I remember reading The Defenders back in the 1970s. It was always a fun but often bizarre ride. They were never the “IT” Team like the Avengers or the outcast team like the X-Men. No, they were the strange but fun team that was led by Doctor Strange. When I heard Matt Fraction was bringing them back, I decided to give it a try.
Credits:
The Defenders -Issue # 2 – Marvel Comics
Writer: Matt Fraction
Penciler: Terry Dodson
Inker: Rachel Dodson
Colorist: Sonia Oback
Price: $3.99
Plot:
The Defenders were formed in issue #1 to help the Hulk by tracking down the “Black Hulk” aka Nul the Breaker of the Worlds. Doctor Strange recruited his team: Namor, mutant ruler of the water realm; The Silver Surfer, cosmically power and former herald of Galactus; Iron Fist, Kung Fu master; and the Red She-Hulk, Betty Ross- former wife of Bruce Banner and daughter of General Ross (Hulk Hunter).
Daniel Rand, aka Iron Fist and billionare, had his plane with the Defendes blown out of the sky over Wundagore Mountain or also known as New Avalon. This mountain is home of Prester John, watchman of Avalon, and his mutant animal men. The inevitable fight ensues. Prester John and his mutants won the battle and Prester used a containment field to capture the Silver Suffer.
Meanwhile, Nul is on his way to New Avalon. He brings destruction and chaos with him every step of the way.
The cells of New Avalon have devices to stop each of the Defenders. Dr Strange rambles on about Prester John being around since at least the 12th century. None of the Defenders are able to use their powers to escape. Red She-Hulk, comes up with a plan- when she is scared, it turns her back to her old Betty Ross self. Dr Strange attempts to scare her by whispering something to her and it works but Betty is extremely put off by what the good Doctor had to say. She slips through the bars and frees the rest.
As they are escaping, another fight breaks out. The Defenders go on the offensive. This includes the Red She-Hulk demanding that they “Give me back my Big-Ass Sword” (which is a funny line and humorous that she feels she needs a sword). Another funny moment is when Prester John calls them “Invaders” and Dr. Strange corrects him by telling him, “Defenders.” The fight dies down and Prester John shares his vision. He wants Nul to destroy the “Concordance Engine”, which will rip a whole in time and space so John and his men might escape this world.
Review:
Art:
I really enjoyed the art in this book. The main heroes are drawn in as current Marvel characters. Prester John and his mutant animal men look as if they jumped off a Jack Kirby page. I love this contrast and of the styles in the same book but with the different character sets.
The backgrounds are full of activity and color. There is a ton of details in many of the panels.
The art really flowed and helped deliver the action/adventure story. The fight scenes were beautiful.
Story/Plot:
There is not a ton of depth to this story. This is an old fashioned Marvel 70s rock’em-sock’em story. It appears the tone of the series will be of a fun ride.
My REVIEW:
I really enjoyed the first two issues of The Defenders. It is a fun and pretty book. There is a ton of humor in it. If you like the old fashioned fight in every book and the story is secondary, you will really have fun with this book.
Grade: B+
