Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: The Defenders
Writer: Mark Millar
Penciler: Bryan Hitch
Inks: Bryan Hitch & Paul Nerry
Colors: Laura Martin
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
You used to have it all.
You could grow the height of the tallest building.
You had a beautiful wife who had the ability to shrink down to nothing, and I can find a couple uses for that power. You know, she could shrink down and… you know… geez, do I have to spell EVERYTHING out for you.
You were part of the premier superteam of the world, wining and dining with millionaires, sexy spies, and a man from the past.
You had it all…
Sadly, your horrible temper got you taken away from that.
What do you do?
STORY!
You join a stupid two-bit, make-shift, low-rent superteam that is just trying to start out. In the standard Marvel Universe the Defenders were a loosely grouped together team of superheroes who worked when necessary. This team of Defenders couldn’t fight their way out of drive-thru burger joint.
That doesn’t stop Hank Pym, the former Giant Man, from trying to work with them. This keeps him busy while he also tries to give his two new inventions ‘ULTRON’ and ‘VISION’ to Nick Fury. (Those two names sound familiar?)
Sadly, even the idea of giving something away doesn’t work. Pym’s life sucks. Except for Valkyrie, she kinda digs him… or does she?
After all of this, the Defenders get the call for their first mission, and everything goes well. The Defenders use their powers (which are none) against the bandits (who are stealing cigarettes), and with the help of Hank Pym – win. (Which in this case means, lose.) Add in one well placed photographer – and Pym is on all the front pages again – except this time his more attractive side.
ART!
I’ve said some very nice thigns about Brian Hitch. His work has been detailed, and finetuned, and pretty. Wow, I like commas this review… anyway, this issue just falls flat. Maybe this is one he had to rush a bit through – but it’s missing quite a bit. As a matter of fact, there are panels where characters just look ugly.
…except Valkyrie.. she’s still hot..
(Most useless outfit ever.)
Overall!
For as much as this story was about a follow up on Hank Pym, it gave us a lot to work with. The Captain Countries (America, Britain, etc) are on the move during a nuclear assault – there is a traitor amongst the Ultimates – all this and quite a few laughs!
Not as great as issues before it have been, but still a fun comic to read and enjoy. Millar stands strong as one of the top five writers on the Marvel side these days.
