Hookups, zero-g kung fu, and doing shots with a red-hot mama. Matt Fraction brings the action, humor and creepy twists in Defenders #1.
Earlier this week I raised the question of why another reboot of the Defenders and a little back story of Marvel’s oddest team. I assumed Doctor Strange brings this odd mix of loner heroes together but I was wrong. I won’t spoil who is behind the team building.
Knowing their history (even though you don’t have to) and the new specific mission you quickly realize why these outsiders are perfect for the latest version of Marvel’s non-team.
Fraction captures each character and blends them up in a fun mix. Terry Dodson’s art is bold with strong expressions that will convey the enthusiasm and fun Fraction is pouring into the story.
If at first you don’t succeed, relaunch with a hot creative team after a huge crossover event. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson made mutant magic on Uncanny X-Men. Fraction’s Fear Itself epic unleashed supernatural forces on earth courtesy of The Serpent.
Now Doctor Strange recruits a new team to face threats unleashed by the Asgardian God of Fear . Namor the Submariner, Red She Hulk, Iron Fist and Silver Surfer join the Doctor’s mission against mystical monsters threatening the planet.
When you’ve got teams of Avengers and the X-Men plus the Fantastic Four, why does the world need The Defenders? I’ve always been puzzled why the “non-team” keeps getting reboots.
Fraction joins a fraternity of writers including Roy Thomas, David Anthony Kraft, Steve Gerber, Kurt Busiek, Keith Giffen and Joe Casey that have crafted the adventures of a team of outsider/lone wolf types.
Doctor Strange, Hulk and Namor are the most iconic members that have appeared in most versions of the series. My favorites have always been Valkyrie and Hellcat. The steely noble warrior woman and the sexy crimefighter were odd couple that worked great together.
Defenders #63 courtesy Marvel.com
My earliest memory of The Defenders is their most outrageous storylines. You could say Kraft’s Defender for a Day was ahead of its time. Long before reality shows took over television, this story showed how slick producers and wannabes could exploit and tarnish the most heroic ideas.
In Defenders #62-#65 a promoter exposes the team to the world and announces a membership drive and videotapes the whole thing for a documentary. Some of the lamest back burner characters and villains invaded the Defenders home hoping to join the team. It was great fun with hilarious moments especially from the Hulk. The story is infamous now but as a little kid I loved seeing so many costumed characters all packed into one issue. And if Captain Ultra has a shot maybe I could be a Defender?
Does the world really need another variation of the Defenders? Maybe not. But with this creative team and membership it’s definitely worth finding out.
X-Club #1 Cover courtesy Marvel.com and Comics Newsarama
X-Club #1
Beast gathered a brilliant collection of minds to become the X-Men’s first ever science team. This motley crew of geniuses has saved the day against Sentinels, Dark Avengers and Bastion. Doctor Nemesis and company get their own limited series. A gesture of goodwill goes every wrong. Can the X-Men’s egomaniac team survive each other long enough to save the day.
Defenders #1
One of my favorite creative teams takes on The Defenders. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson reteam this new series picking up after the Fear Itself finale. Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Namor, Iron First and Red She-Hulk become the last line of defense against supernatural forces unleashed on the Marvel universe.
Villains For Hire #1
A new brand new limited series starring some Marvel’s motley crew of psychopaths. Misty Knight is Marvel’s sexy, super bad, martial arts mistress behind the new “Heroes for Hire” concept but she’s really a pawn of a mysterious puppet master. Misty is putting the underworld’s craziest killers on the payroll to help create a new criminal empire. Will she realize the manipulator and cut his strings in time?
Boondock Saints Volume 1
The comic book series inspired by the cult crime film collected in a trade paperback. Co-written by the movie’s director/writer – these stories include the original saint’s war on the underworld.
Spider-Man Marvel Team Up
Kick it old school with these classic teams up by one of the most legendary teams in comic history. Chris Claremont and John Byrne are known for their epic X-Men run but duo was behind these entertaining matchups in the 70’s. See Spider-Man team up with Thor, Captain Britain, Ms. Marvel, Human Torch, Iron Fist and more against an impressive rogues gallery of Marvel’s greatest villains.
