DEFENDERS v4 # 3 – A REVIEW

 THE DEFENDERS #3
Writer: Matt Fraction, Penciler: Terry Dodson, Inker: Rachel Dodson 

Colorist: Sonia Oback, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

 Cover art by Terry and Rachel Dodson

 Variant covers:

"I am a Defender : Red She-Hulk" promo art cover
&
Silver Surfer Solo Shot by Adam Kubert

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"THE MAN WITH Ω ON HIS PALMS"
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FAIR WARNING!

This review is for a comic that is, as of this posting, one month old.

I reveal SPOILERS!

If you haven't yet read the issue, and don't want to know what happened - look away.

Everyone else... read along.

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In wrapping up the first story-arc, Defenders (vol 4) # 3 needed to deal with the multiple threats, and threads, of: Prester John - wielder of the Evil Eye, the Concordance Engine and its mysterious guardian, and Nul; Breaker of Worlds, along with the troubles brewing within the make-up of the team itself.

It barely succeeds.

Or... more accurately...it deals with the various threats by not dealing with them at all.

Truthfully, I wasn't even going to review this issue, as it was such a poor issue overall (and I had basically stated most of my thoughts in a few quick 140-character sound text bites over on my Twitter stream, on the same day that the issue dropped).
But, I knew that I should get to it, and since I NEED to review issue # 4 - that just came out - I couldn't justify skipping over this issue. So, in my usual manner, I bloviate at length and really get into the crux of this issue - for you.

Starting off right where last issue’s cliffhanger left off; The Defenders (Doctor Strange, King Namor, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist & Red She-Hulk) are at the mercy of Prester John – who has the Surfer neutralized by the power of John’s arcane weapon; the Evil Eye. Capable of potentially destroying the Surfer (but definitely causing him unimaginable pain),the threat of the Evil Eye, wielded by the insane Prestor John has the other Defenders stand defeated, waiting for a chance to turn the tables - hopefully before the threat of Nul arrives.

Prestor John, assured that Nul will come and destroy the Concordance Engine - and thus, the universe - John will be able to harness that destructive energy to propel himself (and his mutated animal crew) to a new reality.

However, the real problem with the issue is that as big and bad and deadly and ultimately destructive as Nul is hyped up to be, he is, in fact, a worthy bearer of his name, as all he ends up being… is nothing.

Both figuratively as well as (in the end, quite) literally.

In point of fact, Nul was nothing more than a poor plot device to have a reason to gather this team together. He/it served no purpose. He/it had no real impact on the story (the assorted deaths of those whose paths he crossed notwithstanding). He/it was in essence… a NUL. A waste of valuable storytelling time and real-estate.

The same end result could have been accomplished simply by Dr. Strange sensing that something was amiss at Wundagore Mountain, and that he would need assistance to handle it, as he is no longer the “Sorcerer Supreme”. Done. (That was the basic premise for the old “Secret Defenders” title from the 1990’s. And truthfully, with this team’s mission statement; “Secret Defenders” is a much more apt title.)

The only reason for NUL’s inclusion was a thin tie-in to the lackluster ‘Fear Itself’ “event” – and thus, the progenitor of this Defenders comic “spin-off”.

Yes. There is a brief fight scene between Nul and the Defenders, if a fight is what it can be called. There were a few panels of Red She-Hulk punching it, and then a panel or two of the team uselessly showing how bad-ass this monster is by their being unable to stop it.

This totally unsatisfying “battle” also contained a panel wherein Red She-Hulk (and Namor?) criticize Doctor Strange for standing around wiggling his fingers while the rest of them get the work done. 

"I'm crushing your head... I'm c-c-c-c-rushing your head!"

Since Strange’s magic is (and should be) usually invisible to the human eye, it is understandable for Red-Shulk to think this way. It is not appropriate for Namor to do so, since he is well aware of what a wiggle of Strange’s finger can do. However, since Strange’s cast spell (which he states is the Crimson Bands of Cytorrak, but really does not look anything of the sort) are ineffectual against Nul, perhaps his teammates CAN see them, but simply think his stymied attempts are feeble in the face of their opponent.

Either way, this is all until, in the end, the newly introduced “Other-Prester” – a silent guardian of the Wundagore Concordance Engine – steps up and, with but a touch, erases Nul from existence. Literally Nullifying it.

This anticlimactic resolution to the “big bad” not only sidelines the team whose title this is, but also fails to deliver any real sense of danger or proposed ultimate-doom that was promised. It also points out how unnecessary this team (and title?) is, because the same would have occurred even without the presence of this team. If Nul had touched the Engine, “Other-Prestor” would have zapped him. The end.

While just prior to his/its being erased from existence, writer Matt Fraction has Nul manage to punch the reality-altering Concordance Engine (as if the phenomenon known as the “Superboy punch” wasn’t derided enough) and with those two blows cause waves of reality-distortion to emit from the machine.

These waves alter reality, – at least somewhat – but most visibly by altering the garb of the Defenders - ostensibly transforming them into the clothing that best suits their inner sense of self: Red She-Hulk now wearing some Frazetta-inspired Woman-Warrior “armor”, Iron Fist now shirtless and looking more like a pirate or a prior incarnation of the Iron Fist, Namor his simple swim-trunks and Doctor Strange once again wearing his “blue-faced” costume, complete with Cloak of Levitation.

Quick change! Even easier than the "Bat-Pole".

Here, I need to point out an error made by artist Terry Dodson. While caught in the reality-distortion effect, Dodson draws the blue face of Doctor Strange as a mask – one which Strange is able to simply pull off from his head. That is wrong. The blue-face should truly be… his face.

The blue-face of Doctor Strange was originally conceived by Strange (waaaaay back in Doctor Strange # 177) because, at the time, the villain; Asmodeus was wearing Doc's face and form while Doc was trapped in another dimension - the magic rule being that Doc wouldn’t be able to return to our dimension since his “space” was occupied by another.

(Yeah… it wasn’t a good reason. Truthfully, the real reason was sales. Doc’s book at the time was in a slump and the editors thought that perhaps if Doc was more of a superhero, things would work out. They didn’t.)

Anyway, Doc cast a spell upon himself to change his very form (“for many are the forms and faces of the man called… Doctor Strange”), thus allowing him to return to earth.

Thus, Terry Dodson drawing the face as a mask isn’t accurate. (And while I am on the subject; why the heck are Strange’s costumed-feet all “Elephant-like”? Are those “footie-pajamas”?) However (and here’s where I go for my “No-Prize”) I’ll choose to believe that this version of Doctor Strange’s vestments come from a reality wherein he no longer needed to alter his appearance, but still liked the identity-hiding look, and thus simply chooses to wear a stocking mask. This would also account for the appearance of the Eye of Agamotto about his neck, since the Eye was destroyed when Doctor Voodoo went into battle against an entity calling itself ‘Agamotto’ in the pages of New Avengers v2 # 06 (my review of same can be found [HERE]). Still, I can’t tell if it is merely artistic interpretation or a purposeful detail, but Dodson does seem to draw the Amulet hollowed-out, as if the Eye is no longer within. Sadly, the art of Terry and Rachel Dodson is all too often far too rough (or adversely; cartoony – either sloppy or adversely; sparse) in places to tell for sure.

But, if these garments are his own from THIS reality, that would be ok, as the Cloak of Levitation is still intact (as it was never worn by Doctor Voodoo – instead being shown only once to exist, stored within Voodoo’s own mystic sanctuary). Also, my research has shown that on one other occasion, the face was erroneously drawn as being a mask (by Matt Haley in Kurt Busiek’s Defenders spin-off title; The ORDER # 6).

