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Defenders Epic Collection #9
Defenders Epic Collection, Vol. 9: The End of All Songs
All things must come to an end, and the Defenders will fight their way to the finish in epic fashion. Moondragon seeks to master her arrogance, leading to a new outlook and a new uniform; however, despite outward appearances, her internal struggle continues. She succumbs to the power of the Dragon of the Moon, the cosmic entity that eradicated all life on Titan. Now, the remaining Defenders must battle their own teammate or Earth will suff er the same fate. It's a struggle that won't end without the death of a Defender. Also featuring Beast's fight for mutant rights, Cloud's identity conflict, the return of Manslaughter, the debut of Andromeda and Gargoyle's solo series adventure. COLLECTING: VOL. 9: DEFENDERS (1972) 138-152, GARGOYLE (1985) 1-4
488 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2019
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48 people want to read
About the author
Peter B. Gillis
384 books19 followersPeter B. Gillis (born December 19, 1952) is an American comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and First Comics in the mid-1980s, including the series Strikeforce: Morituri and the digitally drawn comic series Shatter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 24, 2020
Eu já li coisas que eu não entendi na minha vida; logaritmos, contabilidade, química orgânica; mas esse volume dos Defensores é puro ácido mergulhado naquele café que sai da bunda de um macaco.
A coisa começa a degringolar com a aparição do Manslaughter, um assassino psicótico que quer matar os Defensores porque sei lá, não sei mesmo; depois o monstro planta demônio radioativo volta porque não foi bem morto da primeira vez; a namorada do Anjo vira a chefe da equipe, uma das poucas coisas que faz sentido; tem um mini série que tenta explicar o Gárgula, com papos de pecados, luxúria, mortes, demônios e tédio; uma história sobre a Serpente da Lua e o Dragão que mora na Lua que deixa mais dúvidas do que qualquer outra coisa; um história sobre a Nuvem, a guria que vira mulher, vira homem e no final vira uma nebulosa porque nada mais precisa fazer sentido; tem toda uma história sobre uma mulher misteriosa e um homem misterioso em Nova Iorque, no final a mulher é a guerreira atlante Andrômeda e o homem, bom, ninguém se importa com ele, então, nem nome, ele não tem; e, no final, um quebra pau delirante entre os Defensores e o tal do Dragão que mora na Lua e alguns heróis, com a ajuda de um tal de Interloper, fazem o sacrifício supremo para deter o raio do Dragão.
Não dá pra dizer que é um cocô gigante, mas é confuso para cacete, basicamente, porque não há boas explicações para o que acontece.
Quem contratou o cara para matar ele? Não sei.
E esse cara aqui que tá saindo com a Andrômeda? Quem se importa.
Por que colocar um Eterno siberiano caminhando pelo oceano por 10 páginas? Por que não?
Quem diabos é esse tal dragão? Ah, sei lá.
Sério? Um Cubo Cósmico? E por que não?
Beyonder? O editorial mandou, tem o adesivo das Guerras Secretas II.
Mas é só em uma página? Quem se importa, os colecionadores vão comprar.
Enfim, entre as coisas mais confusas que eu já li.
A coisa começa a degringolar com a aparição do Manslaughter, um assassino psicótico que quer matar os Defensores porque sei lá, não sei mesmo; depois o monstro planta demônio radioativo volta porque não foi bem morto da primeira vez; a namorada do Anjo vira a chefe da equipe, uma das poucas coisas que faz sentido; tem um mini série que tenta explicar o Gárgula, com papos de pecados, luxúria, mortes, demônios e tédio; uma história sobre a Serpente da Lua e o Dragão que mora na Lua que deixa mais dúvidas do que qualquer outra coisa; um história sobre a Nuvem, a guria que vira mulher, vira homem e no final vira uma nebulosa porque nada mais precisa fazer sentido; tem toda uma história sobre uma mulher misteriosa e um homem misterioso em Nova Iorque, no final a mulher é a guerreira atlante Andrômeda e o homem, bom, ninguém se importa com ele, então, nem nome, ele não tem; e, no final, um quebra pau delirante entre os Defensores e o tal do Dragão que mora na Lua e alguns heróis, com a ajuda de um tal de Interloper, fazem o sacrifício supremo para deter o raio do Dragão.
