Over the course of 42 years, Marvel has explored different ways to put new, often darker twists on their complicated relationship, whether they're fighting on the same side or fighting on opposite ends of the fence. Now, the latest twist on their relationship pits Punisher and Daredevil against each other again, but this time, with new people under their respective mantles.

Marvel's presser promises that Elektra will meet both Crossbones and Joe Garrison, the new Punisher, in Madripoor in "her most intense [mission] yet." Although Garrison and Elektra don't have much established history between them, it appears the legacies of the Punisher and Daredevil before them might be enough to interlock them into a feud of their own. It's as if their decisions to carry on the Punisher and Daredevil names makes their confrontations with each other inevitable. It may even have something to do with the moral code that both Daredevil and the Punisher traditionally carry for each other and how those codes differ.

Elektra's Mission As Daredevil Challenges Her Moral Code

The No-Kill Rule Continues to Prove Challenging

Daredevil #11 cover, featuring a battered Bullseye, blood leaking from his mouth and underneath his mask.

Writer Schultz is eager to bring fans this next chapter in Elektra's evolution as a hero. "To say that I am excited about writing Daredevil again is an understatement," Schultz said. "I love the mantle of Daredevil, but I really love Elektra as Daredevil. Having written both Matt and Elektra wearing the red DD, I kind of lean toward the latter now!"

Previously, the core of Daredevil: Gang War was all about Elektra coming to grips with the no-kill rule Matt has forced her to follow. Initially, she treated it she felt burdened for not saving a villain's life. The Punisher, traditionally at least, has had a skewed view toward killing that is going to haunt Joe Garrison in the role. That history could immediately put him at odds with the new Daredevil, while simultaneously continuing to challenge Elektra's own stance on killing.

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 will be released by Marvel on July 17, while Daredevil #11 goes on sale July 10.

Source: Marvel