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Defenders (2011)
The Defenders, Vol. 2
The Defenders find their way to Wakanda and team with the Black Panther to face the lethal John Aman, the Prince of Orphans! What is Aman protecting that's worth killing so many for so long? And just how is Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, going to steal it? Then: the Defenders are lost in space-time! What alternate universe will they find first ... and who is waiting for them? Finally, when the purpose of the Concordance engines are revealed, the team must act fast to save everything! What are the Death Celestials? How can the Defenders even hope to stop them? And how can you save the world when you can't tell anyone it's about to end? COLLECTING: Defenders 7-12
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2013
3 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,220 books1,865 followers"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 28, 2020
Big idea extravaganza without the the usual suspects, but with an alternate 1967 Nick Fury, Black Cat, Iron Fist, Ant-Man II and Red She Hulk see these Defenders make a mistake that could end the world. On top of this a rationale for the Marvel Universe, Black Panther and more. Once again great concept not so great enactment. The Defenders books struggle to have interesting stories in my opinion. 12 issue series. 5 out of 12
February 17, 2017
"Don't yield, back S.H.I.E.L.D."
Weird storyline ending abruptly because Marvel cancelled the series, usual time-travel alternative universe mess, a final moral lesson not much in character with Dr. Strange at all and too many artists changing every issue... But I really loved very much #9, an awesome loving tribute to 60s Nick Fury agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Please, someone at Marvel just kill the "Samuel Jackson" Fury Jr and give me back the real one.
June 15, 2020
The hell did I just read? Review coming eventually, maybe when I figure out what even just happened
August 26, 2014
This review is full of spoilers because I can't articulate how I feel about the book without discussing plot at length.
The more I think about this series, the more upset I get -- the more I realize how different bad elements undermine good ones. Let's start with the beginning and ending. I'm lumping them because they coincide. The Defenders were assembled to stop Nul at the behest of the Hulk. Author Matt Fraction described Nul as both a "Ghost Hulk" and "The Hulk's Hulk." I did not see that. Nul was never ghost-like nor did he leave as big a wake of destruction as the Hulk normally does. If he was such a great threat, why weren't the Illuminati involved? Regardless, Nul's status as, "not such a big deal" is only confirmed by the ending of the series -- where Dr. Strange goes back in time and stops himself from ever listening to the Hulk's request. That's right: a last-minute, stopping-it-before-it-happened, variation on the "it was only a dream" ending.
Fraction keeps the action interesting and the characters themselves even more so. It's why I pursue his work. The most brilliant turn in this series was the explanation of the Concordance Engines and their ties to the Omegas. Basically, Earth 616 (the world of the primary Marvel Universe) is depository for all miracles found across the multi-verse. The Omegas have the engines set to seek out the Fantastic, the Amazing, the Uncanny and re-create those conditions... because Earth 616 is the last bastion against the Death Celestials and it will take all the firepower of the multi-verse to destroy them!
I was blown away!
Too bad this premise is undermined by the fact that the Death Celestials have defeated all but two of Earth's heroes (and the Defenders, but mostly because they weren't there); and it's also too bad that all of this happens off screen.
SO, the amazing machines, ultimately, were meaningless. The Defenders' attempt to stop Nul: meaningless (an Omega defeats him). Everyone's better off leaving everything alone so the Concordance Engines stay hidden. SO DISAPPOINTING.
The more I think about this series, the more upset I get -- the more I realize how different bad elements undermine good ones. Let's start with the beginning and ending. I'm lumping them because they coincide. The Defenders were assembled to stop Nul at the behest of the Hulk. Author Matt Fraction described Nul as both a "Ghost Hulk" and "The Hulk's Hulk." I did not see that. Nul was never ghost-like nor did he leave as big a wake of destruction as the Hulk normally does. If he was such a great threat, why weren't the Illuminati involved? Regardless, Nul's status as, "not such a big deal" is only confirmed by the ending of the series -- where Dr. Strange goes back in time and stops himself from ever listening to the Hulk's request. That's right: a last-minute, stopping-it-before-it-happened, variation on the "it was only a dream" ending.
