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Defenders (comics)
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Defenders
A giclée featuring the original version of the team by artist Alex Ross. It homages the comic book cover The Defenders (February 1980) #80, originally drawn by Rich Buckler
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Feature #1 (December 1971)
Created byRoy Thomas
Ross Andru
In-story information
Base(s)Sanctum Sanctorum
Richmond Riding Academy
Patsy Walker's Montclair, NJ house[1]
Roster
See: List of Defenders members

The Defenders are a superhero group with rotating membership appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic outsiders who are known for following their own agendas. The team often battle mystic and supernatural threats.

Its original incarnation was led by Doctor Strange and included Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer. They first appeared as the Defenders in Marvel Feature #1 (Dec. 1971), before receiving their own title, The Defenders, in 1972.

The group had a rotating line-up from 1972 until 1986, with Dr. Strange and the Hulk being usually constant members along with a number of other mainstays such as Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, Gargoyle, Beast, the Son of Satan and Luke Cage, and many temporary members. The publication was retitled The New Defenders near the end of the run, featuring none of the original members and only Valkyrie, Beast and the Gargoyle of the former long-term members. The concept was modified in the 1993–95 series Secret Defenders, in which Dr. Strange assembles different teams for each individual mission. The original team was reunited in a short-lived 2001 series by Kurt Busiek and Erik Larsen. In 2005 Marvel published a five-issue miniseries featuring the classic line-up by J. M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire. In December 2011 writer Matt Fraction and artist Terry Dodson launched a Defenders series with a mixture of classic and new members, which lasted for 12 issues.

A television miniseries, The Defenders, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe premiered in 2017 on Netflix, with the team consisting of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.

Publication history

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The origin of the Defenders lies in two crossover story arcs by Roy Thomas prior to the official founding of the team. The first, in Doctor Strange #183 (November 1969), Sub-Mariner #22 (February 1970), and The Incredible Hulk #126 (April 1970), occurred due to the Dr. Strange series being canceled in the middle of a story arc, leaving Thomas no choice but to resolve the storyline in other series that he wrote.[2] In the story, Dr. Strange teams with Sub-Mariner and the Hulk to protect the Earth from invasion by Lovecraftian interplanar beings known as the Undying Ones and their leader, the Nameless One. Barbara Norriss, later the host of the Valkyrie, first appears in this story. In the second arc, featured in Sub-Mariner #34–35 (February–March 1971), Namor enlists the aid of the Silver Surfer and the Hulk to stop a potentially devastating weather control experiment, inadvertently freeing a small island nation from a dictator and facing the Avengers under the name of the "Titans Three".[2]

The Defenders first appeared as a feature in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971),[3] where the founding members gather to battle the alien techno-wizard Yandroth and remain as a team afterward. Editor Stan Lee, wanting to write all of the Silver Surfer's stories personally, had asked other writers not to use the character, and suggested that Thomas use Doctor Strange instead. Thomas has also speculated that Lee came up with the team's name: "The 'Defenders' is far too passive a name for my taste. I prefer more aggressive-sounding names like the 'Avengers' or the 'Invaders,' so Stan probably came up with that one."[2] Due to the popularity of their tryout in Marvel Feature, Marvel soon began publishing The Defenders with Steve Englehart writing and Sal Buscema penciling,[4] while Thomas moved into the editor's seat. Despite Lee's continuing edict on the use of the Silver Surfer, he approved Englehart's pitch to include the Silver Surfer in the story.[2]

Valkyrie was introduced to the team in issue #4 (February 1973).[5][6] Englehart wrote "The Avengers–Defenders War" crossover in The Avengers #116–118 (October–December 1973) and The Defenders #9–11 (October–December 1973),[7] leaving The Defenders afterwards because he "didn't want to keep doing two team books at the same time."[2] Len Wein briefly wrote the series[8] and introduced such characters as Alpha the Ultimate Mutant[9] and the Wrecking Crew.[10] Wein also added Nighthawk to the cast because, in his words, doing so "gave me a character to play with who didn't have a whole lot of previous history ... [a] character I could do anything I wanted to without worrying about how it would affect any other titles that character might appear in."[2]

Steve Gerber first worked on the characters in Giant-Size Defenders #3 (January 1975) and became the writer of the main title with issue #20 the following month.[11] He wrote the series until issue #41 (November 1976).[12] Part of Gerber's oeuvre was reviving forgotten characters; he brought back three pre-Marvel characters, now organized as the Headmen,[13] as well as the Guardians of the Galaxy.[14] The Defenders met Gerber's Howard the Duck in Marvel Treasury Edition #12 (1976).[15]

Due to Marvel's shuffling of editors-in-chief, a brief run by Gerry Conway abruptly ended in mid-production on issue #45. David Anthony Kraft and Roger Slifer volunteered to write the series, but issue #45 had no written plot, having been drawn by Giffen following a story conference with Conway. Kraft and Slifer were unable to contact either Conway or Giffen, and so had to puzzle out Conway's plot from the unscripted artwork.[2]

David Anthony Kraft's run as writer[16] included "The Scorpio Saga" (issues #46, 48–50) and the "Xenogenesis: Day of the Demons" storyline (issues #58–60).[17] The "Defenders for a Day" storyline in issues #62–64 saw dozens of new applicants attempting to join the Defenders, as well as a number of villains attempting to present themselves as Defenders members in order to confuse the authorities and the public as they commit robberies. Kraft and artist Ed Hannigan explained some of the Valkyrie's backstory in The Defenders #66–68 (December 1978 – February 1979).[18][19][20] At Kraft's request, Hannigan helped write issue #67 but found that he could not handle both writing and artwork at once, and so transitioned to being just the series's writer with the following issue.[2]

Steven Grant wrote a conclusion to Steve Gerber's Omega the Unknown series in two issues of The Defenders,[21][22][23] at the end of which most of the original series' characters were killed. While Gerber seemed unhappy with Grant's conclusion,[24] it nevertheless tied up the loose ends of the comic series, and is considered "canon" by Marvel.[25]

Writer J. M. DeMatteis took over the series with issue #92. He and Mark Gruenwald co-wrote The Defenders #107–109 (May–July 1982), which resolved remaining plot points from the Valkyrie story by Kraft and Hannigan published three years earlier.[26][27][28][29]

The New Defenders

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As of issue #125, The Defenders was retitled to The New Defenders as the original four members (Doctor Strange, the Silver Surfer, the Hulk, and Namor) are forced to leave the team,[30] in response to an alien prophecy that states that these four, operating as a group, would be responsible for destroying the world. In the same issue the Beast reforms the team as an official superhero team complete with government clearance.[31]

DeMatteis stayed on for only six issues of The New Defenders before turning it over to writer Peter Gillis, whose run was marked by shorter, more personal stories.[2] Gillis recounted, "I had been working for a while at Marvel, and was constantly pumping for more work, and specifically a series of my own. So when I heard DeMatteis was leaving Defenders, I was in [editor] Carl Potts' office like a shot, and I got the gig."[2]

Though the series remained a modest hit through the Gillis/Perlin run, it was cancelled to make room in Marvel's production schedule for the New Universe line.[2] The final issue was The New Defenders #152.[32] In the final issue, several members (Gargoyle, Moondragon and Valkyrie), plus allies (Andromeda, Manslaughter, Interloper) seemingly die in battle with the Dragon of the Moon controlling Moondragon.[33] The remaining mutant members leave the team to join X-Factor. Gillis has claimed that killing off the other members of the group was a directive from the editorial staff to free up the surviving members for usage in X-Factor, pointing out that he shortly after revived several of these seemingly-deceased members[2] in issues of Solo Avengers, Strange Tales vol. 2 #5–7, and issues #3–4 of the relaunched Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme series.[34][35]

The Return of the Defenders

[edit]

In 1990, the original trio reunited in The Incredible Hulk #370–371, in which it was revealed that the prophecy was a hoax. The originals then rejoined with the Silver Surfer in a story entitled The Return of the Defenders running in The Incredible Hulk Annual #18, Namor the Sub-Mariner Annual #2, Silver Surfer Annual #5, and Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme Annual #2.

