The Defenders is probably one of the most random titles to come from Marvel Comics in the 70s as it was more happenstance than anything. The origin of the team is traced to the cancellation of the Doctor Strange comic just as a new story arc was beginning. With an unfinished story just dangling like that, Roy Thomas swiftly turned it into a crossover with his other comics, Sub-Mariner and Incredible Hulk. This grouping proved to be popular so they were brought back together less than two years ago in another story arc where they were dubbed the 'Titans Three.' Their popularity grew and so in the comic Marvel Feature, they were given their own story that was so popular it led to them having their own series.
Steve Englehart, who was doing great work on the Avengers at the time, was tasked with writing the series. Sadly, he wasn't able to bring the same magic to the Defenders as he did with Avengers. But, given he was writing two team series, he decided to do a crossover between them leading to the massive and epic Avengers/Defenders War. After that, the comic went through multiple writers. Len Wein took over next and managed to write some good stories but still stumbled more often than not. It wasn't until Steve Gerber came along that the series was able to find some footing. Gerber was known for writing wacky and out-there stories which made the Defenders perfect for him. He also emphasized what was quickly becoming apparent with the team. That they weren't a team. The Defenders was always considered the team that was not a team, more of a group of people who came together when necessary. They didn't have a roster like the Avengers or a headquarters. They usually just met up wherever was most convenient and were made up of who was available. The members changed constantly with Doctor Strange, Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer, Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Luke Cage, Helstrom, Red Guardian, Hellcat, and more coming and going constantly. The Defenders constant was its incosistency, readers never knowing what to expect, which was made it so popular.
Other writers came, David Kraft, Ed Hannigan, and J.M. DeMatteis all making their marks on the comic. But sadly, Defenders slowly tapered off, becoming less and less popular over time, its storytelling becoming weaker with no clear direction. Still, it had its strange and wacky moments that reminded readers why it had been popular in the first place.
So, here are the best stories to come from the Defenders in the 1970s:
9. Defenders Vol 1 84: Battle Royal
This story would be mediocre if it wasn’t for the fact that it started one of the greatest rivalries in Marvel Comics: Namor vs the Black Panther. When Atlantean soldiers get caught with stolen Wakandan technology, it sparks a battle that gets the two titans to clash. And despite attempts at diplomacy, things take a turn for the worse when the Hulk gets involved too. Almost escalating to nuclear war, Black Panther and Namor manage to work together to stop it, but it doesn’t change the tension between them or their nations which last to this day.
8. Defenders Vol 1 53-55: The Power Principle
David Kraft’s second major story arc where the Defenders find themselves fighting against nuclear a mysterious figure known as the Presence who wishes to harness nuclear power to become omnipotent, bringing Red Guardian with him. Kraft also dives into the character of Red Guardian and her past as well as returning Namor to the team and continues to flesh out Valkyrie’s character as she tries to live a life outside of the team. While dealing with high concept themes, Kraft’s story stumbles in some ways but still manages to bring out great story and character work. In addition, artist Carmine Infantino does a fantastic job bringing the story to life with Klaus Janson elevating it with the use of colors.
7. Defenders Vol 1 17-19: The Wrecking Crew
One of the strongest teams in the Marvel Universe, this is the story where the Wrecking Crew forms under the leadership of old Thor foe, Wrecker. And while the they first appear as one-off threats to the team, Gerber quickly twists this on its head as he goes into their backstories and their goal, making them more sympathetic than you would think. Gerber also shows how he has a tight grasp on these characters as well as the action, bringing in great Hulk and Banner moments respectively and also showing off how much the Wrecking Crew live up to their name with tremendous and thrilling action. He also brings in Luke Cage to help set the story and world, making a great addition to the story.
6. Defenders Vol 1 46-50: Who Remembers Scorpio?
David Kraft comes in here as sole writer and instantly dives into the weird and psychological satire that is the Defenders as the team fights against Scorpio who is one of the more depressing villains introduced. Brother to Nick Fury, Scorpio has a whole fantastical scheme for world domination, but really only wants a friend to share a beer with. Kraft shows how well he can write the multitude of characters, officially bringing in Hellcat and adding in Wonder Man and Moon Knight to the story who manage to fit in effortlessly while also fleshing out Valkyrie’s ‘husband’ Jack Norriss and making him have a bigger role. Adding in an epic Hulk-chase sequence and a tremendous action sequence at the end with a tragic climax, Kraft has a tight grasp of the Defenders and all the weirdness that makes it work.