Não dá pra dizer que é um cocô gigante, mas é confuso para cacete, basicamente, porque não há boas explicações para o que acontece.
Quem contratou o cara para matar ele? Não sei.
E esse cara aqui que tá saindo com a Andrômeda? Quem se importa.
Por que colocar um Eterno siberiano caminhando pelo oceano por 10 páginas? Por que não?
Quem diabos é esse tal dragão? Ah, sei lá.
Sério? Um Cubo Cósmico? E por que não?
Beyonder? O editorial mandou, tem o adesivo das Guerras Secretas II.
Mas é só em uma página? Quem se importa, os colecionadores vão comprar.
Enfim, entre as coisas mais confusas que eu já li.
June 17, 2024
The series ends as it began, a little listlessly. I feel like this new team never quite coheres, though there were awesome valiant attempts. The Moondragon storyline kind of dragged it down, never managing to be as interesting as it could be. That said, I think the Cloud storyline is actually pretty decent, and the Gargoyle miniseries is actually quite good. The team just needed a little more direction and confidence.
New Defenders #138 ⧫ 3 Stars “Three Women”
I mean, two women and one other, but they didn’t have the words for the third then. Anyway, Moondragon has been hiding stuff, and I’m kind of down for this plotline. It comes a little out of nowhere if you don’t know about the whole Mantis and the Celestial Madonna stuff from Avengers #124-125 and 129-135. However, it’s more character focused, and it’s nice to check in on the Moondragon side of the Cloud-Moondragon relationship. Also, love the Candy Southern plot twist. She really is the only competent person: just don’t look up what happens to her later.
New Defenders #139 ⧫ 3 Stars “Hungry Like the Wolf!”
Moondragon breaks down, and I can empathize with her frustrations. She’s been passed from one place to the next and punished when she tries her own thing. She’s tested and makes it through, though I don’t know why she apologizes to Hank. The troll story is pretty cool, and I liked seeing Red Wolf.
New Defenders #140 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Heartbreak Kid!”
I like the movement in Moondragon and Cloud’s relationship. I’m less into the weird white savior nonsense.
New Defenders #141 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “All Flesh is Grass!”
Cool imagery, lame ending.
Gargoyle #1 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Love and Death!!”
I said last volume that I wasn’t enjoying DeMatteis’s early stories, but this one’s actually pretty cool. Gargoyle’s origin catches up with him as his past and present collide.
Gargoyle #2 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Burning Bright: The Gargoyle’s Tale”
More flawed hero stuff, though the division between the women is a little convenient. Also, I should take a minute to complement the art as it reflects the medieval style of the tale.
Gargoyle #3 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Lost Souls: The Druid’s Tale”
The backstory expands as the villain goes all out.
Gargoyle #4 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Battlefield!”
Cool fights, and I like the reflection of past and present. It’s a little convenient, but satisfying.
New Defenders #142 ⧫ 2 Stars “M.O.N.S.T.E.R.!”
I’m not big on this twist. College students have always been a scapegoat for those in power, and this story only pays lipservice to it.
New Defenders #143 ⧫ 3 Stars “Another Runner…”
I think it’s a little too soon for this turn, but it does look pretty cool, and I appreciate the consequences from last issue, even if I’m not a fan of how they went down.
New Defenders #144 ⧫ 3 Stars “Dragon Midnight”
A good, hopefully ending. It just feels somewhat like we’ve done this song and dance in different variations before.
New Defenders #145 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Five Women”
A transitional issue that seems like the series is flailing. Given that the series is about to be canceled, I’m not surprised.
New Defenders #146 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Fun!”
Another out-there, confused issue with a random powerful threat.
New Defenders #147 ⧫ 3 Stars “...And Games!”
The threat gets defeated, and the team adds a member… for four more issues.