As the true hero of the story; “Other-Prestor” also reveals that he, as do all “Prestor/Knights”, possess the sign of the Omega ( Ω ) on his palms. This leads to the mystery that perhaps there is some link to the old 1970’s character; Omega the Unknown, himself an old-school Defenders tie-in.

As for Prestor John, his plan of riding a wave of reality to a new dimensional existence was thwarted as the Silver Surfer damaged his space craft and hurled it into deep space. Tiger Pilots and all.

Speaking of the Tiger Pilots, Matt Fraction continues to utilize the meta-effect of the page-bottom captions for mixed purpose and to mixed effect. Not only paying homage to those old-school blurbs of 1970’s Marvel comics, Fraction also continues to use the blurbs as messages to the other characters and to the reader as well – some times giving potential clues as to the mysteries within the story.

At least, that’s what he says in interviews. It’s probably a little too early to say that any of the previous messages have come to any real fruition.

The issue ends with Strange claiming that the best thing that they can do now (since all the obvious threats are vanquished) is to steal the Concordance Engine.

Maybe it’s just me, but having Strange say that they should “steal” it leads to the connotation that they are going to do something “bad”.

Also, since where goes the engine also goes “Other-Prestor”, you can’t really say you’re stealing the engine without the tied-in crime of also “kidnapping” the engine's near-catatonic guardian.

Instead, Strange should have stated that they need to “safeguard” it/them.

Heroes being heroic and all that.

All in all, this issue (and the arc as a whole) was a big let-down. It merely served as a delivery mechanism for the Concordance Engine to come into the possession of Doctor Strange and the Defenders.

But, it really needn’t have taken 3-issues and $12.00 (not counting the costs of multitudes of variant covers) to do so.

Am I being too harsh on this issue (and this first arc)? I don’t think so.

While not horrible, it has hardly been any great piece of work.

Matt Fraction’s story was flimsy and still has yet to pay any true dividend on its promised “weirdness” and “universal impact” on Marvel comics as we know them.

The Dodson’s artwork is (as I mentioned earlier) either (and at times both) cartoony or sloppy – with occasional beautifully drawn moments interspersed.

The coloring by Sonia Oback still has me at odds with myself as to whether or not I like it. Seemingly colored on a Ciniq tablet, it is both: lovely and gaudy, intricate and confusing, dazzling and muddying. I’ll wait and see how it goes in the next few issues.

Clayton Cowles' lettering more than does the job required. I imagine he puts in a great deal of effort in keeping everyone’s words and “voices” separate and distinct. If he has to work out an arrangement with Sonia as far as orchestrating a key to keeping track of which colors are used for which text boxes… that would also be a task in itself.

One last thought: re: Doctor Strange’s new costume – in these three issues the design of Strange’s wrist bands as well as the color of his gloves has been inconsistent.  In the span of three issues, the gloves have been either BLACK, RED or non-existent, with Strange’s hands remaining “flesh-colored” – and back and forth again. While it seems to be that the decision is for the gloves to be red, might I state that from a visual and design sense, BLACK gloves with the RED wrist bands would be a better choice.

If the bands and the gloves are both red, then it won’t be long before some artist just draws a pair of red gloves.

This is especially so, as Terry Dodson still hasn’t decided what to make the bands look like as of yet. They look different In each panel. Are they etched with detail? Or not. Is there some sort of gem attached? Or not?

As I mentioned in an earlier review (of Doc's new costume [HERE]) these gauntlets were originally designed by Gabriele Del’Otto (first for a series of cover images and then in use in recent issues of New Avengers). Dell’Otto designed them as being metallic, with etched details and a gemstone on each one. They were also colored as being red with gold edging.

If this look were to be replicated in this title, then perhaps the red gloves could be maintained, as the gold edging would break up the block of red color between band and glove (but still, black gloves are better – or no gloves at all).

Otherwise, I do like Strange’s new look. It’s not as good as his classic sorcerer’s vestments, but since Marvel insists on playing him as a super-hero, it is a good looking super-hero costume for him.

Still, it appears to be a FUN book, seemingly upon which everyone is enjoying their work. As long as this first opening arc is but an overture to future direction… with all the bigger and better growth which that promises, I will gladly stay on board.

With Strange now in possession of the Concordance Engine, in the future he need be concerned about the potential for succumbing to its madness-inducing effects. As Prestor John fell victim to its maddening embrace, and as “Other-Prestor” also seems to be losing his grasp on reality – and as “Notebook Joe” (from the Defenders prequel story – From Marvel Point One issue {reviewed [HERE]}) also tumbled headlong into an altered state, so too must Strange be ever on guard.

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*NOTE:
A review of Issue # 4 will be forthcoming in either a matter of hours or a day or so days from this posting.
I'll be sure to link to it here.

*NOTE - UPDATE* Here it is:
DEFENDERS # 4 review [HERE]

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Reviews to previous issues in this series:

DEFENDERS # 2 review [HERE]
DEFENDERS # 1 review [HERE]
DEFENDERS PREVIEW review (mostly about the sexual congress of Dr. Strange) [HERE]

DEFENDERS prequel story review from POINT ONE # 1 [HERE]

and a Special Edition looking at Matt Fraction's possible merits or faults re: the title [HERE]

THE DEFENDERS # 2 (2012) - A REVIEW

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regular cover art by Terry and Rachel Dodson

 "Venom" Variant art by Chris Stevens -"Red She-Hulk" Variant art by Mark Bagley

 Doctor Strange - "I Am A Defender" - Variant Cover

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Defenders #2
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson

Colors by Sonia Oback
Letters by Clayton Cowles

Editor : Well... there are 7 editors!
Published by Marvel Comics

$3.99

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Note: One of the reasons I don't post reviews immediately after the drop date is that in the course of my discussions I may deal with SPOILERS and don't want to ruin anyone's reading experience right off the bat. While I don't think that I spill too many secrets about the issue, I should, of course, say that if you haven't read the issue yet, I may mention some story specifics which could be considered to be Spoilers. So... Spoiler Alert. Maybe. Kinda.

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Defenders # 2 starts off right where last issue’s cliffhanger left off; The Defenders (Doctor Strange, King Namor, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist & Red She-Hulk) - On Wundagore mountain, surrounded by mutated Tiger-Men which are led by Prester John; wielder of the ‘Evil Eye’ - all the while with Iron Fist lying on his back in the snow, shot in the chest.

Where last issue was all set-up and putting the pieces in place, this issue is where things come to a head - and events are left ready to start knocking the pieces down next issue. The classic, basic, story structure is being followed; with an introductory build-up, high mid-point and then the denouement. Since next issue is to wrap up this arc, it seems as if each issue is standing alone as its own segment of the story pattern; one issue per segment. No complex, multi-tiered writing here. At least not on the surface.

Even with this issue showcasing the Defenders in a fight or two, their capture, escape and introduction to the big MacGuffin, with some quirky character moments tossed in for good measure, it really doesn’t add up to much of anything but a story segment. It certainly doesn’t have the feel or “weight” of an actual issue. Most definitely not one that has a price tag of $3.99.

 I said it in my review of issue # 1 as well [HERE], but it would have been better for Marvel to have released this full story as an oversized first issue spectacular, and really blow the lid off of the introduction to this team and title rather than the watered-down, slowly moving product that is being serialized here. I can’t imagine that each issue is giving readers that “I gotta see what happens next” feeling. I know I’M not feeling it.

