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Defenders (2005) #1-5
Defenders: Indefensible
Wong possessed by Nightmare! Dormammu and Umar in unholy alliance! The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner at each other's throats! The Silver Surfer...uh...surfing. Can Doctor Strange reunite the Defenders and save "Reality As We Know It"? Only the Ancient One knows for sure!
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Keith Giffen
1,931 books216 followersKeith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 10, 2023
It takes the Justice League International dream team of Keith Giffen and J M DeMatteis to finally make something decent with The Defenders, but although OK at times, it does not really capture that JLI brilliance, most likely because of the mystical nature of both the Defenders, and their main protagonist Dormammu in this five-issue Limited Series. 6 out of 12 Three Star read.
2017 read
2017 read
March 14, 2017
Funny, irriverent and hilarious!
The Marvel ancestor of Deadpool-style meta-comics.
And Banner-Gollum made me laugh a lot! XD
January 6, 2012
Unlike most superhero groups, the Defenders was entirely unofficial – no club house or headquarters for them -- and was really a temporary alliance of some of the most powerful, if most anti-social, characters in the Marvel Universe. That anti-social dynamic between the Sub-Mariner, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer is played for all it’s worth in this hysterically funny mini-series, now collected into a graphic novel. Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis don’t alter the dramatic tone of our heroes, but certainly have a good time putting their seriousness in humorous perspective. And unlike many comic artists, Kevin Maguire captures the myriad of emotions that play across our abused heroes’ faces, complementing Giffen and DeMatteis’s words perfectly. Namor's expressions as he tries to think of a reason to be humble had me laughing out loud.
The comedy lies in the deft execution of a fairly simple plot. Doctor Strange discovers yet another reality conquering attempt of the Dread Dormammu, but this time he’s allied with his much more intelligent, if untrustworthy sister Umar. Strange’s answer to this threat? Reuniting his old ‘comrades,’ who: 1) don’t want to be reunited, and 2) don’t consider each other comrades. Reluctantly, our heroes join forces, but of course, things go badly when they bring the fight to Dormammu’s dimension. Umar carts the Hulk off as her new plaything. The Sub-Mariner only wants some aspirin, and silence, from Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer -- well, he may make it to the battle, if he can tear himself away from his Earth counterparts. Somehow the Defenders overcome their bickering, take advantage of Dormammu’s self-esteem issues, and deal with this week’s menace to the multi-verse, much to this reader’s amusement. In an age where grim, ruthless comic books are the standard, it is refreshing to spend some time laughing with old friends.
The comedy lies in the deft execution of a fairly simple plot. Doctor Strange discovers yet another reality conquering attempt of the Dread Dormammu, but this time he’s allied with his much more intelligent, if untrustworthy sister Umar. Strange’s answer to this threat? Reuniting his old ‘comrades,’ who: 1) don’t want to be reunited, and 2) don’t consider each other comrades. Reluctantly, our heroes join forces, but of course, things go badly when they bring the fight to Dormammu’s dimension. Umar carts the Hulk off as her new plaything. The Sub-Mariner only wants some aspirin, and silence, from Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer -- well, he may make it to the battle, if he can tear himself away from his Earth counterparts. Somehow the Defenders overcome their bickering, take advantage of Dormammu’s self-esteem issues, and deal with this week’s menace to the multi-verse, much to this reader’s amusement. In an age where grim, ruthless comic books are the standard, it is refreshing to spend some time laughing with old friends.
June 8, 2017
Seriously? Why is this rated so low! I loved and adored this series! It's charming and funny and very Defenders. It's one of my favorite Defenders books.
September 12, 2021
When Dormammu forms an alliance with his sister Umar, Doctor Strange fears for the safety of the universe and calls upon Bruce Banner and Prince Namor to help him fight the terrible siblings.
You know that guy at work who's convinced he's hilarious and is constantly making the same terrible jokes without ever realising that literally no-one finds him amusing?
That's what this book is.
