Marvel’s non-team band of misfits returns in a new Epic Collection, wrapping up Len Wein’s run and ushering in the start of Steve Gerber’s wild ride.
The stories in Defenders: Enter the Headmen (from 1974 to 1975) are taken from The Defenders #12-25, Giant Size Defenders #1-4, Marvel Two-in-One #6-7, and a collection of odd ball stories featuring some of the villains/monsters from Mystery Tales #21, World of Fantasy #11, and Tales of Suspense #9.
In addition to Wein (who wraps up his run in issue #19) and Gerber, the Epic Collection also contains writing by Chris Claremont, Tony Isabella, Jim Starlin, Don McGregor, and Roger Slifer.
Most of the art is provided by the artist most associated with the early Defenders comics, Sal Buscema, along with Starlin, Gil Kane, Don Heck, George Tuska, Jack Abel, Klaus Janson, Dan Green, Mike Esposito, Sal Trapani, Bob McLeod, Al Milgrom, Dan Adkins, Don Newton, Jim Mooney, and Vince Colletta.
The Defenders go up against a variety of formidable foes such as Nebulon, Squadron Sinister, Magneto and his Ultimate Mutant strike (or Brotherhood of Evil Mutants), Xemnu the Titan, The Grandmaster, Korvac, the Nameless Ones, the Wrecking Crew, the Headmen, and Sons of the Serpent.
Luke Cage and Daredevil join the core crew of the Hulk, Dr. Strange, Nighthawk, and Valkyrie briefly, and the doctor and the Asgardian warrior also team up with the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing in back-to-back Marvel Two-in-One stories. The Son of Satan, founding member Prince Namor, and Yellow Jacket also make appearances in the annuals.
Defenders: Enter the Headmen consists of 464 pages for a suggested retail price of $44.99.
Check out the cover by John Buscema, Mike Esposito, and John Romita, Sr. below and stay tuned to Conskipper for all of your vintage comic news.
