“Power Play part 2 of 3”
Writer: Rob Rodi
Artist: Sean Chen(p), Sandu Florea(i)
Publisher: Marvel
Plot:
Elektra is hired to assassinate the dictator of the African nation Djanda while this dictator is in America on a shopping trip. When the dictator is called back home to quell an uprising, Elektra tags along. This month retells the events of last month’s issue, but from Elektra’s point of view.
Comments:
Rodi’s scripting here is very strong. But there’s not much innovation in the telling of this story or in the characters. Bridget Sapanmyas, the dictator of Djanda, is cartoon-like in her depiction, as is her son and his obsession with sexual dalliance. Elektra is characterized as faithfully as anyone has done since Miller, but is kind of a boring character because of that. In fact, everything in this story is pretty standard stuff. There wasn’t any surprise in how Elektra finds her way to Djanda, nor was there any surprise in how she gets past the security system. It’s all been done before, it seems. This is the problem with characters like Elektra, or the Punisher, for that matter. They are cold-blooded killers, but they are our heroes. We have to be able to either relate to them and explore why the do what they do, or we have to go the Punisher route and build the stories the way Ennis is doing there, with the emphasis being on minor characters who exist around the trainwreck that is Frank. That’s a hard thing to do, and while I appreciate that Rodi is trying, it doesn’t seem to be working very well. It’s not bad storytelling, it’s just been done. And done better.
The art this issue is exceptional, though. Chen and Florea provide a graphic realism that does its best to avoid being too cartoony. The linework is very delicate, detailed and expressive. This is the real strength of the issue, and helps to elevate what is an entirely pedestrian plot into something worth giving your attention. There are a couple of places where the page layout is a little confusing, but it’s not so bad that you can’t follow what’s going on. In fact, it kind of adds to the idea that Elektra is working a plan and has all the angles covered. Of course, this only brings us back to the realization that the writing is weaker than it should be. All in all, this is a title that takes itself very seriously and could use a heaping dose of fun added to its style. Elektra was much more interesting in her recent guest spot in Punisher.
Final Word:
An engaging story with very attractive artwork. There’s not really anything groundbreaking here, but it is solid storytelling, if a little cliché at times. I’d like to see something fresher, that’s all.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!