There are big, bold, bombastic moments to the story. Sadly, most are not a part of the script. The artwork by Terry and Rachel Dodson is a step up from the previous issue and really helps to make this title seem larger than life. The story, with its big concept still as of yet unrevealed, and the big-bad of the arc; Nul – Breaker of Worlds, only seen in a brief interlude, Matt Fraction is instead turning to little character bits to carry the reader’s interest. It doesn’t always work.

 There are a few story moments worth mentioning:

- Iron Fist focusing his Chi to survive the gunshot wound.

- Silver Surfer pleading with his foe to not force the Surfer’s rendering him unto atoms.

Although, with Surfer’s power-level, I am SURE he could have otherwise incapacitated his attacker without utterly destroying him. That was out of character – especially as Surfer is now trying to recapture his humanity. Nothing says “humane” like blasting a kitten-man to pieces.

- I like the fact that Red-She-Hulk still isn’t 100% used to her power level, and doesn’t realize that she is nigh-invulnerable, instead carrying a shield into battle

- Near the story’s end, Doctor Strange totally takes charge of the investigative and diplomatic duties and stands as an authority figure, trying to reach the sensible portion of Prester John’s fractured mind. Very good.

The dialogue, however, is often groan-inducingly bad:

- Iron Fist calling his attacker “Stupid! Tiger! ASS!”

- Namor stating defeatedly: “Good luck with that. I shall be vomiting into my helmet.”

- And Iron Fist’s comical, slapstick pratfall while yelling: “RENDERED LIKE UNTO A THING OF IRON!”

(Yes, he was in an equilibrium-disrupting headpiece, and so his fall is understood, but still… why would he yell that?)

- Red She-Hulk once again speaks like a 13-year-old boy: “Give Me Back My BIG-ASS SWORD!”

 

The biggest (and guaranteed to be most talked about) character moment of the issue deals with a tense moment between Doctor Strange and Red She-Hulk.

Click to embiggen artwork.

Right-Click to "Red-She-Hulk-Size"

Trapped in a prison cell, each of the Defenders are held by a specially custom-tailored method of incapacitation; Iron Fist in equilibrium-destroying headgear, Namor in a helmet apparently filled with noxious liquids, Silver Surfer trapped in an energy bubble of the Evil Eye’s making, Doctor Strange with his hands dipped in concrete - all trapped with She-Hulk in a prison with specially constructed other-worldly metal bars that she is unable to rend. However, Red-Shulky has a plan. She can revert back to her Betty Ross persona, a much smaller physical frame and thus squeeze between the bars, and then destroy the machinery which powers their prisons from the other side. All she needs is someone to scare her. 

 

Fear triggers her reversal of physical manifestation. 

To this end, Stephen Strange quietly whispers something (which is kept secret from the reader) in She-Hulk’s ear. 

Wide-eyed, she instantly reverts to her smaller, human form. She is also repulsed by Strange and tells him:

“I don’t like you. I don’t like you one damn bit. Stay AWAY from me from now on.”

She then goes forth to destroy the equipment and thus tells the Defenders:

“Come on. Bring ‘the CREEP’.”

The scene ends with Namor filled with some smug self-satisfaction that Strange has been labeled thus.

This interactivity between the characters is fun. It is the typical, insult-laden, harshly “not-always-playful” banter that has always existed between the Defenders. However, with the removal of the dumb, green Hulk and his replacement with a smart, sassy firebrand of his ex-wife; the Red She-Hulk, the abuse has an even greater potential for over-the-top, “in your face” insults than has ever existed prior.

The down-side to this is that we have no idea (yet?) as to what it was that Strange whispered to Betty to cause her so unnerved. (Although, truthfully, I don't care if we never learn what it was. Some mystery is good.) However, it was obviously something that sufficiently SCARED her.

THAT is excellent. Stephen Strange SHOULD be able to scare the pants off of you by a simple hushed word. Something scary. Something unnerving. Something to make your blood run cold. It is those types of secrets that a true Master of the Mystic Arts would know. Would have experienced. Would have survived.

And yet, I fear that Matt Fraction may have put words in Strange mouth that paint him as more of a “creep-ER” than someone who is “creep-Y”. Creepy scary = good. Creepy “guy who says things that make women freak out” = bad. Sadly, at this juncture, I do not have enough faith or proven history with Matt Fraction’s take on Doctor Strange to believe that he was staying clearly in the “good” range. I can only hope that he isn’t (secretly) making Stephen Strange into a total creep (of the aforementioned “bad” variety). Since it is currently unknown what was said, I will give Fraction all benefit of the doubt and hope that it would have been something suitably macabre.

***

I have my OWN theory as to what Strange may have said, and thus have made it into an interactive “game / contest” of sorts – in its own post [HERE]. I took a quote (an actual word balloon) from another comic and pasted in place for your amusement / dismay.

I’m asking YOU FOLKS to grab the scan that I provide and try something similar. Either grab a quote from another comic, or think of your own and then, either post the image – sending me the link – or send me the art and I’ll post them all at a later date. Winner gets some kind of honor or prize. We’ll see. 

***

However, so it doesn’t seem like I’m being overly critical or too negative about the issue, I must say that I’m happy that Matt Fraction – and Marvel – are giving this team / title a shot. I’m eager to see how weird and creative the stories can become. I’m hoping that after the initial “warm-up” period that the creative team really turn this title into all that it can be.

One of the bits of “weirdness” that Matt Fraction is tossing into the mix is the commentary on the events of the issue; by an omniscient narrator. That, along with the hype blurbs / secret messages are an increasingly “meta” addition to the story.

While, like last issue, many of the bottom-of-the-page ad blurbs are used to hawk other Marvel publications – as did Marvel Comics of the 1960’s & 1970’s, as the issue progresses the messages become more “aware”, more “alternate reality” in nature.

While some of the messages speak directly to the characters (and us) – others spoke of other things… “universe-breaking” things. Some repeating the mantra that was used to hype the series;  “Fight To Save Everything”, “Everyone You Love Dies”, “Shut the Engines Down”,”The Universe Will Break”. Other messages speak of things “un-real” or “surreal”, like an ad-blurb for an obviously non-existent comic; “Werewolf By Night Nurse”. While another speaks of “…Breathing The Air of Caesar of Hannibal of DaVinci of Galileo”. And still others break the 4^th wall and comment directly on the comic book itself, such as stating a positive viewpoint on the quality of the paid full-page ad or noting that the “story interrupted previous page”. 

It is this meta commentary that is reaffirming my belief that the “secret of the Marvel Universe”, that Matt Fraction is hinting towards, is something along the lines of “Marvel U. is in a comic book”, and the narrator is a writer of sorts. Maybe it’s not going to be that obvious, but it seems to be leaning to something along those lines.

The only “out” is that the MacGuffin of the tale; the ‘Concordance Engine’ is some sort of time/space/reality machine, so perhaps its presence (and/or activation) is what is breaking the walls betwixt and between the realities of the Marvel Universe and our own world. The Engine, of course, is the mystery item that Dr. Strange saw in his astral premonition back in the "Marvel Point One" issue prelude.

While this arc ends next issue, I don’t think the mystery of the ‘Concordance Engine’ will be unraveled that soon. I’m on board for awhile longer to see where this all goes. But honestly, if Doctor Strange weren’t a part of it, I’d be seriously contemplating bailing on the title. Right now, the next issue is the make-or-break component.

