The Defenders are the classic non-team of the Marvel Universe. The Defenders make their triumphant return with Matt Fraction coming off his run writing Fear Itself with Terry and Rachel Dodson as his art team supreme. The story that brings them back together is that in the wake of Fear Itself is still impacting the Hulk, though if you’re like me I haven’t read Fear Itself you’ll be okay. The team that’s brought together though differing means is Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Namor, Red She-Hulk, and Iron Fist. The Hulk is out of the team due to the connection he has with the new threat.
Matt Fraction sets a tone for The Defenders from the start that the scale of this series is going to be huge. As the story reveals itself each character has an introduction that suits each of their personalities. As you go through the issue you notice that Fraction has reintroduced the continued after next page borders to talk about future plots for this book and other stories going on within the Marvel Universe. As I was reading the issue it just gave me more interesting tidbits to check out as I was reading each page.
Within the character introductions, Iron Fist and Red She Hulk got the best segments in the title with Silver Surfer coming in as an honorable mention. The Dodson’s throughout this issue brought their best work and it showed. Every single part of this issue felt like it was going to pop out at you and that it was fun was a bonus. The story itself as it comes together is something I didn’t quite expect, from me dreading initially it was going to be Fear Itself 2.0 to by the end of the issue wanting to see the next because of what Matt Fraction threw into those last pages.
I have to say this is a surprise even for me. Matt Fraction put so much into The Defenders I couldn’t help but like it. I couldn’t help but find myself smiling as I kept reading this first issue. Matt Fraction’s team for this title is just the perfect mix for adventure and excitement. The fun factor of this comic is infectious. Mix this with the Dodson’s work and you have a first issue that just begs to be read. I went from having low expectations on this title to now awaiting to see just what the next issue has in store. You might just have me hooked on The Defenders yet Mr. Fraction, well played sir.
