SPOILERS for Daredevil #4!In the Marvel Universe, the ninja assassin cult known as the Hand is extremely dangerous, but some of its ex-members might be even worse.
The Hand has been a thorn in many heroes' sides for years. Their specialty is resurrecting dead heroes and villains from the grave in order to have them do their bidding. They did this to Wolverine as well as Elektra in order to turn them into their mind controlled assassins. However, Daredevil and Elektra are now on a mission to stop them for good, especially now that they found a new leader in someone they call the King of Killers: The Punisher.
In Daredevil #4 by Chip Zdarsky and Rafael De Latorre, Elektra and Daredevil journey to a remote training location in order to prepare for their eventual assault against the Hand. Their former teacher and mentor Stick is there, too, in order to help them through the process. The two of them hope to undergo some sort of battle trial in order to be married in the Hands’ eyes. Before the trial takes place, Elektra discusses the Hand and mentions in passing that the Hand actually has some ex-members, indicating that people were able to break free from the cult and are no longer under their control.
Not Everyone Can Just Leave the Hand Like Wolverine And Elektra
Although it is a brief line, the ramifications are enormous for the fact that there are some members of the Hand that actually managed to leave it and become ex-members. This is obviously different from prominent individuals like Wolverine and Elektra that aren't nameless indoctrinated ninjas. They can break free from the Hand and try to live normal lives. But for pure devout cultists that are fully entrenched in the Hand lifestyle and culture, it's truly bizarre that they find the opportunity to leave.
If these zealots do manage to break free from the Hand's grasp, they are probably more dangerous than if they stayed. For all the trouble it causes in the Marvel Universe, the Hand is a singular force. Its minions and assassins don't operate independently. They follow the guidelines and orders of their leaders. But if there's ex-members of the Hand that have all the training of a ninja assassin but none of the allegiance to their leadership, then these extremely dangerous and ruthless killers are free to follow their own whims and can be even more of a threat.
Daredevil #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.