ELEKTRA ENDS WITH #36

[MattBrady]

Marvel has informed retailers that its current <b>Elektra</b> series will end with issue #35, which ships in April.

The series was written by Robert Rodi, with art by Joe Bennett. Issue #36, which was the start of a new arc was solicited.

The final issue for which an estimate os sales to retailers was available was December's #30, which saw an estimated 23,578 copies ship to retailers.

[Kerouac]

I'm sure there are some people out there that loved this book (I know I periodically saw it getting pretty decent reviews), but I just never could see how Marvel expected Elektra to support her own book. On the other hand, three years is a pretty good run for a second-tier character these days.

Matt

[dj_me]

Hate to say it first, but good. I beginning to wish that I didn't subscribe to this book. It just really feel off from a really good start. Let's hope that Mystique doesn't head in the same direction this did.

[J.C. Bakken]

it was about time.
I havn't heard ANYTHING about this in the last YEAR!
Except when there was reports on new crew, but I havn't see it at Talk@ in a while.

[scan2001]

Too bad. It start off good but it became so boring.

[Tom Daylight]

That's weird... I thought there was, y'know, some sort of MOVIE coming out in the next year ;)

Seriously, I thought that was the main reasoning behind keeping it going. Although to be fair, I suspect the Elektra movie will be more in keeping with the Daredevil movie's non-character as opposed to anything to do with the comic; I suppose Marvel intends to put out an Elektra comic in line with that vision.

[stlfan79]

I havent read this book since the end of Ruckas run and was actually about ready to hunt down the backissues and start buying it again-guess I won't need to worry now.

[tralfaz]

yes, now i could make my pitch for it....

here comes Elektra: Mercenary of SHIELD!!!!

[Reliant]

Another strong female Marvel character bites the dust.

[echoshifting]

It really is a shame. The book started out strong but changing the concept of the book into just a plain old, hardass assassin going from job to job with little to no character development was a terrible idea. I can't understand why anyone thought this was a good idea.

I guess it'll be nice to see her back in the pages of Daredevil with a bit more frequency...assuming Bendis lets her out to play.

[blankpoint]

What a shame. The book started off terribly, continued horribly, and is currently crappy.

Ordering this title for my store, I realized the only way to judge how many copies would sell was by seeing how much breastmeat was showing in those god-awful Horn covers. The one where she's dying with little stringy bikini bits of costume barely covering her nipples sold 7 copies, while the slightly more tasteful ones sold maybe 3. After they lost Greg Horn, they had slightly better covers, but the comic was even worse and I sold 1 copy. To a guy who also buy Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose (AKA the comic where they sell underwear in the back pages)

[rjjb7]

A great character with lots of potential, but never realized in this series.

Probably doesn't deserve the MARVEL KNIGHTS label, so is probably best to pull the plug on this book.

We started with Austen writing and on art...painful issues.

Rucka added some characterization and humanity to our anti-hero femme-fatale, but art changes continued to disrupt the storylines.

Then Rodi's run was O.K. with nice art, but damn, our anti-hero was simply a force of nature with no characterization whatsoever. The book looked great but was kinda dull, IMO.

Maybe Marvel could bring back the DAREDEVIL-ELECTRA Ultimate series which was excellent and timed nicely to coincide with the DAREDEVIL film.

Justa a thought.

Like the NAMOR series, I'm glad to see this book go b/c the character deserves better.

I prefer Marvel's approach of publishing fewer books which tend to be of high quality. (Of course, w/o Time-Warner or such backing them up, they have to.)

Farewell for now Electra.

[John Jones]

Originally posted by rjjb7


We started with Austen writing and on art...painful issues.


Bendis wrote the first arc.

[dk2]

I'm not surprised. I really doubted this book to have a long run. I think with the success of the current Daredevil series at the Marvel Knights imprint, they thought that they could do the same with Elektra as an MK series (and being a DD supporting character). Part way thru this series' run, it was switched from a Marvel Knights book to under the regular Marvel Universe titles. Then there was last year's DD movie, which featured Elektra, and no doubt thought that the current series may thrive from this. I don't think it did much at all to increase sales/ gain new readers.