Fraction keeps the action interesting and the characters themselves even more so. It's why I pursue his work. The most brilliant turn in this series was the explanation of the Concordance Engines and their ties to the Omegas. Basically, Earth 616 (the world of the primary Marvel Universe) is depository for all miracles found across the multi-verse. The Omegas have the engines set to seek out the Fantastic, the Amazing, the Uncanny and re-create those conditions... because Earth 616 is the last bastion against the Death Celestials and it will take all the firepower of the multi-verse to destroy them!
I was blown away!
Too bad this premise is undermined by the fact that the Death Celestials have defeated all but two of Earth's heroes (and the Defenders, but mostly because they weren't there); and it's also too bad that all of this happens off screen.
SO, the amazing machines, ultimately, were meaningless. The Defenders' attempt to stop Nul: meaningless (an Omega defeats him). Everyone's better off leaving everything alone so the Concordance Engines stay hidden. SO DISAPPOINTING.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2019
******second read*****
Dude! This earned an additional star for the second read. There are some massive revelations here with implications that extend to the far reaches of the Marvel universe. It’s pretty nuts. The last two issues (11 and 12) really drive it home. I wonder if Jonathan Hickman borrowed some of these concepts for Secret Wars.
*******first read*******
This is bizarre.
It’s not bad... and certain things about it are really cool. I mean, it’s another Marvel story involving multiple realities... which can get a bit tiresome. But I like how this one randomly decides to use that plot to device to explain ALL MARVEL. It’s ambitious.
The best thing about this series is the characters. I never get tired of seeing Namor, Red She Hulk, The Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange and Danny Rand interact. It was also fun seeing them get mixed up with Nick Fury, Black Cat and Scott Lang... although it was disappointing how little we saw of Black Cat (I mean, she’s on the fucking cover!)
The art was good. It was solid comic book art. No complaints. Did it wow me? Ehhhhh not so much. I liked it, it didn’t distract me in a bad way, but I wasn’t exactly fawning over the panels either (like I always do with someone like Esad Ribic ❤️)
Overall, this is a good story, although the pacing could be better, the plot could be less convoluted, and there could be a bit less Deus Ex Machina.
3.5 stars.
Dude! This earned an additional star for the second read. There are some massive revelations here with implications that extend to the far reaches of the Marvel universe. It’s pretty nuts. The last two issues (11 and 12) really drive it home. I wonder if Jonathan Hickman borrowed some of these concepts for Secret Wars.
*******first read*******
This is bizarre.
It’s not bad... and certain things about it are really cool. I mean, it’s another Marvel story involving multiple realities... which can get a bit tiresome. But I like how this one randomly decides to use that plot to device to explain ALL MARVEL. It’s ambitious.
The best thing about this series is the characters. I never get tired of seeing Namor, Red She Hulk, The Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange and Danny Rand interact. It was also fun seeing them get mixed up with Nick Fury, Black Cat and Scott Lang... although it was disappointing how little we saw of Black Cat (I mean, she’s on the fucking cover!)
The art was good. It was solid comic book art. No complaints. Did it wow me? Ehhhhh not so much. I liked it, it didn’t distract me in a bad way, but I wasn’t exactly fawning over the panels either (like I always do with someone like Esad Ribic ❤️)
Overall, this is a good story, although the pacing could be better, the plot could be less convoluted, and there could be a bit less Deus Ex Machina.
3.5 stars.
February 26, 2013
Seriously weird twists and turns this book takes from the previous volume. I think Fraction decided this was going to be his Grant Morrison book, complete with cosmic time travel, weird-speaking aliens and the occasional mute brute that doesn't seem to impact the plot.
I found myself entertained until about halfway through, and then the gibberish just stopped me cold. I couldn't pick the book up again for days after, so much enthusiasm and momentum had been sucked out of me. Like the effects of the Concordance Engines on the characters, I can't even really put into words where it went wrong for me.
