Elektra!
Frank Miller’s Elektra (1981 to 1993)
Frank Miller’s Daredevil
Although she’s not in every Frank Miller Daredevil issue, Elektra makes her debut in the first Daredevil comic Miller wrote and drew (Daredevil #168). As Daredevil fans know, I highly recommend the entire run up through Daredevil #191 (February, 1983), but the above recommendation will get you the essential Elektra, including her interactions with DD, Bullseye, and Kingpin.
#1 to #5
Support For Comic Book Herald:
Comic Book Herald is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a qualifying affiliate commission.
Comic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.
Any size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading!
Technically, Man Without Fear occurs prior to Frank Miller’s Daredevil run, even though Man Without Fear was published a good decade later. Nonetheless, I prefer to get the (superior) above Daredevil run under your belt before you flashback to the Miller and John Romita Jr. Daredevil / Elektra origins.
This graphic novel from Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz is quite simply the boldest, most adventurous, most ambitious, most superlative-ist book any major Marvel character saw from 1961 to 2000.
Note that this comic is for mature readers, and is not (and likely will not be) on Marvel Unlimited.
Elektra Lives Again is Frank Miler’s final word on his deadly greek ninja. Like Elektra: Assassin, Lives Again is not available on Marvel Unlimited.
Elektra in the 1990s
Daredevil Epic Collection: Fall From Grace
It takes a good long while before Elektra is brought back into the Marvel Universe, but she finally is during this mid-90’s period on Daredevil. As is becoming a recurring theme, these Daredevil issues are not currently scanned in Marvel Unlimited.
Collects: Daredevil #319 to #332
Elektra by Peter Milligan, Larry Hama & Mike Deodato Jr.: The Complete Collection
Elektra solo series that launched in 1996, collected for the very first time!
Collects: Elektra #1 to #19
Wolverine Meets Elektra
Less essential, but fairly fun exploration of the Elektra and Wolverine relationship, as the two killers team up during the Onslaught Saga. This is partially available on MU (Wolverine #104 to #105).
Speaking of Onslaught, though, these issues of Wolverine are totally tied into the Onslaught Saga. I’d recommend checking out the full Onslaught epic order if you’re interested in this making more sense.
Read: Wolverine#100, Uncanny X-Men #332, Wolverine #101 to #106
Elektra Enters the 2000’s (2002 to 2006)
Elektra: The Scorpio Key
It’s a lesser known fact, but Elektra’s Marvel Knights debut was actually written by Brian Michael Bendis (New Avengers, Ultimate Spider-Man) with art by Chuck Austen.
There’s an interesting compare and contrast you can do with Bendis’ handling of Elektra compared to Jessica Jones, the character he was inventing and developing in the pages of the excellent Alias
Elektra by Greg Rucka: The Ultimate Collection
In an odd twist, some of the most egregiously porn-y comic book covers of the early 2000’s actually contain well-plotted stories by one of comics more balanced and talented writers, Greg Rucka.
Punisher #27 – Garth Ennis Punisher era comic about the first meeting between Elektra and Punisher.
Elektra & Wolverine: The Redeemer
Elektra: Relentless
Elektra: Frenzy
Daredevil & Elektra
I don’t always lump in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe with character reading orders, since you can devour the entire Ultimate Universe rather neatly.
Daredevil & Elektra is a solid origin reimagining, taking its inspiration from Man Without Fear, and giving a more balanced look at Elektra and her motivations. Highly recommended read for Elektra fans.
Elektra: The Hand
Chronologically, “The Hand” is very much flashback, both for Elektra’s introduction to The Hand, and to the growth of The Hand itself. It’s a compelling topic, but the execution is lacking, and as such, you’re fine just reading in line with the publication order, and as prep for Elektra’s role in the next selection.
Wolverine Enemy of the State / Agent of SHIELD
Mark Millar’s first and much beloved Wolverine story involves a heavy dose of Elektra. To my knowledge, Millar and company are the first to really expand on the similarities between Elektra and Wolverine following those Larry Hama Onslaught tie-in issues we looked at in the 90s.
Collects: Wolverine issues #20 to #32.