Secret Defenders

[edit]

In 1993, Marvel sought to revive the "Defenders" brand as "The Secret Defenders". The new team first appeared, unofficially, in Dr. Strange #50 and later Fantastic Four #374, before being officially introduced in Secret Defenders #1.[36][37] The series' premise originally was that Doctor Strange would organize various teams of heroes for certain missions, with him as the leader. Members included Wolverine, Darkhawk, Spider-Woman, Spider-Man, Hulk, Nomad, Ghost Rider, and others. This lasted for the first several months of the title, before Doctor Strange was removed from the book, due to the character being reassigned to the "Midnight Sons" line at Marvel. After an arc where the supervillain Thanos organized a team of "Secret Defenders" for a mission,[38] leadership of the Secret Defenders passed to Doctor Druid[39] and the series itself abandoned the revolving-door roster in favor of Druid and the Cognoscenti. The series was canceled with Secret Defenders #25.[40]

Reunion and The Order

[edit]

In 2001–02, the Defenders reunited in Defenders (vol. 2) #1–12 created by Kurt Busiek and Erik Larsen, immediately followed by The Order #1–6, in which Yandroth manipulated Gaea into "cursing" the primary four Defenders (Doctor Strange, the Sub-Mariner, the Hulk, and the Silver Surfer) so that they would be summoned to major crisis situations. These members were then mind controlled by Yandroth into forming the world-dominating "Order"; once the Order were freed from this control by their fellow heroes (including their teammates Hellcat, Nighthawk, and Valkyrie), the Defenders apparently disbanded. A fill-in issue set between these two series was published in 2011.

2005 miniseries

[edit]

A Defenders five-issue miniseries debuted in July 2005, by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, featuring Doctor Strange attempting to reunite the original four Defenders to battle Dormammu and Umar. This series focuses mostly on humor as the characters spend most of their time arguing with and criticizing one another.[2]

The Last Defenders

[edit]

In 2008, Joe Casey wrote a new miniseries with a new line-up of Defenders, following the aftermath of "Civil War".[41] Nighthawk wanted a team made up of previous Defenders such as Hellcat and Devil Slayer but Tony Stark (Iron Man) makes the decision to select other heroes for the team. The line-up is led by Nighthawk,[41] with Blazing Skull, Colossus, and She-Hulk as members. The Defenders are assigned to New Jersey under the Fifty State Initiative, because the proximity to New York City demands more experienced heroes than can just be recruited from the ranks of Camp Hammond. The team is disbanded for incompetence but Richmond eventually founds a team outside the Initiative with the Son of Satan, She-Hulk, Krang, and Nighthawk (S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Joaquin Pennyworth). The team reappears in the mini-series Vengeance (2011).

The Offenders

[edit]

In the 2009 ongoing Hulk series (Issues #10–12), Red Hulk assembles a counter team of supervillains called the Offenders, which includes Baron Mordo, Terrax, and Tiger Shark, and fights past versions of their enemies.[42][43]

Fear Itself: The Deep

[edit]

During the 2011 "Fear Itself" storyline, Doctor Strange forms a new version of the Defenders with Lyra (daughter of Hulk), Namor, Loa (a student of the X-Men), and the Silver Surfer to confront Attuma who has become Nerkkod, Breaker of Oceans. Many past Defenders appear in the last issue.[44][45]

2011 series

[edit]

Marvel launched a new Defenders series in December 2011, written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Terry Dodson. The new book features Doctor Strange, Red She-Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer, and Iron Fist. The new series follows the reunion of the Defenders in Fear Itself: The Deep.[46] During the battle against the Death Celestials, the characters Black Cat, Nick Fury, and Ant-Man join the team. The series was cancelled at issue #12. Despite the prophecy supposedly being a hoax, the central storyline of the series involves a reunion of the original four Defenders setting off a chain of events leading to the destruction of the universe. In the final issue, Strange changes the past so that the reunion never happens, thus erasing all the events of the series.

The Fearless Defenders

[edit]
Main article: Fearless Defenders

February 2013 saw the debut of The Fearless Defenders, a series written by Cullen Bunn with artwork by Will Sliney. Bunn said that he had wanted to write the series, which centers on a new team of Valkyrior, led by Valkyrie and Misty Knight, after writing Fear Itself: The Fearless. It was suggested to him that it should run as a Defenders title, however Bunn explained that beyond the name there is "little connection" to the Defenders.[47]

2017 series

[edit]
The Defenders (2017) #1, with the team consisting of Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Daredevil. Art by David Marquez.

In August 2017, Marvel launched a new Defenders comic book series starring Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, based on the Netflix incarnation of the team.[48]

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, the Defenders were seen fighting the villains that were on a rampage for what happened in Pleasant Hill. They were defeated when Nitro exploded.[49]

The Best Defense

[edit]

2018 saw a new five part crossover storyline involving the "Big Four" members of the team. Published throughout December, the plot features separate issues all sub-titled "The Best Defense" in Immortal Hulk, Namor, Doctor Strange and Silver Surfer which culminates in a final issue under the banner of The Defenders. Announced on August 24, 2018, the creative teams were respectively:[50]

  • Immortal Hulk written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Simone Di Meo
  • Namor written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Carlos Magno
  • Doctor Strange written by Gerry Duggan and illustrated by Greg Smallwood
  • Silver Surfer written and illustrated by Jason Latour
  • The Defenders written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Joe Bennet.

2021 series

[edit]

In August 2021, Marvel launched a new Defenders series.[51] Written by Al Ewing with art by Javier Rodriguez, this new version of the team features Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Masked Raider, Red Harpy and Cloud.

Defenders: Beyond

[edit]

Before the publication of the fifth and final issue of the 2021 series it was teased that the team would be returning after a short break in summer 2022 for another five part run.[citation needed] Following a message from beyond the grave from Doctor Strange, a new team is assembled featuring Blue Marvel, America Chavez, Taaia (the mother of Galactus), Tigra, and Loki (a variant of the God of Mischief) to tackle a new cosmic threat.

Membership

[edit]
Main article: List of Defenders members

Defenders membership was fluid, yet a few members were relatively constant: the three founders (Doctor Strange, Namor, and Hulk), Silver Surfer, Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, and Gargoyle. Membership was clearer in the New Defenders era when the team was more formally organized.

Secret Defenders

[edit]

This group's composition was even more fluid than that of the original Defenders, but typically included either Doctor Strange or Doctor Druid as leader, joined by a custom selection of heroes chosen for the mission at hand.[37] At various times, War Machine, Darkhawk, Thunderstrike, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Ant-Man, Iceman, Nomad, and many others were members. At the end of its existence, the group had a somewhat regular composition, including Cadaver, Sepulchre, Joshua Pryce, and Druid.

