Best Daredevil Character: Matt Murdock vs. Marvel’s Fan-Favorite Bad Girl

Matt Murdock, widely recognized as Marvel Comics’ Daredevil, has seen his former love, Elektra, don the mantle of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen since 2023. This twist has ignited vibrant discussions among fans regarding who truly deserves the title of the superior Daredevil. In a revealing interview with Screen Rant, current Daredevil writer Erica Schultz provided her insights into this ongoing debate.

Comic book art: Elektra attacks while blood drips down behind her.

Over the course of Schultz’s narrative, Elektra has undergone significant evolution as a hero, grappling with her tumultuous past. While Elektra has adapted to emerge as a formidable Daredevil, the question remains: who is the true vigilante—her or Matt Murdock?

Elektra’s Transformation & Bad Girl Image: Erica Schultz’s Perspective

Elektra Ensures a Safer Hell’s Kitchen

Introduced in 1981 in Daredevil #168 by the legendary Frank Miller, Elektra was initially designed as a femme fatale to challenge Matt Murdock. Schultz asserts that this very design is what makes Elektra arguably the superior Daredevil:

Everyone loves the bad girl, and Elektra is the ultimate bad girl. She’s sexy and unapologetic, and she can kill you with a glance. She’s had so many experiences throughout her life (and many lives, if you count all the times she’s died!) that helps inform who she is. But like all people, she’s constantly evolving and learning new facets of herself.

Elektra’s complex history contributes depth to her character. As Schultz noted, her life experiences have facilitated remarkable growth that continues to unfold in Elektra’s current story arcs. Despite having over sixty years of narrative history, Matt Murdock also continues to discover new dimensions of himself.

Elektra’s past, rife with bloodshed and her ties to the Hand, starkly contrasts with her present role as a heroine. According to Schultz, it is precisely this dark history that empowers Elektra and sets her apart as the more compelling Daredevil.

If you told her 20 years ago that she’d be a full-on hero, she may have stabbed you for lying to her, but look at her now! Just in the past few years, she’s been Queen of the Fist, the role model of a teenage ward, and paired up with another incredible Marvel heroine, Wolverine! So, yeah…she can do anything she puts her mind to.

This relentless determination makes Elektra a dynamic character. Her journey towards self-acceptance as a hero is vividly portrayed across various comics, such as Daredevil: Gang War, Daredevil: The Woman Without Fear, and Daredevil: Unleash Hell.

Both Matt & Elektra Are Esteemed Marvel Heroes, But Schultz Favors Elektra

Elektra Possesses Unique Qualities That Murdoch Lacks

Comic book art: Daredevil and Elektra kiss on a rooftop

The relationship between Matt Murdock and Elektra is characterized by tension and intimacy. Their dynamic often leaves readers wondering if they will unite against a common foe or clash in opposition. Both are highly skilled fighters, making it challenging to determine who would prevail in a confrontation. However, Schultz believes she knows who would come out on top:

In terms of a fight, Elektra and Matt have fought many times. It may be a slim victory, but I’d give it to Elektra every time.

Though Matt boasts enhanced senses, including his unique radar-like ability, Schultz suggests that Elektra’s capacity for ruthless combat could give her the edge. Both characters have engaged formidable adversaries, including Black Widow and the Silver Samurai for Elektra, and numerous notorious villains for Matt.

Interestingly, even Matt acknowledges that should Elektra put her mind to beating him, he wouldn’t stand a chance, revealing his understanding of their positions within the pantheon of Marvel heroes.

Source: Erica Schultz, Screen Rant Interview

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