I don't think the previous Elektra series from the early-mid 1990s lasted more than 3 years either. I guess Elektra is not the most interesting character to have a series around. A hired assassin doing her job probably ain't that fun to read on a regular basis. The series just had no proper direction, hence the constant change in writers and artists, which never helped overall.

[Stratus]

Actually, Bendis wrote Elektra's first 6 or 7 issues - the first complete arc, and then a standalone (the 'Nuff Said month, I think) that tied in loosely with Daredevil that month.

Then Rucka came on and did a bang-up job, but Marvel couldn't find an artist for the interiors with as much appeal as the cover artists. (Yeah, Greg Horn's covers were shameless, but they weren't devoid of artistic merit, he actually is a talented painter.) Rucka's run was insightful and interesting, if ultimately futile when Rodi came aboard and editorial decided to stick with the previous status quo...

Reminds me of the last Elektra series. Peter Milligan writing some interesting stuff that, if he'd been given free reign and the stories had been accepted as permanent, could have defined the character. Alas, the poor old girl continues along in a pretty silly limbo wherein she serves better as a plot device as an actual personality.

I won't miss it, but I find myself looking at all the wasted potential and wishing I could miss it.

Regards,
Stratus

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by Stratus
Actually, Bendis wrote Elektra's first 6 or 7 issues - the first complete arc, and then a standalone (the 'Nuff Said month, I think) that tied in loosely with Daredevil that month.

Hrmm, wow, I didn't even know this....... is this run collected in TPB form, and is it worth picking up? I have loved just about every Bendis book I've picked up so far. I also did like that one issue of Bendis's DD where Elektra guest-starred (is that the one that tied in loosely with DD)?

-Zadillo

[WebHobbit]

Originally posted by dj_me
Hate to say it first, but good. I beginning to wish that I didn't subscribe to this book. It just really feel off from a really good start. Let's hope that Mystique doesn't head in the same direction this did.

Mystique won't last half as long as Elektra did.

[Arashikage Ninja]

Originally posted by Zadillo
Hrmm, wow, I didn't even know this....... is this run collected in TPB form, and is it worth picking up? I have loved just about every Bendis book I've picked up so far. I also did like that one issue of Bendis's DD where Elektra guest-starred (is that the one that tied in loosely with DD)?

-Zadillo

I wish I could say it was worth picking up. I too love almost everything Bendis has touched, but alas, his Elektra left something to be desired. My advice would be don't bother and don't allow yourself to see Bendis failing.

[ReaperFett]

:(!

Loved this book :(

And it didnt sell as badly as others. Typical.

[gOgIver]

Figures

[hondo]

The book really did start off well and quickly took a huge nose dive.

Whoever posted Elektra S.H.I.E.L.D. Assassin was dead on. I have long thought that a S.H.I.E.L.D. series needs to be brought back and now Elektra could be a strong supporting character crossing between that book and Daredevil.

C'mon Marvel. That would really really rock. She could play double agent working for S.H.I.E.L.D. but also rooting out some of the less-than-savory aspects of the espionage business from her employer and go to the Conscience of the Marvel Universe good hearted Catholic Matt Murdock Daredevil who could now and then lend a helping hand behind the scenes either helping to lessen some of the greater Machiavellian evils done by said organization with the best of intentions for a greater good on an international scale or by merely being a sounding board and shouler / confidant for Elektra.

She could also be his on again off again partner with sort of the same kind of relationship that has been hinted at with Batman and Catwoman esp by Loeb in the Hush storyline.

Can't wait to see this character really get the spin she deserves. The espionage / DD is loaded with potential IMHO.

[mrhelm]

I always thought Elektra was too one-dimensional to keep up in her own series. She needs some more personality and a supporting cast, but the original Elektra series failed miserably at that, so I suppose that's why this serie strayed in to the emotionless wreck angle.

Mystique has far more character, but her series won't hold out this long.