It purports to be comedic but where the comedy amounts to 'Dormammu's sister makes fun of him and the Defenders say mean things to each other'. That's it. The repetition of the 'jokes' about Doctor Strange's speech patterns or Namor's trunks rapidly began to drive me insane.
I was from the outset, I think, somewhat disappointed not to get a serious story in which Doctor Strange, Namor and the Hulk take on Dormammu, but for it to be this inane trash just added insult to injury. I could've forgiven the missed opportunity if any of what we got instead had been even vaguely funny or amusing.
It isn't.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
You know that guy at work who's convinced he's hilarious and is constantly making the same terrible jokes without ever realising that literally no-one finds him amusing?
That's what this book is.
It purports to be comedic but where the comedy amounts to 'Dormammu's sister makes fun of him and the Defenders say mean things to each other'. That's it. The repetition of the 'jokes' about Doctor Strange's speech patterns or Namor's trunks rapidly began to drive me insane.
I was from the outset, I think, somewhat disappointed not to get a serious story in which Doctor Strange, Namor and the Hulk take on Dormammu, but for it to be this inane trash just added insult to injury. I could've forgiven the missed opportunity if any of what we got instead had been even vaguely funny or amusing.
It isn't.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
March 31, 2018
Čtenářská výzva na Goodreads 2018 (46/205)
Nad touto knihou jsem musel sáhodlouze přemýšlet, protože po dočtení mi ani tak moc nebylo jasné, zda se mi to vůbec líbilo nebo jestli mi to naopak přišlo hodně podivné. Po neuvěřitelném bádání mi nakonec došlo, že ani jedna ze zmiňovaných možností není tak úplně správná.
Tento svazek “Nejmocnějších hrdinů Marvelu” tentokrát obsahuje pouze jeden jediný příběh, konkrétně “Bez nároku na obranu”, v němž musí Doctor Strange, všemi uznávaný Nejvyšší čaroděj, opětovně dát do hromady skupinku jménem Defenders, ve které kromě něho byli i Hulk, Namor a Silver Surfer, kvůli tomu, aby zabránil útoku ze strany Dormammua a jeho mocné sestry Umar, jejichž vztah je poměrně komplikovanější, než by si někdo mohl za normálních okolností myslet.
Já osobně bych nevěděl, co si mám o samotných Defenders myslet. Ano, zaujali by mě kvůli jejich jedinečnosti. Nejedná se totiž o typický superhrdinský tým, který má pevné pouto a jehož členové mezi sebou dokážou úplně v pořádku spolupracovat. Defenders jsou přesným opakem. Jednotliví členové se místy nenávidí, neví, co si o sobě mají myslet, hodně se mezi sebou vzájemně hádají a neustále se domlouvají, jak mají vyřešit jeden konkrétní problém. Když se nad tím tak zamyslíte, tak něco podobného můžete zažít i v reálném životě (podobně jako já), kde vztahy lidí ne vždycky jsou úplně pevné, což platí zejména u přátel nebo kamarádů. Tohle je ale vedlejší věc. Podstatné je, že po dočtení jaksi nevíte, co si o tom všem vůbec myslet.
Samo o sobě se to snaží být vtipné a někdy se zasmějete, ale jinak vám bude celkový humor připadat docela nijaký. Navíc, někdy se i vtipy zbytečně několikrát za sebou opakují, což podstatně ubírá na jejich kvalitě. I děj je sám o sobě přehnaně natahovaný a místy to opravdu mohlo být kratší. To zejména dokazuje méně zajímavá druhá půlka v temném světě.
Zase na druhou stranu, postavy jsou napsané zajímavě a tentokrát mi zde navíc přišli záporáci zajímavější než všichni hrdinové, kteří se v komiksu objeví. A takhle, kresba Kevina Maguira není sice nic převratného, ale dá se na ni koukat.
“Defenders” jsou ryzím průměrem, který bych ale i přesto mohl docela doporučit, pokud chcete vědět, jak originálně se dá psát superhrdinský komiks, než byste si mohli myslet. Sice nevím, zda se k tomu někdy vrátím a sice to není žádný zázrak, ale bylo to pěkné nahlédnutí na něco jiného, než je zvykem normálně vidět. Navíc, pro nováčky by to mohlo být poměrně slušné nadprůměrné počtení.
Hodnocení z mého čtenářského hlediska - 2/5 (50%)
Hodnocení z hlediska začátečníka - 3/5 (60%)
Nad touto knihou jsem musel sáhodlouze přemýšlet, protože po dočtení mi ani tak moc nebylo jasné, zda se mi to vůbec líbilo nebo jestli mi to naopak přišlo hodně podivné. Po neuvěřitelném bádání mi nakonec došlo, že ani jedna ze zmiňovaných možností není tak úplně správná.
Tento svazek “Nejmocnějších hrdinů Marvelu” tentokrát obsahuje pouze jeden jediný příběh, konkrétně “Bez nároku na obranu”, v němž musí Doctor Strange, všemi uznávaný Nejvyšší čaroděj, opětovně dát do hromady skupinku jménem Defenders, ve které kromě něho byli i Hulk, Namor a Silver Surfer, kvůli tomu, aby zabránil útoku ze strany Dormammua a jeho mocné sestry Umar, jejichž vztah je poměrně komplikovanější, než by si někdo mohl za normálních okolností myslet.
Já osobně bych nevěděl, co si mám o samotných Defenders myslet. Ano, zaujali by mě kvůli jejich jedinečnosti. Nejedná se totiž o typický superhrdinský tým, který má pevné pouto a jehož členové mezi sebou dokážou úplně v pořádku spolupracovat. Defenders jsou přesným opakem. Jednotliví členové se místy nenávidí, neví, co si o sobě mají myslet, hodně se mezi sebou vzájemně hádají a neustále se domlouvají, jak mají vyřešit jeden konkrétní problém. Když se nad tím tak zamyslíte, tak něco podobného můžete zažít i v reálném životě (podobně jako já), kde vztahy lidí ne vždycky jsou úplně pevné, což platí zejména u přátel nebo kamarádů. Tohle je ale vedlejší věc. Podstatné je, že po dočtení jaksi nevíte, co si o tom všem vůbec myslet.
Samo o sobě se to snaží být vtipné a někdy se zasmějete, ale jinak vám bude celkový humor připadat docela nijaký. Navíc, někdy se i vtipy zbytečně několikrát za sebou opakují, což podstatně ubírá na jejich kvalitě. I děj je sám o sobě přehnaně natahovaný a místy to opravdu mohlo být kratší. To zejména dokazuje méně zajímavá druhá půlka v temném světě.
Zase na druhou stranu, postavy jsou napsané zajímavě a tentokrát mi zde navíc přišli záporáci zajímavější než všichni hrdinové, kteří se v komiksu objeví. A takhle, kresba Kevina Maguira není sice nic převratného, ale dá se na ni koukat.
“Defenders” jsou ryzím průměrem, který bych ale i přesto mohl docela doporučit, pokud chcete vědět, jak originálně se dá psát superhrdinský komiks, než byste si mohli myslet. Sice nevím, zda se k tomu někdy vrátím a sice to není žádný zázrak, ale bylo to pěkné nahlédnutí na něco jiného, než je zvykem normálně vidět. Navíc, pro nováčky by to mohlo být poměrně slušné nadprůměrné počtení.
Hodnocení z mého čtenářského hlediska - 2/5 (50%)
Hodnocení z hlediska začátečníka - 3/5 (60%)
November 8, 2022
Since there is nowhere to review The Defenders (2001) 12-issues by Busiek and Larson on Goodreads, I am going to put my thought about that series here before starting this review.
Busiek and Larson, who I like very much, were to my mind misguided in their series about a curse that threw the arguing original four Defenders by Doctor Strange's old rival Yandroth.
