THE DEFENDERS (2017) ISSUE #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: David Marquez
Color Artist: Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Daredevil, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are now “The Defenders” protecting the streets of New York, but an enemy believed to be dead is back to claim the title of Kingpin, and he already has his sights on our heroes.
What You Yeed To Know:
This is issue #1 in the new series so even if you are brand new to the marvel universe you wont be totally lost. The villain, Diamondback, is identified early on and his position is made obvious. While it is clear that this new Defenders team had already been formed some time before the events of this issue, they still get a nice introduction for the reader.
What You’ll Find Out:
On the first page of this issue we get a look at the returning character, Diamondback, as he begins his quest to take over the criminal underworld in New York. Next we are introduced to the new Defenders just as they each deal with separate but simultaneous assassination attempts.
These attacks leave Jones in a hospital bed where our heroes meet up. We learn that whoever tried to kill them also knows Daredevil’s true identity, Matthew Murdock.
We see our heroes as they began their search for whoever tried to have them killed. This leads to a bar fight between Iron Fist, Daredevil and some bikers.
We’re next introduced to the Black Cat as she comes face to face with Diamondback. Diamondback makes it clear that he intends to control the city and become the new Kingpin, and that no one will stand in his way. Surprisingly, Luke Cage shows up at that moment completely alone and attacks Diamondback. Diamondback, as if to prove his point, defeats Cage by blowing a mysterious poison powder into his face and then driving his head into the ground, all while Black Cat watches in terror.
What Just Happened:
The Defenders have been around since 1971, but with an entirely different group of characters. In fact, these four characters have never made up the Defenders until this issue, which has been based on the Netflix series.
I personally think that is amazing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done a pretty good job of adapting characters for both the big and small screens, and to see a comic take a little of that inspiration back and base this new series on the MCU is incredible. Many people have become fans of Marvel through the MCU and don’t feel like they should bother reading comics because they are either too different or because the storylines have been around for too long and its too late to jump in now. But this series shows that neither have to be true.
If you’ve been watching any of these characters in their shows on Netflix, then you’re probably pretty excited to see that this series has been started. This issue sets up a very interesting story and, after reading it, I am filled with questions that I can’t wait to have answered. The characters that make up the defenders now are very diverse and we get a good taste of how they each react to the situation they are placed in.
Rating: 10/10
Final Thoughts: This series is a perfect jumping on point, especially for those who have been watching the MCU and wanted a sturdy bridge to the comics.