And yet, in the end it came together and made me feel something I was lacking throughout most of it: hope. I don't know exactly how they pulled it off (in spite of the frantic rotation of artists), but the near-wordless climax sequence was brilliant. Show me, don't tell me - in spades.
Even though I found it hard to wade through, I would dearly like more like this. I really enjoy feeling connected to something bigger than just another fist-punching tale.
I found myself entertained until about halfway through, and then the gibberish just stopped me cold. I couldn't pick the book up again for days after, so much enthusiasm and momentum had been sucked out of me. Like the effects of the Concordance Engines on the characters, I can't even really put into words where it went wrong for me.
And yet, in the end it came together and made me feel something I was lacking throughout most of it: hope. I don't know exactly how they pulled it off (in spite of the frantic rotation of artists), but the near-wordless climax sequence was brilliant. Show me, don't tell me - in spades.
Even though I found it hard to wade through, I would dearly like more like this. I really enjoy feeling connected to something bigger than just another fist-punching tale.
January 19, 2013
A pretty disappointing book.
The first problem is that it's largely incomprehensible through issues #9 and #10, where I literally feel like pages were left out.
The second problem is that all the cool character work of the first volume is omitted for a no-holds-barred constantly-moving action-adventure.
The third problem is that the ending pretty much ruins the whole series.
The only thing I really liked about this volume was its explanation for why the Earth is such a center of superheroic activity (though it sort of acts like there isn't a whole multiverse where most of the Earths are hives of activity too).
Maybe the problem was that the series got canceled and it would have been better if Fraction could have taken his time ... but if this was always the planned ending, I'm glad the series didn't run longer.
The first problem is that it's largely incomprehensible through issues #9 and #10, where I literally feel like pages were left out.
The second problem is that all the cool character work of the first volume is omitted for a no-holds-barred constantly-moving action-adventure.
The third problem is that the ending pretty much ruins the whole series.
The only thing I really liked about this volume was its explanation for why the Earth is such a center of superheroic activity (though it sort of acts like there isn't a whole multiverse where most of the Earths are hives of activity too).
Maybe the problem was that the series got canceled and it would have been better if Fraction could have taken his time ... but if this was always the planned ending, I'm glad the series didn't run longer.
November 9, 2012
When writing Marvel comics, Fraction can be hit or miss. His Defenders is definitely a hit. It's a crazy, time travelling story that includes 60's Spy Nick Fury and Ant-Man. It's awesome. A high point is issue 9, were Fraction and Jamie Mckelvie have genius like creative synergy. It's a shame McKelvie didn't do the entire arc, because then I'd probably be giving it 5 stars.
December 14, 2013
The most impressive thing about this series is that it makes the size of the Marvel Universe, with all its fantastic powers, make sense. It gives a plausible reason, solves the crisis spiraling out of control to the extreme (destruction of the universe) and then resolves it in a way that could seem like a cheat, but that ends up being touching.
June 12, 2020
Defensores enfilaba se segunda parte con ganas, y continuando con los conceptos un tanto rompedores y extraños con los que había empezado su primera parte, y que la verdad, pegan con un concepto de grupo tan "extraño" como el de los propios Defensores. El Príncipe de los Huérfanos, un personaje creado por Matt Fraction durante su etapa en Iron Fist como una de las Armas Inmortales y que estaba formando parte de los Vengadores Secretos... pero que aquí aparece como villano de la historia, matando al resto de las Armas Inmortales y buscando eliminar a cualquiera que conozca la existencia de los Motores de Concordancia.
Siguiendo al Príncipe, llegarán a Wakanda, donde además coincidirán con la Gata Negra, que está buscando unos viejos objetos para un grupo ilegal de coleccionistas... y la historia aquí se pone extremadamente rara, con los Defensores viajando en el tiempo, encontrándose con un extraño Nick Furia en 1967, completamente psicodélico, y luego con un Hombre Hormiga que vive en un mundo destruido... y es que finalmente, descubriremos que el auténtico enemigo de los Defensores es un raza llamada los Celestiales de la Muerte, a la que se oponen los llamados "Omegas", que son los creadores de los Motores de Concordancia (que además, han sido los creadores del propio Universo Marvel, utilizando los Motores para afianzar a nuestra realidad a aquellos capaces de enfrentarse a los Celestiales de la Muerte).
