Some fans have acclaimed a Marvel series as one of the ‘greatest’ the comic book firm has made, but it is going under the radar – and unjustly so.
In November 2021, Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) made her debut in the TV drama Hawkeye with Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld, adding a highly interesting character to the mix.
Maya, like the actress who plays her, is deaf, has a prosthetic limb, and is not someone you want to fight.
Following her quest for vengeance after seeing her father’s death, she went on to star in her own programme, Echo, which comes under the Marvel Spotlight brand, which means you don’t need to have seen any MCU episodes or movies to follow along.
It delivered a real punch from start to finish, with Vincent D’Onofrio reprising his role as the terrifying Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin.
Maya confronts a slew of challenges as she returns to her birthplace to confront Kingpin’s criminal organisation, while also reconnecting with her Native American heritage.
While there will always be a variety of opinions, there were several fans who sung Echo’s praises, hailing it as one of the best TV shows Marvel Studios has made.
‘Don’t sleep on #Echo, it’s one of the best Marvel TV shows ever,’ Matthew Hodson wrote on X.
‘I just binge watched #Echo. Best Marvel series since #MoonKnight,’ said another user who goes by the handle @dawg4life99.
Comparing it to the first TV show Marvel released on Disney Plus, @ceceInterIude added: ‘#Echo the best marvel show since WandaVision.’
So #Echo is heckin sick. Loving the cinematography, fight choreography and soundtrack. Also Alaqua Cox is a goddamn baddass.
Some of the best @Marvel content in a long, long while. pic.twitter.com/l9dKbKmp1J
— Brendan White (@morethansenpai) January 11, 2024
Btw binged watched #ECHO last night and that was one of the best Disney+ series that has been released.
The emotional connections, the culture, the action, the story building. Marvel Spotlight is off to a great start with this. I definitely recommend. pic.twitter.com/TYmc8hegvs
— Rod (@bignerdyrod) January 10, 2024
However, from a fan’s standpoint, Echo does not appear to be receiving the attention it deserves.
Let’s hope that Maya’s future appearances in the MCU and people discovering the show on Disney Plus can change that!
What powers does Echo have?
*** Warning: spoilers ahead for the Echo TV series, including the season finale. ***
However, from a fan’s standpoint, Echo does not appear to be receiving the attention it deserves.
Let’s hope that Maya’s future appearances in the MCU and people discovering the show on Disney Plus can change that!
The Disney Plus series reimagines her talents, with her magical skills derived from the combined might of her female ancestors.
Maya’s glowing hands allow her to easily fight back against Kingpin’s thugs, and she can even pass on her talents to her grandma and cousin so they can do the same.
She can also bring Fisk back to the memories of his violent father assaulting his mother, forcing him to reflect on his childhood and how the tragedy affected him throughout his life.
How many episodes of Echo are there?
Echo has a total of five episodes, all of which are accessible on Disney Plus.
Given that the show was classified as a miniseries, it seems unlikely that it will return for a second season.
However, we’d love to see more of Maya in the future, whether in other shows or films.
After making her Hawkeye debut, may we see her alongside Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop or Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova? Fingers crossed!
Echo is available to stream on Disney Plus.