Iconic Marvel Hero Officially Joins the Avengers After 44 Years

Becoming a member of the Avengers is a significant milestone for any Marvel hero tasked with safeguarding the world. However, there remains one legendary figure in the Marvel universe who has yet to officially align with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Over the years, the Avengers have welcomed various beings into their ranks, including extraterrestrials, Eternals, mutants, Spider-Heroes, and the Fantastic Four. Now, a pivotal character known for her lethal prowess has officially joined their ranks, complete with a branded Avengers jacket to mark the occasion.

The recent release of Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #1, crafted by Steve Orlando and Francesco Archidiacono, heralds the moment when Elektra Natchios steps forward as an official member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Formerly an assassin and now the bearer of the Daredevil mantle, Elektra has been enlisted into the Avengers Emergency Response Squad—a dedicated unit operating under the guidance of Captain America to tackle unforeseen global threats.

Marvel Astonishing Avengers Cover showing Elektra as a member

Elektra first entered the Marvel landscape in Daredevil #168, created by Frank Miller in 1981. Known for her complex relationship with Matt Murdock, Elektra’s backstory includes her transformation into a world-class assassin following the tragic loss of her diplomat father. Throughout her journey, she has oscillated between heroism and villainy, but a recent redemption narrative saw her take the reins as Daredevil while Matt served time in prison. The first issue of Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic showcases the squad as they confront a colossal obelisk, which is merely an initial phase in a sinister plot.

It is worth noting that Matt Murdock, as Daredevil, was previously part of the Avengers during the New Avengers Volume 2 #16 storyline (by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato), where he engaged in combat alongside the Avengers against the X-Men as part of the notable AvX event.

Elektra’s Official Redemption: From Assassin to Avenger

The Journey from Assassin to Superhero: Elektra’s Transformation

Elektra as portrayed in movies and comics

Despite having collaborated with Marvel heroes in the past and accepting assignments from SHIELD—such as a mission involving a brainwashed Wolverine—Elektra’s antihero persona rendered her a menacing presence until recently. The turning point came in 2020 when Matt Murdock willingly chose to serve prison time after accidentally killing a criminal. Matt wrestled with the moral implications of his decision, as doing so left Hell’s Kitchen unprotected.

In the 2019 series Savage Avengers, Elektra found herself among a diverse group of skilled combatants, including former Avengers like Wolverine and Doctor Strange. However, this configuration was not recognized by Marvel as an official Avengers subset, given the team’s reputation as a congregation of lethal heroes.

Elektra as both a superhero and an assassin

Fortunately, Elektra stepped up to embody the role of Daredevil, aspiring to encourage Matt to join forces in confronting an insidious ninja death cult, the Hand. Matt laid down strict guidelines for her adoption of his heroic identity, with “no killing”being the paramount rule. Initially resistant to relinquishing her lethal tactics, Elektra soon embraced the superhero ethos. Even post-Matt’s prison time, she has retained the Daredevil name, now committed to fighting for justice rather than vengeance.

Elektra’s redemptive journey culminates with her recruitment into the Avengers Emergency Response Squad, alongside distinguished figures such as Captain America, She-Hulk, and Wonder Man. A noteworthy detail of this initiation is the matching team jackets designed by the innovative Night Thrasher, outfitted with features like bulletproof material and built-in first aid kits. This symbolizes the meaningful transition of Elektra from a notorious killer to a reliable hero, as she proudly dons the Avengers insignia.

The Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #1 is currently available through Marvel Comics.

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