The stories were about being thrown into battles at a drop of a hat. Although Namor was trying to save Atlantis from Atuma and his hoards and Doctor Strange was a bit of a black hole through the series. Their fighting among themselves was tired and old and Hellcat and Nighthawk, through Nighthawk's mystic followed them to any fight. Valkyrie was a whole different kettle of fish and one that I actual thought worked well, but was really just a rehash of the origin of another blonde girl thrown in as Valkyrie by the Enchantresses sister.
I have to say it should have been better, but was just onerous at times.
DEFENDERS: INDEFENSIBLE: Giffen and DeMatteis were a weird pair for this book. I love DeMatteis's other run on Defenders, but this book was even stranger than Busiek and Larson's.
I get the camp aspect. Some of it was funny, but the whole thing felt like a story around a joke. Again, the bickering between Hulk and Namor was annoying. Dormammu and Umar were just like being inbetween two bratty siblings, the fact that Dormammu had won the first time against Doctor Strange was just suddenly handed back to Strange because Umar wanted to humiliate her brother and turn him into a little wizened old troll of a thing and sent to bother Strange on the restored planet Earth.
Funny rarely, annoying a lot and I loved the art for every character EXCEPT Namor--who looked like a ten-year-old boy and Surfer who looked like the little gray aliens out of Roswell. WHY?
No mention of Nighthawk, Hellcat, or Valkyrie at this point either.
Busiek and Larson, who I like very much, were to my mind misguided in their series about a curse that threw the arguing original four Defenders by Doctor Strange's old rival Yandroth.
The stories were about being thrown into battles at a drop of a hat. Although Namor was trying to save Atlantis from Atuma and his hoards and Doctor Strange was a bit of a black hole through the series. Their fighting among themselves was tired and old and Hellcat and Nighthawk, through Nighthawk's mystic followed them to any fight. Valkyrie was a whole different kettle of fish and one that I actual thought worked well, but was really just a rehash of the origin of another blonde girl thrown in as Valkyrie by the Enchantresses sister.
I have to say it should have been better, but was just onerous at times.
DEFENDERS: INDEFENSIBLE: Giffen and DeMatteis were a weird pair for this book. I love DeMatteis's other run on Defenders, but this book was even stranger than Busiek and Larson's.
I get the camp aspect. Some of it was funny, but the whole thing felt like a story around a joke. Again, the bickering between Hulk and Namor was annoying. Dormammu and Umar were just like being inbetween two bratty siblings, the fact that Dormammu had won the first time against Doctor Strange was just suddenly handed back to Strange because Umar wanted to humiliate her brother and turn him into a little wizened old troll of a thing and sent to bother Strange on the restored planet Earth.
Funny rarely, annoying a lot and I loved the art for every character EXCEPT Namor--who looked like a ten-year-old boy and Surfer who looked like the little gray aliens out of Roswell. WHY?
No mention of Nighthawk, Hellcat, or Valkyrie at this point either.
July 8, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand it features a classic Dr. Strange / Defenders plot, on the other hand it is largely a lampoon intended to spoof and caricature each character and classic Marvel characters and plots. I did find myself smiling several times, and I thought the actual story (minus the humor and the skewering of the characters) was quite good.
SPOILERS
Dormammu and Umar team up to try to take over earth. Dormammu bans dreams in his dimension tricking Nightmare into alerting Dr. Strange who assembles the defenders to face the threat. This is of course a trap and Dormammu catches them all, and in combination with Umar kills Eternity and drinks his essence (this is truly epic). This reforms the multiverse in Dormammu's image and the Defenders find themselves fighting mirror-universe (a la Star Trek) versions of themselves. Umar has her own plans of course, and after an epic fight between Dr. Strange and Mirror Dr. Strange she saves the day for our heroes.