Other versions

[edit]

Ultimate Marvel

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of the Defenders from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint, consisting of Power Man, Hellcat, Nighthawk, Valkyrie, Black Knight, Daimon Hellstrom, Whiz-Kid, and Ant-Man. These versions are fame-seeking amateur vigilantes.[52] In Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates (2010), Loki gives the Ultimates superpowers and tasks them with stealing Mjolnir.[53]

"Age of Ultron"

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of the Defenders from Earth-26111 appears in Age of Ultron, consisting of Doctor Strange, Captain America, Wolverine, Captain Marvel, Thing, Cable, Hulk, and Star-Lord. This version of the group are Earth's premier superhero team following the disbanding of the Avengers.[54]

Iron Man: Fatal Frontier

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of the Defenders from Earth-10429 appears in the Iron Man: Fatal Frontier storyline, consisting of Captain America, Hulk, Thor, and Rescue.[55]

Secret Wars (2015)

[edit]

Several alternate versions of the Defenders from Battleworld appear in the "Secret Wars" storyline.

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
The Defenders and Stick from the 2017 miniseries (L-R: Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Scott Glenn as Stick, Finn Jones as Iron Fist, Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, Charlie Cox as Daredevil).

Video games

[edit]

Miscellaneous

[edit]

The Justice League episode "The Terror Beyond" features Doctor Fate, Aquaman, Solomon Grundy, and Hawkgirl banding together to fight the otherdimensional deity Icthulhu. According to series developer Bruce Timm, the team is a homage to the Defenders, with each member paralleling a Marvel character (Doctor Fate / Doctor Strange, Aquaman / Namor, Solomon Grundy / Hulk, and Hawkgirl / Nighthawk).[59]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Defenders (comics)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Defenders are a fictional superhero team in , renowned for their informal, ad-hoc alliance rather than a rigid organizational structure. First assembled by to combat the doomsday device known as the Omegatron, created by the villain Yandroth, the original lineup consisted of , the , and the Sub-Mariner. Debuting in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971), the team was created by writer and artist , with editing by , inks by , and lettering by Sam Rosen. Unlike the more formalized Avengers, the Defenders operated as a "non-team," with members frequently joining or departing based on circumstances, often uniting against mystical, cosmic, or otherworldly threats. The quickly became a core member after their debut adventure, solidifying the group's early dynamic of powerful, individualistic heroes. Their self-titled series, The Defenders, launched in August 1972 and ran for 152 issues until 1986, featuring notable creative runs such as Steve Englehart's exploration of team interpersonal conflicts and Steve Gerber's surreal, socially conscious stories involving characters like the , , and Hellcat. The team's composition evolved across decades, reflecting shifts in Marvel's storytelling priorities. In the 1980s, the New Defenders incorporated more occult-oriented members like the and under ' guidance. In 2017, wrote a Defenders series featuring street-level heroes Daredevil, , Iron Fist, and , emphasizing urban vigilantism. More recent revivals, such as Al Ewing's 2021 Defenders and 2022's Defenders: Beyond, reunited the original cosmic lineup—Doctor Strange, , , and —for multiversal and existential threats, underscoring the team's enduring adaptability.

Publication history

Formation and original series (1971–1986)

The Defenders were first introduced in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971), where writer and artist depicted assembling the and the Sub-Mariner to combat the known as the Omegatron, created by the villain Yandroth. The was compelled by Yandroth's spell but was unavailable during the main confrontation. This one-shot story established the group's loose alliance, born from Yandroth's mystical curse to rally the reluctant heroes against the doomsday threat. The issue, inked by , marked the inaugural team-up of these "Titans Three," emphasizing their individualistic natures over traditional superhero camaraderie. The concept transitioned to an ongoing series with The Defenders #1 (August 1972), scripted by with pencils by , reuniting the core trio to face the sorcerer , who sought to conquer Earth through a mystical artifact. contributed to the early plotting, while Englehart's writing introduced the "non-team" dynamic, portraying the Defenders as outsiders who repeatedly crossed paths due to cosmic threats rather than formal membership. Inked by Frank Giacoia, the series quickly built on this foundation, with early issues featuring battles against Dormammu's forces in a multi-part arc spanning The Defenders #1–5. Key storylines in the 1970s expanded the scope and roster. The "Avengers/Defenders War" (The Defenders #8–11, 1973–1974), also by Englehart and Buscema, pitted the Defenders against the Avengers in a conflict orchestrated by and , culminating in the teams' alliance to thwart the absorption of Earth into the Dark Dimension. Another major arc in The Defenders #15–17 (1974), written by with art by Buscema, saw the team confront Magneto and the Mutants, who unleashed Alpha the Ultimate Mutant, highlighting themes of mutant-human tensions. New members were incorporated to bolster the lineup: debuted and joined in The Defenders #4 (January 1973) as an enchanted warrior created by Enchantress but bonded to Barbara Norris's body; reformed from his past and affiliated in The Defenders #13–14 (May–July 1974); and Hellcat () became a permanent addition in The Defenders #44–46 (February–April 1977) after training under . By the mid-1970s, under writers like and David Kraft, the series evolved from its ad hoc "non-team" origins—where heroes often parted ways after missions—toward more consistent group interactions and interpersonal drama, though retaining the core ethos of reluctant alliances. This shift was evident in arcs like the saga (The Defenders #21–25, 1974–1975), blending horror and humor. The original run concluded after 152 issues, with The New Defenders #152 (February 1986) marking the end, featuring the team's dissolution amid a battle against the Dragon of the Moon. The title had rebranded to The New Defenders starting with issue #125 (November 1983), reflecting a more formalized structure under writer and artist .

The New Defenders era (1980–1986)

The New Defenders era marked a significant evolution in the series, beginning with writer J.M. DeMatteis's tenure starting in issue #92 (November 1981), which emphasized themes of mysticism, mutation, and team dynamics amid personal struggles. DeMatteis, partnering with artist , gradually restructured the loose non-team into a more cohesive unit, incorporating elements of horror and the while phasing out many long-standing members. This period, spanning roughly from 1980 to 1986, saw the series retitled The New Defenders with issue #125 (November 1983), signaling a deliberate pivot toward a formalized roster and serialized storytelling focused on mutant and mystical threats. The new lineup excluded the original founders—such as , , , and —and instead centered on a core group blending alumni with esoteric additions. Key members included the mutants , Beast, (Isaac Christians), and Iceman, alongside the telepathic warrior and the Asgardian (Brunnhilde in Barbara Norris' body), who wielded the enchanted Dragonfang sword. Shortly thereafter, (a sentient with shape-shifting abilities) joined, adding a layer of otherworldly to the team's composition and exploring themes of identity and human connection. This roster emphasized mutant heritage and supernatural elements, contrasting the earlier ad-hoc alliances. Story arcs during this phase delved into bizarre villains and cosmic influences, including recurring clashes with the —a cabal of mad scientists with grotesque body modifications—who sought to manipulate the team's vulnerabilities through surgical horrors and psychological terror. The Beyonder's incursion from profoundly impacted the group, forcing confrontations with omnipotent curiosity and existential questions that unraveled their unity, culminating in the team's dissolution in issue #152 (February 1986). Other notable threats included the all-new Secret Empire's espionage plots, the assassin Manslaughter's targeted killings, and demonic entities, all heightening the series' blend of action and introspection. Under U.S. government oversight, the New Defenders adopted a more professional superhero structure, receiving official registration and clearance from S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury, which integrated them into national security operations while imposing bureaucratic constraints. This affiliation, formalized around issues #126–130 (1983–1984), involved missions at S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities and compliance with federal protocols, transforming the team from wanderers into a sanctioned unit headquartered at the Aerie—a high-tech mountain base. However, internal tensions, including Moondragon and Cloud's romantic relationship and Gargoyle's struggles with his deformities, strained cohesion amid these external pressures. The era concluded with declining sales and creative shifts, as Peter B. Gillis took over writing duties from DeMatteis around issue #131 (May 1984), steering toward more personal, vignette-style tales before the Beyonder's chaos led to breakup. In the final issue #152, the team scattered—Angel and Iceman rejoined X-Factor, returned to Asgardian duties, and others pursued solitary paths—ending the original series run after 152 issues and paving the way for future revivals.

