Marvel’s Elektra returns in Deadpool & Wolverine

Published by Hellenic Moon on August 21, 2024August 21, 2024

Marvel Comics’ Elektra made a surprise appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, so lets take a look at the history of Elektra and her roots in Greek myth. Marvel’s Elektra is a complex character who has become an iconic figure in the Marvel Universe, particularly in association with Daredevil. Created by Frank Miller, she first appeared in Daredevil #168 in 1981. As a skilled ninja assassin with a tragic past, Elektra’s story is one of love, loss, and vengeance.

Jennifer Garner played Elektra in the 2003 movie Daredevil, and the 2005 movie Elektra, then role passed on to Elodie Yung who played Elektra in the 2015 Netflix series Daredevil and 2017’s The Defenders. Hopefully Elektra’s return in Deadpool & Wolverine means we will be seeing more of Elektra in the future! While she is a modern comic book character, her name and certain aspects of her story draw inspiration from the ancient Greek mythological figure Elektra.

Origins of the Mythological Elektra

The mythological Elektra is one of the most tragic figures in Greek mythology. She is best known as the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra of Mycenae. Her story is most famously told in the context of the Oresteia trilogy by Aeschylus, and also in works by Sophocles and Euripides.

The mythological Elektra’s life is marked by sorrow and vengeance. After Agamemnon returns from the Trojan War, he is murdered by Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus, partly in revenge for Agamemnon’s sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia, and partly due to Clytemnestra’s infidelity. Elektra, deeply devoted to her father and distraught over his death, conspires with her brother Orestes to avenge Agamemnon by killing their mother and her lover. The story of Elektra is one of intense familial conflict, where themes of loyalty, justice, and retribution play central roles.

Elektra in the Marvel Universe: A Modern Adaptation

Marvel’s Elektra Natchios, while a product of a modern, action-oriented narrative, shares several thematic connections with the ancient Elektra. However, her character diverges in significant ways to create a unique figure suited to the superhero genre.

1. Vengeance and Familial Loyalty

One of the strongest thematic parallels between Marvel’s Elektra and the mythological Elektra is their shared focus on vengeance and familial loyalty. Elektra Natchios is introduced as the daughter of a Greek ambassador who is murdered when she is still a young woman. The trauma of her father’s death profoundly affects her, pushing her into a life of darkness and vengeance. This echoes the mythological Elektra’s obsession with avenging her father’s murder.

However, while Elektra’s story in Greek mythology is deeply entwined with familial duty—her actions are motivated by a desire to uphold the honor of her father and to restore justice to her family—Elektra Natchios’ motivations are more complex. Her desire for vengeance is compounded by her own moral ambiguities, personal losses, and the psychological toll of her father’s death. In contrast to Elektra’s relatively straightforward quest for revenge, Elektra Natchios struggles with her humanity and the darkness within her, making her a more conflicted and multifaceted character.

2. Identity and Duality

Another key parallel between the two characters is their struggle with identity. The mythological Elektra is often portrayed as being torn between her duties as a daughter and the horrific act of matricide she commits. She is a character divided by love and hate, a duality that is central to her tragic nature.

Elektra Natchios also grapples with duality in her life. She is both a warrior and a lover, a protector and a killer. Her relationship with Matt Murdock (Daredevil) adds another layer to this duality. She loves Matt deeply, but their relationship is fraught with tension due to her violent lifestyle and moral ambiguity. Elektra’s dual nature is reflected in her roles as both an assassin and a hero, as she oscillates between being a force for good and a harbinger of death. This internal conflict, like that of the mythological Elektra, defines much of her character arc.

3. Death and Resurrection

In both the myth and the Marvel Universe, death and the concept of resurrection play significant roles. In Greek mythology, Elektra’s story does not involve her literal resurrection, but her actions in avenging her father can be seen as a form of restoring life—giving back honor and meaning to her father’s death.

Marvel’s Elektra, on the other hand, has been physically resurrected multiple times throughout her storylines. After her first death at the hands of Bullseye, she is brought back to life through the mystical intervention of the Hand, a secretive ninja clan. This resurrection transforms her, both physically and emotionally, leading her to question her humanity and the consequences of her violent life. The theme of resurrection in Elektra’s narrative underscores her mythological roots, linking her to the idea of rebirth and the cyclical nature of life and death.

4. Feminine Power and Tragedy

Both the mythological Elektra and Marvel’s Elektra embody a particular type of feminine power. They are both strong, determined, and driven by intense emotional forces. In mythology, Elektra’s power comes from her unwavering commitment to her father and her ability to persuade Orestes to carry out the matricide. She is a pivotal character in a narrative that explores the consequences of breaking societal and familial bonds.

