Marvel to revitalize the Defenders?

[Whofan]

In the 1970s, Marvel created the Defenders, a sort of "non-team" of heroes assembled by Dr. Strange and featuring the Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer along with more obscure heroes such as Nighthawk, Hellcat, Valkyrie and Moondragon.

Eventually the original 'big four' left the title and were replaced by former and future X-men Angel, Iceman and Beast. This lasted for a while until the title was cancelled.


There have been reunions and some revivals over the years, but nothing really that lasted too long.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=33314


Now, with the hints in these posters, it looks like we might see a new Defenders team of some kind, with Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Hulk and his estranged wife Red-She Hulk, and Silver Surfer.....although this is all speculation so far.

 

[Set Harth]

My favorite issue of the Defenders was the one that said Jesus and the Devil were the same being.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The only time the Defenders worked was when Gerber wrote the title.

 

[the G-man]

The only time the Defenders worked was when Gerber wrote the title.

Gerber's run was great but I think David Anthony Kraft's work (which built on Gerber's and featured the "Scorpio" saga, "Defender's for a Day" and the Blue Oyster Cult-inspired "Vera Gemini" storyline) was just as good, if not a little better.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Expect an official announcement on their return next weekend at SDCC.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The only time the Defenders worked was when Gerber wrote the title.

Gerber's run was great but I think David Anthony Kraft's work (which built on Gerber's and featured the "Scorpio" saga, "Defender's for a Day" and the Blue Oyster Cult-inspired "Vera Gemini" storyline) was just as good, if not a little better.

Is he the guy who wrote the Six-Fingered Hand storyline? He was on par with Gerber and Englehart, I'd say.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The only time the Defenders worked was when Gerber wrote the title.

Gerber's run was great but I think David Anthony Kraft's work (which built on Gerber's and featured the "Scorpio" saga, "Defender's for a Day" and the Blue Oyster Cult-inspired "Vera Gemini" storyline) was just as good, if not a little better.

Came across as a pale imitation to me.

 

[Greg Cox]

Kraft and Engelhart were both good, but nothing topped the sheer weirdness of Gerber's run--which blew my mind when I was a teen.

I mean, Nighthawk's brain being transplanted into Bambi's body. Ruby Tuesday? The elf with the gun?

Great stuff!

 

[Trevacious]

Kraft and Engelhart were both good, but nothing topped the sheer weirdness of Gerber's run--which blew my mind when I was a teen.

I mean, Nighthawk's brain being transplanted into Bambi's body. Ruby Tuesday? The elf with the gun?

Great stuff!

Ah yes, the elf with the gun showed up in the first KISS comic. Paul Stanley said something like, "Nice guy. I hope he gets hit by a truck."

Some years later, there was a panel in an issue of Defenders that revealed the elf had indeed met his demise under the wheels of a truck. Loved the reference.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I've had this thought in my head I let out every now and then... "Valkyrie is really Val Cooper."

They played up Valkyrie in Secret Avengers last month.

The defenders is just a weird concept.

4 guys hang out as evil tries to fuck them up.

It's Steves house, Bruce is the loser friend who sleeps on the couch, Namor buys the beer and Norrin sits in the corner wondering why these people like him?

Although I LOOOVED it in Giffens Defenders when Hulk said to Namor "Hey Fishface!! Have you found Nemo yet?!"

 

[Temis the Vorta]

In the 1970s, Marvel created the Defenders, a sort of "non-team" of heroes assembled by Dr. Strange and featuring the Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer

My favorite characters, all in one place!

 

[Greg Cox]

In the 1970s, Marvel created the Defenders, a sort of "non-team" of heroes assembled by Dr. Strange and featuring the Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer

My favorite characters, all in one place!

I'll admit to being fascinated by the Valkyrie as well!

And, yeah, I remember liking the way they always just seemed to be hanging out at the Sanctum, instead of being an "official" team like the Avengers. There was something positively cozy about it . . .

 

[Whofan]

Funny thing about the original team is that they were part antagonist/villains at times as well. In fact the 2002 series "The Order" actually had this happen....

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I vaguely remember Val back when I was reading comic books. I think I did like her, too. Was she Thor's sister or something?

I just want Marvel (and only Marvel!) to do Doctor Strange and Sub-Mariner movies.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I believe Marvel Studios does have the rights for a Doc Strange and Namor movies and they're on the docket. My fan boy wish is for Patrick Dempsey to play Stephen Strange.

 

[Captain Craig]

Curious? Will await further news.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Surprised this thread wasn't updated after SDCC. Marvel Announced that Matt Fraction will be writing the book which kicks off after "Fear Its Self" ends and the artists will be Terry and Rachel Dodson. Here's Newsarama's interview with Fraction. He touches on the team roster as well. I'll be checking this out.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/sdcc-2011-defenders-matt-fraction-110725.html

 

[ClayinCA]

I'm annoyed the Hulk's not in it (especially as I can't stand this Red Hulk/Red She-Hulk/A-Bomb nonsense), but the rest of it sounds pretty good, especially as we've got both Sub-Mariner and Dr. Strange back. If they can have guest spots from the Silver Surfer and the Hulk, I'll be a happy bunny.

 

[Captain Craig]

Yeah, I agree. No Hulk is a bit hard to swallow. It's not a non-starter but he's such a major player in the MCU. His presence would/should allow for more focus on the book.

Any chance of a Ghost Rider arc? I know GR is undergoing some changes, Blaze has just bargained himself out of the Spirit and the new host is a woman still yet to be realized to us readers.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Hulk is most likely not in the book because Marvel and Jason Aaron are doing something totally different with the character and it wouldn't make sense for him to be part of a group setting.