This issue is gorgeous and has some stunning writing, with an exciting concept that’s only going to get crazier as the series moves along. The history of Marvel in particular plays a key role in the overall Raider story and, without spoiling anything, so does this issue.įinal Verdict: BUY. I haven’t seen any reference to him in any comic since that anniversary issue. It also feels, despite how grand the threat seems, relatively standalone - exasperated by the fact that I’m pretty sure the Masked Raider is Ewing’s story and Ewing’s story alone. It was a bit diminished by most of the one-shots setting up future stories ( Donny Cates’ Guardians of the Galaxy, Chip Zdarsky’s Invaders), but what this incarnation of Defenders has going for it is Ewing’s bombastic storytelling sensibilities now that he’s in the lead, and of course Rodriguez’s artwork.
The first version was a series of one-shots featuring members of the team with another issue teaming them up together to fight the big bad. Interestingly, this is Ewing’s second go-around with the Defenders, though the line-ups are a little different. It’s an unlikely and curious team, which under Ewing’s pen will do no less than completely rock for the rest of this series. So much of this issue involves gathering the various members of the team, which Strange does using these awesome magical tarot cards that have a very heavy cost when used.
All of this is brought to life by the always amazing Javier Rodriguez, one of the best artists working in comics today, who populates his pages with immense detail, fun and diverse panel arrangements and layouts, and - that word again - confident storytelling. From Defenders #1Įwing brings such a confidence and gravitas to Strange, and makes him out to be a much more mystical and supernatural person than recent appearances would suggest. In any case, this is more of a Doctor Strange story than anything else which should get any Al Ewing fan excited. I’m just in no mood to read all two-thousand pages of MC #1000 to confirm that.
I think all the controversy coloured my perception of that original issue because the Masked Raider seems… kind of interesting? At least in a dumb, pulpy way. Remember all that well-deserved criticism towards Marvel’s frankly kinda pathetic attempt at getting in on the big anniversary action with Marvel Comics #1000? Well, the other big takeaway from that comic was the Masked Raider, a character I forgot existed until I saw the cover to this issue.
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