La verdad es que la historia es muy chula, pero se nota muchísimo que el cierre es muy precipitado y la resolución está completamente acelerada, debido a que se cancelaba la serie, y el final no deja de ser poco más o menos que el de los Serrano, aunque las ideas que presentaba, la verdad es que daban de sí más que para ser simplemente olvidadas.
Siguiendo al Príncipe, llegarán a Wakanda, donde además coincidirán con la Gata Negra, que está buscando unos viejos objetos para un grupo ilegal de coleccionistas... y la historia aquí se pone extremadamente rara, con los Defensores viajando en el tiempo, encontrándose con un extraño Nick Furia en 1967, completamente psicodélico, y luego con un Hombre Hormiga que vive en un mundo destruido... y es que finalmente, descubriremos que el auténtico enemigo de los Defensores es un raza llamada los Celestiales de la Muerte, a la que se oponen los llamados "Omegas", que son los creadores de los Motores de Concordancia (que además, han sido los creadores del propio Universo Marvel, utilizando los Motores para afianzar a nuestra realidad a aquellos capaces de enfrentarse a los Celestiales de la Muerte).
La verdad es que la historia es muy chula, pero se nota muchísimo que el cierre es muy precipitado y la resolución está completamente acelerada, debido a que se cancelaba la serie, y el final no deja de ser poco más o menos que el de los Serrano, aunque las ideas que presentaba, la verdad es que daban de sí más que para ser simplemente olvidadas.
March 5, 2018
This was a strange book, with some of my favorite and least-favorite characters all crammed together into a story that really didn't make a lot of sense. That was apparently deliberate, but I still thought that the result was good, but not great.
Red She-Hulk, a bad derivate from Red Hulk, was a bad idea, and in this case poorly executed. However, the inclusion of Black Cat, in a non-depressing version, almost made up for it, and the rest of the characters were fun.
Dr. Strange was not his normal self, but the other characters mostly worked.
Red She-Hulk, a bad derivate from Red Hulk, was a bad idea, and in this case poorly executed. However, the inclusion of Black Cat, in a non-depressing version, almost made up for it, and the rest of the characters were fun.
Dr. Strange was not his normal self, but the other characters mostly worked.
November 12, 2020
Another series ended abruptly by cancellation, with a mismash of artists. The McKelvie-drawn issues are standouts (the Dodsons' stuff is fine, but not my faves), but for the most part, Fraction seems to lose the story amidst all the heady ideas he's throwing about. Individual moments land, but as a whole, it's a bit of a mess.
March 22, 2020
So, I have no idea what actually happens here but the art was beautiful. Dodson touches on a few things that probably won't get touched on again. The dialogue was typical Fraction, which is good but this plot was bananas and ultimately pointless. Overall, an odd book.
February 9, 2019
Not good.
July 10, 2021
I really loved this series and wish it would have gone longer.
July 26, 2021
There is no reason that should be such a satisfying conclusion, especially considering how mediocre it began.
November 14, 2022
Pretty much said what I needed to say on Volume one of this series.
Read it will pleasure.
Read it will pleasure.
January 22, 2024
This feels like a book where, once the news came down that it was ending, everyone stopped giving their a game. Great world-building leads up to a disappointing anticlimax.
December 8, 2014
The conclusion to the story continues at a breakneck speed that might here and there leave some readers wondering what the hell just happened. To add to the confusion there is also time travel on top of that! Oh boy. Luckily the character were engaging enough both on their own and as a team to keep me invested enough in the story to keep up with the multiple plot threads finally intertwining. I thoroughly enjoyed all the weird, fantastic stuff in these issues. While these later issues again change to a different pace from some of the more character driven episodes in the first volume, this book still delivers some weighty emotional moments. Especially when it comes to the dark consequences of our heroes' actions.