Secret Defenders (1993–1995)

The Secret Defenders series debuted with issue #1 in March 1993, written by and illustrated by Andre Coates with inks by Don Hudson. The miniseries ran for 25 issues until March 1995, building on a four-issue prelude that began in Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme vol. 3 #50 (February 1993). Created amid Doctor Strange's temporarily diminished mystical abilities, the series introduced a unique format where Strange assembled ad hoc teams of heroes tailored to each threat, eschewing a fixed roster in favor of mission-specific lineups to defend against supernatural dangers. The narrative emphasized Doctor Strange's role as convener, drawing from the broader Marvel mystical landscape to form these rotating groups, often integrating lesser-known or guest heroes for short-term alliances. Key stories included the inaugural "Circle of Four" arc in issues #1–4, where Strange's first team—comprising , , , and —confronted the villains Decimator and in . Later arcs featured major antagonists such as , who in issues #12–14 recruited a cadre of villains including Super-Skrull and Titania to plunder an alien oracle, tying into Marvel's cosmic events. Other prominent foes encompassed mystical threats like , the ruler of the Dark Dimension, and , the Asgardian trickster god, alongside demonic entities such as the Lilin from the infernal realms. The series featured crossovers that deepened its ties to the , notably with vol. 3 #52, which overlapped with Secret Defenders #2–3 to explore Strange's weakening powers and the formation of his initial team against shared supernatural perils. These integrations positioned the Secret Defenders as a flexible extension of the mystical corner of Marvel continuity, allowing Strange to summon aid from across hero rosters without long-term commitments. Despite its innovative premise, the series concluded with issue #25 in March 1995, canceled due to declining sales that ranked it low among Marvel titles of the era, averaging below top performers and failing to sustain readership amid the mid-1990s market contraction. This iteration marked a distinct, short-lived revival of the Defenders concept, emphasizing ephemeral alliances over enduring team dynamics.

Reunion and spin-offs (2001–2008)

In 2001, Marvel Comics revived the Defenders in a 12-issue limited series titled Defenders volume 2, running from March 2001 to February 2002, written by Kurt Busiek with pencils by Erik Larsen and inks by Klaus Janson. The storyline centered on the resurrection of the sorcerer Yandroth, who captured the goddess Gaea and harnessed her power to unleash global threats, including the Ravagers of the Beyond, thereby activating his long-dormant curse that forcibly assembled the original lineup—Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Silver Surfer—to defend Earth. The series explored the team's dysfunctional dynamics while they confronted Yandroth's machinations in the core reality and other dimensions, culminating in the heroes petitioning the Eternal One to end the curse after defeating the villain. This run emphasized the non-team's reluctant reunions and marked a return to the group's mystical and cosmic roots, without permanent reformation. By 2005, the Defenders appeared in scattered stories within Marvel Team-Up volume 3, where individual members like Doctor Strange and Namor teamed up with other heroes against various threats, highlighting the group's loose affiliation rather than a full assembly. That same year, a one-shot titled Defenders tied into New Avengers crossovers, featuring the original quartet in a brief encounter amid larger Marvel Universe events, reinforcing their occasional interventions in Avengers-related crises. Additionally, Defenders volume 3, a five-issue miniseries from September 2005 to January 2006 written by Keith Giffen with art by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike McKone, reunited the core members once more when the Headmen manipulated events to reform the team against a world-ending peril orchestrated by Dormammu and his sister Umar in the Dark Dimension. The narrative delved into interpersonal tensions, such as conflicts between the Hulk and Namor, while the heroes navigated alliances with figures like Red Guardian, ultimately disbanding after resolving the threat. These appearances underscored the Defenders' pattern of temporary alliances amid escalating multiversal dangers. The concept of the Defenders evolved further in The Order volume 2, a 10-issue series from September 2007 to June 2008, written by Matt Fraction with art by Barry Kitson. Originally conceived as a Defenders relaunch amid trademark considerations, it shifted to depict a government-sponsored superhero team under California's branch of the Fifty State Initiative, featuring members such as Henry Pym (as Ant-Man), Triathlon, and new heroes like Avalon and Nomad. The story followed the team's activation via nanite-enhanced powers to combat the Folding Circle, but internal betrayals and fatalities led to its dissolution after a single mission. This spin-off represented a modern, structured take on the Defenders' loose ethos, blending legacy elements with Initiative-era bureaucracy. These efforts transitioned into 2008's The Last Defenders five-issue miniseries (May to October), written by Joe Kelly with art by Paul Azaceta and Asrar, where (Kyle Richmond) requested a registered Defenders team under the Initiative from Tony Stark. Stark assigned a roster including Colossus, , and Blazing Skull, who battled the Sons of the Serpent in their first mission, leading to failure and replacement with recruits like Atlas, , and Junta. Internal conflicts and further missions resulted in the team's disbandment, echoing the original team's independent spirit amid the Hood's broader criminal activities in the Initiative era. This setup paved the way for subsequent event-driven revivals while highlighting ongoing attempts to institutionalize the Defenders amid Marvel's post-Civil War landscape.

Miniseries and events (2005–2011)

In 2005, Marvel Comics launched a five-issue miniseries reuniting the classic Defenders lineup of Doctor Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer, written by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen with art by Kevin Maguire. The story begins with Doctor Strange attempting to reform the team to combat a mystical threat orchestrated by the Headmen, involving Dormammu and his sister Umar, blending humor reminiscent of the writers' Justice League International work with supernatural elements. Critics praised the lighthearted tone and character banter but noted the overcrowded panel layouts in later issues, which sometimes hindered readability. The Superhuman Registration Act during the 2006-2007 Civil War event significantly affected Defenders members, forcing them to navigate divided loyalties. Namor initially allied with but later switched to Iron Man's pro-registration side after a confrontation involving the , reflecting Atlantis's strategic isolationism. remained neutral, focusing on mystical threats, while [Silver Surfer](/page/Silver Surfer) observed from afar as a cosmic entity. These divisions highlighted the team's loose structure, preventing a unified Defenders response to the conflict. The 2007 World War Hulk event further strained former Defenders, as the enraged targeted the , including . In a brutal confrontation, shattered Strange's hands, crippling his spellcasting and forcing reliance on demonic entity Zom for power, though it proved insufficient against the rampaging . , absent from the direct clash, dealt with Atlantean repercussions from the chaos, underscoring the personal toll of larger events on the non-team. In 2009, the Hulk ongoing series (#10-12) introduced the Offenders, a villainous counterpart team led by Red Hulk (Thaddeus Ross) and including , , and Tiger Shark, assembled by for a cosmic wager against the Defenders. Written by with art by Ian Churchill, the arc pitted the Offenders against , , , and Iron Fist in a multiversal contest, emphasizing humorous mismatches and experimental villain dynamics. Reception viewed it as a playful but inconsequential side story, often critiqued for prioritizing spectacle over depth. The 2011 Fear Itself: The Deep #1-5 miniseries, written by Cullen Bunn with art by Lee Garbett, tied into the larger Fear Itself event by focusing on an underwater assault. Namor, Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange, Man-Thing, and Lyra (She-Hulk's daughter) battle Attuma, empowered by the Serpent's hammer Nerkkod, as fear corrupts Atlantis. The narrative explored isolation and monstrous transformations, with mixed critical response highlighting strong action but uneven characterization, particularly Namor's portrayal, deeming it an experimental tie-in rather than essential reading. Overall, these miniseries and event integrations from 2005-2011 experimented with the Defenders' loose alliance, often receiving feedback as innovative yet uneven explorations amid Marvel's crossover landscape.

