Marvel’s Echo—Nature vs Nurture
Avenger, Phoenix host, rogue assassin, nemesis of Daredevil, Kingpin’s daughter. Echo has had many roles. What formed her character?
Raised by Kingpin, Maya Lopez would later become the Avenger and Pheonix host known as Echo. Initially her story appears to be a redemption arc. From a background of crime and a desire to kill Daredevil, Echo takes control of her life and becomes a force for good. Echo has worked on the side of evil and has fought for good. Was she merely put in a bad environment and is actually inherently good? Or is she inherently bad until provided with a nurturing environment?
As a character, Echo provides us with an opportunity to consider the timeless opposition of nurture verses nature.
Echo’s initial attempts on Daredevil’s life are a product of Kingpin’s influence. Crazy Horse, Echo’s father and Kingpin’s right hand man, was killed when she was a child. When Kingpin fears that Daredevil may be getting close to uncovering his criminal empire, he tells Echo that Daredevil killed her father.
To give Echo credit, she gets the better of Daredevil on more than one occasion. Her ability to exactly copy any movement she sees is an advantage. Not only has it allowed her to play the piano despite being unable to hear, it makes her a physically dominating force. If that wasn’t enough, she is also intelligent enough to uncover Daredevil’s weaknesses and create a situation where she can easily defeat him.
She’s Kingpin’s adopted daughter. So she is raised in an environment of crime, right?
An initial observation of Echo could lead to a conclusion that she is a product of her environment. She is raised by the brutal criminal mastermind, Kingpin and manipulated by Kingpin to want to destroy Daredevil. However, Kingpin is careful to keep his criminal enterprises hidden from others, including Echo. When Echo hunts Daredevil with the intention of killing him it is not because Echo was subjected to an environment of criminal behaviour or had any experience as an assassin. Her life involved being a concert pianist and dancer, not a criminal.
So, it’s her nature?
Echo’s father, known as Crazy Horse, wasn’t exactly a level headed man. Kingpin describes him as a particularly able and reliable right hand man who carries out Kingpin’s criminal orders. Until he doesn’t. Eventually Kingpin kills Crazy Horse because he has become unstable.
Echo’s desire to kill Daredevil could stem from an inherited sense of violence and instability, except for the fact that Echo is methodical and careful about her preparations. She learns from her mistakes and constructs a situation where Daredevil is powerless (it involves lots of noise so he can’t hear and fire that messes with his sense of smell). Echo appears to be logical and disciplined.
Looking further back in Echo’s family is the example of the Native American, Creeping Death (her family certainly has a way of picking names), who teams up with Daredevil’s ancestor to fight a demon in Hell’s Kitchen (now that’s a place whose name lives up to the hype). Creeping Death is both dangerous and brave. She is willing to put herself in danger to stand up for the greater good. But she does climb out a portal from Hell to tell Echo to sacrifice Daredevil on an altar to the Blind One (for more information see the Echo and Daredevil mini-series).
The reason why the age old nature versus nurture debate has lasted so long is because there isn’t an easy answer. Echo is pulled between her heritage and her environment. She is a product of the tension between nature versus nurture. Both parts contribute positive aspects to her character and provide her with challenges and obstacles to overcome.
What can we learn from Echo?
We are not defined by our background or our environment. Both impact our decisions. Both are going to help us out and force us to make mistakes. We are collection of influences, but in the end, we need to make our own decision.
For Joe Quesada and David Mack’s Daredevil versus Echo story, check out Parts of a Hole. For Echo’s ancestor teaming up with Daredevil’s ancestor to fight a demon (Echo and Daredevil get in on the demon fighting action with a guest appearance from Ghost Rider, check out Echo and Daredevil. (these are paid affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I will earn a small income from qualifying purchases, but won’t cost you any more).
For Echo’s first appearance check out Daredevil: Parts of a Hole. There is also a recent Daredevil and Echo mini-series to read. (these are paid affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I will earn a small income from qualifying purchases, but won’t cost you any more).