Echo TV Series Alters Two Major Aspects from Marvel Comics

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Director Sydney Freeland shares that the Echo series will change the titular character's powers from the comics, moving away from her ability to copy anything.

The creative team chose to present Echo as a Choctaw tribe member from Oklahoma, aiming to offer a more genuine depiction of the character and avoid an "inauthentic backstory." The team's commitment to authenticity and the positive response to the initial Echo trailer bring relief to fans, highlighting the series' dedication to its role.

The Echo trailer received an overwhelmingly positive response from MCU fans. Sydney Freeland, the director and executive producer, has now provided insights into how the Marvel Studios series will alter Alaqua Cox's portrayal of Maya Lopez, the central character.

In Hawkeye, Alaqua Cox's Echo made her first appearance in the MCU as the leader of the Tracksuit Mafia, a criminal organization operating in New York City under the command of Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin. Similar to the Marvel Comics, Alaqua Cox's version of Echo was Kingpin's adopted daughter. However, in the series, she was last seen shooting the mob boss at close range after discovering his involvement in her father's murder. The MCU has taken some creative liberties in adapting the comics, particularly in terms of Echo's powers and her Indigeneity​​​.

Echo possesses photographic reflexes in the comics, enabling her to replicate any actions she has witnessed before. This ability was demonstrated in her encounter with Taskmaster, the antagonist in Black Widow, which sparked speculation among fans about Echo's possible connection to the former Widows. However, Freeland, the creator, revealed that the Echo series would introduce a new set of powers for the character. "In the comic books, her power is the ability to mimic any movement or action, which is rather unimpressive," Freeland stated during an Echo press event. "Without revealing too much, I can confirm that her power has undergone a change." Echo's new powers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe were further elaborated by the reliable source CanWeGetSomeToast.

Maya will be empowered by the ancestral Choctaw women who came before her. When faced with threats, she will exhibit various distinct abilities, each derived from a different ancestor.

Marvel Comics fans are aware of Echo's traditional affiliation with the Blackfeet tribe. However, the creative team, led by Freeland, chose to reimagine Echo as a member of the Choctaw tribe from Oklahoma, as reported by Variety. This decision was made to rectify the "hodgepodge" of imagery and inauthentic backstory in the original comic source material. While Freeland, who is Navajo and was raised on a reservation in New Mexico, and Alaqua Cox, a Menominee Nation citizen with Mohican heritage, sought the input of the Choctaw Nation, their efforts were not well received. Nevertheless, Freeland aimed to address the concerns raised by the tribe and foster a genuine dialogue, with the objective of presenting a more accurate representation of the Choctaw people and their culture.

Fans will likely be relieved to learn about the sincere efforts made by the creative team to ensure authentic representation amidst reports of production difficulties for the Echo series. The appearance of Charlie Cox's Daredevil and D'Onofrio's Kingpin in Echo has only increased excitement, as Cox's compelling performance in Hawkeye has already garnered a dedicated fanbase for the titular character. Therefore, it is reassuring to know that those responsible for the groundbreaking superhero series featuring a deaf and Native American protagonist took their role seriously.

Furthermore, the initial reactions to the first Echo trailer are another positive indication for the series. Initially uncertain about the necessity of an Echo series, many fans have been won over by the trailer and the promise of Marvel Studios' first TV-MA rating. Could Echo possibly become the MCU's equivalent of Andor, capturing the same level of success?

Echo is scheduled to premiere on Disney Plus and Hulu on January 10, 2024.

Source: Variety, CanWeGetSomeToast

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Marvel Comics, I have mixed feelings about the changes made to Echo's character in the upcoming TV series. On the one hand, I understand the desire to make the character more authentic and to avoid an "inauthentic backstory." On the other hand, I am concerned that these changes will alter the character too much from her comic book counterpart.

I am particularly concerned about the change to Echo's powers. In the comics, Echo has the ability to copy anything she sees, which is a very unique and powerful ability. I am not sure how the new powers that she will have in the TV series will compare to her comic book powers. I am also concerned about the change to Echo's ethnicity. In the comics, Echo is a member of the Blackfeet tribe, but in the TV series, she will be a member of the Choctaw tribe.

Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about the Echo TV series. I am excited to see how the character is developed and how she fits into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, I am also concerned that the changes made to her character will alter her too much from her comic book counterpart. I hope that the creative team will be able to strike a balance between making the character more authentic and staying true to her comic book roots.