The Fearless Defenders (2013)

The Fearless Defenders was a Marvel NOW! comic book series launched with issue #1 in February 2013, written by and illustrated by Will Sliney. The series served as a direct spin-off from the 2011-2012 Fear Itself: The Fearless miniseries, building on its aftermath where mystical hammers from the event scattered across the world. In the story's opening, —resurrected following her death during the "Fear Itself" crossover—partners with private investigator after they encounter each other while pursuing leads on the hammers. Tasked by the Asgardian All-Mother to rebuild the depleted ranks of the Valkyrior, begins recruiting a cadre of warriors from , including martial artists and the , as well as mutants like Dani Moonstar and historical figures such as . This formation emphasizes an all-female lineup, diverging from the traditionally male-dominated Defenders teams by highlighting themes of female empowerment, mutual support, and sisterhood among diverse heroines who often clash but unite against supernatural threats. The team's early adventures center on battling the Doom Maidens, a corrupted faction of former Valkyrior transformed into harbingers of destruction, who seek to unleash chaos tied to the "Fear Itself" hammers. As the narrative progresses, the Defenders expand their roster with allies like archaeologist Annabelle Riggs and warrior , venturing into mystical realms to thwart rituals that could empower the Maidens further. Later arcs introduce broader conflicts, including confrontations with the Roxxon Corporation's exploitative operations involving Asgardian artifacts and the dark elf sorcerer , who emerges as a climactic antagonist aiming to exploit the chaos for his conquests. These mystical and corporate threats underscore the series' blend of street-level action with cosmic stakes, while crossovers with elements from the Fearless miniseries reinforce the ongoing hunt for the hammers' remnants. Despite critical acclaim for its focus on strong, multifaceted characters and promotion of diversity in , the series was cancelled after 12 issues, with the final installment published in December 2013, due to insufficient figures. Fans praised the for its refreshing all-women and themes of , which contrasted sharply with the more fragmented, non-team dynamics of prior Defenders iterations, though low commercial performance led to its abrupt end before fully exploring planned arcs.

Modern series (2017–2022)

In December 2017, Marvel Comics launched Defenders (2017 series), written primarily by with art by David Marquez for the first five issues, followed by Lee Garbett and other artists for subsequent issues. The 12-issue run, spanning until November 2018, focused on the street-level heroes Daredevil, , , and Iron Fist forming a loose alliance to safeguard from escalating criminal threats. The narrative centered on their confrontation with the reformed , led by the villain , who sought to dominate the city's underworld through targeted assassinations and gang warfare. Internal team dynamics, marked by distrust and personal conflicts, added tension as the heroes navigated alliances with figures like the and . The series concluded with the Defenders dismantling the Serpent Society's operations, though not without significant costs, including a climactic battle that highlighted the team's non-traditional structure reminiscent of earlier iterations. Complementing this run, Marvel released The Best Defense one-shots in late 2018, featuring classic Defenders members such as , , , and in standalone stories preparing for an undefined cosmic peril. These issues, written by various creators including for the Hulk installment, served as a bridge to broader Marvel crossovers, emphasizing individual heroes' defenses against impending multiversal instability, though no direct "Avengers vs. Defenders" conflict materialized. Shifting to a more cosmic scope, and artist Javier Rodríguez launched a new Defenders series in August 2021, running for five issues through December 2021. This incarnation reunited with allies including Iron Fist (Lin Lie), , and the to explore the origins of the Marvel Multiverse amid existential threats from prior cosmic eras. The story delved into metaphysical concepts, with the team traversing layered realities to prevent the unraveling of existence, drawing on Kirby-esque grandeur and multiversal lore. Members of this lineup, particularly and , intersected briefly with larger events like (2019) and (2020–2021), where they contributed to realm-spanning defenses against Malekith and Knull's symbiote invasion. The 2021 series led directly into Defenders: Beyond #1–5 (March–July 2022), also by Ewing and Rodríguez, featuring a new roster of , , , , and Taaia (the mother of ). Prompted by a posthumous warning from , the team ventured into the "Beyond-Realm" to confront the , a race of nigh-omnipotent entities threatening the multiverse's fabric. The miniseries resolved with the heroes averting a reality-ending incursion, solidifying the Defenders' role in cosmic guardianship. Following this, no new ongoing Defenders series has been published as of 2025, though reprint collections such as the Epic Collection "World Gone Sane" were released in 2025, marking a hiatus after these modern explorations of both street-level and multiversal adventures.

Fictional history

Early adventures and non-team dynamics

The Defenders' origins trace back to a pivotal alliance forged by , who enlisted the aid of the and to confront the techno-sorcerer Yandroth and his , the Omegatron, in their debut adventure in 1971. With Yandroth defeated but dying, he placed a mystical curse on , the , , and the , compelling the quartet to reunite involuntarily whenever global crises threatened humanity. This enchantment not only forced collaborations but also underscored their reluctance to form a traditional team, lacking any dedicated headquarters, uniforms, or ongoing commitments beyond immediate dangers. Subsequent early adventures highlighted the group's ad-hoc nature, as the heroes navigated personal tensions, including the resolution of the longstanding feud between and the stemming from prior clashes. The joined the team for their next major threat, battling the extradimensional demons known as the Undying Ones in the Dark Dimension alongside Strange, , and , ultimately banishing the Nameless One and his horde and establishing the group's potential as Earth's defenders against otherworldly perils. The "non-team" dynamics became a defining trait, with members dispersing after each victory and only reassembling under duress from the curse or similar cosmic imperatives. In the , these patterns played out in notable arcs, such as the intense crossover clash with the Avengers—known as the "Avengers/Defenders War"—where manipulations by and pitted the two groups against each other in a contest over powerful artifacts, ultimately fostering mutual respect amid the chaos. Other threats included the alien entity Nebulon, who attempted to seize control of Earth by empowering the at the , forcing the Defenders into a desperate intervention that highlighted their improvisational heroism. Throughout these formative tales, individual traits shaped the team's volatile interactions: the Hulk's explosive rage often escalated confrontations, Namor's regal pride sparked arguments with allies, the Silver Surfer's profound sense of interstellar justice provided moral grounding, and Doctor Strange's unparalleled command of mystic arts ensured strategic leadership amid the disarray. This blend of powerful personalities and sporadic unity allowed the Defenders to tackle threats too vast for solo efforts, cementing their role as an unconventional bulwark against interdimensional and extraterrestrial incursions.

