The Defenders Comic: A Comprehensive Guide

The Defenders Comic: Introduction

The Defenders is a superhero team based in the Marvel Comics universe. The group was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Ross Andru and made its first appearance in Marvel Feature #1 in December 1971. The team originally consisted of Doctor Strange, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Hulk, with Silver Surfer joining later. The group has gone through several changes in its roster over the years, with characters such as Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, and Gargoyle joining the team at various times.

The Defenders Comic: History

The Defenders’ first appearance in Marvel Feature #1 was a three-part story titled The Defenders! The story was written by Roy Thomas, with art by Ross Andru and Bill Everett. The story introduced the core members of the team and established their personalities and powers.

Over the years, the team has gone through several changes in its roster, with new members joining and old members leaving. Some of the more notable changes in the team’s history include:

– The addition of Valkyrie in Defenders #4
– The departure of the Hulk in Defenders #118
– The addition of Hellcat in Defenders #44
– The addition of Gargoyle in Defenders #94
– The departure of Doctor Strange in Defenders #150

Throughout its history, The Defenders has been known for its unconventional lineup of characters and its willingness to take on unusual and supernatural threats. The team has faced off against a wide variety of villains, including the Mandarin, the Enchantress, and the Nameless One.

The Defenders Comic: Characters

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, a master of the mystic arts, and one of the founding members of The Defenders. He possesses a vast array of magical powers, including the ability to cast spells, summon mystical energies, and travel through dimensions. He is also a skilled martial artist and has extensive knowledge of the occult.

Namor the Sub-Mariner

Namor is the ruler of Atlantis and a powerful superhero in his own right. He possesses superhuman strength, speed, and durability, as well as the ability to breathe underwater and communicate with sea creatures. He is often portrayed as a hotheaded and impulsive character, but he is also fiercely loyal to his friends and allies.

The Hulk

The Hulk is a powerful and unpredictable superhero with incredible strength and durability. He is often portrayed as a tragic figure, struggling with his own inner demons and the destructive nature of his alter ego. He was a founding member of The Defenders but left the team after a falling out with his fellow members.

Silver Surfer

Silver Surfer is a cosmic superhero who travels the universe on a surfboard made of the same material as his skin. He possesses vast cosmic powers, including the ability to manipulate energy and matter, travel faster than light, and survive in the vacuum of space. He joined The Defenders after his own solo series ended in 1970.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie is a powerful warrior from Asgard who possesses superhuman strength, speed, and durability. She is also a skilled fighter and has extensive knowledge of magic and the mystical arts. She joined The Defenders in issue #4 and has been a recurring member of the team ever since.

Nighthawk

Nighthawk is a wealthy businessman who uses his resources to fight crime as a costumed vigilante. He possesses no superpowers but is a skilled fighter and strategist. He joined The Defenders in issue #31 and became a recurring member of the team.

Hellcat

Hellcat is a former model and actress who gained superhuman powers after making a deal with the devil. She possesses enhanced strength, speed, and agility, as well as the ability to generate energy blasts. She joined The Defenders in issue #44 and became a regular member of the team.

Gargoyle

Gargoyle is a brilliant scientist who was transformed into a demonic creature by an experiment gone wrong. He possesses superhuman strength, durability, and the ability to fly. He joined The Defenders in issue #94 and became a recurring member of the team.

The Defenders Comic: Storylines

The Defenders #1-3: The Defenders!

The Defenders’ first appearance in Marvel Feature #1 was a three-part story titled The Defenders! The story introduced the core members of the team and established their personalities and powers. The team battled against the villainous Omegatron, a giant robot created by a mad scientist.

The Defenders #4-11: The Avengers/Defenders War

The Avengers/Defenders War was a crossover event that ran through The Avengers and The Defenders comics in the mid-1970s. The storyline involved the two teams fighting over a set of powerful magical artifacts known as the Evil Eye and the Wand of Watoomb.

The Defenders #17-21: The Six-Fingered Hand

The Six-Fingered Hand was a storyline that ran through The Defenders comics in the late 1970s. The storyline involved the team battling against a group of demons known as the Six-Fingered Hand, who were attempting to bring about the end of the world.

The Defenders #107-109: Cull Obsidian

Cull Obsidian was a storyline that ran through The Defenders comics in the mid-1990s. The storyline involved the team battling against a group of powerful alien warriors known as the Cull Obsidian, who were attempting to conquer Earth.

The Defenders #1-5 (2017): Diamonds are Forever

Diamonds are Forever was a storyline that ran through The Defenders comics in 2017. The storyline involved the team battling against Diamondback, a villain who had stolen a cache of powerful diamonds that gave her enhanced strength and durability.

The Defenders Comic: FAQ

What is The Defenders comic?

The Defenders is a superhero team based in the Marvel Comics universe. The team was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Ross Andru and made its first appearance in Marvel Feature #1 in December 1971.

Who are the members of The Defenders?

The core members of The Defenders are Doctor Strange, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Hulk, with Silver Surfer joining later. The team has gone through several changes in its roster over the years, with characters such as Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, and Gargoyle joining the team at various times.

What are some of the notable storylines in The Defenders comics?

Some of the notable storylines in The Defenders comics include The Avengers/Defenders War, The Six-Fingered Hand, and Cull Obsidian.

Why is The Defenders comic so popular?

The Defenders comic is popular because of its unconventional lineup of characters and its willingness to take on unusual and supernatural threats. The team has faced off against a wide variety of villains, including the Mandarin, the Enchantress, and the Nameless One.

What is the current status of The Defenders comic?

There is currently no ongoing The Defenders comic series. The most recent series ran for five issues in 2017.

Will there be a new The Defenders comic series?

There are currently no plans for a new The Defenders comic series, but it is always possible that Marvel could revive the team in the future.

The Defenders Comic: Conclusion

The Defenders has been a popular superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe for over 50 years. The team has gone through several changes in its roster over the years, but its core members of Doctor Strange, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Hulk remain iconic characters in the Marvel universe. The team’s willingness to take on unusual and supernatural threats has made it a fan favorite, and its memorable storylines have cemented its place in comic book history. While there is currently no ongoing The Defenders comic series, fans of the team will always hold out hope for a revival in the future.