And now some minor nit-picks:

Doctor Strange: Are his gloves black or red? In the first issue, they were black. Here, they are red. Pick a color. Personally, I prefer black gloves with the red gauntlets.

Also, the gauntlets, (like the white and gold shirt design that Doc wore at the end of his “Sorcerer Supreme” title, as designed by Marc Buckingham,) seem to be something that no one but the original artist can draw correctly. The gauntlets were designed by Gabriele Dell’Otto (originally for a cover-only costume) and then incorporated into a new costume in New Avengers v2 Annual #2 [all found HERE]. Terry Dodson can’t seem to get them right, just drawing big, gaudy bands with random squiggles on their surface.

Doctor Strange’s height: Why is he bring drawn as the shortest member of the team? At 6’.2 ½” he should be taller than everyone but Silver Surfer (6’.4”) and Red-She-Hulk (around 6’.7”).

In the escape battle, Doctor Strange’s hands are encased in concrete, yet he is able to walk around without any apparent effort and can swing his arms with apparent ease, despite the fact that concrete slabs would be quite heavy. (Still… seeing Strange throw down is fun!)

And lastly, at the end, when forced to surrender, Dr. Strange is the only one to raise his hands – and keep them raised to the end. Personally, I am thinking that he is doing so to hide the fact that he is prepared to cast a spell. It is my hope that issue 3 starts off with him zinging some mystic bolts at his oppressors. Otherwise this is a poor showing for Stephen Strange.

Lastly, a “Compliment Sandwich” (where I say something critical in between two nice comments):

 I am secretly beginning to groove on Doc’s new garb. Black and Red beat Blue-on-Blue in my book. I do, however, miss the inclusion of a cloak. The “tails” of his waistcoat are a bit of retro-fashion, and while I am gradually warming to them, they do seem to be a bit of cliché’d “Stage Magician's Tuxedo”. But, I am admittedly looking forward to the sale of a Doctor Stange in-new-costume action figure.

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Also, don't forget to check out the "Special Reader-Interactive-Participation" post of DEFENDERS # 2 [HERE].

THE DEFENDERS # 1 (2011) - A REVIEW

 THE DEFENDERS #1
Writer: Matt Fraction, Penciler: Terry Dodson,Inker: Rachel Dodson 

Colorist: Sonia Oback, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

-----------PRE-(R)AMBLE----------

“And there came a day, a day like no other…” Oh wait. That’s the other “Avenging” guys.

So, what’s the Defenders’ raison d'être? Traditionally, since the team was first formed in 1971 within the pages of MARVEL FEATURE # 1, it has been to gather together and to DEFEND the world from the forces of darkness, most usually those of mystical origins, which are so great that they threaten to overcome the world, if not all of creation.

A new # 1 Issue of a new volume of DEFENDERS hit spinner-racks in December 2011 and its new tagline is “Protecting Humanity From The Impossible”. While that might sound somewhat like the métier of the Fantastic Four, writer/co-plotter Matt Fraction and penciller/co-plotter Terry Dodson feel that it would better suit these Defenders.

Of course, if one wants to nitpick, “Protecting Humanity from the Impossible” – while not a bad line, kind of makes it seem like they’re not really doing ANYTHING. I mean, if it’s IMPOSSIBLE, that means it CAN’T happen, so why the need to defend against it? It just smacks as the inception for the line is that it “sounded cool”. But again, that’s just nitpicking to the degree of my being a jerk. While I still feel a better tagline is out there, I will gladly accept this mission statement, because, hey… I want to see some “impossible” stuff.

Just as a head’s up; this review might at times veer into “jerk” territory, but hopefully I should be able to explain my way of thinking satisfactorily. But also, fair warning, it is a FULL REVIEW – so, even though absolutely NOTHING really happens in the issue until the last 2 pages, I should nevertheless state:

SPOILER ALERTS ARE IN EFFECT.

-----------JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER----------

So, let’s start at the beginning. The cover being the logical place to start, and thus the first real item for me to critique... or criticize, especially as I should say covers (plural) since there are 6 (SIX!!!) COVERS for this issue. One standard cover and 5 (FIVE!) VARIANTS! To make matters worse, only one of the covers is really any good (or maybe two, since the standard cover by Terry and Rachael Dodson isn’t half bad). No offense to the legendary Neal Adams (who provides two variants – well, really one variant illustration, as one variant cover is in color and the other is just the line-art)…but his artwork here is horrendous. Well, ok... maybe not as bad as that, because he obviously still has the chops. Still, it's not that good.
Yes, it’s cool that he is paying homage to his own 40-year-old cover to Marvel Feature # 1 (the first appearance of the Defenders), but it’s much more "wonky" than his older work. Also, if you look carefully, he basically swipes the poses for Iron Fist and Doctor Strange from The Dodsons standard cover. The other bit of bad artwork is that here, Adams draws a giant-body for the Hulk with a pea-sized head. No, he’s not the only one guilty of such a thing, but I thought that style of anatomical aberration ended after the 1990’s. I’d expect better from an illustrator of Neal Adams’ ability.

 

Neal Adams' new homage variant covers.

 Adams' 1971 classic.

The best cover (in my opinion, anyway) is the Doctor Strange solo cover by Stuart Immonen. Immonen is a phenomenal illustrator and once again has delivered nothing less than greatness.

 Awesome! And yes, I WANT it.

The other covers are; a BLANK cover – ostensibly so one could bring it to a convention and have an artist illustrate the character of their choice, and an “I Am A Defender” cover, which showcases the teaser artwork that were used to hype the project (as can be read about in this prior post [HERE]). The first issue uses the image of Iron Fist from that series. It is expected that each of the next 3 or 4 issues will utilize the other similar images; each showing a silhouetted image of the character from a classic pose and within the outline is multitudes of words, definitions and clues about the character.

Do I want all the covers? Well, yes. As a die-hard collector of all-things Doctor Strange, I do. But I fully expect to have to wait a few YEARS to be able to get them, well after the mania and high-prices have subsided to lower, more manageable levels.

Next, we can look at the logo. Personally - and I feel bad continuing on a negative streak here - I think it sucks. It does nothing for me. The letter style isn’t dynamic or eye-catching, so it fails in its task of drawing in a buyer’s eye, and there is some inexplicable zig-zag line above it that just sort of ends at the letters. The line would work better as a sort of border, encasing the logo, instead of it just being this half-finished bit of design. I know that famed letter and logo-designer; Todd Klein has often stated that comic publishers love pointy logos, but this one, while filled with all pointy angles, just falls flat. I don’t know who designed it (no idea if it was Klein or any of the other multitudes of designers out there), or if an editor passed over a potentially better logo for this one, but I’d have loved for them to have taken another crack at it.

As for the title itself, with the nature of their mission (not fully disclosed in the issue, but more than done so in interviews online, as being a threat that they are unable to speak of) as well as with Marvel’s infatuation with the appellation, the title should be “Secret Defenders”. Just sayin’.

The last thing of note, which can be seen first on the cover, is that this team’s costumes seem to almost have a theme; and that theme is “SASHES”. Red She-Hulk wears a black bodysuit whose sole ornamentation is a red flowing sash at her hips. Doctor Strange’s new costume, much like his original, has a belt sash, although this one is red as opposed to his original orange. Iron Fist has two – one on his waist and the other trailing from his headdress. Only the Surfer, (who is, for all intents and purposes, naked), and Namor fail to have a sash adorn themselves, and I don’t think Namor’s costume would be hurt by one. Perhaps he can have one across his chest, to join with another at his waist, like a buccaneer.

