Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders, Vol. 7

Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders #7

by David Anthony Kraft, Ed Hannigan (Contributor), Jo Duffy (Contributor)

Collects Defenders (1972) #58-75; Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) #16.

Doctor Strange and the Defenders face a crisis when the Eye of Agamotto is stolen by the bizarre Xenogenesis cult. If the demon woshippers succeed, the Elder Gods will be unleashed on Earth. Hellcat emerges from the battle with new powers, but they can’t save her from Membership Madness! Comics’ famous non-team begins a membership drive that brings a horde of heroes to their doorstep, and heroes always play nice with each other, right? Next, it’s off to Asgard where Valkyrie is split from her human side, leading to a struggle for the hero’s soul. We conclude with an otherdimensional epic revealing the bizarre world of Lunatik and a fight with Foolkiller that puts the future of the Defenders at risk.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Fiction, Comic Book

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2020

About the author

David Anthony Kraft was an American comic book writer, publisher, and critic.
(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects Defenders #58-#75 and my first introduction to the team was with issue #63 and the Cockrum cover of hero fighting hero. I had no idea who a solid 3/4 of the heroes were, but I really enjoyed the battles taking place and over the decades finally figuring out who they all were though most were C and even D list heroes like Tagak, Captain Ultra, The Torpedo, and Jack-of-Hearts.
The Defenders encounter such foes as Vera Gemini, a squad of Marvel B and C list villains calling themselves Defenders to disguise their robbery attempts, Ollerus, Lunatik, and The Foolkiller. Not exactly all villains to write home about, but the charm I found in this collection was the various interactions between the team from such heroes as Nighthawk, Doctor Strange, Clea, Hellcat, Valkyrie, and The Hulk.
My favorite stories were the recruitment issues #62-#65 mainly because that was where I entered the fray and began a lifelong interest in the team and series pulling it off the spinner rack monthly when I could.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mostly average affair that was trying to hold on to that wacky Steve Gerber vibe with varying rates of success. Enjoyable though.

[Jimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The issues were kind of annoying--especially the three with all the super-heroes trying to claim they are Defenders because of a character Dollar Bill (who frankly was supposed to be a comic moment and was just down-right stupidly annoying).

Some of the other stories were pretty decent, the Lunitik storyline kind of a mess as well, but at least it had a point.

Still, I like the Defenders, just wish Doctor Strange was still a part of the group, although he does show up occasionally in this volume of the Marvel Masterworks.

[Anj2099 · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Kraft writing defenders to oblivion

Garbage Keith giffen art one issue he’s going a Kirby rip off next what ever he calls art, this book was out of control. Crap storyline one after the other. And they introduce a garbage character of dollar bill and worst lunatik absolutely pathetic.
Enough complaining I just wanted this piece of excrement for my collection. On a positive ed hannigan does good job art as well bits by Dave cockrum and the legend Michael golden.
This comic was desperate for the input of big Jim shooter.

[John Peel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The non-group changes around once again, and enter into a bunch of longer-running stories. Some nice ideas (including comedy in the shape of Dollar Bill), but the stories somehow fail to hit their targets. I'm sure part of my unhappiness is due to many of the stories being drawn by Herb Trimpe, whose artwork I never liked. Ah well.