Daredevil #168
- Date: January 1981
- Publisher: Marvel Comics Group
- Cover Price: 50¢
- 2013 Price Range: $11 - $200
- Stats: 30 color pages plus ads and “Let's Level with Daredevil” letters page
- Writer and Artist: Frank Miller
- Other Artists: Klaus Janson, Dr. Martin, Joe Rosen
- Notable Notes: Origin and 1st appearance of Elektra, 1st Miller scripts
An Excuse To Get This Issue!
I enjoy collecting comics - you know, the actual tracking down, haggling and finally obtaining an issue that I have long sought after. And creating this web site gives me the perfect excuse to get some issues I have wanted for a long time - like this one! To be honest ebay is the route I mostly take for used comics, and I put in many bids on many different DD #168 auctions before I finally won this one. It cost me $50 (that is 100 times its original price!) but I think it is in much better condition than advertised, and I was very pleased with the purchase. Hopefully one day I can sell it for at least a little bit of a profit - but if not then no big deal, because it was totally worth buying just to read the classic story inside!
Synopsis:
"Elektra" : This issue begins as Daredevil tracks down a blind beggar and a homeless man who are actually undercover thugs working for a crime lord named Eric Slaughter. It seems Mr. Slaughter is harboring a thief who recently committed a murder, and it is that thief that Daredevil is trying to find. As DD roughs up the thugs while trying to get information he is interrupted by a sai wielding female bounty hunter who is also trying to get the same information! She takes Daredevil out of action, and when she speaks Matt suddenly realizes that he knows who she is. We are then treated to a flashback of Matt while still an undergraduate in college - a time when he meets and falls in love with Elektra Natchios, the daughter of a foreign diplomat. The two of them enjoy a nice year together, but all doesn't end well when Elektra's father is killed and she returns to Europe with a chip on her shoulder. Returning to the current year, we find Daredevil cleverly tracking down the new Elektra as she battles with Slaughter's men. Just as things begin to look grim for her Matt pops in to save the day. Realizing who saved her the issue ends with the two of them sharing a sad kiss. Sniff... I almost want to cry!
My 2 Cents:
- I was a little bit surprised to find that I really enjoyed this story! Sure, I've heard about and read a lot of other stories with Elektra, but this original story was well done and quite touching. Bravo!
- The art was good. I like Frank Miller's drawings, but the dark and gritty style isn't my favorite. I was surprised, however, to see Elektra drawn as a beautiful, normal woman - not some over-sexualized killer. I think that made the story even better.
- The dialogue was pretty good too. My only small nitpick with this issue was that at times there were a ton of word balloons, and at other times there weren't any. More consistency would have been nice, but really that is just a minor thing in this otherwise awesome issue.
How I Rate This Issue:
Where To Get Your Own Copy:
Check Out This Similar Post:
- Be sure to see my review of Daredevil #158 - featuring Frank Miller's first art work on Daredevil!
† - This is an affiliate link. Learn more on my Privacy & Disclosure page.
(This is a revised version of a post which was originally published on comic-prospector.com on Feb 16th, 2013.)