-----------ISSUE REVIEW----------

The issue starts with pre-amble scenes the world over as madness, mayhem and molestation (!) memories via Motorola are made manifest. These things are shown and it is suggested that they occur now that Nul: the World-Breaker - and one-time Hulk-invading evil entity - walks the Earth.

Unfortunately, this entity is one who had possessed the Hulk during the Fear Itself “event”, and was only mentioned a few times in some spin-off comic or other, until the last issue of ‘Fear Itself’ (# 7), where it is shown that Hulk has split from the invading spirit. As such, Nul is a new, unknown foe – and one who is given no real description in this issue. All we are told is that weird stuff is happening, and it seems to be because NUL is on Earth. A very poor intro for the “big-bad” of a new series.

The story quickly brings Doctor Strange into the equation, as he is shown in a post-coital scene of shared regret. I have already discussed the awful missteps of this “Doc diddles debutante” debacle – and it can be read [HERE]. (If you haven’t yet read that recent post, it might make sense to go there first and then come back here.)

I won't get into it all again now. Seriously, go read my post on this scene [HERE].

Although, a new thing to add to my critique of that scene is the notation at the bottom of the page;

“Who loves Doctor Strange? Defenders # 4!”

That, and the other, similar notations on bottom margins of other pages, is a sweet touchstone to a halcyon time, now long gone by, when every Marvel comic would tease its other publications in exactly the same way. Let me tell you, as a young lad, reading copies of 1960’s and 1970’s comics, those little blurbs always filled me with eager anticipation and made me want to hunt down the other issues being hawked. To see them return, if even in such a minor way, is a nice touch.

It also fills me with an interest in actually sticking with the book to issue # 4 to see WHO loves Dr. Strange. (For those of you who haven’t yet read it, I have an old post that lists EVERY romantic involvement that Stephen Strange has ever had. It can be found [HERE]. Feel free to check it out. It always gets updated whenever a new love is introduced.)

However, I have a bad sense of what these page margin notations can also mean.*

* But since it is too early in my review to touch upon that theory, as it does come up again later, I’d be best to make it footnote # 1 at the end of this post.

Doctor Strange’s diner scene – as I wrote in my review of the preview pages [HERE] - makes use of minor, ‘practical magic’ and is a welcome display of non-nigh-godlike sorcery. Not everything has to be the Crimson Bands of Cytorrak, or the “Gooey Kablooey of Calvin the Angry”.

Sadly, whether by a slip of art or story, one character nuance of Stephen Strange was missed here.**

** Since it is a perceived slip of no great importance, but merely one of interest to fans (new or old) of Dr. Strange, I’ll toss it at the end of this post as footnote # 2.

Next we see Doctor Strange in his Sanctum Sanctorum proper. Studying and trying to resolve the mystery of the vision he saw in the POINT ONE issue (review of same [HERE]). Here Matt Fraction sets a good tone for Stephen Strange, as one who “seek(s) refuge behind the ramparts of knowledge”. A positive touchstone for Dr. Strange is that he gains his ability through study. Knowledge is ever his weapon. And it is one he will need, as the Hulk comes, pushing past Wong, seeking aid.

Here, Wong is portrayed as a typical Manservant, calling Strange ‘master’. But that is slightly problematic to the character - unless the reset button has been hit for Wong, casting him back to a former mode of behavior and comportment. ***

*** See the final footnote #3 (“Collect ‘em all!”) at end of post for more info.

Fraction slips up on Strange’s characterization again, soon after, when he addresses King Namor (by the way, I prefer KING Namor to PRINCE Namor. It has a much better ring to it). Fraction tries to play up the familial bickering banter between these two long-time allies, but drops the ball by Doc saying; “’Tis Doctor Strange”, and then having Namor retort; “I know… You’re the only man alive that still says ‘ ’tis.’”

Except, that NOWHERE in my memory do I think I have EVER read Doctor Strange use the word; ‘tis.

I’m nearly 100% sure. (And just for sureness’ sake, I just checked out the one issue that I thought – perhaps – Doc may have uttered the word (Strange Tales v1 # 139), but no. He always states “It is....” and never ‘tis.)

This is a small nit to pick, for certain, (maybe somewhere, some-when Doc might have said ‘tis,) but when making such a definitive statement as he has Namor speak, Matt Fraction must know that will just draw attention to it.

King Namor is seen in the Aegean Sea, threatening corporal punishment to a bunch of surface men who are in the process of slaughtering some form of fin-backed sea-mammals (what could be sharks or dolphins. - I’m thinking Sharks since shark hunts are prevalent these days.) Namor, dressed in a variation of his X-Men uniform - itself a variation of the old black, scaled, ‘sharkskin’ outfit he wore in the 1970’s, makes me wonder why they just don’t return him to that great old outfit good and proper, instead of ‘watered-down’ (sorry for the pun) versions of it. Either way, anything is better than the green Speedo.

One of the fishermen has a red colored circle on the back of his glove. This reddish circle design is seen again later in the story, as a part of Danny Rand’s new plane’s interior, although there, it is more of an orange circle. Matt Fraction has hinted that there will be any number of repeated patterns, numbers and phrases within the issue(s). Coincidences that are really patterns of the universe on display. However, with the exception of one phrase repeated by the Captains of two different doomed aircraft, I have seen no other coincidental patterns, and as with the case of the red circle, have begun actively searching for some. Fraction stated in interviews that two people say the phrase; “I hate myself and want to die”, but with the exception of the title of the issue (as that is the title) only one person (Hulk) says that phrase. In this issue anyway. It’s a bit weak if we have to wait for more issues to see the re-utterance of the phrase(s). If that is the case, this is being “written for the trade”.

Another character being used in (slightly) new ways is the Silver Surfer. Since he is a being of energy (I guess) – previously shown to be able to transmutate his personal form and that of his board, the Surfer has begun to experiment further. In this issue, he appears to have taken the form of a snowfall on the Cantabrian Mountains, where the Defenders have gone to find him. Having recently been shown to be seeking a reconnect with his lost humanity (as in recent issues of THOR), the Surfer is now a child-like, wide-eyed, wonder-filled being of exploration and delight.

One slight problem with this scene is that since the events in THOR, the Silver Surfer has begun a new (mortal) life in Broxton, Oklahoma.

The scene also contains a problematic utterance by the Hulk. He states the aforementioned; …I Hate Myself And Want To Die…” (the title of the issue) but the Hulk has ever only been the embodiment of the spirit of survival. I find it odd that he (and not Bruce Banner, of whom he is now separate) would espouse such a sentiment. So, is this a new, more penitent, Hulk? Or is it an example of a writer missing the point of a character?

Next we are brought to Pamplona, Spain and the running of the bulls… and the bullish, to find Red She-Hulk. There’s not all that much to her introduction with the exception that she asks if she can bring her “big-ass sword”. The sword in question is the one that she was given by Tony Stark, as forged by the Asgardian dwarves and blessed by Odin. Hers is the only such weapon that wasn’t re-melted to ore when the “Fear Itself” battle was over. I can’t bring myself to decide whether the usage of the term “big-ass” is a sign that comics are now more interested in being “cool” than being good, or not. It just struck me when reading it and tore me out of the story for a moment.

But, Wait... They needed a strong woman with a "big-ass" sword to be a DEFENDER?