[Quattro]

Originally posted by Reliant
Another strong female Marvel character bites the dust.

Don't you mean ``another horribly stereotypical female character''? :P

[Jason Seaver]

Well, she was an interesting and strong character when Rucka was writing her (the Bendis run didn't quite work). Since then... Well, I wouldn't know, since Rodi's take on her didn't interest me.

[tomwe]

Originally posted by Fetsur
That's weird... I thought there was, y'know, some sort of MOVIE coming out in the next year ;)

aha, and here's a perfect opportunity to continue the semi-aborted ultimate electra. or something.

[Scooby2099]

I'm surprised Elektra lasted for 35 issues. I've read a good handful of issue and thought it was devoid of anything interesting. Elektra just came off as way too one demensional.

[DerekSykes]

I enjoyed the Rucka and Bendis issues, but haven't read the Rodi stuff yet. Have to wonder though. I feel a character like Elektra is not really well served by having her own series. Some characters serve better as supporting characters, rather than being thrust into the spotlight. You know, keeping the mystery.

Its like John Constantine. I have always thought it a mistake to give him his own series. Don't get me wrong, some of the stories have been great. The Ennis stuff was great, as were the Ellis stories. But looking back at his first appearances in Swamp Thing, he was this facinating mysterious character who appeared in the middle of nowhere, by means unexplained, who knew things that made you wonder who he was. And you never knew what his agenda was. Well, all that mystery is gone now, and in my opinion, not for the better. Azarello's run seemed to use the character the best as he was a bit player in his own series for much of it.

I believe the same thing of Elektra. She was a powerful influence on Daredevil's life, and holds a certain mystery and notoriety in the Marvel universe. When she shows up, generally, the stakes have just risen considerably. Hopefully, the character will not disappear, and will be used for high impact moments in other Marvel series.

Anyhow, thats my thoughts on it :). Good luck to Rodi with his next series.

Derek

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by WebHobbit
Mystique won't last half as long as Elektra did.

Yes it will! (damn yo for speaking this words of negativity).

Actually, I'm not sure how long Mystique will last, but for now Vaughan is a splendid up-and-coming writer. And I think that as long as he is on the book, it'll last.
Of course, it all depends on Who comes next.

[Reliant]

Originally posted by Quattro
Don't you mean ``another horribly stereotypical female character''? :P

She's no more horribly sterotypical than the exaggerated male characters out there.
:p

[krimsun]

Originally posted by WebHobbit
Mystique won't last half as long as Elektra did.

Now's the time to have a book with Mystique, Elektra and Emma Frost all in one. Three strips [with slightly reduced page counts] a month for $3.50

[AllAboutMe]

Frank Miller is somewhere smiling.
Don't let anyone but Frank handle this character because they have no clue what the character is all about.

[Hannibal Tabu]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Marvel has informed retailers that its current <b>Elektra</b> series will end with issue #35, which ships in April.

The series was written by Robert Rodi, with art by Joe Bennett. Issue #36, which was the start of a new arc was solicited.

The final issue for which an estimate os sales to retailers was available was December's #30, which saw an estimated 23,578 copies ship to retailers.

Dammit!

I just started buying this at the start of the last arc. I was enjoying this!

Ah well. Marvel never seems to stay in my Buy Pile for long these days ...

[ReaperFett]

Originally posted by Scooby2099
I'm surprised Elektra lasted for 35 issues. I've read a good handful of issue and thought it was devoid of anything interesting. Elektra just came off as way too one demensional.
And The Punisher doesn't? :)

[walker_trent]

This is the book that Kevin Smith and Joe Q are going to relaunch right? I am pretty sure that I heard this somewhere. It is currently on the downlow though.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by AllAboutMe
Don't let anyone but Frank handle this character because they have no clue what the character is all about. No, I think they do, and IMO, Greg Rucka enunciated it pretty well - under MIller, she was a complete arc, a finished character with a purpose-driven beginning, middle, and end.

It's pretty hard to pick up those pieces and try to give her meaning and a purpose again.