Daredevil “The Murdock Papers”
It wouldn’t quite be a Daredevil run without Elektra turning up just as the story reaches a shocking climax.
Elektra’s Secret Invasion (2006 to 2012)
New Avengers
Elektra becomes a major player in the build up to Marvel’s Secret Invasion, and her role can be seen most clearly in the above issues.
Note that New Avengers is very deeply integrated into the larger Marvel Universe at this time, so if you really want to understand what’s going on here, it would make sense to jump back to Avengers Disassembled in the Comic Book Herald Marvel Reading Order.
Otherwise, if you’re just here for the Elektra, have at it!
Elektra does not play a major role in the actual Secret Invasion event, but these issues do explain what we see in the pages of New Avengers and Illuminati. If you want to do Secret Invasion proper, here’s my Secret Invasion reading order.
Dark Reign: Elektra
I’ve written as much in my picks for the best Dark Reign tie-ins, but Dark Reign: Elektra is extremely underrated. This miniseries restores Elektra to prominence following the events of Secret Invasion, and does so with a tone and approach consistent with the inimitable Elektra: Assassin.
Black Widow: The Name of the Rose
While this is partially just an excuse to recommend my favorite Black Widow comic of all time, Elektra does actually play an important and logical role in this story.
Shadowland: Street Heroes
Elektra plays a part in the 2010 Daredevil event Shadowland. Her one-shot tie-in is certainly the most direct issue you can read, but you could also check out my full Shadowland reading order. Elektra begins to play an essential role from Shadowland #3 onwards.
Elektra NOW! (2012 to Present)
Savage Wolverine: Hands on a Dead Body
Zeb Wells (Dark Reign: Elektra) returns to Elektra within the pages of Savage Wolverine. Plus we get to see some rare Spider-Man and Elektra conversation, and it’s pretty amazing. It’s worth noting that the story arc including Elektra wraps up with issue #8. Savage Wolverine #9 to #11 do feature some great Jock art, but no Elektra.
I’d also point out that reading Daredevil: Shadowland
Thunderbolts: No Quarter
Thunderbolts: Red Scare
Thunderbolts: Infinity
Thunderbolts: No Mercy
Mark Waid’s run on Daredevil, with fearless art from Marcos Martin and then Chris Samnee, is highly recommended reading for fans of ol’ hornhead, but doesn’t feature Elektra until issue #35. The Elektra appearance is a game-changer, though, and a fun Elektra and Daredevil team-up issue. The big picture here will make a lot more sense if you’ve been reading Daredevil, but you can get some mileage out of just the Elektra components.
Thunderbolts: Punisher vs. The Thunderbolts
Elektra
As part of Marvel NOW’s second wave of new series, Elektra finally got another chance at a solo title. W. Haden Blackman and Michael Del Mundo put together a ridiculously beautiful work of art, that runs for a breath-taking eleven issues.
Latest Additions:
Collects: Elektra (2014) #6 to #11
Elektra (2017): Always Bet on Red
Collects: Elektra (2017) #1 to #5
Collects: Devil’s Reign #1 to #6, Devil’s Reign Omega #1
Check out CBH’s full Reading Order!
Collects: Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 to #3, Elektra (2022) #100
Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky Vol. 1: The Red Fist Saga
Collects: Daredevil (2022) #1 to #5
Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2: The Red Fist Saga Part 2
Collects: Daredevil (2022) #6 to #10
Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky Vol. 3
Collects: Daredevil (2022) #11 to #14
Collects: Elektra: Black, White & Blood #1 to #4
View Comments (1)
Hi Dave,
My interest in Daredevil have dramatically increased after having watched the Netflix adaptation. Once I know that Elektra will be playing a part in Season 2, I dove straight into finding out which of Elektra's stories were most acclaimed. Since then, I've bought Elektra: Assassin and the 2014 run but I also chance upon seemingly uncollected titles like Elektra: Glimpse & Echo and Elektra: Root of Evil. Where would they fit into the chronology on your new reading order?
Btw, would you consider doing a list for She-hulk or Patsy Walker (Hellcat) sometime in the future?
With much appreciation,
Noel