As much as I enjoy my television programs taking a break this time of year so I don't have to worry if I'm caught up on Arrow, not all shows are on summer vacation. I'm looking forward to diving into the newest season of Game of Thrones and also intrigued as to how Marvel's The Defenders will be.
When Netflix first announced to add a piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to their programming I was excited. Fast foward a few years later and we've gotten some great hours of viewing, and a few not that great. But in a few months the pay-off will be here. Much like their big screen adaptations, all the heroes of New York will team up in one series; The Defenders. And much like with X-Men or Spider-Man, Marvel is hoping to sell more books by syncing the characters continuity with what fans will know having just watched the character in another form of media.
The original Defenders consisted of Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor and Silver Surfer in 1972 and has slowly morphed into a street-level team. While I enjoy the spectacle of The Avengers saving the world, someone has to save the neighborhood. And that's what The Defenders have become. They're not super soldiers, gods, or genius billionaires. Just enhanced individuals who are more accustomed to fighting a street gang than Thanos.
In issue #1 of this series, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Daredevil are all attacked, which leads to Jessica being shot and put into the hospital. After the gathering of the team, Jessica reveals that Luke's old-time rival Diamondback is behind it. While the crew hunts down Diamondback, he's making his own plans by trying to recruit Black Cat into his fold. Luke shows up and Diamondback sprays him with some gas that allows him to kick Luke's ass while Black Cat just watches in shock.
It wasn't a terrific issue, but it's a decent set-up for what could be a good story line. My favorite scene is when IF, Jessica, and Daredevil are in the bar talking about their new found cooperation. "If The Avengers, and whatnot, are up there, we need to be down here." Again, the DD quote sets-up the theme of the team and (hopefully) the upcoming Netflix series. After reading this first issue I just want the dynamic of the characters to be this good in the Netflix series. I knew very little about Jessica Jones before watching her show, and I hope showrunners severely correct Iron Fist's personality going forward because, while I don't think Finn Jones is a bad actor, that was not Danny Rand.
These are Marvel the heroes who don't have enough power to take on cosmic threats like Thanos or even Ultron. They could probably hold their own for a bit, but won't make too much headway by themselves. While Galactus is eating the world some mob boss, or secret ninja clan, is looking to take advantage of the situation; and that's where The Defenders will be.
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