Echo
The original Ronin — a deaf warrior who turned her disability into an extraordinary combat advantage.
Maya Lopez, known as Echo, is a deaf Native American vigilante who first adopted the Ronin alias in Marvel Comics. She was the original Ronin, appearing in New Avengers #11 (November 2005) by Brian Michael Bendis and Joe Quesada. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Maya Lopez (portrayed by Alaqua Cox) appears in the Disney+ series Hawkeye and Echo (2024). The MCU version is the second incarnation of Ronin in that universe, following Clint Barton.
- Role
- Duelist / Assassin
Lore & Background
Maya Lopez was the first person to take on the Ronin identity, debuting in New Avengers #11 (November 2005). The persona was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Joe Quesada, who originally intended Matt Murdock to be Ronin but changed plans due to conflicts with the Daredevil comic. In the MCU, Maya Lopez appears in Hawkeye and Echo (2024), portrayed by Alaqua Cox. Her father William Lopez was killed by Clint Barton while he was acting as Ronin during the Blip, leading Maya to seek revenge against Ronin. Barton later revealed to Maya that Wilson Fisk had manipulated events, having Barton kill William based on a tip-off.
In Their Own Story
In the MCU series Hawkeye, Maya Lopez's father William Lopez was killed by Clint Barton while he operated as Ronin during the five years after the Blip. Maya spent years hunting Ronin for revenge. When she finally confronted Barton, he revealed that Wilson Fisk — Maya's surrogate mentor figure — had given Barton the tip that led to William's death. This revelation shattered Maya's understanding of her past. The character later appears in her own series Echo (2024), continuing her story.
Reader's Guide
Maya Lopez as Echo represents the original Ronin identity in Marvel Comics. Her comic debut was in New Avengers #11 (November 2005), though she appeared on covers of earlier issues. The Ronin mantle was later taken up by Clint Barton, Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), Eric Brooks (Blade), and Bullseye. In the MCU, Maya Lopez appears in Hawkeye and Echo (2024). Her story involves the death of her father William Lopez at the hands of Clint Barton (as Ronin), her quest for revenge, and the revelation that Wilson Fisk orchestrated the killing. This sets up her journey in the Echo series. Key moments include the black market auction where the Ronin suit appears, Kate Bishop briefly using it, and Barton finally burning the Ronin suit at his family barn, seemingly ending the identity.
Did You Know?
- Maya Lopez was the first character to use the Ronin identity in Marvel Comics, debuting in New Avengers #11 (November 2005).
- The Ronin persona was originally intended for Matt Murdock (Daredevil) but was changed due to conflicts with the Daredevil comic book title.
- In the MCU, Clint Barton killed Maya Lopez's father William Lopez while acting as Ronin during the five-year Blip period.
- Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) manipulated events by giving Barton the tip that led to William Lopez's death.
- Archive footage of Clint Barton as Ronin appears in the Disney+ miniseries Echo.