As I write this up, it sounds really great. And it would be if it wasn't for the constant barrage of jokes and absolute terrible treatment our writers give our favorite characters. I won't even mention the horrible things they do with Silver Surfer. What could have been a great story is somewhat marred by the writers' enthusiasm for farce.
SPOILERS
Dormammu and Umar team up to try to take over earth. Dormammu bans dreams in his dimension tricking Nightmare into alerting Dr. Strange who assembles the defenders to face the threat. This is of course a trap and Dormammu catches them all, and in combination with Umar kills Eternity and drinks his essence (this is truly epic). This reforms the multiverse in Dormammu's image and the Defenders find themselves fighting mirror-universe (a la Star Trek) versions of themselves. Umar has her own plans of course, and after an epic fight between Dr. Strange and Mirror Dr. Strange she saves the day for our heroes.
As I write this up, it sounds really great. And it would be if it wasn't for the constant barrage of jokes and absolute terrible treatment our writers give our favorite characters. I won't even mention the horrible things they do with Silver Surfer. What could have been a great story is somewhat marred by the writers' enthusiasm for farce.
August 16, 2022
While I wasn't familiar with the creative team behind this comic, the cover art alone should have clued me in on its whimsical tone. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I guess not quite what I expected from a Defenders comic.
So this has all of reality being threatened by the dread Dormammu who has allied with his sister to finally have enough power to defeat Dr. Strange. Thus he gathers the Defenders to face this challenge but Namor and the Hulk can't stop bickering and the Silver Surfer is too busy being an actual surfer?
It's a silly book but I don't know if these characters (including Dormammu) were the best characters to use to sell this tone. It made for a weird story with an ending that resets everything back to status quo because of course it does.
So this has all of reality being threatened by the dread Dormammu who has allied with his sister to finally have enough power to defeat Dr. Strange. Thus he gathers the Defenders to face this challenge but Namor and the Hulk can't stop bickering and the Silver Surfer is too busy being an actual surfer?
It's a silly book but I don't know if these characters (including Dormammu) were the best characters to use to sell this tone. It made for a weird story with an ending that resets everything back to status quo because of course it does.
September 12, 2021
What if… the JLI creative team did their Island of Misfit Superheroes routine with the A-list Defenders.
There’s a lot of bickering. I mean a lot. Bruce Banner gets a lot of screen time. Not only the regular 616 Banner but a Banner so Sméagol you want to punch him. Namor is wearing the stupid green Speedos and looks like Jack Kirby taught Kevin Maguire how to draw (this is a compliment.)
The worst thing about the entire story is how much of a joke everyone treats Dormammu. But that’s kinda on par for these three (do I mean Stranger/Hulk/Namor or DeMatteis/Giffen/Maguire? Both.)
Definitely for Defender and DeMatteis fans.
There’s a lot of bickering. I mean a lot. Bruce Banner gets a lot of screen time. Not only the regular 616 Banner but a Banner so Sméagol you want to punch him. Namor is wearing the stupid green Speedos and looks like Jack Kirby taught Kevin Maguire how to draw (this is a compliment.)
The worst thing about the entire story is how much of a joke everyone treats Dormammu. But that’s kinda on par for these three (do I mean Stranger/Hulk/Namor or DeMatteis/Giffen/Maguire? Both.)
Definitely for Defender and DeMatteis fans.
December 3, 2021
Ok, the art is great. Kevin Maguire's faces are just awesome. But the story...
I mean, it's a important team for Marvel history, with some of the greatest heroes of it's own. But Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, they tried to do some sorta funny story about, just like their JSA run on DC (i don't if got this right), but it just didn't fit for me. It got some cool jokes and all, but for me, it was a great disrespect for the heroes and speacilly for Dormamu. Gave 2 stars, just for thr art.
I mean, it's a important team for Marvel history, with some of the greatest heroes of it's own. But Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, they tried to do some sorta funny story about, just like their JSA run on DC (i don't if got this right), but it just didn't fit for me. It got some cool jokes and all, but for me, it was a great disrespect for the heroes and speacilly for Dormamu. Gave 2 stars, just for thr art.