Uh... VALKYRIE, who has been a Defender more consistently than ANY other character (even Doctor Strange) would have been the perfect choice. *Sigh* Oh well, she is currently busy gathering the "Worthy" Hammers over in the 12 issue maxi-series; 'Fear Itself: The Fearless'.

The Red-Shulk scene continues, with Strange relating to her how they arrived thence. The fact that all travel methods were via conventional contrivance shows us a severely sorcery-poor Master of the Mystic Arts, unable to transport the team via the means of magic. The subsequent scenes of travelling also present a few character slip-ups (which I say “slip-ups” instead of “F#@k-ups” just to be nice).

First off, there is a panel showing Doctor Strange in a railway car, levitating in the lotus-position in plain sight of the other passengers – something that he would never do. So often, in times past, Strange would go out of his way to obscure his abilities from other ‘mere mortals’, and would most likely have either cast a spell of illusion about himself, to make it appear as if he were sitting normally, or would have let loose his astral form, so that it might perform any mystic searching while his corporeal form would sit dormant, as if asleep. This just seems like again, either writer or artist is just trying something cool, despite how a character would normally behave.

Secondly, as Strange is explaining his theories to Red-Shulk, Namor accuses Strange of acting like a “spooky old conjurer” as a means of trying to sleep with her. What-the-what?  Never mind the continued, questionable sexual references, which I find myself wondering if they serve the story or just the adolescent whims of the writer, but, this is poor characterization for BOTH; Namor and Strange. It is wrong for Namor, because, as a known philanderer, he truly would not care if Strange got it on with Red-Shulk or not – unless he had desires for her himself. It is damaging to Strange, because since when (aside from Fraction’s own poor portrayal of Strange a few pages earlier) would Strange have ever done such a thing? What would give Namor the slightest idea that Strange would even attempt to “impress” a woman in such a manner? Is this comment, reflective of Strange's earlier sexual misconduct supposed to be one of Fraction's "coincidences"? Either way and even so, Matt Fraction is so off-base here it makes me wince.

Next up we are given the intro to Danny Rand; A.K.A. Iron Fist, as he is on an experimental airplane prototype for performing zero-G tests. His appearance, while – to me – seeming out of character, has him express a sentiment that I all-too-often also echo;

“The older I get, the more life seems to be the stupid, frustrating stuff that gets in the way of you and reading comics…”

Amen, brother. Amen to that.

Iron Fist’s “Zero-G Kung Fu” is fine and an interesting idea, but the artwork is far too static to do the concept any justice. Dynamism was called for and not delivered, thus, the opportunity was lost.

In an example of clunky storytelling, however, as I felt that my copy of the comic must be missing a page, the next page jumped to a scene of Rand in bed (with the issue’s 2^nd example of a regretted sexual hook-up, and the 4^th sexual reference). He is being awakened by the Astral Form of Doctor Strange who is requesting to use Rand’s new plane. (Here, Strange is shown for the first time in the issue in his new costume – which nowhere in the issue is explained in any way: ie; WHY a new look? What is the significance of it? What do the gauntlets do? These are all things that a Stan Lee joint of old would have addressed).

 But wait again... They needed a RICH superhero with a plane? Was Kyle (NIGHTHAWK) Richmond too busy running his "Last Defenders" team (in the 6-issue limited series; 'Vengeance') to join the REAL Defenders?  *sigh* (again). Actually, I like Iron Fist, and with his recent linkage to Doctor Strange's mythos and Agamotto, I look forward to his inclusion on this team.

Finally, the team assembled and aboard the experimental aircraft, Dr. Strange is asked to explain the mission at hand, as well as the destination of Wundagore Mountain, as newbie Red-SHulk has no idea of it. Strange makes a few curious word choices, as he says that the mountain is “a place of WEIRD SCIENCE and ASTONISHING TALES brought to life.” Again, the subtext of comics is alluded to since both; WEIRD SCIENCE and ASTONISHING TALES are the names of old comic series.

The fervent comic-book reading of Danny Rand is also revisited again here (as he is reading a comic seemingly titled “Marvelman”), and as such, it must be a clue as to the story at large. Of course, if the “secret of the Marvel Universe” is that it is all a “breaking-the-fourth-wall” comic book within a comic book universe, I will officially give up reading Marvel comics. 

(And even the "Red Circle" design from the fisherman's gloves and now on Rand's plane could allude to the old "Red Circle Comics", as Weird Science alludes to EC Comics of old.) 

I would hope that Matt Fraction would be aware of the fact that such plot devices were started as far back as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the Fantastic Four work, and later expanded and expounded upon by John Byrne in his She-Hulk series. There’s nothing original there, so let’s pray that doesn’t factor into the series.

Strange also states that it is a mystery place, a strange place filled with secrets and impossible things. “It is our job to protect the world from the impossible.” To that I say; Wait. Since when? I thought the job of this team, as laid down in the first few pages, was to defend the world from the NUL-HULK. To destroy it and stop the damage that it causes by being manifest on Earth. Or, even as Strange has seen in his prophetic vision from POINT ONE # 1, to find and confront the mysterious cosmic machine. So, when did the job title get changed to “protect the world from the impossible” (as is obviously the header of the comic title)?

While Iron Fist is reading old comics, Strange has been researching within an ancient tome; “something very old and rather FRIGHTENING…”  This would grab my curiosity if my faith in the writer hadn’t been subjected to numerous disappointments already.

Of course, the plane is soon in trouble,  with its captain repeating the same phrase as the Captain from the first page (one of Fraction’s “coincidences”) and then their plane explodes around them - a first for the Defenders (of any incarnation).

As is the norm for such situations, flying characters must hurriedly rescue non-flyers, as the Surfer aids Iron Fist and Namor carries Dr. Strange, whom without benefit of his old Cloak of Levitation might be able to do some minor levitation on his own, but is most definitely unable to fly outright unaided. The Red-She-Hulk however, like any strong-guy type is left to plummet earthward to thus prove to the reader that she is nigh-invulnerable.

Once again, sadly, a vital piece of characterization is mauled by Matt Fraction. He has the Silver Surfer, who is currently trying to reconnect with his own humanity, enjoying the experience of the plane burning around him as he thinks; “This is New.” Since when would explosions be new to the Surfer? In his first appearance in the book, the very first thing he states is that the team only gets together when things are exploding. How would the Surfer not have been privy to the experience of a vessel being blasted apart (even with him aboard) as I am sure that such a thing must have happened to him while either in the service of Galactus or else on his own adventures. So I am left wondering just what the heck here is “new” to the Surfer?

The issue ends with the shooting of Iron Fist, and the apparent surrender of the team to Prester John and the Evil Eye (something that will come as a treat for all really old-school Defenders fans- as it was this artifact that led to the Defenders attempt to rescue the Black Knight and thus the impetus for the Avengers / Defenders Clash [War]).

Thus are we left with this cliff-hanger for the next issue. 

-----------WRAP-UP OPINIONS----------

My overall opinion of this issue is a mixed one to say the least. It doesn’t suck outright, but neither is it truly any good. The writing contains SO many character flaws while it attempts to come across as writing “cooler” than it is. The artwork, that at times seems neat and beautiful, at other instances seems to be a rushed mess of weird anatomy and spilled ink. Colors, by Sonia Oback, that enhance the art and story nicely, but the colorist can’t seem to make up her mind about how to handle blacks on reflective surfaces, as some are left on uppermost photoshop layers (to let the black stand out) and other times to have the black layer lie below a color effect layer, to thus mute the black) - oddly, sometimes both on the same page or even same panel or figure! The lettering, by Clayton Cowles, is very good, and utilizes a computer font that looks like a handwritten style.

