Miller, Sienkiewicz and Elektra

(Check out the Elektra: Assassin original covers gallery!)

Frank Miller created his fascinating character Elektra back in 1981 while working for Marvel Comics as an artist-for-hire. Elektra first appeared in Daredevil #168 and instantly became the property of Marvel. Thus, Mr. Miller has not had a say in the direction of the character since terminating his contract, which would explain the disastrous feature film, starring Jennifer Garner, and many other subsequent aberrations of the original creation. Fortunately, fans can always return to the great comic book stories crafted by Miller. His outstanding collaboration with artist Bill Sienkiewicz on the eight-issue miniseries Elektra: Assassin remains one of the best. Since Miller's adult plot would not meet the rating approval of the Comic Code back in 1986-87, the series had to be released through Marvel's Epic imprint and sold exclusively in specialty stores to keep it away from children. Sienkiewicz' watercolor art went beyond form to reveal the extreme psychology of the characters and capture the violence of the tale. It was one big step forward in the evolution of the medium towards more mature content in American mainstream comics. WARNING: First-time comic book readers might get hurt and confused.