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Echo First Reviews: Alaqua Cox Shines in ‘The Best Marvel Series in Years,’ Critics Say

Early reviews praised Alaqua Cox’s central performance and Echo’s grounded approach, but critics differed on its pacing, character development and whether it marked a Marvel turning point.
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Early reviews of Echo praised Alaqua Cox’s lead performance, grounded action and Indigenous creative contributions, but critics did not agree that the series was a Marvel turnaround. The phrase “the best Marvel series in years” came from Dais Johnson of Inverse—one critic’s emphatic verdict, not a consensus.

Rotten Tomatoes published Aaron Pruner’s roundup on January 10, 2024, as the five-episode series arrived. It described Echo as following Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox, after the events of Hawkeye, and as both the streamer’s first street-level MCU series and the first release under the Marvel Spotlight banner. The roundup reported that all five episodes were then available on Hulu and Disney+; that is launch-era information, not confirmation of current availability in any region. Rotten Tomatoes’ January 10, 2024 roundup

Does the show live up to the hype?

The reviews were mixed, with praise for Cox and the show’s distinct focus alongside reservations about its writing and pace. Johnson of Inverse supplied the headline’s standout line: “It’s not only the best Marvel series in years, but the first glimmer of hope that the MCU can shift direction from what looks to be a downward spiral.” That is a strong personal endorsement, not evidence that critics agreed on a ranking or that the series changed opinion across the MCU’s audience.

Other reactions were more measured. Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone called it “actually pretty good” and “one of the stronger MCU shows overall when it comes to accomplishing what it sets out to do.” Julian Lytle of Geek Girl Riot found it alright, but doubted it would change recent feelings about the MCU. Taken together, the roundup presents a show some reviewers found refreshing, while others saw as a modest entry rather than a franchise reset.

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How does it compare to Disney+’s other Marvel shows?

The reviewers’ comparisons turn on what they thought Echo was trying to accomplish. Its focus on Maya and a more grounded, street-level story appealed to critics looking for a smaller character-led series rather than a sprawling MCU event. Sepinwall’s assessment was explicitly qualified by that measure: he praised the show for achieving its aims, not for being the best Marvel series by an objective or shared standard.

Johnson’s “best Marvel series in years” framing is therefore best read as one critic’s response to a perceived change in direction. Lytle’s skepticism makes the divide clear: a shift in tone or scale did not persuade every reviewer that Marvel’s recent trajectory had changed.

How is the cast?

Cox’s performance was among the roundup’s clearest points of praise. Adam Barnhardt of ComicBook.com wrote: “This show belongs to Maya Lopez and Alaqua Cox, and both of them are newfound superstars.” The line captures a broader emphasis in the positive reactions: the series gives its lead character and performer the center of attention.

The roundup also names Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, Zahn McLarnon as William Lopez, Chaske Spencer as Henry, Devery Jacobs as Bonnie, Graham Greene as Skully, Tantoo Cardinal as Chula, Cody Lightning as Biscuits, Andrew Howard as Zane, and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil. The cast list establishes the ensemble and MCU connections; it does not mean every reviewer singled out each actor’s performance.

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What about the writing and directing?

Reviewers differed on whether the story gave its central conflict enough depth. Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies argued that the Maya–Fisk dynamic lacked the emotional weight to sustain a whole rivalry. Sophie Butcher of Empire Magazine described the series as inconsistently paced and short on character development, even while welcoming its more adult tone and thrilling fights.

Rank #3
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #1C Marvel
  • Written by Ethan Sacks
  • Illustrated by Jethro Morales, Roi Mercado

These criticisms qualify the praise for a character-led approach: centering Maya was not, by itself, enough for every reviewer to find the character work or pacing fully successful. The roundup records reactions to the finished series, rather than establishing a single explanation for its uneven reception.

Does it deliver the action?

Action was a positive point in some of the reviews, with Butcher noting thrilling fights. The roundup also identifies sound design as part of the critical conversation, though it does not establish that every critic praised it or provide a shared technical assessment of the choreography. The positive case for the action sits alongside—not in place of—the reservations about pacing and character development.

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How does it address Echo’s Indigenous background and disability?

Critics discussed the series’ treatment of Maya’s Indigenous heritage, deafness and prosthetic limb as part of its character portrayal. Ethan Anderton of Slashfilm praised the “deeply authentic quality” he associated with Indigenous creatives in front of and behind the camera and their collaboration with the Choctaw Nation. Cassondra Feltus of Black Girl Nerds likewise highlighted Indigenous creatives and that collaboration.

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Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge offered a qualified assessment: “While I can’t say whether Echo gets the nuances of being a butt-kicking vigilante, the effort it puts into making the character’s deafness, Indigenous heritage and prosthetic limb integral is impressive and entertaining at once.” These are the critics’ evaluations of what they saw on screen; the roundup is not an independent audit of cultural consultation or a comprehensive assessment of disability representation.

Best Value
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #4 Marvel
  • Written by Ethan Sacks
  • Illustrated by Roi Mercado, Jethro Morales

What did the Rotten Tomatoes score say at the time?

Pruner’s January 10, 2024 article printed a 71% Tomatometer score for Echo: Season 1. That number is a dated snapshot from the roundup, not a current score. For an up-to-date figure, consult the live Rotten Tomatoes season page.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #1C Marvel
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #1C Marvel
Written by Ethan Sacks; Illustrated by Jethro Morales, Roi Mercado
$9.99
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #4 Marvel
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-Echoes of the Empire #4 Marvel
Written by Ethan Sacks; Illustrated by Roi Mercado, Jethro Morales
$7.99

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