One nice touch is that each of the characters’ “voices” are given their own color shade, so that you always know who is speaking. Except for one “voice”; the unknown, omniscient narrator, whose text boxes are in yellow. This narration is yet another possible clue as to the nature of the Defenders’ overall mission. Perhaps, this entity is watching their actions from afar? Or, perhaps, as I made mention of my fear, it is the narration of a comic book writer.

Still, the story hums along and gets the team together (mostly, as teasers show Nick Fury and Ant-Man also being a part of the team, if not perhaps a part of this assemblage), and builds to a head by the last page. However, it still feels like a rip-off. A mere 20 pages of comic story (well, comic story build-up) with neither a single true battle, nor spell cast for $3.99? 

Aside from the last 2 pages, NOTHING HAPPENS! I would have been happier paying $5.99 for a double-sized, first issue spectacular where we at least get to SOME sort of SOMETHING happening.

It's just hard for me to imagine finding many DEFENDERS of this type of publishing.

-----------FOOTNOTES----------

·         * Footnote # 1)

As I had noted in earlier discussion about the comic-book theme that runs through the issue, to have the warning notes (the same notes as found in the “secret messages” of the silhouetted teasers –as I blogged in detail [HERE]); “Shut The Engines Down”, “Everyone You Love Dies”, “The Universe Will Break” and “Fight To Save Everything” along the bottom of the pages, right along with the other comic teaser notes, leads me to believe that they are also hinting that the comic itself is a clue. Or comics themselves. And, if as I (half-jokingly) guessed, that the secret of the Marvel Universe is that it is all a COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE (or something similar), then I just want to scream.

·       **  Footnote # 2)

The minor ‘lost character moment’ of Doctor Strange in the diner is where it is shown that he is drinking ‘Earl Grey’ tea.  The selection of tea, while not a major problem, is indeed a small window into the character of Doctor Strange. In many past appearances, Strange has often shown a preference for ‘Darjeeling’ tea. As opposed to ‘Earl Grey’ tea, a tea with no true ties to China, (but is well-known as the tea of choice for Capt. Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek; Next Generation,) ‘Darjeeling’ is a tea that originated in the Himalayan region of West India (the near-Tibetan region of Bengal, Sikkam and Nepal) where Strange would have learned under the tutelage of the Ancient One, and a tea that would be better for helping him collect himself after his previous evening. Even ‘Oolong’, a traditional Chinese tea, would have been a better selection. As an avid tea drinker, myself, I am partial to many varieties and blends of tea, and have been known to enjoy some ‘Earl Grey’ as well as the other blends I have noted above. Certainly, Stephen Strange can be depicted drinking ‘Earl Grey’ without it being a problem. This is especially so, as the scene takes place in a diner, which are not typically known for a wide selection of teas.

·         ***Footnote # 3)

A nitpick that I have with Marvel currently is that they have little care for past continuity. Even recent continuity. But definitely, anything that has happened before the Quesada-era is up for debate.

In this case, the problem is what to do with Doctor Strange’s manservant; Wong. For much of his history, Wong has been portrayed as the subservient, yet fairly treated, acolyte to a wise man (Strange). Not a stereotypical “chinaman” caricature at all, but not too deeply characterized either. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1980’s that Wong started to get a personality and a semblance of a life; love interests, history, etc… But in the 1990’s Wong turned against his former master because Stephen Strange failed to save the life of Wong’s betrothed; Imei. It set servant against master in a harsh way that by the time that the relationship even remotely started to heal, they were only able to reconcile if as near-equals. No longer did Wong call Strange ‘master’. They were on a first name basis.

But then, Doc lost his series, and appeared mostly in a few mini-series, and in each one, Wong’s relationship and personality changed a little. Sometimes, more of a retread back to his former subservient manner, while in others as a more eccentric personal secretary to the good Doctor. Of course, currently in the Avengers titles, Brian Bendis has chosen to portray Wong in a manner in which he has NEVER been shown; that of the angry, near-stereotypical, Chinese cook - a punch-line and a disrespectful treatment of a character older than many in the M.U.

But here in the DEFENDERS, for that one panel appearance, we have the Wong of old. I have no idea what Matt Fraction has in mind for him. Only time will tell.

IF AN EYE OFFENDS THEE This STRANGE DEFENDER Reviews POINT ONE # 1

 

Marvel’s highly-touted, intensely hyped “POINT ONE” (# 1) issue has dropped and it is purportedly a preview of the big things to come in the Marvel Universe for 2012.

With 6 short preview stories - all tied together by a flimsy 7th encapsulating "Watcher" story, my primary interest in the issue was for the DOCTOR STRANGE /  DEFENDERS preview story written by Matt Fraction and with art by Terry & Rachel Dodson. I can only say that if this issue is to be a roadmap, then this story seemed to be a speed-bump - or worse, a “wrong way” sign in that road.

The scattered leaf effect is the ONLY thing about this page that I like.

That mustache needs its own postal code.

Is that supposed to be an EAR on the side of DOC's head?

And "...My Village, and I am her magician"...? Ugh. Really?

The story, “The SHAMAN of GREENWICH VILLAGE” tries to hearken back to two landmarks in the publishing history of Dr. Strange and the Defenders; Doctor Strange’s first appearance in Strange Tales # 110, and his return to magic (and his joining the Defenders) in (the back-up tale of) Marvel Feature # 1 (also the first appearance of the Defenders).  A teaser that has Doctor Strange discovering the traces of a great cosmic mystery and the involvement of a new roster of Defenders, this story fails to meet the mark of the classic Steve Ditko / Stan Lee Strange Tales story as well as the Marvel Feature issue.

The allusion comes via Strange’s investigation of a sleep-affected individual (ala Strange Tales # 110) as well as his initial stroll through the village, the gathering of the Defenders and his story-end re-affirmation to his task (ala Marvel Feature # 1).

It starts off with, Groucho Marx is walking along Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Wait. That’s NOT supposed to be Groucho? It’s supposed to be Doctor Strange? With THAT mustache? Oh. OK. Whatever.

Anyway, Stephen Strange is wandering down the streets of the village and in a very man-on-the-street manner, speaks of one of the denizens of the area; “Notebook Joe”, who acts as a personal grimoire of the village’s history - secret or otherwise. This he does by soliciting individuals to write their observations and experiences into composition notebooks. That is a factoid that is proven useless since only Joe’s own stream-of-consciousness somnambulist-written notebooks will come into play in the story. Mentioning that there are others who feed him information is a dead-end plot point. It would be just as effective if Joe were to have produced all his “writings” on his own.

An apparently major error is that in his musings of “Notebook Joe”, Strange states that Joe has been in the village even longer than he. I fear, from what I have seen of his handling of Doctor Strange, that Matt Fraction is yet another writer who doesn’t research the characters he writes all that well. For in Marvel’s own official wiki (and handbook entry) [HERE] of Doctor Strange, (even taking into account the “10-year sliding timeline”) Strange has been residing as a sorcerer in his Sanctum Sanctorum since the late 1960’s (or early 1970’s – depending on how many years he spent in search of a cure for his nerve-damaged hands until journeying to seek the Ancient One). Joe isn’t portrayed in the artwork as being over the age of maybe 40-something. So, unless Doc is counting Joe’s years as an infant, there’s no way Joe is there longer. According to the story, Joe was an archeology grad-student and saw the cosmic mystery which – for all intents and purposes – took his mind, and then he came back to NYC and spent his life ever since on the streets. It was stated as happening “decades ago”, and even if we put Joe’s age in his 60’s, that would mean that coming to NYC as a late 20s to 30-something grad-student, he was in NYC for approximately 30 years. That is still a shorter span than Doc’s tenure. Certainly, if Joe were drawn as a late 60's – 70+ year old man, this wouldn’t be a point. But as shown, it is just a further reminder that modern Marvel knows not its roots. That, despite his appearance, Stephen Strange is far older than most others around him (with the exception of guys like Captain America, Thor, and/or Wolverine).

