The Good
There's two things that had me especially interested in this issue: the return of artist Michael Del Mundo and the return of Bullseye. Well, it turns out neither one disappointed! Unfortunately, it is disappointing we know this book will say goodbye with issue #11, but, based on this opening chapter, it's looking like this last arc is going to be a real treat.
First and foremost, Del Mundo's pages (with color assistance from Marco D'Alfonso) are every bit as brilliant and gorgeous as you hoped they would be. Every panel does a tremendous job capturing the attention of my eyes and keeps me gazing at each of the characters and settings. There's a magnificent double page spread that's full of craziness and there's also an incredibly creative splash page. Why waste several pages of Elektra taking out goons when you can put it on one page and still make it every bit as jaw-dropping and even way more inventive?! Visually, this chapter is phenomenal.
If you throw Elektra against S.H.I.E.L.D. because she needs to interrogate Bullseye, the story has the potential to feel pretty familiar. She could infiltrate a Helicarrier, beat up some agents, and then find Bullseye locked in a standard cell. Instead of offering what we've seen before, Blackman fills the narrative with so much imagination. Some may think it's silly Elektra uses paintballs instead of some super spy tech, but I think it says a lot about her character. She's infiltrating a high tech S.H.I.E.L.D. facility with paintball guns and is confident enough she can overcome whatever threats come her way. They may have advanced rifles, armor, and more, but she has precision and confidence on her side. All it takes is one well-placed shot to render the enemy useless and, if that doesn't work, we all know she can adapt. It's great. Additionally, Bullseye isn't simply locked away in a generic Helicarrier or base -- he's being held in this elaborate system which is constantly on the move. It makes me wonder how many other characters S.H.I.E.L.D. uses system this for. It may be a little too out-there for some, but I thought it was really cool. With such a high level assassin, you need to take as many precautions as possible. The assassin himself may be incapacitated, but with a lengthy history, who knows who will come looking for him? Not only is the approach to S.H.I.E.L.D. fresh (unless this has been seen before. If so, please point it out in the comments), but another organization is brought into the mix and things get really weird -- but in a totally good way! Without spoiling anything, I'll just say the big fight isn't ordinary... not by a long shot. This isn't just a big brawl on the ground level -- it's extraordinary and Del Mundo obviously plays a big part in making it stunning. The plot itself is off to a fairly straightforward start, but the way it's being handled feels very original and it's so exciting to think about what'll come next.
The Bad
The one very minor criticism is Bullseye is called an"alleged" murderer. Considering his lengthy history as an assassin and the amount of times he's been in custody, I think it's safe to assume he's previously been found guilty of at least one murder? It would be pretty surprising if that isn't the case.
The Verdict
The latest ELEKTRA story, Reverence, is off to a fantastic and exhilarating start. Blackman and Del Mundo are going above and beyond with the creativity and it's amazing how well they can blend story, action and character in such a ridiculously fast-paced chapter. The issue never really gives you a chance to catch your breath, offering only a momentary pause before things get crazy and thrilling once again. Its story is consistently exciting and the artwork is never anything short of jaw-dropping. It doesn't matter how interested you are in Elektra because this is a comic that's pretty much guaranteed to win you over and make you want to see more of her world.