TITLE: The Defenders Vol. 1, Issue No. 7
YEAR: August 1973
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Plot & Script: Steve Englehart
Script: Len Wein
Art: Sal Buscema
Ink: Frank Bolle
Lettering: June Bowerman
Color: Glynis Wein
Editor: Roy Thomas
When it comes to comic books of my childhood, I remember reading “The Defenders” a lot.
I remember that being young, a lot of the “popular” titles were hard to find at the comic store, but I would often find superhero team comic books such as “The Defenders” and “The Champions” (while “The Avengers” and “The Uncanny X-Men” were comics I would see once a blue moon).
But I don’t think I really cared as a child because “The Defenders”, while not a superteam like “The Avengers”, they were a team of individuals who fought together for a good cause.
So, what is the earliest issue of “The Defenders” do I have in my collection, it happens to be issue #7.
The comic book begins with the Hulk being annoyed by Hawkeye who has since quit the Avengers (because of his jealousy that Wanda ala Scarlet Witch loved the Vision and just needed time away from the group).
The Hulk was not as savage but nevertheless, Hawkeye was a going a bit overboard to get Hulk’s attention and Hulk wants to put the pounding on him.
But Namor the Sub-Mariner and Valkyrie happens to be nearby and needless to say, Hawkeye gets his butt kicked.
But as Hawkeye explains why he left the Avengers, Namor and Valkyrie explain they are going to see Doctor Strange. Hawkeye likes the idea of the Defenders because they are not a superteam, nor are they a charter group, they are just people who team up and fight for the greater good. They are not tied into any strict rules as a group, they are just a bunch of individuals fighting together and Hawkeye likes the idea behind that.
And so the four go to find Dr. Strange.
But it doesn’t take long after Namor receives a warning of his ex-nemesis, the barbarian warlord known as Attuma (who killed Namor’s love, Dorma) planning to attack the surface world and a battle ensues between the superheroes who take on Attuma but also realizing who has been helping him in this attack.
But for the most part, it’s a fun comic book with action and humor.
I think if anything, is just seeing these four work together to take on Attuma but also an issue reiterating how Hulk is not a team player. But you really have to love the script by Steve Englehart and Len Wein, but also the wonderful artwork of Sal Buscema.
An early issue of “The Defenders” and a fun and recommended storyline overall.