Echo (Marvel Comics) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Echo |
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Maya Lopez as Echo.
Art by Joe Quesada and David Mack. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | As Echo: Daredevil #9 (December 1999) As Ronin: The New Avengers #11 (November 2005) |
| Created by |
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| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Maya Lopez |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Avengers New Avengers The Hand |
| Notable aliases | Ronin Phoenix |
| Abilities |
As the Phoenix Force:
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Echo (whose real name is Maya Lopez) is a superhero from American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is the adopted daughter of a powerful crime boss called the Kingpin. Maya is often seen helping Daredevil.
Maya is a Native American hero from the Cheyenne Nation. She is also one of the few deaf characters in comics. Her superhero look includes a white handprint painted over most of her face.
Alaqua Cox plays Maya Lopez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first appeared in the TV show Hawkeye (2021). She will also star in her own upcoming TV show called Echo (2023).
Contents
Publication history
Echo first appeared in Daredevil #9 in December 1999. She was created by writer David Mack and artist Joe Quesada.
Later, she appeared as Ronin in The New Avengers #11 in November 2005. This identity was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch. The Ronin identity was a mystery for a while. Many fans wondered who was behind the mask. It was eventually revealed to be Maya Lopez.
Fictional character biography
Maya Lopez was a young girl when her father, Willie "Crazy Horse" Lincoln, was killed. Her father's last wish was for the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) to raise Maya. The Kingpin kept his promise and cared for her as his own daughter.
At first, people thought Maya had learning difficulties. She was sent to a special school. But there, she showed an amazing talent: she could perfectly copy any song on the piano. Because of this, she was sent to another special school for very talented students.
Echo's Beginnings
The Kingpin later sent Maya to meet Matt Murdock. He told her that Matt believed Fisk was a bad person. The Kingpin said Maya was the only one who could prove Matt wrong. Maya believed the Kingpin, so she didn't think she was lying to Matt.
Matt Murdock and Maya soon fell in love. Maya then decided to become a hero called "Echo" to hunt down Daredevil. She painted a white handprint on her face as part of her costume. Maya was very good at fighting Daredevil. She had studied videos of Daredevil and Bullseye fighting.
Maya soon figured out Daredevil's weakness. She knew he could move easily in the dark. So, she fought him in a place where his super senses were useless. Maya almost defeated Daredevil. But she stopped when she found out Matt and Daredevil were the same person. Matt then showed Maya that the Kingpin had been lying to her. In anger, Maya confronted the Kingpin and shot him, hurting his eyes. This event started a series of problems for the Kingpin.
After realizing the terrible things she had done and the lies she had grown up with, Maya left the United States. She wanted to find peace and understand herself better. When she returned, she tried to get back with Matt Murdock. But she found out Matt was now with another woman. She also learned that the Kingpin was still alive.
Maya then visited the Kingpin in prison. He told her that he didn't blame her for what she did. He also said he still loved her like a daughter. Maya was still not at peace. So, she went to see the Chief, an old friend of her father's known for his wisdom. The Chief sent Maya on a special journey to calm her mind. On this journey, she met and became friends with Wolverine. He helped her heal and taught her about Japanese culture. Eventually, Maya made peace with her past. She then returned to doing performance art.
Becoming Ronin and Joining the Avengers
Maya felt unsure about herself and didn't want to join the New Avengers. She didn't want to make other heroes look bad by working with them. So, she put on a suit that hid who she was and even her gender. She called herself Ronin. This Japanese word means "wanderer," like a samurai without a master.
Daredevil suggested Maya to Captain America. He thought she could help the Avengers capture the Silver Samurai in Japan. After joining the Avengers, Maya went back to Japan. Her job was to watch a dangerous assassin named Elektra Natchios. Elektra was rumored to be leading a ninja group called the Hand. Maya also kept an eye on the Silver Samurai.
During a big superhero conflict called the Civil War, Maya fought Elektra. Elektra killed Maya. But Maya was brought back to life by the Hand, using the same process they used for Elektra. The Hand tried to brainwash Maya to make her an assassin. But the New Avengers, including Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Doctor Strange, Spider-Woman, and Iron Fist, rescued her.