New Defenders #148 ⧫ 1 Star “The Kickshaws Consignment”
A literal filler comedy issue. Skip it. Nothing happens.
New Defenders #149 ⧫ 3 Stars “Lonely as a Cloud~!”
Things begin ramping up for Cloud’s backstory, and it’s certainly dramatic.
New Defenders #150
“The Stars in their Courses!” ⧫ 3 Stars
Cloud’s backstory is revealed, and it’s pretty decent. It has a few twists and some surprisingly big cosmic stuff.
“The Adventures of Sassafras, The Dog Filled with Fear!” ⧫ 3 Stars
A cute lead-in to the final arc.
New Defenders #151 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Second Degree Manslaughter!”
This begins a rather forced ending to the story that doesn’t make a ton of sense, but they at least get an ending.
New Defenders #152 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The End of All Songs”
The finale is pretty good for being a little rushed and having a completely random and unnecessary Secret Wars II tie in. It’s another Moondragon fight, and I don’t love it, but it’s fine, I guess.
New Defenders #138 ⧫ 3 Stars “Three Women”
I mean, two women and one other, but they didn’t have the words for the third then. Anyway, Moondragon has been hiding stuff, and I’m kind of down for this plotline. It comes a little out of nowhere if you don’t know about the whole Mantis and the Celestial Madonna stuff from Avengers #124-125 and 129-135. However, it’s more character focused, and it’s nice to check in on the Moondragon side of the Cloud-Moondragon relationship. Also, love the Candy Southern plot twist. She really is the only competent person: just don’t look up what happens to her later.
New Defenders #139 ⧫ 3 Stars “Hungry Like the Wolf!”
Moondragon breaks down, and I can empathize with her frustrations. She’s been passed from one place to the next and punished when she tries her own thing. She’s tested and makes it through, though I don’t know why she apologizes to Hank. The troll story is pretty cool, and I liked seeing Red Wolf.
New Defenders #140 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Heartbreak Kid!”
I like the movement in Moondragon and Cloud’s relationship. I’m less into the weird white savior nonsense.
New Defenders #141 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “All Flesh is Grass!”
Cool imagery, lame ending.
Gargoyle #1 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Love and Death!!”
I said last volume that I wasn’t enjoying DeMatteis’s early stories, but this one’s actually pretty cool. Gargoyle’s origin catches up with him as his past and present collide.
Gargoyle #2 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Burning Bright: The Gargoyle’s Tale”
More flawed hero stuff, though the division between the women is a little convenient. Also, I should take a minute to complement the art as it reflects the medieval style of the tale.
Gargoyle #3 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Lost Souls: The Druid’s Tale”
The backstory expands as the villain goes all out.
Gargoyle #4 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Battlefield!”
Cool fights, and I like the reflection of past and present. It’s a little convenient, but satisfying.
New Defenders #142 ⧫ 2 Stars “M.O.N.S.T.E.R.!”
I’m not big on this twist. College students have always been a scapegoat for those in power, and this story only pays lipservice to it.
New Defenders #143 ⧫ 3 Stars “Another Runner…”
I think it’s a little too soon for this turn, but it does look pretty cool, and I appreciate the consequences from last issue, even if I’m not a fan of how they went down.
New Defenders #144 ⧫ 3 Stars “Dragon Midnight”
A good, hopefully ending. It just feels somewhat like we’ve done this song and dance in different variations before.
New Defenders #145 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Five Women”
A transitional issue that seems like the series is flailing. Given that the series is about to be canceled, I’m not surprised.
New Defenders #146 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Fun!”
Another out-there, confused issue with a random powerful threat.
New Defenders #147 ⧫ 3 Stars “...And Games!”
The threat gets defeated, and the team adds a member… for four more issues.
New Defenders #148 ⧫ 1 Star “The Kickshaws Consignment”
A literal filler comedy issue. Skip it. Nothing happens.
New Defenders #149 ⧫ 3 Stars “Lonely as a Cloud~!”
Things begin ramping up for Cloud’s backstory, and it’s certainly dramatic.