December 24, 2021
Ligero, un comic ligero
Este tomo solo recopila una historia relativamente moderna (de hecho, es el volumen previo al que se estaba publicando para la fecha en que estaba saliendo este coleccionable) y eso... nada hacia el pasado, quizá una visita rápida a la primera formación u otra historia interesante de los 70/80. Nada,
Y como dije, una historia ligera, sin mayores pretenciones, con uno que otro toque de humor... y seria
Definitivamente, no el mejor numero de la colección
Este tomo solo recopila una historia relativamente moderna (de hecho, es el volumen previo al que se estaba publicando para la fecha en que estaba saliendo este coleccionable) y eso... nada hacia el pasado, quizá una visita rápida a la primera formación u otra historia interesante de los 70/80. Nada,
Y como dije, una historia ligera, sin mayores pretenciones, con uno que otro toque de humor... y seria
Definitivamente, no el mejor numero de la colección
December 5, 2018
It's famous Marvel characters doing the superhero thing, but as a buddy comedy. The book makes clear that the goal is to ape Giffen's famous Justice Leaugue run.
Not a bad idea.
But the jokes don't land. Everyone is insufferable to each other and not as funny as they were in the proverbial writer's room.
Not a bad idea.
But the jokes don't land. Everyone is insufferable to each other and not as funny as they were in the proverbial writer's room.
June 26, 2023
Giffen and Dematteis (and Maguire) are let loose on Marvel's non-team and the results are uncharacteristic (for the Defenders), with maybe a little exaggeration of personaility traits, but everyone is still recognisable, and it's a lot of fun. I certainly wouldn't mind reading more adventures of this Umar...
December 3, 2022
De Matteis is one of the few writers that can mix the mystical with humor, and here are a lot of great puns about the pretentiousness of characters like Dr Strange and Namor. Thi is more for laughs that a proper superhero adventure, enjojable for the self criticism about its protagonists.
September 30, 2017
Fun, but I liked the comedic version by Eric Larson better.
April 11, 2018
I LOVE this book. Love their bantering and the art. I love a lot of things about this comic.
June 12, 2019
HOW is this rated so low??? It's a fun read with fun interactions between characters. I really like this title.
November 15, 2021
Indefendible tirando a inimputable.
January 18, 2022
Rating: 4,5
Umar, a mi no tienes que someterme, yo me vuelvo tu esclava a voluntad 🛐🛐🛐 pero qué mujer
Umar, a mi no tienes que someterme, yo me vuelvo tu esclava a voluntad 🛐🛐🛐 pero qué mujer
December 13, 2022
If I could give zero stars I would. This was dreadful
February 5, 2024
Tým Defenders som poznala len vďaka seriálu na Neftlixe a musím povedať že sa mi komix veľmi páčil :) postavy, dynamika medzi nimi - bola to príjemná zmena oproti týmom ako Avengers a X-men
February 7, 2025
DeMatteis funciona muito bem escrevendo na marvel mas a parceira com o Giffen e o estilo de humor JLI não combina tanto assim com os defensores
December 23, 2025
Hilarious book from the late, great Keith Giffen. His trademark humor blends well with the absurdity that is The Defenders.
February 4, 2017
(This review may contain spoilers).
So... I do have a few mixed feelings about this book. With the exception of the Silver Surfer, I've seen the other three members of the Avengers in their own books in this collection.
I do find Namor really hard to relate to. Although some of the banter between him and Doctor Strange was amusing, I think Bruce was the only character who seemed 'human'. I wasn't sure what to make of the Silver Surfer, though. He didn't come across as very heroic in the set of comics here.
The fact that three heroes who really didn't get on were forced into saving the world was a pretty interesting one. The brother and sister villains were really quite interesting... though they both come across as really psychotic for most of the book. And I didn't really like seeing Umar and Bruce together. While I did find Umar more interesting than her brother, I definitely couldn't see her as being superhero material.
