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Defenders
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Creation & Design

The Defenders were created as a non-team of superheroes who band together to fight threats that are too great for any one hero to handle alone. The concept was to have a more casual and less formal team compared to the Avengers.

Early Years

The original lineup included Doctor Strange, the Hulk, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, who often clashed with each other as much as they worked together. Their adventures often involved mystical and cosmic threats.

Character Development

Over the years, the Defenders have evolved from a loose coalition of heroes to a more structured team, while still maintaining their unique identity. Their stories often explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and the moral complexities of heroism.

Cultural Reception

The Defenders have been well-received, with a dedicated fanbase appreciating their unique approach to teamwork and heroism.

Character Details

Real Name:
Defenders
First Appearance:
Doctor Strange #183
Aliases:
The Defenders
Species:
Human
Gender:
N/A
Affiliations:
Doctor Strange, Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Magic, Telepathy, Combat skills
Equipment:
Mystical artifacts, Advanced technology
Weight:
0
Height:
0' 0"
Eye Color:
N/A
Hair Color:
N/A

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Doctor Strange #183
Marvel ⋅ 1969
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Doctor Strange #183
 
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Key Facts

Final issue

1st team appearance of the Undying Ones

Crossover story arc continues in Sub-Mariner #22 and concludes in The Incredible Hulk #126, leads to the formation of the Defenders

Sub-Mariner #22
Marvel ⋅ 1970
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Sub-Mariner #22
 
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Key Facts

First meeting of Namor and Doctor Strange

Crossover story arc continues from Doctor Strange #183 and concludes in The Incredible Hulk #126, leads to the formation of the Defenders

1st appearance of Nameless One, leader of the Undying Ones, a race of ancient demons

Incredible Hulk #126
Marvel ⋅ 1970
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Incredible Hulk #126
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Barbara Norris, later becomes Valkyrie

1st appearance of Night-Crawler, renamed Dark-Crawler

Conclusion of a crossover story arc that began in Dr. Strange 183 and continued in Sub-Mariner #22 that leads to the formation of the Defenders

Sub-Mariner #34
Marvel ⋅ 1971
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Sub-Mariner #34
 
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Key Facts

Battle of Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor

Team-up of Silver Surfer, Namor and Hulk who will later become the Defenders

Sub-Mariner #35
Marvel ⋅ 1971
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Sub-Mariner #35
 
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Key Facts

Battle of Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor vs The Avengers

Marvel Feature #1
Marvel ⋅ 1971
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Marvel Feature #1
 
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$35
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$385

Key Facts

1st team appearance and origin of The Defenders: Doctor Strange, Hulk, Sub-Mariner

Marvel Feature #2
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Marvel Feature #2
 
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Key Facts

2nd team appearance of The Defenders

Marvel Feature #3
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Marvel Feature #3
 
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Key Facts

3rd team appearance of The Defenders

First battle of the Hulk versus Xemnu

Defenders #1
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Defenders #1
 
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Key Facts

First solo title featuring The Defenders

1st appearance of Necrodamus, a sorcerer

Defenders #2
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Defenders #2
 
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Key Facts

Silver Surfer joins The Defenders

Defenders #4
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Defenders #4
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Barbara Norris as Valkyrie

Valkyrie joins the Defenders

Avengers, The #115
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #115
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 1

See Defenders #8 for part 2

Defenders #8
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Defenders #8
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 2

See Avengers #115 and #116 for parts 1 and 3

Avengers, The #116
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #116
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 3

See Defenders #9 for part 4

Defenders #9
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Defenders #9
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 4

See Avengers #117 for part 5

Avengers, The #117
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #117
 
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"Avengers/Defenders War" part 5

See Defenders #10 for part 6

Defenders #10
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Defenders #10
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 6

Classic battle of the Hulk vs Thor

See Avengers #118 for part 7

Avengers, The #118
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #118
 
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"Avengers/Defenders War" part 7

See Defenders #11 for part 8

Defenders #11
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Defenders #11
 
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Key Facts

"Avengers/Defenders War" part 8

Hawkeye leaves The Defenders

Defenders #13
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Defenders #13
 
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1st appearance of Nebulon, an alien geologist

Classic battle of The Defenders vs Squadron Sinister

Giant-Size Defenders #1
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Giant-Size Defenders #1
 
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Key Facts

Untold stories of the Hulk, Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange and Sub-Mariner

Two-page pin-up included

Giant-Size Defenders #2
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Giant-Size Defenders #2
 
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Team-up of The Defenders and Son of Satan

Defenders Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 1976
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Defenders Annual #1
 
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$35

Key Facts

First annual issue featuring the Defenders

Defenders #125
Marvel ⋅ 1983
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Defenders #125
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Mad-Dog, Buzz Baxter

Iceman joins the Defenders

Moondragon joins the Defenders

Marriage of Daimon Hellstrom and Hellcat

Defenders #1
Marvel ⋅ 2021
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Defenders #1
 
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of a new Defenders roster: Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Red Harpy, the Masked Raider, Cloud

1st appearance of Taaia

1st appearance of Omnimax

1st appearance of Carlo Zota as the herald of Omnimax

Defenders #1
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
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Defenders #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Marcos Martin

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