Major conflicts and disbandments

The Defenders' early major conflicts in the 1970s centered on mystical threats, including a manipulated war against the Avengers orchestrated by and , where the teams clashed over artifacts like the before uniting to thwart the dimensional lords' scheme. In the 1980s, the team faced the Six-Fingered Hand, a cabal of six demon lords seeking to merge Earth with Hell by corrupting the Defenders' headquarters at Doctor Strange's , resulting in a prolonged battle that drew in allies like , , and , ultimately foiling the demons' ritual at the cost of significant team trauma. Later that decade, during , the Beyonder's Earthly wanderings empowered , amplifying her psychic abilities and leading to internal strife, after which the New Defenders accepted partial government oversight to rebuild as a more structured unit amid post-crossover chaos. The team's 1986 disbandment culminated in a catastrophic confrontation with the Dragon of the Moon, an entity that possessed after she removed her power-limiting headband, turning her against her teammates in a bid for domination; sacrificed himself by flying her into the sun to sever the possession, while and others survived but chose to dissolve the group due to the emotional toll and loss of cohesion. In the 1990s, assembled the Secret Defenders as a rotating roster to combat supernatural incursions, including missions against , the demon goddess and mother of demons, whose Lilin offspring exploited weakened barriers between realms during the broader infernal threats echoing the Inferno crisis, though the fluid membership often led to coordination issues and mission instability. The 2000s saw sporadic reunions, but these efforts highlighted the team's fragility. This instability peaked with the Last Defenders initiative, where Nighthawk's attempt to form a government-sanctioned squad devolved into failure as recruited mercenaries like Blazing Skull and Insect Man proved unreliable, leading to the group's swift collapse after clashing with the Wrecking Crew. Broader Marvel events further fragmented the Defenders; during Civil War, core members like Hulk and Namor aligned with opposing factions on registration, while others like Doctor Strange remained neutral, scattering the roster into solo pursuits. Under Dark Reign, with Norman Osborn's regime suppressing unregistered heroes, surviving Defenders such as Iron Fist integrated into the New Avengers, and the team effectively disbanded as members prioritized individual or alternate alliances against the power vacuum.

Revivals and alternate formations

In 2001, the original Defenders—, the , the Sub-Mariner, and the —reunited due to a mystical curse imposed by their longtime foe Yandroth on his deathbed. Yandroth, a techno-mystic scientist, activated a that harnessed the power of the Gaea to unleash global chaos, forcing the heroes to compulsively assemble whenever planetary threats arose, effectively binding them as eternal slaves to defend humanity against engineered perils like the Ravagers of Creation. The quartet battled manifestations of Yandroth's scheme across multiple fronts, from Atlantean conflicts to infernal incursions, ultimately confronting and defeating the villain's lingering essence to shatter the curse after five issues of conflict. This brief reformation highlighted the team's non-traditional dynamics, as the heroes resisted the involuntary summons while resolving the crisis. Following the cataclysmic events of Fear Itself in 2011, formed the Fearless Defenders as an all-women counterpart to traditional teams, recruiting , (), and later additions like and Warrior Woman to counter the Doom Maidens—resurrected, corrupted former twisted into shadowy enforcers during the hammer hunts. , haunted by visions of her past rebellion against , led the group in reclaiming the fallen shield-maidens and thwarting their rampage, which threatened Asgardian stability and mortal realms alike. The team's innovative structure emphasized empowerment and redemption, culminating in battles that integrated urban and mythical elements, though it disbanded after twelve issues once the Doom Maidens were subdued or reformed. A street-level revival occurred in 2017, uniting Daredevil, , , and Iron Fist against the Hand's elaborate resurrection plot, which sought to revive ancient ninja lords using forbidden elixirs and rituals drawn from K'un-Lun mysticism. The heroes, drawn together by shared New York threats and personal vendettas, dismantled Hand outposts and disrupted the cult's arcane ceremonies, preventing a wave of undead warriors from overrunning the city. This incarnation focused on gritty, interpersonal teamwork amid , running for ten issues before concluding with the Hand's temporary defeat. In 2022, Defenders: Beyond launched a multiversal expedition with at the helm, joined by , , , and Taaia (mother of ), prompted by Doctor Strange's posthumous warning about encroaching voids. The team journeyed to the Library of Worlds—a vast repository of multiversal knowledge beyond the Far Shore—where they clashed with the , god-like entities dismantling realities, and navigated confrontations involving himself amid cosmic unravelings, including threats from the extradimensional entity . Spanning five issues, the saga explored existential boundaries, culminating in defenses of the multiverse's integrity and revelations about creation's architects. Subsequent dissolutions have intertwined with broader Marvel crossovers, including the 2019 , where Defenders members like Iron Fist and aided in repelling Malekith's invasion across the Ten Realms, straining resources and leading to fragmented operations. By 2022, following the cosmic strains of Defenders: Beyond, the team entered an indefinite hiatus, with members dispersing to individual pursuits amid ongoing multiversal upheavals.

Membership

Core and recurring members

The original lineup of the Defenders debuted in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971), consisting of Doctor Strange, the Hulk, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, who united to defeat the villain Yandroth and his doomsday device, the Omegatron. The Silver Surfer joined soon after in The Defenders #3 (December 1972), forming the classic quartet and participating in their battle against the extradimensional Undying Ones. Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, acted as the team's de facto leader, leveraging his mastery of mysticism to detect otherworldly threats and coordinate the group's efforts. The Hulk provided unparalleled brute strength and durability, though his uncontrollable rage frequently strained team dynamics and led to temporary disbandments. Namor contributed amphibious prowess and a regal, often imperious leadership style rooted in his Atlantean heritage, embodying the team's anti-heroic edge. Silver Surfer brought cosmic awareness and the Power Cosmic, offering philosophical insights and interstellar mobility that broadened the team's scope beyond earthly concerns. This founding lineup exemplified the Defenders' signature "non-team" chemistry, characterized by loose alliances rather than formal structure, as the members' individualistic natures—Strange's detachment, Hulk's volatility, Namor's pride, and Surfer's wanderlust—often resulted in friction but also innovative problem-solving against mystical and cosmic foes. Over the course of the original Defenders series (1972–1986), spanning 152 issues, these four appeared in the majority of adventures, establishing the team's reputation for ad hoc assemblies driven by necessity rather than camaraderie. Recurring additions bolstered this core, with emerging as a mainstay Asgardian warrior after being enchanted and displaced by the Enchantress; her swordsmanship and death-sensing abilities complemented the team's supernatural focus, while her arcs explored themes of identity and . , the affluent vigilante Kyle Richmond, joined as a tactical financier and aerial combatant, using his resources to support operations and atone for his past. Hellcat (), an acrobatic fighter enhanced by feline agility, brought street-level heroism and emotional depth, her tenure highlighting personal growth from model to superheroine. The Beast, a genius formerly of the , added scientific intellect and enhanced physicality, aiding in strategic planning during the team's transitional phases. As the series evolved into The New Defenders (1983–1986), the core expanded to include , a cursed demon whose grotesque form and immortality stemmed from a demonic pact, providing raw power and moral complexity to the roster. , the winged , contributed aerial reconnaissance and financial backing from his post-X-Men independence, helping formalize the group's structure amid internal power struggles. These recurring members collectively appeared in over 100 issues across the mainline run, reinforcing the Defenders' emphasis on diverse, unconventional heroism where personal arcs—such as Strange's ongoing battle against dark sorcery, Hulk's quests for control, Namor's geopolitical tensions, and Surfer's redemptive journeys—interwove with the team's episodic, non-traditional cohesion.