I did think it was interesting to see the different versions of the characters in Dormammu's universe. I was especially amused by the version of Spider-Man. I could see elements of the real Peter Parker coming through.
The artwork in this comic book was pretty interesting and I did like seeing Namor talking to the version of himself. There were a couple of moments where I found myself smiling at some of the one-liners in the comic book and it was interesting to see different versions of the three main characters in the world. I felt really sorry for the Bruce Banner in the other world... but much less so for Doctor Strange's doppelganger. And it was good to see the slightly different version of Namor... and how he actually seemed to care more than the Sub-Mariner did. The Silver Surfer didn't really seem to change much in either incarnation and I wasn't sure what the point of including him was.
I liked seeing Hulk as apparently more than just a mindless beast and that, although he didn't have as big a part as the other characters, I did like that he was included. I just found the other characters really hard to relate to... arrogance isn't really an appealing trait. I don't think I'll go out and buy more comic books focusing on them.
So... I do have a few mixed feelings about this book. With the exception of the Silver Surfer, I've seen the other three members of the Avengers in their own books in this collection.
I do find Namor really hard to relate to. Although some of the banter between him and Doctor Strange was amusing, I think Bruce was the only character who seemed 'human'. I wasn't sure what to make of the Silver Surfer, though. He didn't come across as very heroic in the set of comics here.
The fact that three heroes who really didn't get on were forced into saving the world was a pretty interesting one. The brother and sister villains were really quite interesting... though they both come across as really psychotic for most of the book. And I didn't really like seeing Umar and Bruce together. While I did find Umar more interesting than her brother, I definitely couldn't see her as being superhero material.
I did think it was interesting to see the different versions of the characters in Dormammu's universe. I was especially amused by the version of Spider-Man. I could see elements of the real Peter Parker coming through.
The artwork in this comic book was pretty interesting and I did like seeing Namor talking to the version of himself. There were a couple of moments where I found myself smiling at some of the one-liners in the comic book and it was interesting to see different versions of the three main characters in the world. I felt really sorry for the Bruce Banner in the other world... but much less so for Doctor Strange's doppelganger. And it was good to see the slightly different version of Namor... and how he actually seemed to care more than the Sub-Mariner did. The Silver Surfer didn't really seem to change much in either incarnation and I wasn't sure what the point of including him was.
I liked seeing Hulk as apparently more than just a mindless beast and that, although he didn't have as big a part as the other characters, I did like that he was included. I just found the other characters really hard to relate to... arrogance isn't really an appealing trait. I don't think I'll go out and buy more comic books focusing on them.
September 26, 2014
Sometimes, we take ourselves too seriously. We all have things that make us laugh and cause others to laugh at or with us, things that make us uncomfortable, things that instill jealousy (sometimes irrationally), and so on.
The problem, in my opinion, with Maguire, DeMatteis, and Giffen’s take on “The Defenders” is that I do NOT expect those traits from powerful godlike beings like Dormammu. When Tommy and Dick Smothers do the “Mom always liked you best” routine, I laughed. When Dormammu and Umar do it while plotting a takeover of the universe, I cringe.
Further, I realize that Dr. Strange is a bit full of himself but won’t admit it, and that Namor is and will admit it because he feels it’s his birthright AND a privilege he’s earned, as well. I could do without the two of them constantly reminding the other of those personality flaws. Toss in Bruce Banner and occasionally his large green-skinned alter ego, and you have insufferability. Further, while I could see how the Silver Surfer might be interested in California’s surfer culture, I can NOT see him blowing off the opportunity to save the world in order to immerse himself in that community.
With different characters, this would have been a fun romp. By using existing characters and turning them on their ears, I feel it fails.
RATING: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars.
The problem, in my opinion, with Maguire, DeMatteis, and Giffen’s take on “The Defenders” is that I do NOT expect those traits from powerful godlike beings like Dormammu. When Tommy and Dick Smothers do the “Mom always liked you best” routine, I laughed. When Dormammu and Umar do it while plotting a takeover of the universe, I cringe.
