Defenders #1
Reviewed by Joshua Rathbun
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Story: Matt Fraction
Art: Terry Dodson
Cover: Terry Dodson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Date: December 7, 2011
Price: $3.99
The Defenders are back, courtesy of Matt Fraction and Terry and Rachel Dodson.
I will admit, I know very little about the Defenders. My only experience with this team is from the Keith Giffen, J.M. Dematteis and Kevin Maguire mini-series from a few years back. I know that for a team that appeared to have such a powerhouse cast, this wasn't a book that has been able to make it through the years. Plus, some of their old villains are downright pathetic. One only needs to look at one such as Tapping Tommy to know that this team wasn't facing Marvel's A-list villain talent.
So fast forward to now, where Fear Itself has just wrapped up and there's a bit more cleaning that still needs to be done. Nul, the Breaker of Worlds is still on the loose and the Hulk needs him taken care of. He can't be close to Nul for fear of losing control. The Hulk goes on a recruiting trip to get the best to do the job. The team has a pretty good line-up consisting of Doctor Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist and Red She-Hulk. For not caring a lot for Fear Itself and the results of it, I did not know what I would think of this book. The cast is great. This first issue feels totally like a fresh start for the cast.
This book re-teams Matt Fraction with Terry and Rachel Dodson, as they had worked previously on Uncanny X-Men. Dodson's art, as usual, really looks great and lends itself to the finished product. It's been a big year for Fraction, as he just wrapped up writing duties on Marvel's last big event, Fear Itself. The book is definitely written with a bit of humor to it and Fraction seems to have a good handle on these characters. One of the things that I found really enjoyable was the narration of the book, taken from the view of every character.
Is it a fun book? Yes. Is it a book worth taking a chance on? Certainly. Comics, and more importantly, Marvel Comics, needs some additional teams in it's universe that aren't the X-Men or the Avengers. It needs book with characters that aren't Wolverine or Spider-Man. This first issue definitely feels like a good start. For a book like this to work in the long run, it's going to need a good creative team. If Marvel can keep Fraction and the Dodsens on this title, there's no reason the Defenders shouldn't be around for many years to come.
Reviewer Bio
Name: Joshua Rathbun
email: josh@theropestore.com
Review Bio: Salt Lake City resident Joshua Daniel Rathbun has been reading comics longer than he can even remember and enjoys a bevy of different tastes in comics. When not writing up reviews for Comic Related, he can be found on Twitter (http://twitter.com/JoshuaRathbun) or at his comic book blog located at www.4thdownandhelltogo.com and appreciates feedback, both good and bad at josh@theropestore.com or on the Comic Related forums. He also sings for the Salt Lake band, Dogwelder.
Been reading comics: Over 20 years.
Favorites: Preacher is the all-time favorite.
Websites: joshrathbun.livejournal.com - theropestore.com - 4thdownandhelltogo.com
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