Secret Defenders roster

The Secret Defenders represented a unique iteration of the Defenders concept in the 1990s, where Sorcerer Supreme assembled ad hoc teams of heroes specifically tailored to counter arcane and mystical threats, rather than maintaining a fixed roster. This approach allowed Strange to draw upon a wide array of Marvel heroes whose abilities complemented the mission at hand, emphasizing flexibility and precision in addressing supernatural dangers that required diverse skill sets. The teams disbanded immediately after each operation, with participants returning to their primary affiliations or solo endeavors, ensuring no long-term commitments or overlaps in membership status. Key recruits in the flagship Secret Defenders series (1993–1995) included a mix of established heroes whose powers aligned with the esoteric nature of the threats. , equipped with an otherworldly android armor granting flight, energy projection, and enhanced strength, joined the inaugural team to battle extradimensional foes. contributed her ability to generate purifying light daggers capable of purging darkness and evil influences, proving essential in later missions against demonic entities. () brought psionic web constructs for restraint and detection, alongside superhuman agility and wall-crawling, making her a versatile operative in urban and mystical skirmishes. provided his adamantium-laced claws, regenerative healing, and ferocious berserker combat style, ideal for close-quarters assaults on otherworldly adversaries. Other notable additions across arcs included for tactical expertise, for agility and web-slinging, for strategic leadership, and for reality-warping chaos magic. One prominent mission saw , in a depleted state, summon , , and as Secret Defenders to repel 's incursion from the Dark Dimension, where the entity's overwhelming power threatened to engulf Earth. Clea, Strange's apprentice and niece of , aided in these arcane confrontations, leveraging her sorcery to support the team's efforts against the Faltine ruler. Roster compositions varied by arc, often comprising 4 to 6 members to optimize synergy without redundancy, as seen in battles against villains like the Decimator and ' minions. The series ran for 25 issues before concluding in 1995, marking the dissolution of this experimental formation as Doctor Druid assumed temporary leadership in later arcs, after which members dispersed to their respective ongoing narratives.

Variant team lineups

The New Defenders represented a restructured iteration of the team in the , featuring as a key telepathic member, as an ethereal capable of shape-shifting and energy projection, and Link as a young mutant recruit with psychic linking abilities that allowed him to connect minds or objects. This lineup operated under strict government oversight from the Bureau for Superhuman Affairs, which mandated registration and monitored their activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations on superhuman teams. The Fearless Defenders emerged in 2013 as an all-female offshoot focused on combating supernatural threats, initially led by and , with core additions including , a skilled martial artist and wielder of the Iron Fist techniques, Ren Kimura, an Inhuman dancer empowered by Terrigen exposure granting her enhanced agility and energy manipulation, and , a street-smart mercenary with expertise in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. This formation emphasized and themes tied to Valkyrie's Asgardian duties, assembling disparate heroines to defend against the undead Dokkalfar. The Last Defenders miniseries in 2008 was formed by in response to a mystical foretelling catastrophe if the original Defenders (, , , and ) reunited; instead, it featured an unconventional roster of , Blazing Skull (a fiery mutate with and ), Colossus, and , with Iron Fist briefly involved early on, to avert the prophecy and battle the Sons of the Serpent. This short-lived group highlighted themes of inevitability and reluctant heroism under Nighthawk's leadership. In a satirical twist during the 2011 storyline intersecting with the Cancerverse, the Offenders parody served as a corrupted mirror to the classic Defenders, comprising Red She-Hulk as a rage-fueled powerhouse, in a twisted aquatic tyranny role, embodying cosmic despair, and as a dark sorcerer, clashing in an Elder of the Universe wager that devolved into multiversal chaos. This villainous variant underscored the perils of absolute power in alternate realities. Defenders: Beyond (2022) featured a multiversal variant lineup anchored by Doctor Strange's posthumous guidance, including Iron Fist (Lin Lie), the Chinese successor to the mantle with chi-enhanced martial prowess, for her feline agility and leadership, for her dimension-hopping star portals, and various multiversal allies like and to navigate the Quyll dimension and confront existential threats. This cosmic assembly explored themes of legacy and interdimensional defense.

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel universe

In the Ultimate Marvel universe (Earth-1610), the Defenders are portrayed as a ragtag group of amateur vigilantes rather than the mystical non-team of the Earth-616 continuity. First appearing in Ultimates 2 #6 (2005), the team consists of individuals without initial superpowers, focused on fame and . This militarized, street-level dynamic contrasts sharply with the mainline Defenders' focus on threats, emphasizing instead the Ultimate universe's themes of and institutional . The team's formation stems from individual heroes uniting against perceived S.H.I.E.L.D. overreach. The core roster features Ultimate versions of established characters, adapted to fit the imprint's grounded tone: Power Man (Luke Cage), a super-strong former criminal; Hellcat (Patsy Walker), an acrobatic fighter with enhanced agility; Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond), a wealthy tactician using gadgets; Valkyrie (Brunnhilde), an Asgardian warrior exiled on Earth; Black Knight (Dane Whitman), wielding an ebony blade with vampiric properties; and Son of Satan (Daimon Hellstrom), a demonic investigator with hellfire abilities. Later, Whiz-Kid (Ronnie Raymond), a tech-savvy wheelchair user, joins as a support member. Hank Pym briefly joined but left after a failed mission. The group was empowered by Loki, who tricked them into serving him. The group operates without formal structure, often clashing with authorities while pursuing personal vendettas. The Defenders play key roles in major Ultimate events, battling threats like the Hulk during escalated rampages and Magneto's forces amid the Ultimatum catastrophe (2009). After Ultimatum, the empowered Defenders assault the S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion to steal Thor's hammer Mjolnir in Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates #1 (2010), leading to conflict with the Ultimates. Following their defeat, Valkyrie integrates into the New Ultimates, while the fate of other members remains unclear, underscoring the Ultimate Defenders' precarious existence, more government-influenced and transient than their Earth-616 counterparts.

Alternate realities and events

In the "Age of Ultron" crossover event of 2013, a dystopian alternate reality depicts Earth conquered by , where surviving heroes form resistance cells against his drone armies and regime. Among these fighters, a loose affiliation resembling the Defenders emerges, including and , who coordinate guerrilla strikes from hidden bases like the ruins of while grappling with timeline anomalies and internal conflicts over time travel interventions. This variant highlights the team's non-traditional dynamics, as members like these prioritize survival and rebellion over structured heroism, ultimately contributing to efforts that send 's consciousness back in time to avert the catastrophe. The 2013 "" Infinite Comic series introduces a cosmic variant of the Defenders operating in a lunar conflict escalated by the discovery of a powerful new element, sparking a "gold rush" among interstellar powers including the . This space-based team, comprising , , and [Silver Surfer](/page/Silver Surfer), assembles to defend Earth's interests against aggressors and rival claimants, navigating high-stakes heists, betrayals, and zero-gravity battles amid the moon's harsh frontier. Their formation underscores the Defenders' adaptability to extraterrestrial threats, with 's technological edge complementing 's aquatic might and the [Silver Surfer](/page/Silver Surfer)'s cosmic herald powers in a narrative blending sci-fi adventure with resource-driven . During the 2015 "" event, the multiverse's collapse births Battleworld, a patchwork planet ruled by , where a Defenders-like iteration manifests as the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization functioning as Battleworld's primary law enforcement and border patrol force. Led by Sheriff Strange—a reimagined serving as Doom's enforcer—this group polices domain borders, arbitrates disputes between territories like Utopolis and the , and quells incursions from undead hordes or rogue elements, maintaining fragile order across the fractured world. Complementing this is the "Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders" tie-in domain, where a heroic variant team led by defends the realm of against threats like the and shadowy incursions, echoing the original Defenders' protective ethos in a medieval-fantasy context. The 2005 "" event and its ensuing "Decimation" profoundly affected members of the Defenders, such as Beast, by drastically reducing the global population from millions to fewer than 200 through Scarlet Witch's reality-warping declaration of "No more mutants." Beast, who had previously joined Defenders lineups during periods of crossover with activities, retained his powers but faced deepened personal turmoil and ethical dilemmas in the altered reality where s were subjugated under Magneto's regime, forcing him to navigate espionage and resistance efforts. Post-Decimation, Beast's involvement in restoration research and Avengers affiliations intensified, reflecting the event's lasting ripple on hybrid teams like the Defenders by amplifying themes of loss and resilience among powered individuals.

