Echo Review: An Electrifying Debut of an Enigmatic Anti-Hero

Marvel's newest mini series, Echo, has arrived with a thrilling mix of blood, betrayal, and family drama. After much anticipation, the first of Marvel's new projects for the year is ready to debut, with all five episodes of Echo set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu.

2021’s Hawkeye spin-off series focuses on the journey of deaf Native American assassin, Maya Lopez, as she navigates her tumultuous past and dodges the wrath of her former boss/adoptive uncle, Wilson Fisk also known as Kingpin. Press were given access to the first three episodes of Echo for review, offering a spoiler-free glimpse into the series before its premiere.

A traditional sad backstory with a twist

Similar to many of her MCU peers, Lopez experiences a fate akin to her comic book equivalent, enduring the early loss of a beloved parent. However, unlike other Marvel characters, she deals with her grief in an exceptionally brutal and dark manner.

While Marvel characters often embody the concept of heroism, Echo stands out as a morally ambiguous character. Her understandable motivations do not justify her cruel actions. Lopez appears to fit the mold of a typical child of a single parent in the MCU, but she ultimately charts her own path in a way that is both thrilling and perilous.

Jumping between who you are and who you could be

Along with losing one of her parents, Lopez also has to grapple with the fact that she was shunned from her community by those most important to her.

Early in the season, Lopez and her father William discuss the concept of a dragon crossing over from its fictional world to the real world, and the potential for this action to strengthen the dragon. This serves as a metaphor for Echo's situation as a whole, having been rejected by her Choctaw community and embraced by Kingpin's life in New York City.

Throughout the season, Lopez attempts to navigate between these two worlds, but struggles to find a balance as she is pulled in conflicting directions. It remains uncertain whether Lopez will ultimately choose one side or attempt to bridge the gap between the two. However, as previous MCU stories have illustrated, it is often impossible to have the best of both worlds.

Finding solace in silence

Echo's most memorable moments stem from its exceptional sound design, which aims to immerse viewers in Lopez's perspective. The show's numerous action sequences feature pockets of complete silence that heighten the tension, serving as a window into her world. The fights serve as a reflection of her experiences.

In the moments of silence, Lopez's emotions of fear, bravery, and pain are palpable. Despite not speaking in a traditional sense, she leverages her deaf identity to convey her perspective to the audience. Although she is not the first MCU character with hearing issues, Lopez is the first deaf MCU anti-hero, and the show aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of her daily life and experiences.

Non-tradition horror within the MCU

Echo is the first Marvel show to receive a TV-MA rating – and for good reason, as the majority of its fight sequences are incredibly hard to watch.

From a warehouse showdown to a meticulously choreographed arcade brawl, Lopez is not to be underestimated, showing no hesitation in effortlessly taking out anyone in her way.

While the MCU has experienced its fair share of death and devastation, particularly with Thanos' snap, Echo magnifies those fears and reduces them to a more personal and intimate scale.

Echo Episodes 1-3 score: 4/5

Despite not taking on a world-ending threat, Lopez's self-contained mission remains highly significant. As former leader of one of NYC's largest criminal organizations, it's commendable to witness her carry out her responsibilities without constraint.

Echo is amazing for several reasons. It effectively features the anti-hero's lethal abilities, all while gaining audience support. The first three episodes delve into Lopez and her heartbreaking past, and also offer fans a glimpse into a criminal organization grappling with the aftermath of the Snap. Most MCU projects typically avoid this topic, but Echo goes the extra mile, compelling its audience to confront the impact of the Snap on the world and how the actions of individuals during that period could have far-reaching consequences.

We only request that the series delves deeper into the relationship between Kingpin and Echo, which was first hinted at in Hawkeye. While the first three episodes touch on the depth of their bond, the final two will solidify how Echo became loyal to Kingpin as a child and how that foundation was deeply disrupted.

Overall, Echo is a rich show that delves into a character type the MCU has not explored before. While it's uncertain how she will fit into the larger world going forward, there's no doubt that Lopez will establish herself as a formidable force in Phase 6.

Echo is now streaming through Disney+. For more content about the show, check out the list below:

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the release of Marvel's Echo series. The show's unique blend of action, betrayal, and family drama has me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see how Echo's story unfolds and how she navigates her tumultuous past and the wrath of her former boss/adoptive uncle, Wilson Fisk. The fact that she is a morally ambiguous character makes her even more intriguing, and I'm excited to see how her journey progresses.

The show's exceptional sound design, which aims to immerse viewers in Echo's perspective, is a brilliant touch. The pockets of complete silence during action sequences heighten the tension and provide a window into her world. It's refreshing to see a deaf anti-hero take center stage in the MCU, and I appreciate the show's efforts to offer a comprehensive understanding of her daily life and experiences. The TV-MA rating is well-deserved, as the fight sequences are intense and hard to watch. Echo's self-contained mission may not involve a world-ending threat, but it's still highly significant, and I can't wait to see how she carries out her responsibilities without constraint. Overall, I have high hopes for Echo and believe it has the potential to be one of the best MCU series yet.