5. Defenders Vol 1 94-101: The Six-Fingered Hand
J.M. DeMatteis starts his run with this big and bonkers story that dives into Hellcat’s past as well as her connection to Daimon Helstrom with the mystery of the Six-Fingered Hand, a group of demons with a plan to merge Earth and Hell. Each issue contains its own small story from a demonic cult taking over a town, a vampire uprising leading to an epic team-up with Dracula, a rock and roll mystery with the Ghost Rider, an encounter with the Devil-Slayer, and more with the secret of Patsy Walker’s past at the center of it. All this leads to an epic fight as the Defenders face off against Mephisto and his army in a hopeless battle with an ending that will surprise you. While the writing is off at times, the story itself makes up for it with great action and thrills as well as plenty of heart that help make it one of the best stories told.
4. Defenders Vol 1 62-64: Membership Madness
After having the Defenders deal with world-ending threats three times in a row, David Kraft decides to take a break in this story arc by taking the Defenders’ claim that they are a ‘non-team’ to a bonkers level. A documentary of the team is released where it is stated that literally anyone can sign up to be a Defender, leading to a horde of superheroes arriving on their doorstep to join from mainstay characters such as Falcon or Hercules to obscure characters such as Torpedo or Captain Ultra. And then, a horde of villains also claim to be Defenders, causing havoc all over the city. This story is just a wild, laugh-out-loud, insane tale and Kraft is clearly having fun writing it all as the madness escalates with each page. And yet, the core characters of Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Hellcat still shine through. In trying to bring the Defenders back to the crazy weird comic it is, Kraft also provided his best work on the title for readers.
3. Defenders Vol 1 22-25: In the Jaws of the Serpent
Bringing back old controversial Avengers foes the Sons of the Serpent here, Gerber attempts to replicate what Roy Thomas achieved with similar result. There are so many aspects of this story that work. The racism and bigotry are portrayed well and the inclusion of Luke Cage was a good touch, him bringing a more personal story to the mix. The opening sequence of the apartment fire and the mother and child was thrilling and the pace of the whole story is suspenseful and action-packed from beginning to end. Daredevil, Hellstrom, and Yellowjacket also all make excellent additions to the story. Gerber manages to bring all the pieces together for a timely piece on racism with many characters joining forces to fight this hated and bigoted foe. The only thing that drags the story down is the reveal of the leader of the Serpents. The reasoning behind it is shoddy though the reaction to is better handled, especially Luke Cage’s, but Gerber still mishandled the revelation there and didn’t learn the lesson that Thomas faltered on as well. Fortunately, it doesn’t take too much from the story and the rest can shine through, every scene a page turner for the readers.
2. Giant-Size Defenders Vol 1 5, Defenders Vol 1 26-29: Earth Shall Overcome
Diving into the obscure here, Gerber brings back the Guardians of the Galaxy from their one-shot issue for a large time-travel story with the Guardians first traveling back, bringing a threat with them and Vance meeting his younger self, before they and the Defenders are sent to the Badoon infested future. Gerber takes the setting the one-shot set up and expands on it while never losing track of the characters here, dividing them up in a battle across the stars as the Defenders and Guardians fight for this dystopian future. Gerber also dives into the Badoon, exploring the alien race and introducing their female counterparts. Juggling the many characters here, Gerber delivers an epic sci-fi adventure that helps propel the Guardians into the Marvel mainstream, for a little while anyway.
1. Defenders Vol 1 8-11, Avengers Vol 1 115-118: Avengers/Defenders War
Englehart’s one good story on the Defenders title and his last, ending on a high note for the next writer. It is also Englehart’s crowning achievement, combining both comics he was writing at the time into one massive crossover event over the summer. Dormammu and Loki team up to take down the Earth, pitting the Avengers against the Defenders as they seek the Evil Eye, an artifact of great power. The heroes are divided, each one going after a certain piece of the eye and forcing each team member to fight the other leading to some truly epic battles such as one of the best Thor and Hulk fights as well as a reunion between Namor and Captain America and a rematch between Swordsman and Hawkeye. This all leads to the confrontation with Dormammu as he attempts to conquer the world, showing off his power but also showing off Wanda’s power, making her a much stronger hero than she was originally presented. This story could have ended badly but with Englehart’s grasp on the characters and great storytelling, it rises to become one of the best stories for each title of this time.
And that's it for the Defenders. They managed to last a little longer in the 80s and made appearances in the succeeding decades but never got back their initial popularity which is a little disappointing.
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