The ending does feel rushed, yes. And I was pretty unhappy to find the series had been cancelled. But at least it's an ending. While I would have loved to see some of the aspects revealed in these issues to be explored further (I especially enjoyed the emotional journey of Strange coming to terms with his own loneliness), at least there are no big plot threads left dangling. (The only issue I'm left to wonder about is the inclusion of Black Cat. She mainly served the purpose to introduce our team to the last survivor of the first team of heroes that messed with the concordance machine. And wouldn't she still have been sent to find the machine hidden in the tiny African state even without our team's interference? Ah, better not think too hard about it...)
The ending does feel rushed, yes. And I was pretty unhappy to find the series had been cancelled. But at least it's an ending. While I would have loved to see some of the aspects revealed in these issues to be explored further (I especially enjoyed the emotional journey of Strange coming to terms with his own loneliness), at least there are no big plot threads left dangling. (The only issue I'm left to wonder about is the inclusion of Black Cat. She mainly served the purpose to introduce our team to the last survivor of the first team of heroes that messed with the concordance machine. And wouldn't she still have been sent to find the machine hidden in the tiny African state even without our team's interference? Ah, better not think too hard about it...)
January 21, 2013
That was pretty cool, the way they wrapped up the whole Concordance Engines story and giving us an "origin" story for the entire Marvel Universe. After reading the first volume, I was unsure about sticking with this series. I'm glad I decided to get this one after all.
I've also seen in the comics websites that this series has been cancelled and will be replaced by a new series- Fearless Defenders- with a completely new concept. It's just as well I guess because I kinda like the way this series ended anyway. Also, I recall reading somewhere that the idea for this series was that The Defenders are pretty much a "non-team", forced to work together because of the circumstances.
I also want to point out that the artwork for most of the series was great- not just good, but great! I've long been a fan of Jamie McKelvie (ever since Phonogram) but this was my first exposure to Terry Dodson's art and I like it a lot. The only one I wasn't very fond of was the art in the last two issues but maybe that's just my personal tastes.
I've also seen in the comics websites that this series has been cancelled and will be replaced by a new series- Fearless Defenders- with a completely new concept. It's just as well I guess because I kinda like the way this series ended anyway. Also, I recall reading somewhere that the idea for this series was that The Defenders are pretty much a "non-team", forced to work together because of the circumstances.
I also want to point out that the artwork for most of the series was great- not just good, but great! I've long been a fan of Jamie McKelvie (ever since Phonogram) but this was my first exposure to Terry Dodson's art and I like it a lot. The only one I wasn't very fond of was the art in the last two issues but maybe that's just my personal tastes.
February 8, 2013
I didn't think that Fraction would be able to tie up everything he had seeded in the first volume in six issues, but for the most part, this second and final volume of his Defenders stories manages it. Whilst giving an origin for the Marvel Universe as a whole, as well as some intense action, these six issues travel across the multiple universes and locales, roping in numerous characters from across the MU, and then finishing it all off in a nice tidy bow. They probably could have done with at least one more issue to properly give the finale the send-off it deserves, but I would say that given the constraints, the two trades together read as a clever maxi-series that is well worth checking out.
The artwork is excellent, with contributions from both the Dodsons and Jamie McKelvie, and newcomer Mirco Pierfederici brings up the rear with the final two issues. These are the weakest of the bunch, but still manage to be serviceable enough not to detract from the overall excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
The artwork is excellent, with contributions from both the Dodsons and Jamie McKelvie, and newcomer Mirco Pierfederici brings up the rear with the final two issues. These are the weakest of the bunch, but still manage to be serviceable enough not to detract from the overall excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
January 28, 2014
Defenders culminates in a disappointingly rushed time travel story of no real consequence. That's a huge bummer.
The character focus goes out the window for volume 2, trading it for constant and difficult to follow action. The enticing concept rushes head first for a disappointing finish. Black Cat shows up just to be there, I have no idea what those frogs were about, there's little elaboration until the very end, and really, this book just devolves into a panic.
