Reviewer: Kevin S. Mahoney
Story Title: Disaster!
Written by: Keith Giffen
Penciled by: J. M. Dematteis
Inked by: Kevin Maguire
Colored by: Chris Sotomayor
Lettered by: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Publisher: Marvel Comics
There’s a lot to like in this limited series. There are the four iconic Defenders: Hulk, Namor, Dr. Strange, and the Silver Surfer. There’s comedic bickering, much like the previous series before it mutated into the very-unfunny Order. There is even a heavy dollop of impressive action; the non-team (and Wong) get to fight the Dread Dormammu, his sorcerous sister Umar, and their insectile conjured henchmen. Topping it off, the Silver Surfer hits on several bangin’ beach-preening chicks. It’s a lot of entertainment for this single issue of a five part mini-series.
The action, gut-busting one-liners, and um… adult themes all come at a price. It costs characterization. That’s not to say these characters behave completely atypically; they don’t veer that far off the road. But the swerve really would get them pulled over by the continuity cops, if such a patrol force were mobilized. Mostly the problem is the dialogue: word choice and tone are simply perverted to supplement the humorous set pieces in the story. There are times when the finessing seems slight enough to pass (like the Surfer’s Existentialist campfire conversation) or it veers into such frontier territory that readers are forced to accept what is presented to them (the Dormammu/Umar rivalry with its edge of sexual tension). There are other times where it simultaneously rings as false as it does funny (the Hulk’s too hifalutin’ and boastful speech behind the mystical barrier and Namor’s denouncement of Strange seem extremely unlike either of them). The choice of dramatic effect over respect for the characters makes it very difficult to enjoy the story as much as its stars. That division seems a poor sacrifice for slightly larger laughs; couldn’t the creative team have written jokes just as funny showcasing these characters actual personalities and speech patterns?
The art in this issue, a few quibbles aside, really shines. The heroes all look dashing in their particular way. The realm of the dread Dormammu is well rendered, if a little derivative. The magical creatures all have a certain unnerving aspect, as they should. Those strengths make up for the issue’s few shortfalls: the Hulk’s preponderance of veins, Namor’s tendency to bend well past what simple anatomy would deem possible, and the Surfer’s new Roswell, New Mexico inspired appearance. The cheery and well-chosen palette certainly helps propel the book past its caricature rich pencils. And the lettering uses modern techniques to inspire a 70’s flair, which both old and new Defenders fans should appreciate.