MattB

[dj_me]

I like the SHIELD book idea. I also like the thought that it could sort of be a Charlie's Angel type book with Nick Fury being the liason for Black Widow, Elektra and Mystique. Talk about a naughty book! Come on Quesada, hook us up!

[Captain Jim]

I haven't been reading this book, but I do feel sorry for writer Bob Rodi. First The Crossovers is cancelled on him and now this.

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by walker_trent
This is the book that Kevin Smith and Joe Q are going to relaunch right? I am pretty sure that I heard this somewhere. It is currently on the downlow though.
First and only post , and you serv us a rumor?
Riiiiiiiiiiight. . . . :rolleyes: :mad:

[J.D. Lombardi]

Guys....GUYS! Come on now! You'll have your title back, this is Marvel! The minute that movie with Jennifer Garner is set to debut, you'll have a shiny new #1. :)

[swol]

Originally posted by hondo
Whoever posted Elektra S.H.I.E.L.D. Assassin was dead on. I have long thought that a S.H.I.E.L.D. series needs to be brought back and now Elektra could be a strong supporting character crossing between that book and Daredevil.

C'mon Marvel. That would really really rock. She could play double agent working for S.H.I.E.L.D. but also rooting out some of the less-than-savory aspects of the espionage business from her employer and go to the Conscience of the Marvel Universe good hearted Catholic Matt Murdock Daredevil who could now and then lend a helping hand behind the scenes either helping to lessen some of the greater Machiavellian evils done by said organization with the best of intentions for a greater good on an international scale or by merely being a sounding board and shouler / confidant for Elektra.

She could also be his on again off again partner with sort of the same kind of relationship that has been hinted at with Batman and Catwoman esp by Loeb in the Hush storyline.

Can't wait to see this character really get the spin she deserves. The espionage / DD is loaded with potential IMHO.

You know, I never cared for the character but this sounds like a great plan.

Elektra always seemed like a supporting player to me anyway.

As an Agent Of SHIELD she would be part of a team. SHIELD would be back in the spy-guy spotlight and could logically interact with most of the MU.

Elektra as the literal femme-fatale of this outfit would be a perfect fit.

[Jeffbot]

Originally posted by MattBrady
The final issue for which an estimate os sales to retailers was available was December's #30, which saw an estimated 23,578 copies ship to retailers.

That's just about what Spider-Girl is selling, isn't it?

Uh oh.

[braseth]

it started out awesome. but once it left marvel knights it wasn't the same. i got bored. there was no character development or any good story. it was just "i'm going to kill this guy this month" then next month it was "i'm going to kill this other guy". BORING.

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by Jeffbot
That's just about what Spider-Girl is selling, isn't it?

Uh oh.

97 SPIDER-GIRL #67 December: 22561 < September: 24443
Need more readers, but at least we're guaranteed up 'till 81.
DeFalco has confirmed that up to 81 is safe.
And, it really needs more readers.Just go topage 2 (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8184&perpage=40&highlight=numbers&pagenumber=2) on this thread, scroll down, and se my version on the numbers.

[ReaperFett]

Originally posted by J.C. Bakken
First and only post , and you serv us a rumor?
Riiiiiiiiiiight. . . . :rolleyes: :mad:
Smith and Quesada are doing SOMETHING, it was in Wizard. What, we don't know.



Originally posted by J.C. Bakken
DeFalco has confirmed that up to 81 is safe. And I find that unfair. Sorry, but how come the lower seller has over a year left guarenteed, while Elektra is having solcitied books cancelled to hurry it up?

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally posted by ReaperFett
Smith and Quesada are doing SOMETHING, it was in Wizard. What, we don't know.

It's not finishing up on Smith's previous two mini-series, DAREDEVIL: TARGET or SPIDERMAN/BLACK CAT, that's for sure... :mad: :(

[J.C. Bakken]

Originally posted by ReaperFett
Smith and Quesada are doing SOMETHING, it was in Wizard. What, we don't know.



And I find that unfair. Sorry, but how come the lower seller has over a year left guarenteed, while Elektra is having solcitied books cancelled to hurry it up?