Further, I realize that Dr. Strange is a bit full of himself but won’t admit it, and that Namor is and will admit it because he feels it’s his birthright AND a privilege he’s earned, as well. I could do without the two of them constantly reminding the other of those personality flaws. Toss in Bruce Banner and occasionally his large green-skinned alter ego, and you have insufferability. Further, while I could see how the Silver Surfer might be interested in California’s surfer culture, I can NOT see him blowing off the opportunity to save the world in order to immerse himself in that community.
With different characters, this would have been a fun romp. By using existing characters and turning them on their ears, I feel it fails.
RATING: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars.
June 5, 2010
This is a hilarious tale of three people who really can't stand one another, and have to work together to save our entire dimension from extra-dimensional psychotic-dictators. Oh and then there is a fourth guy who is an alien and buggers off to a beach to find the meaning of the universe amongst surfing retards. This is the story in a nutshell. There is a lot of bickering and fighting, amongst themselves as well as with the forces of conquest from another dimension.
The writing of Keith Giffen suits this situation to a tee and has earned him a place on my list of writers to watch (particularly when I want a good hard laugh). The art from Kevin Maguire is amazing and has a cartoonish tinge to it that blends perfectly with the somewhat cartoonish tone of the story and the characters behavior. In the end we are treated to a nearly farcical romp with 4 super-beings that can barely stand each other, and its so far the funniest comic I've read in years.
The writing of Keith Giffen suits this situation to a tee and has earned him a place on my list of writers to watch (particularly when I want a good hard laugh). The art from Kevin Maguire is amazing and has a cartoonish tinge to it that blends perfectly with the somewhat cartoonish tone of the story and the characters behavior. In the end we are treated to a nearly farcical romp with 4 super-beings that can barely stand each other, and its so far the funniest comic I've read in years.
October 14, 2007
This same creative did good work on [books: Formerly Known as the Justice League], which had the same blend of humor and superheroics. They don't do so well in this Marvel book.
The perpetually-dysfunctional Defenders (Dr. Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, and the Hulk) reunite to fight Strange's archenemy, the Dread Dormammu (and his sister Umar).
This book has a bunch of problems, primarily that their jokes aren't funny. Strange and Namor, the two main talkers, are both arrogant blowhards, so their banter gets bland. Kevin Maguire, who drew Blue Beetle and Booster Gold so expressively, falters, especially with the Silver Surfer, who looks like the liquid metal frmo the Terminator movies.
The perpetually-dysfunctional Defenders (Dr. Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, and the Hulk) reunite to fight Strange's archenemy, the Dread Dormammu (and his sister Umar).
This book has a bunch of problems, primarily that their jokes aren't funny. Strange and Namor, the two main talkers, are both arrogant blowhards, so their banter gets bland. Kevin Maguire, who drew Blue Beetle and Booster Gold so expressively, falters, especially with the Silver Surfer, who looks like the liquid metal frmo the Terminator movies.
May 8, 2015
I didn't care much for either the humor or the art in this one. Oddly I remember mostly enjoying Giffen, DeMatteis and Maguire's Justice League comics in the 80s (although I also remember being really annoyed sometimes at how they treated some of the characters).
The difference is most likely how I feel about the individual characters. While I've never been a Defenders fan (the team has always seemed too contrived), I've been an off and on fan of Dr. Strange, Namor, the Hulk and the Surfer for many years. On the other hand Giffen & Co.'s incarnation of the Justice League was composed mostly of characters I had little invested in (except the Batman).
The difference is most likely how I feel about the individual characters. While I've never been a Defenders fan (the team has always seemed too contrived), I've been an off and on fan of Dr. Strange, Namor, the Hulk and the Surfer for many years. On the other hand Giffen & Co.'s incarnation of the Justice League was composed mostly of characters I had little invested in (except the Batman).
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