New Defenders #150
“The Stars in their Courses!” ⧫ 3 Stars
Cloud’s backstory is revealed, and it’s pretty decent. It has a few twists and some surprisingly big cosmic stuff.
“The Adventures of Sassafras, The Dog Filled with Fear!” ⧫ 3 Stars
A cute lead-in to the final arc.
New Defenders #151 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Second Degree Manslaughter!”
This begins a rather forced ending to the story that doesn’t make a ton of sense, but they at least get an ending.
New Defenders #152 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The End of All Songs”
The finale is pretty good for being a little rushed and having a completely random and unnecessary Secret Wars II tie in. It’s another Moondragon fight, and I don’t love it, but it’s fine, I guess.
August 23, 2023
A generous two! As an X-Men nut I thought it my duty to finally read about the 05 trio’s adventures with the Defenders and it felt like homework. With the last Epic volume, when the new writer Peter Gillis showed up, it settled into a decent bronze age title and I had hoped this last volume would be good. But, it wasn’t. I don’t know how much you can lay the blame for the poor quality on Secret Wars 2 (which barely affected the title for one issue) or X-Factor, either. Messy, inconsistent art. Unfocused stories. Repetition. Weirdness for the sake of weirdness. Ugly or annoying characters (Gargoyle and Cloud, respectively, for instance.) Not good. And the ending was wicked stupid. Moondragon again? She sucks. I hope to never again read a comic book featuring that dumb, bald bitch. Why Valkyrie had to be killed with the rest of those losers, beats me. The character had an unnecessarily complicated history but a stellar look and a strong unique personality. Funnily enough one of the first comics I bought when I was a kid was Secret Defenders #1 (talk about bad comics!)
November 1, 2022
The End of All Songs is the swan song for the New Defenders. They lacked leadership, power, and I didn't understand how Beast, a very smart person, just never seemed to figure anything out, but the stories were strong. Gillis is a strong storyteller.
Still, I a fan of the idea of the Defenders and their oftentime brush with the weird, strange and magical made them different than the universe-threatening events that the Avengers dealt with, and the social stigma of being a mutant of an X-Man, even though this book did touch on the Senator trying to control all mutants with laws and such and how the country was divided by short-minded thinking.
Worth the read.
Still, I a fan of the idea of the Defenders and their oftentime brush with the weird, strange and magical made them different than the universe-threatening events that the Avengers dealt with, and the social stigma of being a mutant of an X-Man, even though this book did touch on the Senator trying to control all mutants with laws and such and how the country was divided by short-minded thinking.
Worth the read.
January 16, 2020
Dragon of the moon
Have always loved the defenders and this is a fantastic collections we start the collection at a pivotal point in moon dragons story arc. Moon dragon is a self proclaimed goddess of the mind. The gist is her rediscover her humanity. The formation of this team shows a raw potential that tries so hard to become more then it ever seems to become. This is worth having in any marvel collection.
Have always loved the defenders and this is a fantastic collections we start the collection at a pivotal point in moon dragons story arc. Moon dragon is a self proclaimed goddess of the mind. The gist is her rediscover her humanity. The formation of this team shows a raw potential that tries so hard to become more then it ever seems to become. This is worth having in any marvel collection.
February 17, 2020
Is Cloud Marvel’s first genderfluid character? I think so...this volume finally explains their origin. And while it might not wind up being what you expect, it does not reduce the character’s historical significance.
Additionally, this volume continues the trend towards horror - especially body horror - which, IMHO, is always the right direction for this book. I’m not sure Gillis hits every narrative note here, but he does have some interesting ideas here, nonetheless.
Additionally, this volume continues the trend towards horror - especially body horror - which, IMHO, is always the right direction for this book. I’m not sure Gillis hits every narrative note here, but he does have some interesting ideas here, nonetheless.
April 26, 2022
I quite enjoyed the first volume of New Defenders so I was surprised by how much I disliked this one. There's less focus on characters in this one and more of an emphasis on the plots, which range from grim and over complicated to jokey and annoying. It ends on its lowest note, canceled before its time to make way for X-Factor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews