DEFENDERS #1

**MattBrady** · 06-15-2005, 01:11 PM

Marvel has released an early sneak preview of July’s DEFENDERS #1, the latest reteaming of Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, bringing their unique and skewed sensibility to Marvel’s original “non-team”.

Here’s how the publisher describes the series:

“Wong possessed by Nightmare! Dormammu and Umar in unholy alliance! The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner at each other's throats! The Silver Surfer...uh...surfing. Can Doctor Strange reunite the Defenders and save ‘Reality As We Know It?’ Come to think of it, can editor Andy Schmidt save the Marvel Universe from Eisner-award-winning creators Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire? Only the Ancient One knows for sure1”

Defenders #1, the first issue of a five-issue limited series, goes on sale July 20th with a cover price of $2.99.

spyflip · 06-15-2005, 01:21 PM

"Hulk smash little mermaid"

Spider-Bob · 06-15-2005, 01:25 PM

I love it.

ThorEl3 · 06-15-2005, 01:27 PM

Heh. Yeah, I was gonna pass this one by, but I admit it: I caught myself smiling and snickering as I was reading this. Count me in.

Beria · 06-15-2005, 01:29 PM

Hey, this looks like fun!

summers88 · 06-15-2005, 01:30 PM

Is it possible to write the Defenders and not make them out to be idoits!!?? I mean really, Larsen turned them into one big joke and this series is probably going to make it worse! Why is the Hulk picking his nose on the cover?? God, this mini will never be a series if they keep this crap up.

Look the original run lasted about 130 issues. Why? Because it was good. They treated the characters with the respect they deserve. They cared for them and created plots to help develop them. How does this slapstick humor do that? It doesn't and that's why this title will never be a monthly again!!

Why are the making such iconic characters idoits??? Show respect for them and treat them like the heroes they are and this book will be fine. I was so excited to hear they were bringing this title back, I just didn't realize it was a joke...

NightRiver · 06-15-2005, 01:33 PM

OMG! This is gonna be great! Classic line from banner..."I Meant to ask you--Did you find Nemo or are you still looking?"

Another hit to my wallet, but still worth it.

algertman · 06-15-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

that's why it will get cancelled VERY soon.

uh, it's a mini-series

BlueThunderArmy · 06-15-2005, 01:43 PM

As a HUGE fan of this team's work on JLI, I'm hoping this leads to a similar ongoing project at Marvel. I've never been interested in the Defenders, either individually or as a group—but I never cared about Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Mister Miracle, and the lot before Giffen and DeMatteis took over, either.

Adam G · 06-15-2005, 01:49 PM

Their orginal run on Justice League back in 87 was one of the first books I collected. It turned me into a huge Kevin Maguire fan and I love that they are back on the JLA (even though it is a little tough to read that right now with all of the events that happened in Countdown

).

So anyway, I am very excited to see their take on characters in the Marvel universe and what better characters then the Defenders. I hope this does really well and maybe lead into a new ongoing. Enjoy!, I know I will

Book of GOB · 06-15-2005, 01:50 PM

Namor's reaction to the Nemo comment is priceless. And pretty much sold me on this.

Comic-Reader · 06-15-2005, 01:55 PM

Hmmm. Yep, still not funny.

It's good to know some things are still reliable. (Of course, McGuire's art is still great. Although his Namor looks a little boyish to me.)

Pass.

Ragnarokker · 06-15-2005, 01:55 PM

I don't think that They are disrespecting the characters at all. They are still the same characters but they are presented in a with a lighter tone. They aren't idiots at all. Namor is a dick. That is his character. And I certainly would respond to a pompous jerk like Namor the same way Banner did.

What I can't believe is that their is someone who thinks that the Defenders should be taken seriously.

Funny stuff. I'm going to be picking it up for sure.

Darth Tigris · 06-15-2005, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by summers88
Is it possible to write the Defenders and not make them out to be idoits!!?? I mean really, Larsen turned them into one big joke and this series is probably going to make it worse! Why is the Hulk picking his nose on the cover?? God, this mini will never be a series if they keep this crap up.

Look the original run lasted about 130 issues. Why? Because it was good. They treated the characters with the respect they deserve. They cared for them and created plots to help develop them. How does this slapstick humor do that? It doesn't and that's why this title will never be a monthly again!!

Why are the making such iconic characters idoits??? Show respect for them and treat them like the heroes they are and this book will be fine. I was so excited to hear they were bringing this title back, I just didn't realize it was a joke...

With this creative team, this is exactly the tone that should be expected for the book and they didn't disappoint. Sorry if you're not familiar with their work and were expecting something else from The Defenders.

Mr. Cho · 06-15-2005, 02:01 PM

The cover is priceless. Especially Silver Surfer. I'd buy it just based on his facial expression - I laugh every single time I look at it.

Bakema NL · 06-15-2005, 02:07 PM

This is not the Defenders as I would like to see them, so I'll pass on this one.

bob_at_york · 06-15-2005, 02:09 PM

This is going to be a fun book.

seesoul · 06-15-2005, 02:10 PM

Although I am a fan of the creators, I don't think their style fits on this characters, particularly Banner. I'd love to see the Defenders done seriously. I won't be picking this book up.

Brian Langlois · 06-15-2005, 02:14 PM

This

is going

to be

GREAT!

There's nothing wrong with having a little fun with the character. There are a million serious team books out there. This one is going to be special. I can't wait!

siskods9 · 06-15-2005, 02:15 PM

Nice way to disrespect mainstream comics.

Kolimar · 06-15-2005, 02:18 PM

A few minor quibbles:

Namor and Silver Surfer's faces still look odd to me but I'll get used to it.

The Hulk's metamorphosis background energy effect looked... I dunno... like a poor fit.

Doctor Strange's magic gesturing on the cover: shouldn't it be the "horns" gesture? I had never seen him do other.

Like I said, very minor things and easily disregarded. Other than that, funny stuff. A good take on the Defenders from what we can see now.

Quote:

Originally posted by summers88
Is it possible to write the Defenders and not make them out to be idoits!!?? I mean really, Larsen turned them into one big joke and this series is probably going to make it worse! Why is the Hulk picking his nose on the cover?? God, this mini will never be a series if they keep this crap up.

Look the original run lasted about 130 issues. Why? Because it was good. They treated the characters with the respect they deserve. They cared for them and created plots to help develop them. How does this slapstick humor do that? It doesn't and that's why this title will never be a monthly again!!

Why are the making such iconic characters idoits??? Show respect for them and treat them like the heroes they are and this book will be fine. I was so excited to hear they were bringing this title back, I just didn't realize it was a joke...

I agree with Ragnarokker and Darth Tigris, in general. The Defenders don't look like idiots, just like the Justice League didn't. The point of Giffen-DeMatteis-Maguire is that they have human emotions and can be ridiculous at times. Heroes are known for walking around in their underwear. Just look at Strange and tell me he doesn't look goofy in his chosen style of clothing.

Or the terms he uses in his spells.

Or Hulk's braindead child-like tantrums. Or... You get my point. Super-heroes have a lot of potential for humor. Hell, I bet all these potentially ridiculous details were pointed out by Spider-Man during past team-ups. If Spidey can see it...

BlueThunderArmy · 06-15-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seesoul
Although I am a fan of the creators, I don't think their style fits on this characters, particularly Banner.

Well, I'd prefer to see them writing Beetle, Guy, Ice, Max, and the Dibnys, but with things being what they are I'll take what I can get.

Reaper · 06-15-2005, 02:23 PM

I'll definately enjoy this.

For anyone wrapped to tightly to see the fun in this, come on, loosen up. How can you not make fun of a team that has The Hulk and Sub Mariner on it? And this creative team knows how to make hilarious comics.

-Tim

Kolimar · 06-15-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueThunderArmy
Well, I'd prefer to see them writing Beetle, Guy, Ice, Max, and the Dibnys, but with things being what they are I'll take what I can get.

If it's any consolation, there are always Elseworlds and in-between stories.

skeletorjr · 06-15-2005, 02:32 PM

Beautiful art, but those are not the Defenders I collected and loved for their entire original run. Pass.