Welcome to our review of the 6 inch Marvel Legends Elektra figure. Elektra, as seen in the 2nd season of Netflix Daredevil, was released in 2017 as part of the Marvel Knights wave of figures. She was packed alongside fellow Netflix characters Daredevil, Punisher and Jessica Jones. There were also comic book inclusions of Blade and Bullseye with a Man Thing BAF.
Packaging 4/5
The packaging for Elektra, and the Netflix figures, is standard in terms of the black box and scooped sides. The artwork however was given a very dark red look with the side panels very atmospheric and dark to match the theme of the Netflix shows.
Elektra is released under the Daredevil header as this is her as seen in Season 2 of Daredevil rather than he role in The Defenders that would follow (although that outfit would be cool too).
On the back of the box is a posed image of the figure against a smoky red background, to the side of this is a short piece of text about Elektra. The checklist for the Man Thing BAF sits under this and the box ends with the various warnings and copyright information.
"A wealthy heiress and a trained assassin, Elektra Natchios is a mysterious woman from Matt Murdock's past who unexpectedly returns to his life"
Our review copy was a Far East import, hence the white oversticker. It also arrived damaged with the card flap folded over - a common gripe with many sellers and companies and one that must drive MIB collectors mad.
Sculpt & Paint 3/5
Elektra arrives with her partially masked head attached. The is beautifully done with a realism to the eyes and with a mask that is sculpted to look like a tied stretched scarf. The hair is cleverly done with strands down either side of the face and then into a ponytail at the back.
The costume is a little one dimensional after that head. It is predominantly cast in a black partially glossy plastic with the only paint apps being the red neck scarf section. The upper vest section is glossier than the lower stomach which is a shame. This whole piece should be a very dark grey with the red undershirt visible at the sleeves also.
The legs are sculpted to include jean like detail with seams and pockets and there is the briefest of paint apps on the belt fastener. The boots are also sculpted but simply blend in as they are the same colour as the trousers. There is a bizarre decision to print a white serial number on her upper rear thigh.
The arms are bare skin with no paint apps so do look a little glossy and plasticky vs the face tech printed head. The gloves are a mix of black and red.
We do of course get an unmasked Elektra Natchios head, swapped out easily enough by popping off one head from the ball joint neck and snapping on a second. While this head is also face tech printed it is not a great likeness for actor Élodie Yung. The cheeks are not defined or high enough, and the look is very generic for a female character.
This was of course early days for the face tech and Jessica Jones in the same wave has a similar non-descript likeness. Having seen what Hasbro are doing now with female likenesses like Black Widow and Gamora how great Elektra would look if she got a do-over.
Articulation 4/5
Being a slim unencumbered figure really helps Elektra in the articulation stakes. Elektra has 16 points of articulation, down 3 on a male figure in the line. The head is ball jointed and on a pivot with full motion thanks to the flexible plastic used on the hair. There is also a torso ball joint to aid upper body rotation and leaning into and out of poses.
Arms are ball jointed at the shoulder, but then just a single joint elbow that rotates. This can get to a 90 degree pose, but no further. Double joints would have been great here considering how athletic Elektra is. The arms finish with pivot wrist pegs that will rotate and bend,
Leg joints are ball jointed at the hip, and these do give the hips a bit of a rounded look. Below these are the thigh swivel, double jointed knees and ankle rockers.
All the joints are tight and Elektra stands and poses really well.
Accessories 4/5
Elektra is armed with her twin Sai blades. These are cast in a softer plastic, grey in colour, which can warp as seen in the images. The grip is painted in a glossy black.
The weapons, identical as they are, fit into either hand for posing.
The right hand of Elektra is shaped differently with two bent and protruding fingers, this means the Sai on the right can also be held out from the hand in a stabbing motion which adds a little extra to the posing.
And the Sai will fit and hold just as comfortably the other way round so the blades are pointing downward from the hands.
Summary
Elektra is a very good figure that does a good job of meeting the look she has on the show, without doing anything special. Yes a few paint apps and detailing on the costume would have been beneficial - but that is being picky when you consider this is a black clad assassin with a red neck scarf.
The head still bugs me slightly as not being a spot on likeness, and I am happier when the masked head is on display (as I guess will be many others).
Considering we are likely never to see another Elektra figure in her alternative Defenders outfit, then this is figure is one I recommend you track down.
I score Elektra a 4 out of 5.