As I don't read Wizard, what did it say? How was it presented? And doing something, for those guys it could be eating pizza or working on Target #2 or Black Cat #4.



It could, as someone said, that they wanna restart it later, when the movie hits. With a new number 1, and without the volume number, so that people don't have to wonder about why it's a 3 series.
Also, DeFalco has a fan following in SG, and maybe something more in the works, so that they wanna keep him happy, so he dosn't take his business elsewhere.

[Burke 0011]

Originally posted by Arashikage Ninja
I wish I could say it was worth picking up. I too love almost everything Bendis has touched, but alas, his Elektra left something to be desired. My advice would be don't bother and don't allow yourself to see Bendis failing.

My thoughts exactly - well said.

[hondo]

Spidey Girl is a character with a lot of merchandising appeal and the company has recognized that and is supporting her now more than perhaps another character that would probably lack as much universal public appeal.

Yes, I am sure that Elektra will be back. Again.

I would still really like to see her as a main character in a S.H.I.E.L.D. book. Great to see S.H.I.E.L.D. book, Elektra in an environment that works well for her, and let's throw one or two Black Widows in there too. This could have kind of a Birds of Prey-ish feel to it, or Charlie's Angels, along with some other covert, maybe new characters.

Marvel - take a long look at this !

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally posted by braseth
it started out awesome. but once it left marvel knights it wasn't the same. i got bored. there was no character development or any good story. it was just "i'm going to kill this guy this month" then next month it was "i'm going to kill this other guy". BORING.

Sorry, but the reason I collected this title was to her see her fulfill her true potential, which is that of an ASSASSIN, people. :mad:

(the same could be said for the Punisher)

Elektra has never been interesting as a good guy IMHO. Yeah, she's been one-dimensional in her history, but I really didn't expect anything more or less.

She kills people. That's *all* she does!!! :eek:

I've enjoyed most of this new Elektra series, except for Rucka's run. I thought his was horrible. Elektra try to redeem herself? WHO CARES!!! If I want angst, soul searching and trying to redeem one's self, I'll pick up WOLVERINE (which I do anyway).

I will miss this title, but I expect them to relaunch a new ELEKTRA series/mini when the Jennifer Garner movie eventually is released. :D

[walker_trent]

The reason that I mentioned Joe Q Kevin Smith was that I heard some buzz around New England Comics the other. Very well could be just rumor but from my experience those guys know what they are talking about.

[Devil Dino]

I just dropped the book last month. It was just getting SO dull - and she was hardly in it most of the time. I can't say I'm surprised that it was cancelled, although that's not saying I'm 'pleased' that it has...

[Goodman]

Originally posted by AllAboutMe
Frank Miller is somewhere smiling.
Don't let anyone but Frank handle this character because they have no clue what the character is all about.

Of course, Frank's to blame for all this. It was his bright idea to bring Elektra back from the dead after she'd had an autopsy and was decomposing in the ground a while, "cleaned her" (gave her a white costume) and then naively hoped nobody else would use the character

[ElektraFirst]

Ah well, I knew this was coming. Even though I'll miss Elektra, I think the entire approach to the character could have been handled better. My feeling is, other than in Rucka's run, nothing really happened to her. There was no character growth or change.

Plus, not only did she rarely speak, there was no monologue. That means there was very little for the reader to identify with. In the end, we never got to learn much about Elektra.

The book never got a consistent artist either. There were six artists over the course of the series and not all of them fit. I thought Bennett was really good though.

Hope we haven't seen the last of her.

[Bytor-Snowdog]

Originally posted by tralfaz
yes, now i could make my pitch for it....

here comes Elektra: Mercenary of SHIELD!!!!

Actually, that would be pretty cool, especially as part of a SHIELD regular series. Imagine Elektra taking orders from Fury.

[rjjb7]

Originally posted by John Jones
Bendis wrote the first arc.


Thanks for the reminder.

Knew there was some reason I stuck with the book.