Similarly, Elektra Natchios is a powerful figure in the Marvel Universe, not just in terms of her physical abilities as a ninja, but also in her psychological and emotional depth. She is portrayed as a character with agency, making her own choices and shaping her destiny, even as she is haunted by her past. However, like her mythological counterpart, Elektra’s power is also a source of tragedy. Her life is marked by loss, betrayal, and a sense of isolation, making her a tragic figure in her own right.

Differences Between the Two Elektras

While there are clear parallels between the two characters, there are also significant differences that distinguish Marvel’s Elektra from her mythological namesake.

1. Cultural and Temporal Context

The mythological Elektra exists within the context of ancient Greek society, where familial duty and the gods’ will are central to the narrative. Her story is deeply embedded in the religious and cultural beliefs of the time, particularly the concept of miasma, or ritual pollution, that follows acts like murder within a family. The consequences of Elektra’s actions are judged not just by human standards but by divine laws as well.

In contrast, Elektra Natchios exists in the modern world of Marvel Comics, a universe filled with superheroes, mutants, and advanced technology. Her actions are driven by personal motives rather than divine imperatives, and the consequences she faces are often more psychological than spiritual. This shift in context allows for a more individualistic and nuanced exploration of her character, free from the constraints of ancient religious and societal norms.

2. Character Agency and Development

The mythological Elektra is often portrayed as a somewhat passive character, driven by her loyalty to her father and her desire for revenge. While she is certainly a strong character, her actions are often depicted as being in service of Orestes’ destiny rather than her own. Her primary role in the story is to instigate and support Orestes’ quest for vengeance.

In contrast, Elektra Natchios is a character with significant agency. She is not just a supporting character in someone else’s story; she is the protagonist of her own narrative. Elektra makes her own choices, whether it is to train as a ninja, to become an assassin, or to forge her own path as a vigilante. Her character development is complex and multifaceted, as she navigates the moral ambiguities of her world. This gives her a depth and autonomy that the mythological Elektra does not possess.

3. Romantic Relationships

While the mythological Elektra’s story is primarily about familial love and duty, Marvel’s Elektra is also defined by her romantic relationships, particularly with Daredevil. Her relationship with Matt Murdock is one of the most important aspects of her character, influencing many of her decisions and adding layers to her motivations. This romantic element adds a dimension to Elektra’s character that is absent in the mythological Elektra, whose motivations are primarily filial.

Elektra’s relationship with Matt Murdock is complex and often contradictory, reflecting her internal struggles. It represents the tension between her desire for love and normalcy and her life as a warrior. This dynamic is crucial in shaping her character and differentiating her from the mythological figure.

4. Moral Complexity

The mythological Elektra operates within a framework of clear moral binaries: loyalty to her father versus betrayal of her mother. Her story is about the consequences of breaking sacred familial bonds, and her actions, while tragic, are motivated by a clear sense of right and wrong as dictated by the society she lives in.

Marvel’s Elektra, however, exists in a morally gray world. Her life as an assassin means that she is constantly making choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. This moral complexity is a defining feature of her character and sets her apart from her mythological namesake. Elektra’s story is less about upholding moral absolutes and more about navigating the complexities of human nature and personal ethics.

Continuing on the topic of Elektra, you might enjoy the retelling of the mythological story of Elektra by Jennifer Saint, reviewed in the video below:

Marvel’s Elektra: A Modern Mythology

Marvel’s Elektra is a character deeply rooted in modern storytelling, yet her name and some thematic elements connect her to the ancient Greek mythological figure of Elektra. Both characters are driven by vengeance, loyalty, and a deep connection to their fathers, but they differ significantly in their cultural contexts, character development, and moral frameworks.

While the mythological Elektra is a tragic figure bound by the cultural and religious norms of ancient Greece, Marvel’s Elektra is a modern, complex character who grapples with issues of identity, morality, and redemption in a world filled with superheroes and villains. The differences between them highlight the evolution of storytelling from ancient myths to contemporary comics, where characters are allowed greater complexity and agency.

In this way, Elektra Natchios serves as a bridge between ancient and modern mythologies, embodying the timeless themes of tragedy and vengeance while also reflecting the complexities of the modern world. Her story, like that of her mythological counterpart, is ultimately about the human condition—our struggles with identity, morality, and the consequences of our choices—making her a powerful and enduring character in the Marvel Universe.