It's Either In You Or It's Not a.k.a. The Defenders

[Sebastos]

Recent tweet from Fraction:

DEF. #2 gets a 2nd print: this is amazing. The aggressive overship on #1 worked; more readers than copies right now. THANK YOU. #concordance

#2 is already getting a second printing. The book is doing really well, Defenders #1 cracked the the top ten and came in at number seven in the December sales chart.

 

[Dread]

I don't know, going by the solicit for #4, seems like it could be someone completely new:

I see. Interesting. I guess we're in for another retcon, sigh.

#2 is already getting a second printing. The book is doing really well, Defenders #1 cracked the the top ten and came in at number seven in the December sales chart.

Yes, this is a far better debut than I expected. Which means either buzz from FEAR ITSELF helped, DEFENDERS has been off the stage long enough, and/or Fraction and Dodson on this book impressed people.

I've been enjoying the heck out of it, so I'm glad it is off to a good start.

 

[Sebastos]

Defenders #4 preview:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=11218

This looks fantastic.

 

[Dread]

Defenders #4 preview:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=11218

This looks fantastic.

So it looks like the Dodsons will need a fill in after only 3 issues. That seems about right.

 

[Sebastos]

Yes, they'll be back for the second arc.

 

[batdude]

And we are getting a good guest artist. Michael Lark was great on Daredevil. Him on Doctor Strange should be fun. It's not like the Dodsons are leaving.

 

[Sebastos]

Lark does an awesome Iron Fist too:

Also, Mitch Breitweiser will be doing the Namor issue.

 

[Dread]

Yes, we are getting some great fill-in artists for subsequent issues. I do wonder if this will effect sales any; I have to admit DEFENDERS had a better debut than I imagined - although even if FEAR ITSELF wasn't that great, the core mini itself still debuted over 100k and sold over 90k for every issue.

I'm naturally on board; the first two issues have been fun. I do wonder if Fraction will still write the book "Marvel Style" - as in submitting a basic script to his artists and giving them some leeway with co-writing the book - with these other artists as he did with Terry Dodson. I don't see why not, given that he's writing other books.

 

[Sebastos]

Tweet from Fraction:

DEFENDERS art: lark #4: Strange. Breitweiser #5: namor. Víctor Íbanez #6: Danny. terry back @ 7: black cat, wakanda, & beyond

Ibanez is a great artist so that's cool news. But Black Cat in #7? Think she's joining the team? Fraction did say new members would join in the second arc.

 

[Sebastos]

Dodson draws a great Black Cat lets not forget:

Looks like she's in for a more prominent role outside the Spider-Man books.

 

[Dread]

Tweet from Fraction:



Ibanez is a great artist so that's cool news. But Black Cat in #7? Think she's joining the team? Fraction did say new members would join in the second arc.

The Defenders' longest running gimmick was a fluid roster - members would come and go every issue. While that is less unique with the explosion of Avengers books lately, I'd have been shocked if Fraction didn't have maybe 1-2 members come and go every arc. I imagine there could be a few members who stay long term and members that come and go by the arc. Much as the original Defenders usually had Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor, Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and/or Hellcat as long term members historically.

 

[batdude]

Hey with Dodson drawing, I'd be thrilled if Black Cat became a member.My guess is that The Silver Surfer and Red She Hulk could be leaving, since they didn't get solo issues.

 

[Sebastos]

I don't think it'll be Betty, Surfer is a possibility though.

 

[Sebastos]

It's also worth noting Dr. Strange is the one who removed Felicia's powers.

 

[Dread]

It's also worth noting Dr. Strange is the one who removed Felicia's powers.

Indeed, which led to her getting her nose broken and teaming up with the Foreigner way back when. Her bad luck powers are back, though.

Hellcat was usually the feline inspired heroine who was usually involved with the Defenders, who did debut before Felicia Hardy by a few years.

 

[Sebastos]

Yes that's true...this team is just full of different personalities, I look forward to how Felicia interacts with the likes of Iron Fist, Namor and Red She-Hulk.

 

[Sebastos]

Defenders #5
Matt Fraction (W) Mitch Breitweiser (A)
Cover By Terry Dodson
Variant Cover By Walt Simonson
I Am A Defender Variant Also Available
• Who Are The Nereid, And What Secret Are They Keeping?
• How Does Namor’s History Intertwine With… Captain Nemo?
• The Mystery Of The Concordance Engine Grows!
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$3.99

One word, AWESOME. I'm intrigued by the Nemo connection.

 

[BillPardy]

Is there any recommended pre-reading for this? I'm familiar with all the characters from guest appearances at the very least. But any suggestions outside of those?

 

[moraldeficiency]

Is there any recommended pre-reading for this? I'm familiar with all the characters from guest appearances at the very least. But any suggestions outside of those?

No real prereading needed, but if you wanted to check out some of the characters I'd go with:

Silver Surfer: Requiem (not in continuity but one of the best work to touch on his character and what he means to the MU)

Doctor Strange: The Oath

Immortal Iron Fist

Red She Hulk....just don't bother

For Namor sadly I just can't think of any stand out stuff with just him in it.

 

[BillPardy]

No real prereading needed, but if you wanted to check out some of the characters I'd go with:

Silver Surfer: Requiem (not in continuity but one of the best work to touch on his character and what he means to the MU)

Doctor Strange: The Oath

Immortal Iron Fist

Red She Hulk....just don't bother

For Namor sadly I just can't think of any stand out stuff with just him in it.

Already have She Hulk covered, and I've read a fair bit of Namor. I may give the others a look though. Thanks.

 

[Sebastos]

Yeah you can't go wrong with what moraldeficiency, suggested. You're in for a real treat.

 

[Sebastos]

Defenders #3 preview:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=11283

Really good stuff. Think I mentioned this (worth mentioning again anyway), but I love the character bios for the team.

Spoiler

Wonder what the "It's in them now and they don't even know it yet..." line means.

 

[batdude]

Issue 3 was good. Particuliarly liked Red She- Hulk flirting with Iron Fist and Namor's attitude towards her.

 

[Sebastos]

Cover for #6:

DEFENDERS #6
MATT FRACTION (w) • VICTOR IBANEZ (a)
Cover by TERRY DODSON
• WHO is trying to kill the Immortal Weapons and can Iron Fist stop them?
• WHY did the world forget about the Confederates of the Curious?
• HOW does the Concordance Engine tie all these threads together?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Great cover by the Dodson's and the solicit sounds awesome. The Confederates of the Curious thread is an interesting one, possible Orson Randall flashbacks anyone?

Either way, can't wait!

 

[Sebastos]

Fraction Brings Things into Concordance in "Defenders"

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37093

Great interview with Fraction for what's ahead and come on, the preview art alone has me excited for what's to come. It's also pretty much confirmed we'll be seeing Orson in #6 so can't wait. Fury and Ant-Man showing up later on is another thing to look forward aswell.