So, unless the artwork mistakenly drew Joe as being too young, there’s just no way he is old enough. But that brings me to one major problem that I have with the creative team; the artwork presented here (and in the preview of issue # 1 - which I blogged about [HERE]) by the team of Terry and Rachel Dodson is too cartoony and slack for my tastes (and saying that, I am saying it for ONLY MY tastes. I’d expect some readers to like it). It’s in the realm of the “manga-esque”, which I know is popular, but too close to “kiddie manga” than “serious manga” for my belief of what this series’ mission statement has led me to believe is its intended objective; to showcase the weird and arcane secrets of the Marvel Universe.

But, to point to something specific, to start with, as with my mustache comment earlier, there is far too much that is wrong with the artwork and Terry’s portrayal of Stephen Strange. First off, Strange is looking de-aged (maybe that’s why “Notebook Joe” also looks too young. Maybe Terry Dodson’s characters skew young. Certainly, the female artist-friend; Abby, whom, in the story, is said to have sold a series of paintings in the 1980's doesn't look old enough to have even used crayons in her coloring books in that decade). Perhaps, it just the fact that Dodson has all but grecian-formula’d away all of the white hair at Doc’s temples, and “Village-people’d” up the volume of his mustache. Even his gestures and posture are off character. It just doesn’t seem like Doctor Strange. (At least not to this loooong-term reader.) As for Stephen Strange’s apparel, this is not the first time that Strange has been portrayed as a 3-piece suit wearing dapper dandy. It’s a look, of which, that I will approve. As a nitpick, I wish Terry Dodson would learn how to draw a hat. The thing on Strange’s head is no hat that I’ve ever seen. A strange mixture of fedora top with bowler derby brim. Some panels it’s drawn as a fedora top and other panels it’s seemingly all derby. And always just plopped on his head at a weird angle.

The characterization isn’t only the problem of the artwork, however. Matt Fraction also has Strange behaving in a manner which he has never been previously portrayed. Stephen Strange has ever been a secretive and reclusive mystic. Not one to visit one local artist and sit, lotus position, in her living room to astrally project himself into the dreams of another. I don’t mind some kind of growth on the part of fictional characters, but I tend to like to see the character arc, and not have it be sprung on me, full-blown, with it happening between appearances. Even taking Brian Bendis’ treamtment of Strange over in the Avengers titles, this is an otherwise new, bright and friendly, touchy-feely Stephen Strange.

That is, except for when a modicum of personality might have been required; such as when Joe dies - Strange just abandons the artist friend; Abby, by spouting that Joe has just died as he runs out the door with Joe's notebooks. A moment to console Abby might have been nice. But sure... only a few pages to tell the story. Whatever. Still bad characterization. A one-line; "So sorry, Abby. Joe is dead. This is terrible! Are you going to be OK?" statement would only have taken the space of one word balloon.

And, as the title of this blog post will allude, there is one HUGE friggin’ problem with this story, and truthfully, the main reason that I decided to write this review. While Doctor Strange is in the dreamscape of “Notebook Joe”, he has a 3^rd eye visible on his forehead.

This has always, ever been the actual EYE of AGAMOTTO, released from its housing in the amulet, that would alight upon Strange’s brow, to help him see into the realms unseen. NEVER, has there been any other eye to perform that task. And with the EYE of AGAMOTTO’s apparent destruction in the pages of NEW AVENGERS v2 # 6  (as detailed in this epic post [HERE]), this shouldn’t be possible. Perhaps this is a “lesser quality” Eye, made manifest via some incantation, but alas, there is no indication in this story of the origin on this eye. It is just there.

Is this the fault of the writer or the artist? If in the plot, then Fraction needs to bone up on the mystic weapons that Strange has at his disposal. If it’s to be a new trick up Strange’s sleeve (or between his eyes), then the method of its appearance should have been revealed in this preview story. It’s already been stated that this Defenders series is being produced “Marvel style”, with the writer producing a basic plot, the artist drawing the pages by extrapolating events from that, and then the writer scripting the events as portrayed in the artwork. Due to this process, it is possible that Terry Dodson drew the eye on the forehead as a reference to Doctor Strange’s abilities of old, without knowledge of the history of the EYE – purely as a visual treat. It has, sadly, been well over a decade or more since any story has had Doctor Strange call the Eye to his brow, so it is likely that there are many new readers who may not know of the history of the spell/effect/visual. Sure, it's cool. But there is a method and reason for it that is not being explained - or even possible in the classic usage. Either way, this team needs to cram on Doctor Strange history. Or at the very least, ask of the learned “scholars” at their disposal – be it on the internet (I’ll be glad to offer any help to their questions) or old-school comic historians like Peter Sanderson.

Considering that this story, and the issue it appears within, is to be a big, important showcase into the workings of Marvel’s upcoming year of output, it should have been a product of nothing but the very best that the creative teams could produce.

Sadly, nearly each of the 7 total short preview stories were of equally bad quality.
Either poor writing, rushed-looking artwork, or flimsy plots marred the bulk of the project.
For those who wish to know, the other stories were:

Behold the Watcher
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Javier Pulido


Nova: Harbinger
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciller: Ed McGuinness


Age of Apocalypse: The Myth of Man
Writer: David Lapham
Artist: Roberto De La Torre


Scarlet Spider: The Scarlet Thread
Writer: Chris Yost
Penciller: Ryan Stegman


Coldmoon & Dragonfire: Yin and Yang
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Salvador Larroca


Doctor Strange: The Shaman of Greenwich Village
Writer: Matt Fraction
Penciller: Terry Dodson


The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Bryan Hitch


Each of these stories are lacking in any real "wow" factor. The Bendis Avengers tale being the possible best, purely due to the severity of the alternate future being shown wherein Ultron rules all. Unfortunately, it acts purely as a set-up, giving no information whatsoever as to the story at large.

The others:

Coldmoon & Dragonfire are Marvel's new "Wonder Twins" (siblings who have opposite powers but they are stronger when in contact with each other). A lame attempt at new character creation.

Scarlet Spider: purely trying to cash in on those fans who long for the crappiness of the 1990's Clone Saga debacle.

Age of Apokolype: Yet another alternate X-Men future, but one where humans are the hunted, near-extinct species fighting against the ruling mutant population.

Nova: Harbinger: The Phoenix force is coming! And Jeph Loeb attempts to write it. (And "Epic Fails" - a joke you'll get when you read this tripe.)


And... Behold The Watcher: An unknown race is seeking the Watcher's intel, and is planning on killing him to get it. Writing is substandard and the art was a poor man's Steve Ditko.

All in all, I feel that this issue was more of an afterthought, to cash in, and the quality present in this POINT ONE issue seems to support my belief. If not, and it was a planned-in-advance "event" - as reported - then the editorial staff didn't ensure that only the very best quality be present in this 2012 primer.