Maya Lopez, aka Echo, stands out from the crowd for being the first Cheyenne-Latin American in the Marvel universe. Conceived by David Mack and Joe Quesada, the fearless native made her debut in 1999 in the comic book Daredevil #9.
In the tenth series of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) is a young woman of Choctaw descent, who is deaf and an amputee, with impressive combat skills. She is not a conventional superheroine given to the greater good. Rather, she is a dangerous vigilante trying to discover her place in the world.
Echo follows Maya Lopez’s journey of self-discovery as she decides to walk away from the criminal empire of her mentor, Wilson Fisk (an imposing and charismatic Vincent D’Onofrio). This is the first Marvel Studios production with a TV-MA (Mature Audiences) rating due to the graphic violence of the content. Dark and gory, Echo aligns itself to the older MCU superhero series produced by Netflix.
Happy Birthday to #ECHO!
This day 1999, Maya Lopez first appeared in Daredevil #9! 23 years ago-
I wrote the story. It was my first ever work/book for Marvel.
(hired based on my writing in my creator-owned KABUKI series)
See you NYCC next week on my birthday at my table H19. pic.twitter.com/yHFo3zlI92— David Mack (@davidmackkabuki) September 30, 2022
The limited series picks up the adventures of the anti-heroine after the events of Hawkeye (2021). Much of the first episode revisits Maya’s history with the mysterious “Ronin” and her revenge against Kingpin.
In the beginning, we see how a small Maya (Darnell Besaw) experiences a family tragedy that changes her forever. Later, we witness the young orphan become a fearsome vigilante under the tutelage of Wilson Fisk, and finally, we attend to a web of betrayal and lies that brings her to a breaking point.
Echo starts off slow, and gets new viewers up to speed.
The Hawkeye spinoff comes to life when Maya leaves the big city for her hometown of Tamaha, Oklahoma; having shot her adopted uncle and boss, Wilson Fisk, the protagonist returns home as a fugitive. There, she concentrates on going unnoticed, recovering physically and attacking Fisk’s empire, as long as the power vacuum allows her to do so.
Back home for the first time in 20 years, Cox’s character must confront the ghosts of her past, her roots and strained relationships with her grandmother, Chula (Tantoo Cardinal) and cousin, Bonnie (Devery Jacobs). Remarkably, the shift from urban to rural areas is effective in itself, as it gives us a chance to explore the warm life Maya was forced to abandon at a young age.
Soon, the vigilante’s return is marred by a squad of Fisk’s mercenaries, who follow her every move and pose a huge danger to both her, and her family. Fans of Netflix’s Daredevil will immediately understand why Wilson Fisk is such a heinous threat.
Overall, Echo moves between personal tragedy, a search for identity, family ties, ancestral female power, revenge and the criminal world.
TV-MA premiere
As Marvel’s first TV-MA premiere, Echo offers a bloodier, harsher and grittier take on the world. At a certain point in the story, between the unexpected moment when Maya throws a motorcycle at a handful of police officers and the brutal moment when the anti-heroine breaks the neck of an opponent, it becomes clear that Echo is a show for a mature audience.
Over the course of five short chapters, we see breathtaking action scenes, visceral combat and exhilarating stunts that will shake more than a few skeptics. Maya Lopez, incredibly gifted and energetic, is always presented as a “one-woman army” capable of overcoming any kind of threat. Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock / Daredevil) makes an exciting cameo that works to link the former Netflix productions with the rest of the MCU.
Another aspect that the series has managed to integrate in a remarkable way is the use of sign language. As Maya is the MCU’s first deaf protagonist, almost all of the supporting characters know and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), even Fisk carries an interpreter with him. Needless to say, this creative decision helps create an authentic on-screen result.
Sound design
All of Echo’s episodes balance periods of sound and silence, leading to a powerful dramatic effect. In this sense, the periods of silence seek to put us in Maya’s shoes, reflecting her perception of the world.
Marion Dayre, Sydney Freehand, and the show’s writers have created a world in which the sonic details really count. From the loud atmosphere of street fights, to the heated family arguments that take place in American Sign Language, the series not only achieves a colorful and varied soundscape, but also creates a unique tension between noise and silence that helps reinforce the overall narrative.
About the cast
Actress Alaqua Cox, deaf in real life and a member of the Menominee and Mohican nations, is a victory in her own right. Cox is a formidable screen presence, and is more than up to the task physically and emotionally.
Echo includes numerous Native American and Native Canadian actors, such as Chaske Spencer, Devery Jacobs, and Tantoo Cardinal, reflecting a commitment to representation and diversity. They all deliver in spades and bring a superb blend of intensity and vulnerability to the scenes.
Frankly, they are a joy to watch.
Native American heritage
It is important to understand that this story revolves largely around lineage and legacy. Specifically, this is the MCU’s first live-action series to focus on Choctaw cultural heritage. Fortunately, the creative team worked closely with the Choctaw nation to deliver a realistic depiction.
It is remarkable how the series fully embraces its native nature and manages to honor and elevate Choctaw heritage, highlighting values, traditions and even humor.
Our Verdict
While it’s true that Echo has some stumbles, the story offers enough surprises to enjoy and applaud. It’s not the potent triumph of Daredevil, but it’s proof that Marvel is looking for new ways to win back its audience. For now, Marvel’s focus is on Echo, and people should pay attention to it.