TITLE: The Defenders vol. 1, issue #96
YEAR: June 1981
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Writer: J.M. De Matteis
Artists: Don Perlin, Joe Sinnott
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: George Roussos
Editor: Al Milgrom
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
One thing I can’t stand back in the ’80s, was how music was integrated with comic books. I’m not talking about cool bands at the time like KISS but I’m talking about forced music bands gone evil.
In the case of “The Defenders”, the storyline delved to the occult and a rock star named Asmodeus Jones is the King of Devil Rock and he unleashes a demon.
One of the people working as road crew staff observing the demon is the newly hired Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider).
Meanwhile, Kyle Richmond (aka Nighthawk) is trying to get used to life being paralyzed and no longer being able to be a superhero. Kyle’s mystic-link that sustained his life force was destroyed by a demonic power and it’s been hard on him, while Val (a.k.a. Valkyrie) tries to watch over him.
Meanwhile, Dr. Strange has been trying to know more about the threat from the entity known as The Six-Fingered Hand. While Patsy tries to deal with her housekeeper Dolly Donahue’s hospitalization and that she may not make it after being attacked by the Gargoyle, who tried to abduct Patsy Walker (a.k.a. Hellcat) for the Six-Fingered Hand.
As the group tries to investigate this Six-Fingered Hand, The Defenders come into contact with Johnny Blaze who turns into The Ghost Rider leading to a short battle which leads them to Asmodeus Jones, who may be working with a demon.
For the most part, I liked the battles, I didn’t like how everything hinged on this singer who considers himself a leader in satanic rock music.
I felt that was quite lame!
But this is probably one of the weakest issues of The Defender I’ve read, despite the cool, awesome cover! No doubt trying to capitalize on the popularity of the Ghost Rider, issue #96 was OK.