Man though all that stands out in my mind was that horrendous dark art.

Actually makes me recall that same art on Austen's WAR MACHINE (shiver runs down spine).

I do have faith Elektra will be back as a major player in the MU.

Still recommend to any comics lover Frank Miller's VISIONARIES 2/ DAREDEVIL TPB for great Elektra (and Daredevil) tales.

[AForceOfOne]

Originally posted by dj_me
I like the SHIELD book idea. I also like the thought that it could sort of be a Charlie's Angel type book with Nick Fury being the liason for Black Widow, Elektra and Mystique. Talk about a naughty book! Come on Quesada, hook us up!

The ONLY way I could see buying any kind of SHIELD book is if it was in the Ultimate Universe line. It's fresh, current, not bogged down in alot of needless continuity and what is there counts. But really we already have The Ultimates, which IMO, is the pinnicle Avengers if they were in real life. Captain America in Camo and military belts is just a no brainer. No military man would run around in buccaneer boots in this day and age.

And I love the MU character versions of the above BTW (cap, shielf, elektra). I've been reading comics for quite a long time and it's mostly been superheros during that time. I'm just looking at it from a perspective on what I think would sell. Unfortunately in the time I've been reading there's been alot of garbage, but I think comics are getting back on track. We have to think about the general public as well as the comic reading public if we want the new readers. To do that you have to come from another perspective which, in recent years, has been from the film angle. I could go on about this topics...but I think you guys will get the gist.

I think Elektra is just one of those characters that definately works but maybe not so much in the context of her own title. If so then definately through a series of minis. (The movie angle again)

Edit: Actually now thinking back the UMU already has an Elektra type character in Black Widow and if you take a look at Ult Marvel TeamUp you'll see that Bendis already did what is being talked about. Just with a different character.

[Dreamawake]

I think we all saw this coming.

[Arashikage Ninja]

Originally posted by AForceOfOne
The ONLY way I could see buying any kind of SHIELD book is if it was in the Ultimate Universe line.

Bendis' new Secret War limited series is almost a SHIELD book. I realize we've only seen issue one and next issue will have a "Gathering of the heroes," but it does revolve around Fury and SHIELD quite a bit. Obviously, this isn't an ongoing, but it proves that it is possible to make a MU continuity SHIELD book that would be readable, and even enjoyable

[Jeremy Williams]

One of my favorite book of the last few years was Code Name: Knock-out by Robert Rodi the writer of Elektra. So i`ve never read his Elektra but I wish he keeps working because I believe him to be a very talented writer. Maybe nobody can make Elektra interesting...?!

[Strike]

I've been enjoying this Elektra run - Rucka's arc was good, and I think Rodi's run is even better, since he's not trying to make her a good guy.

I get bored with reading about heroes all the time, which is why we need characters like Punisher and Elektra - people who will never be heroes by any stretch of the imagination.

[skywatcher]

Originally posted by scan2001
Too bad. It start off good but it became so boring.
I bought the early issues too....

[ReaperFett]

Originally posted by Strike
I've been enjoying this Elektra run - Rucka's arc was good, and I think Rodi's run is even better, since he's not trying to make her a good guy.

Totally agree. My big gripe with Rucka was he wasn't writing Elektra IMO, he was writing someone who looked like her.

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally posted by ReaperFett
Totally agree. My big gripe with Rucka was he wasn't writing Elektra IMO, he was writing someone who looked like her.

I couldn't have said it better myself!!! :D

And you *knew* that Elektra would eventually revert back to being a cold-blooded assassin anyway, so it was a waste of time IMO. :mad:

On another note, thanks Marvel, for helping to thin out my Pull List!!! :rolleyes:

The last couple of months you've cancelled a lot of the titles I read (Sentinel, The Crew, Agent X, soon to be Inhumans), saving me money I can spend on DC titles!!! :D

Don't even get me started on the titles I voluntarily dropped b/c they were going to shite (X-Statix, Amazing Spiderman, X-Treme X-Men). :mad:

good job Marvel....clap, clap.....good job! :(