What If? and hypothetical scenarios

In the What If? series, the Defenders' "non-team" structure has been explored in hypothetical scenarios that diverge from main continuity, often emphasizing their ad hoc nature in cosmic or crisis-driven timelines. A prominent example appears in What If? Age of Ultron (2014), where Ultron's conquest of Earth leads to the formation of a Defenders team comprising survivors like Colonel America, Captain Marvel, , , , Thing, and , who join forces with time-displaced heroes to combat the robotic overlord and attempt to avert his rise through temporal interventions. This storyline highlights the Defenders' resilience as a loose alliance in a post-apocalyptic world, contrasting their typical reluctance to formalize as a team. Hypothetical explorations in Marvel publications have also considered divergent outcomes for key Defenders encounters, such as alternate resolutions to the Silver Surfer's betrayal of , where a cosmic of heroes—including Defenders members—could form to counter the Devourer's threat to . Themes of the team's potential as a more structured unit, like a full-time Avengers counterpart, have been noted in official Marvel handbooks, underscoring how their non-committal dynamic might evolve in fan-influenced alternate timelines.

In other media

Television adaptations

The Defenders have made several appearances in animated television series, primarily through cameos and team-ups involving core members like , , and . In the NBC series (1981–1983), the episode "7 Little Superheroes" features (voiced by John Stephenson), (voiced by Michael Bell), and (voiced by William Woodson) joining , Firestar, Iceman, , Thor, and to thwart the Chameleon's plot to capture Earth's heroes using a magical . This crossover highlights the Defenders' non-traditional team dynamic in early , blending mystical and powerhouse elements against a espionage-themed villain. Individual Defenders members also appeared sporadically in other 1980s animated shows, such as 's guest spots in The Incredible Hulk (1982–1983) on , where he occasionally crossed paths with allies like Rick Jones, though full team formations were rare in this era. The most prominent television adaptation of the Defenders is the live-action miniseries Marvel's The Defenders, which premiered on on August 18, 2017, and consists of eight one-hour episodes. Produced by in association with ABC Studios for , the series unites street-level heroes Daredevil (), Jessica Jones (), Luke Cage (), and Iron Fist () as they form a reluctant alliance to combat the ancient ninja organization known as the Hand, which threatens with a ritual to destroy Midtown. Created and run by showrunners Marco Ramirez and Douglas Petrie, the miniseries draws from the comic team's improvisational ethos but reimagines it with a grounded, noir-inspired tone focused on personal stakes and urban . Supporting cast includes Ramon Rodriguez as Bakuda, as Stick, and as Alexandra , the Hand's leader. The production emphasized practical effects and location shooting in New York to capture the gritty atmosphere of the individual heroes' prior series (Daredevil, , , and Iron Fist). Following the conclusion of the Netflix era, Defenders elements have been integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe's animated and live-action projects on Disney+. The anthology series What If...? (2021–present), produced by , explores multiversal scenarios featuring Defenders-related characters; for instance, season 1, episode 4, "What If... Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?" (voiced by as Wong and others), depicts an alternate timeline where Stephen Strange (voiced by a of his MCU portrayal) absorbs Dormammu's power after a tragic loss, leading to a reality-warping threat that echoes the team's mystical defender role in comics. In live-action, the 2024 Disney+ miniseries —starring as Maya Lopez/—references the street-level Defenders through flashbacks and connections to Kingpin's () criminal empire, including nods to Daredevil's battles and the Midland Circle collapse from The Defenders, solidifying the Netflix series' canon status within the MCU timeline. This integration, confirmed by Disney+ in March 2024, places The Defenders alongside other Marvel titles in the official MCU chronology. In the 2025 Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, the Defenders' legacy continues through Matt Murdock/Daredevil's story, with setups for reunions involving and others in season 2, paving the way for potential future crossovers.

Video games and digital media

The Defenders team and its core members have been featured in various video games, often as playable characters in action-adventure and team-based titles that emphasize cooperative and supernatural threats. In the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series, spanning releases from 2006 to 2016, several Defenders characters serve as selectable heroes, enabling players to assemble the team for missions involving cosmic and mystical adversaries. , , , , and are among the playable roster, with team synergies like health regeneration from damage dealt enhancing strategic depth in brawling combat. In (2013) and its sequels, such as (2016), Defenders characters appear in dedicated levels and open-world exploration, with missions pitting and allies against in the Dark Dimension. Players unlock street-level Defenders like Daredevil, , , and Iron Fist through collectible challenges, using their abilities for puzzle-solving and combat in humorous, blocky set pieces that highlight the team's non-traditional alliances. Digital media adaptations extend to web-accessible comics on platforms like , where Defenders: Beyond (2022) serves as a digital-first tie-in. This five-issue arc, written by and illustrated by Javier Rodriguez, follows assembling a variant Defenders roster—including , , , and Taaia—on a journey beyond known realities, available exclusively through the subscription service for interactive reading. Crossovers in mobile titles further integrate the Defenders legacy, particularly through Namor's role in events within games like . These emphasize Namor's Atlantean heritage and leadership, blending with the Atlas team's espionage elements in story modes and alliance raids that nod to his recurring Defenders affiliations.

Merchandise and references

The Defenders comic team has inspired a range of merchandise, including action figures from Hasbro's 3.75-inch line, which featured figures of the original members such as , , the Sub-Mariner, and in an assortment released around 2011. Additionally, Hasbro's series, spanning the 2000s to the 2020s, has included highly articulated 6-inch figures of core members like in multiple variants and in waves inspired by classic comic appearances, allowing collectors to assemble the team without a dedicated box set. These figures emphasize the team's non-traditional dynamic, with accessories like 's cosmic board and 's mystic artifacts in select releases. Trading cards depicting the Defenders have appeared in prominent Marvel sets, notably the 1992 SkyBox series, where artist Joe Jusko's painted portraits captured individual original members— on card #1, on #22, on #42, and on #88—highlighting their heroic poses and comic lore. The set's high-quality artwork contributed to its status as a collector's favorite, with chrome and etched variants adding premium appeal for fans of the team's era. Collectible statues from Diamond Select Toys have showcased key Defenders members in dynamic dioramas, such as the Marvel Gallery PVC statue (approximately 10 inches tall), depicting the herald soaring on his board with energy effects, released in 2024 as part of broader Marvel lines. Similar statues exist for , often in mystic summoning poses, and in rage variants, enabling displays of the original lineup; production peaked around the 2017 series hype, which renewed interest in the comic team's legacy and spurred limited-edition runs from licensees like Diamond Select. Apparel, including t-shirts from official Marvel partners, features classic artwork like John Byrne's illustrations of , , , and together, with sales surging during the mid-2010s media buzz to capitalize on the Defenders' .

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