Marvel’s Defenders Assemble For The First Time

The Defenders have finally come together.

Marvel Comics today released Defenders #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez. The issue brings the characters who will star in the Netflix Marvel’s The Defenders miniseries – Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist – together as a team for the very first time.

Luke Cage and Iron Fist have long been partners in Heroes for Hire, and Luke is married to Jessica, but the three of them and Daredevil have never fought together on the New York streets as they’re poised to do in Marvel’s The Defenders.

Defenders #1 changes that. The story picks up from the story released by Marvel on Free Comic Book Day. Luke’s old friend turned enemy Diamondback is back and he’s not happy with how Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist have already interfered in his business. Diamondback retaliated by staging attacks on each hero in their civilian identities. However, he personally paid a visit to Jessica Jones in her office and shot her in the stomach.

In Defenders #1, the heroes convene at Jessica’s hospital room and compare notes. Jessica recovers quickly and fills them in and the four heroes set out to find Diamondback.

Luke Cage catches Diamondback’s sent, but the other three heroes come up empty. They meet at a bar and discuss their situation. They realize that if someone is coming at them where they live, then they have to respond and act in concert by putting up a unified front. The three agree that it is time for them to come together as a team to protect the city streets as a grounded alternative to the Avengers.

While this conversation is taking place, Luke Cage barges in on Diamondback. Diamondback surprises Luke by releasing some kind of powder or gas that weakens Cage. It is Diamondback who, as he pummels Cage, mentions the word “defend” and how foolish it was for Luke to act alone rather than bring his allies with him, hinting at the official christening of the Defenders.

It isn’t pretty, but the modern Defenders team has come together for the very first time in comics or in live-action.

Defenders #1
APR170978
(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A/CA) David Marquez

Daredevil! Luke Cage! Jessica Jones! Iron Fist! Individually, these four heroes have been on the front lines of the battle to keep the streets of the city safe and secure! But now, with a deadly enemy from the dim past making a major move to unite the underworld, they will need to become more – they will need to become DEFENDERS! Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez unite to bring you the next great super-team, in the tradition of NEW AVENGERS!
Rated T+

In Shops: Jun 14, 2017
SRP: $4.99

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