Echo Review: At It’s Best When It’s Not Marvel

Marvel’s Echo focuses on ground level hero work much like Hawkeye and Netflix’s Daredevil. Packed with action and an intriguing storyline. 

Here’s the thing about Marvel’s Echo, it doesn’t exactly feel like a Marvel series. Yes, of course there are some fan favorite characters that make appearances like Hawkeye, Daredevil, and Kingpin, but for the most part this show doesn’t feel at all like it takes place in the MCU. Which isn’t exactly a bad thing. In fact, it works best when it is doing its own thing and exploring Maya Lopez’s past, family, and potential future. 

This series follows Maya Lopez, also known as Echo, who fans first saw in the Hawkeye series on Disney+. She is played by Alaqua Cox, who is a Native American deaf amputee, just like the character she plays. Maya was raised by Kingpin, also known as Wilson Fisk, and because of that, she doesn’t always do what is right. However, as seen in Hawkeye, when she learns of Fisk’s true intentions and how he took advantage of her, and was behind the killing of her father, she kills him — or at least attempts to.

Related: What You Need To Know About Echo From Marvel Comics

Vincent D’Onofrio, who played Fisk in the Netflix Daredevil series, has stepped back into the role perfectly. It feels as if no time has left. He was the perfect choice to play the chilling villain then, and that remains true for Marvel’s Hawkeye and Echo. This series dives more into his past relationship with Maya, which helps explain why she is the way she is now. 

Having seen just the first three episodes of the five part series, it is hard for this reviewer to see the whole picture. Because of that, it is difficult to express a full opinion on the series. However, from what we have seen, Echo has potential. The action sequences are well choreographed and quite incredible to see play out on the screen. Cox and D’Onofrio are both phenomenal, as is the supporting cast. The ground level hero work is always exciting as it feels more relatable to the majority of people watching.

Diving into Maya’s past and getting to learn more about her life before Fisk is exciting as well. Her relationship with her cousin Bonnie is heartwarming, and will have viewers feeling all sorts of emotions. It might sound strange saying Echo is at its best when it isn’t a Marvel show, but at the same time asking for more Fisk. The reasoning behind that is because it is her relationship with him from the past that has shaped her to be who she is now, and that needs to be explored on a deeper level for the whole series to come together in a way that works.

The biggest issue with this series is that when the Marvel stuff comes in, it feels as if it is there just for fan service. Don’t get us wrong, we love seeing Daredevil as much as any Marvel fan does, but the way his first appearance comes off (which takes place in the first episode and is very brief) feels as if he was put there just to evoke some claps and cheers from viewers. 

Sure, this is Maya’s show. It is named Echo after all. However, in the first three episodes there is barely any Kingpin, only a few teases about him. While they try to play it off like he is dead, we all know that isn’t true, and it almost becomes condescending the way they push that narrative, with just little hints about him having potentially survived until the end of episode three. 

The first episode of Echo is mostly a Hawkeye recap, going so far as to use multiple cuts from that series. This feels as if it is there to catch people up who did not watch the Hawkeye series, or at the very least remind them of what happened. However, doing this made the episode feel disjointed. One of the biggest issues of the series is the pacing, and it starts right there in episode one. 

That being said, the action, Maya’s story, the ground level aspect, and the potential are what make this worth a shot. While we have yet to see the final two episodes, we are hopeful that Marvel will stick the landing. Just give us more Kingpin – and a massive all out war between him and Echo – and we will be happy campers.

Update after watching all five episodes of Echo:

Unfortunately Echo ends up falling flat and not sticking the landing. Changes to power sets of comic book heroes happens often, and usually it is not an issue for this reviewer. However adding magic skills to Maya was completely unnecessary and takes away from all of the hard work she put into learning her hand to hand combat. 

While we were thrilled to see more Kingpin in the final two episodes, the invention he has created so that he can talk to Maya feels like a strange addition. Their interactions bring a little bit more to the story, but not nearly enough. The pacing continues to be wonky and off, and the action itself dwindles. There are certainly some cool fight sequences, but Echo tries to do much causing it to ultimately fail. 

This series is at its best when it is not a Marvel series, and coming from a massive Marvel fan, that is not a good thing. Overall, Echo has its moments, but it never fully gets there enough to shine and be memorable. A very mediocre, middle of the road series, that will be best remembered for its set up into Daredevil: Born Again.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

NEXT: Echo’s Alaqua Cox & Vincent D’Onofrio Talk New Series

About Echo

Marvel Studios presents “Echo,” spotlighting Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy.

“Echo” also stars Chaske Spencer (“Wild Indian,” “The English”), Graham Greene (“1883,” “Goliath”), Tantoo Cardinal (“Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Stumptown”), Devery Jacobs (FX’s “Reservation Dogs,” “American Gods”), Zahn McClarnon (“Dark Winds,” FX’s “Reservation Dogs”), Cody Lightning (“Hey, Viktor!” “Four Sheets to the Wind”) and Vincent D’Onofrio (“Hawkeye,” “Godfather of Harlem”).

Episodes of the series are directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Richie Palmer, Jason Gavin (Blackfeet), Marion Dayre and Sydney Freeland. Co-executive producers are Jennifer L. Booth and Amy Rardin.

Echo is now streaming in its entirety on Disney+ & Hulu.