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

[Dread]

I think part of Fraction's dilemma as a writer is he comes up with a lot of concepts, dynamics, plot angles and so on but doesn't focus on executing all of them like he should, so some come and go or are underdeveloped or so on but to him they're pivotal. With a co-writer such as Brubaker on IMMORTAL IRON FIST there is someone there to ground him or filter some of those concepts out.

I do hope that Dodson can perhaps fulfill a similar role.

 

[Sebastos]

Defenders #1 is out next week and guess who got the variant cover?

Spoiler

 

[Sebastos]

Great interview with Fraction on Defenders, I found this part interesting:

...It's not about what-if minutiae stuff. I wanted to tell a story about the root of all the Marvel myths. What if there was a reason why they happened? What if it was something that was grown and cultivated rather than this collection of stories that we happen to be looking at? I wanted to tell a story about the Marvel Universe, not about the specifics. Every now and again, a pawn gets all the way down the board and gets to upgrade. The Defenders are pawns that have accidentally made their way down the board and get to upgrade and learn a little bit more.​

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/11/07/matt-fraction-defenders-interview/
​

 

[Watchman]

Unlike everyone else I'm not soured by Fraction. Didn't read Fear Itself, I like his "Angry Cosmic Vikings Gods" and Casanova is brilliant so I can't wait for this book. Being describe as "Casanova Avengers" and carrying definite influence from Morrison's Doom Patrol doesn't hurt either.

 

[Sebastos]

It's been confirmed that the Immortal Weapons will show up in #6 and the artist won't be Dodson...David Aja anyone?

 

[JewishHobbit]

Aja Aja Aja Aja Aja!!!!

 

[Kitsune]

I'll take anything that returns Strange back to his former glory.

Looks like he's getting the eye of agamato back ... doesn't hurt that he's in the new Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom game.

 

[Sebastos]

I've played a few times with team Defenders in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Iron Fist/Strange/She-Hulk with her Red She-Hulk palette swap. Oh yeah.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I'm hoping they deal with the Iron Fist, Weapon of Agamotto plot that was left hanging in Iron Man 2.0's Fear Itself tie-in.

 

[Sebastos]

I have no doubt they will, i'm starting to think the issue with the Immortal Weapons is where it'll be addressed.

 

[RockSP]

After one issue Defenders is the best marvel book Fraction is currently writing (not that hard of a task, granted...)

 

[Sebastos]

This book is has potential written all over it...And with that here's a preview for #2!

http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=45089

The. Power. Of. Chi.

 

[batdude]

Yeah it definitely has potential. Fraction managed a new take on Strange,

 

[Sebastos]

Lettered preview for Defenders #2:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=10954

 

[Sebastos]

Fraction gave an interview for the Defenders and gave us some info on what to expect ahead:

MF: Let's see. Three resolves the Wundagore mystery. We learn who the Silent Man is, and suggest, with a heavy wink-wink nudge-nudge who he may be and what his connection to Prester John may be. We learn what happens when Nul, the Breaker of Worlds, hits a Concordance Engine real, real hard. And we hint at the size and shape of the gameboard.

Four is a Dr. Strange solo issue, a kind of weird haunted love story. Five is a Namor issue, where we learn about his legacy and find that the ocean is so big even HE hasn't seen it all. Six is an Iron Fist issue, where lots of old favorites show up... to die. Then Seven starts our second major arc, COLLECTORS, sees Terry's return, and takes the gang on a whirlwind tour of everything ever and even gains a member or two.

Wonder who he means....Also looking forward to Ant-Man and Fury joining the team.

http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/01/05/the-defenders-2-post-game-with-writer-matt-fraction/

 

[RockSP]

Wonder what Strange said to Betty, heh heh.

 

[Dread]

DEFENDERS has been a much needed return to decency for Fraction. Yeah, Terry Dodson is technically co-plotting the series since it's drawn in "Marvel Style" - he draws off a basic plot outline by Fraction and then Fraction puts in the dialogue and narration after the fact - but after FEAR ITSELF, this is actually pretty decent. Iron Fist is only there because Fraction likes him, but that's a perfectly good reason to have someone on a team book. Previous DEFENDERS writers did that all the time, especially Steve Gerber.