During a fight, it was revealed that the Hand had brainwashed Maya. She even stabbed Doctor Strange. But Doctor Strange managed to free Maya from the brainwashing. Maya then attacked Elektra, revealing that Elektra was actually a Skrull alien in disguise!
After this, Maya officially gave the Ronin identity to Clint Barton. Later, she helped the Avengers fight an army of alien creatures called symbiotes.
World War Hulk
Echo tried to protect Rick Jones from the Hulk's allies during an attack. She, along with Iron Fist and Hawkeye, was defeated and captured.
Avengers and Invaders
During a time when old heroes called the Invaders appeared in the present, Echo was very important. Her deafness meant that a villain named D'Spayre could not control her emotions. This helped the heroes defeat him.
Secret Invasion
Echo stayed with the New Avengers. She went with them to a place called the Savage Land when a Skrull spaceship crashed. The ship opened and showed many superheroes in old costumes. Echo joined the fight against these "old" heroes, who were actually Skrull impostors.
Later, she met "Spider-Woman," who was really the Skrull Queen leading the invasion. The Skrull Queen hurt Echo badly. Echo then helped the other Avengers defeat the Skrull impostors. She also helped fight an army of Super Skrulls in New York.
Later Adventures
After the New Avengers reformed, Maya was asked if she wanted to be a nanny for Luke Cage's child. She refused and reminded them that she used to be an Avenger.
Working with Moon Knight
Echo later worked undercover in L.A. with the hero Moon Knight. Moon Knight asked her to team up against a new crime boss. He was also attracted to her. Echo was killed by this new crime boss, Count Nefaria.
Resurrection and New Powers
Later, Maya was brought back to life under mysterious circumstances. After her return, she teamed up with Daredevil again. They helped save New York from a dangerous sonic virus.
Echo also helped Captain Marvel and her friends fight a villain called Radioactive Man.
Becoming the Phoenix
During a big event called Enter the Phoenix, Echo was chosen by the powerful Phoenix Force. She had to join a tournament with many other heroes and villains. The Phoenix Force wanted to choose its next host.
Echo was given a small part of the Phoenix's cosmic power. She fought Namor underwater. Because of the huge disadvantage, Namor easily defeated her. This seemed to mean she was out of the tournament. However, even after her loss, Echo's strong will and refusal to give up drew the Phoenix to her. She became the new host for the powerful entity!
After taking the Phoenix's power from the other fighters, Maya strongly defeated Namor. She then declared herself the new Thunderbird and fully bonded with the Phoenix Force. Jean Grey, a previous host of the Phoenix, congratulated Maya. She also gave her advice on how to control the Phoenix's immense power.
Powers and abilities
Maya Lopez is an amazing athlete, as good as an Olympic champion. She has "photographic reflexes." This means she can perfectly copy other people's movements just by watching them. It's similar to how the Taskmaster works.
By watching others, she has become a very skilled concert pianist, a strong martial artist, a talented acrobat, and a gifted ballerina. She even flew a Quinjet (a special Avenger plane) for a few minutes! She also learned Daredevil's acrobatic moves and Bullseye's amazing aim by watching videos of their fights.
Being deaf gives Maya some challenges. She relies completely on seeing things. This means she is helpless in the dark. Also, she communicates by reading lips. So, she can't understand people who are wearing masks or who are not directly in front of her. For example, when she first met the Avengers, Captain America had to repeat everything Iron Man said to her.
However, she has learned to read lips from a distance or even from the corner of her eye. She can do this even if someone is wearing a thin mask, like the ones Clint Barton or Spider-Man wear. But she still can't understand people wearing thicker masks or who fully cover their mouths.
As Thunderbird, Maya gained incredible new powers from the Phoenix Force. These powers include reading minds (telepathy), flying, superhuman strength, and creating flames made of cosmic energy.
See also
In Spanish: Echo (personaje) para niños
