Summary

Marvel’s Echo series has seen its Rotten Tomatoes score improve from 46% to 74% as more reviews come in. The inclusion of characters like Wilson “Kingpin” Fisk and Daredevil has contributed to the show’s success, but it remains Maya Lopez’s story. Echo is the first show under the new Marvel Spotlight banner and has a TV-MA rating, offering a more mature and character-driven Marvel experience.

The Marvel Studios series Echo, which debuted all of its five episodes on Disney+ on January 9, 2024, has seen its Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score climb dramatically over its first day on release. Having opened to a terrible 46% approval rate, as more reviews came in, the appreciation of Marvel’s “different” MCU series seems to be getting a similar response from both critics and audiences, with both scores sitting around 74% at the time of writing.

The series focuses on the character Maya Lopez, portrayed by Alaqua Cox, as she confronts her past and her Native American roots while being pursued by Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire. The return of Fisk, played once again by the inimitable Vincent D’Onofrio, and the inclusion of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, have certainly helped the show find a place in the future of the Marvel franchise, but there is little doubt that Echo is Maya Lopez’ story, and it seems to be resonating across the board.

Marvel’s Echo Release Date January 9, 2024 Seasons 1

Although the show’s rating is a long way from perfect, and positions it in the lower end of the MCU/Disney+ spectrum, landing between Secret Invasion, which scored 53%, while She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is slightly higher with a 77% critics score. Echo is notable for being the first show under the new Marvel Spotlight banner and for having a TV-MA rating, a first for a Marvel series.

The consensus of the series, while being generally positive for being a truly character-driven Marvel offering that doesn’t conform to the same-old format that has become stale in the last few years, does note the pacing issues and occasionally “boring” segments. On the whole, though, there seems to be more minor gripes than the outright hate that many recent Marvel shows, particularly those that are female-led, have received. This is certainly a step in the right direction for the franchise after its recent cinematic failings.

Related:Exclusive: Echo Director and Producer Discuss First TV-MA MCU Series

Echo Delivers a New Direction for the MCU
Marvel Studios

For a franchise that has played it family-friendly for 15 years, 2024 has become a unique year in many ways for the Marvel Studios franchise, delivering its first TV-MA rated television series with Echo and first R-rated movie with the summer’s release of Deadpool 3. While Echo has not delivered perfect reviews, there is enough positivity around the more mature feel of the series to suggest that TV-MA shows will form an important part of the franchise’s future.

In his review, Movieweb’s Richard Fink sums up how Echo has arrived at just the right time to capitalize on “superhero fatigue.” He says in his review:

“Echo has come along precisely when the MCU needs it. After being criticized for doing too much of the same thing, with many commenting on the over-reliance on jokes and the recent criticism about CGI, Echo arrives as an antidote for all of it. It is a grounded, character-centric piece that ditches much of the comic book silliness to focus on a gritty crime drama that also explores family dynamics and Choctaw history.”

While the MCU will always continue to deliver to its core audience in the PG-13 arena, it is good to see the franchise finally branching out to those readers who don’t still use their lunch money to purchase the latest edition. For those looking for a darker entry in the MCU’s catalog, all five episodes of Echo are streaming now on Disney+.