Yeah, it's far out fantasy stuff with some oddness mixed in, but it's been fun thus far. Far more fun than the humorless FEAR ITSELF was. What made the DEFENDERS unique used to be a fluid team roster, which nowadays isn't a big deal with all those Avengers books. The other thing it has, though, was the Defenders were often the team that fought the really bizarre absurd stuff. Fraction seems to get that, without just using it to make characters the butt of jokes.

 

[Sebastos]

Wonder what Strange said to Betty, heh heh.

Seems to be what everyone else is wondering lol.

DEFENDERS has been a much needed return to decency for Fraction. Yeah, Terry Dodson is technically co-plotting the series since it's drawn in "Marvel Style" - he draws off a basic plot outline by Fraction and then Fraction puts in the dialogue and narration after the fact - but after FEAR ITSELF, this is actually pretty decent. Iron Fist is only there because Fraction likes him, but that's a perfectly good reason to have someone on a team book. Previous DEFENDERS writers did that all the time, especially Steve Gerber.

Yeah, it's far out fantasy stuff with some oddness mixed in, but it's been fun thus far. Far more fun than the humorless FEAR ITSELF was. What made the DEFENDERS unique used to be a fluid team roster, which nowadays isn't a big deal with all those Avengers books. The other thing it has, though, was the Defenders were often the team that fought the really bizarre absurd stuff. Fraction seems to get that, without just using it to make characters the butt of jokes.

Yeah this book has been fun and I like where things seem to be heading. You get the sense that there's something big coming, the Concordance Engine has my interest. Not to mention the ads on the bottom of the pages are a treat haha.

 

[batdude]

Yeah, Doctor Strange as a dirty old man is hilarious. I half expect him to start quoting Barney Stinson.

 

[Sebastos]

Can't wait till we find out just who Stephen's lost love is.

 

[Dread]

Yeah this book has been fun and I like where things seem to be heading. You get the sense that there's something big coming, the Concordance Engine has my interest. Not to mention the ads on the bottom of the pages are a treat haha.

Indeed.

Yeah, Doctor Strange as a dirty old man is hilarious. I half expect him to start quoting Barney Stinson.

Eh, I liked Dr. Strange dating Night Nurse from BKV's THE OATH mini. They had good chemistry. Then Bendis made it dirty in NEW AVENGERS and then it went away. Now Strange is just Iron Man without armor, porking anything with boobs.

In fairness, Iron Fist has been doing that since he and Misty's latest break up, which this series acknowledges.

Can't wait till we find out just who Stephen's lost love is.

Maybe Clea again?

 

[batdude]

Indeed.



Eh, I liked Dr. Strange dating Night Nurse from BKV's THE OATH mini. They had good chemistry. Then Bendis made it dirty in NEW AVENGERS and then it went away. Now Strange is just Iron Man without armor, porking anything with boobs.

In fairness, Iron Fist has been doing that since he and Misty's latest break up, which this series acknowledges.



Maybe Clea again?

Yeah, but Iron Fist has a type. and Strange is just funnier.

 

[RockSP]

Yeah, but Iron Fist has a type.

If you mean black girls...nah. He was screwing his accountant (or whatever she was) in the recent Power Man & Iron Fist mini. She was white.

 

[batdude]

Really? missed that one. Something about a Power Man kid that wasn't Luke Cage didn't appeal to me.

 

[Sebastos]

Maybe Clea again?

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

Defenders #4
Matt Fraction (W) • Michael Lark (A/C)
Cover By Terry Dodson
I Am A Defender Variant Also Available
• Who Is The Great Lost Love Of Dr. Strange’s Life?
• Why Does A Young-Gun Magician Have Strange In His Sights?
• What Is The Concordance Engine?
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$3.99

If you mean black girls...nah. He was screwing his accountant (or whatever she was) in the recent Power Man & Iron Fist mini. She was white.

Really? missed that one. Something about a Power Man kid that wasn't Luke Cage didn't appeal to me.

Yep, it was Joy Meachum: