J.M. DeMatteis and Don Perlin continue their interesting run on "The Defenders" with this fine collection. Following the cataclysmic events of the previous volume, "The Six-Fingered Hand", DeMatteis slows things down and offers several introspective stories that show our heroes spending more time looking into their own hearts and souls than trading blows with this week's supernatural threat.
As I read it I was impressed by the way DeMatteis often avoided comic book clichés of the day by offering deep, moving stories focused on the humanity of each character. The opening issue featuring Devil-Slayer’s inner journey is worth the price of admission alone. I think it is one of the most incredible single issues ever produced. Re-reading it after many years I was again blown away but the depth of the story. The legendary Don Perlin’s trademark art provides the perfect visuals for the subject matter. You can always tell when a writer and artist are in perfect sync and that’s what we have here with DeMatteis and Perlin. They are a well-oiled machine by this point in the series.
Those of you looking for constant rock ‘em sock ‘em action might be disappointed by the lack of it in this volume (that's not to say that there isn’t action – for instance there’s a multi-issue free-for-all with the Squadron Supreme which is loaded with super-hero heroics). There are several issues that are very dialogue heavy, including the aforementioned Devil-Slayer tale, Patsy Walker’s confrontation with Satan, Daimon Hellstrom’s attempt to find salvation at a remote monastery, and an entire issue that pauses to observe the complex relationships between assorted team members. This book goes beyond the typical “superhero saves the universe” format and turns a group of misfit characters into three dimensional people you truly care about as they deal with real-life emotions. This is why I feel so strongly about this book, and its predecessor “The Six-Fingered Hand”. Preventing the Earth’s destruction from super-villains every month is fine and dandy; preventing one’s own self-destruction through introspection and soul-searching in under 30 pages? That’s genius.
My only regret is that J.M. allowed Hank McCoy a.k.a. The Beast into the group. Before long his fellow former X-Men Iceman and Angel climbed on board. Next thing I know all my favorite characters are gone and the title is being cancelled so it can be resurrected as X-Factor. Thanks a lot, Hank!
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