The dialogue is good, the concept surrounding the concordance engines is really fantastic, and Jamie McKelvie shows up to illustrate a few issues. It's well known that Defenders was cancelled, which explains just about every issue I have with the book pretty clearly. It's a shame to think of what more this book could have been with a consistent artist and a few more issues.
The character focus goes out the window for volume 2, trading it for constant and difficult to follow action. The enticing concept rushes head first for a disappointing finish. Black Cat shows up just to be there, I have no idea what those frogs were about, there's little elaboration until the very end, and really, this book just devolves into a panic.
The dialogue is good, the concept surrounding the concordance engines is really fantastic, and Jamie McKelvie shows up to illustrate a few issues. It's well known that Defenders was cancelled, which explains just about every issue I have with the book pretty clearly. It's a shame to think of what more this book could have been with a consistent artist and a few more issues.
April 2, 2014
This... really took a turn. It was pretty coherent in the first volume, and the second volume was... less so. As an Invisibles fan, that was alright by me, and it was an interesting take on why there are just so many super heroes in the Earth of the Marvel universe. It features some of my favorite characters, so it was fun, but the ending, while sort of out of left field, and something of a non-ending didn't quite do it for me. I'm not sure if this prefaced the whole Marvel Now! phenomena. If so, then it made a lot of sense, since it seemed like the start of a reboot, more than anything. As a stand alone story, it was quite interesting. I'm just not sure how it ties in to anything else, really.
May 30, 2016
Well, I expected this to be weird, and it was. I liked the ending, but I feel like the build-up to it was kind of sloppy and maybe "weird for weird's sake," if you know what I mean. (Though, of course, that can be fun, and indeed it was.)
The artwork was mixed. I think this run could have been better if they'd gotten one artist for it and stuck with him or her. (But I can't really say anything bad about any individual artist involved in this run.)
All that being said, if Matt Fraction was doing another 12 issues of Defenders, I'd hop right on board.
The artwork was mixed. I think this run could have been better if they'd gotten one artist for it and stuck with him or her. (But I can't really say anything bad about any individual artist involved in this run.)
All that being said, if Matt Fraction was doing another 12 issues of Defenders, I'd hop right on board.
January 4, 2014
Poor ending for a series that had such promise.
This is what happens when Marvel decides to just up and cancel a series. Fraction did a decent job wrapping it up in the last few issues. The Dodson's and McKelvie's ary was fantastic, but the last artist... not so much. Didn't work for this kind of book.
Nice to see some closure, but when you get to the end of this book you'll wonder if that's the right kind of word to use.
This is what happens when Marvel decides to just up and cancel a series. Fraction did a decent job wrapping it up in the last few issues. The Dodson's and McKelvie's ary was fantastic, but the last artist... not so much. Didn't work for this kind of book.
Nice to see some closure, but when you get to the end of this book you'll wonder if that's the right kind of word to use.
May 25, 2015
Gone is the interesting character work from Vol.1. Replacing it are cameos of no consequence and a lot of mumbo-jumbo multiverse talk. The end is Hallmark Channel lousy, and the story was inconsistent from the start. Should the engines be destroyed or not? What do they actually do? Changes from page to page, stinks from top to bottom. Disappointing ending to a story that seemed like it was just taking off.
Read
June 14, 2013A deranged pulp attempt at a unified field theory of the Marvel Universe, and the most Grant Morrison thing Fraction has written. Doesn't entirely cohere at the end (I suspect a rushed pre-cancellation wrap-up) but still great fun. Also, lovely to see Jamie McKelvie draw Nick Fury, Frankenhitler, a very hot Red She-Hulk and lots more in half the issues here.
March 5, 2013
I liked this so much better than the first volume. All the art was great, and Jordie Bellaire's colors on issue 11 is incredible.
July 25, 2013
Man, too bad Defenders got canceled just as it was getting awesome
But oh, what a way to go out!
But oh, what a way to go out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews