Elektra (character)
| Elektra Natchios | |
|---|---|
 Textless cover of Elektra #3 (November 2001). Art by Greg Horn. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance |
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| Created by | Frank Miller |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Elektra Natchios |
| Team affiliations | |
| Partnerships | Daredevil |
| Notable aliases |
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| Abilities |
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Elektra Natchios (UK: /ˈnætʃiɒs/, US: /-oʊs/; Greek: Ηλέκτρα Νάτσιος) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Frank Miller, the character first appeared in Daredevil #168 (cover-dated Jan. 1981). Initially created as a supporting character for the superhero Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Elektra has functioned as his villainous adversary, love interest, and eventual heroic ally. Her violent nature and mercenary lifestyle have served as a divisive point of conflict between them, culminating in her becoming the second Daredevil in 2020. One of Frank Miller's best-known creations, she was killed by Bullseye at the conclusion of her first story arc in 1982, though she was later resurrected and became a regularly appearing character, headlining three ongoing series. She has also appeared as a supporting character of Wolverine and in other series and mini-series, including as a member of the Thunderbolts and the Savage Avengers.
A highly trained assassin of Greek descent, Elektra is driven by the trauma of her father's death at the hands of terrorists, which leads her to abandon her studies and devote herself to martial arts. She trains under the Hand, a sect of mystical ninja, before breaking away to become an independent assassin. Her trademark weapon is the sai, a three-pointed melee weapon she wields in a pair, and she is an Olympic-level athlete and master martial artist.
Miller designed the character around the Electra complex theorized by Carl Jung, and her stories explore themes of madness, trauma, and moral ambiguity, while Elektra: Assassin functions as a broader satire on American culture and politics. Portrayed as both a femme fatale and a sex symbol, Elektra was one of the primary inspirations for the Bad Girl art trend of the 1990s in American comics, and has influenced subsequent characters across multiple media.
Elektra has been presented in numerous live action film and television adaptations. Jennifer Garner portrayed Elektra in the films Daredevil (2003), Elektra (2005), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Élodie Yung portrayed the character in the MCU television series Daredevil (2016) and The Defenders (2017), and will return in the upcoming third season of Daredevil: Born Again (2027).