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The Defenders, Vol. 1 (2012)

by Matt Fraction(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0785158510 (ISBN13: 9780785158516)

languge

English

genre

Graphic Novels & Comics

publisher

Marvel

series

Defenders by Matt Fraction

review 1: I had a rough time making it through the first half, but I'm glad I did. A lot of the focus on Dr. Strange was awesome, with a great intro story, but the constant narration, while occasionally very clever, wound up bogging my enjoyment of the book. The first story comes off as a bit sloppy, complete with some artistic flubs in continuity, but its sins are atoned for by the second half. The excellent cast of this book is explored thoroughly, everyone get's a chance in the spotlight. Issue 4 is a beautiful Michael Lark illustrated affair, which explores Dr. Strange's history and descent into alcoholism, as well as a fun insight into a delightfully illustrated every-woman: Molly. The final issues in the volume pick up where Fraction left off with Iron Fist, which was great fu... moren for anyone who followed that title. The narration lightens up in the second half of the book, which dives into some wonderfully interesting territory. The constantly changing artists don't do anything to keep the book tidy and consistent, but Matt Fraction weaves a fun tale here that's well worth reading.
review 2: What a wonderful take on the "daily life" and personal worldview of a sorcerer supreme. This is so much fun, taking the pomp and gravitas out of the usual kid-glove treatment of Stephen Strange. It's amusing and heartening to see him a flawed, bumblingly-eccentric yet still self-aware guy. Even better is the Iron Fist intro sequence - hilariously taking him down *three* pegs.Didja notice that Terry Dodson draws Strange as if he's always throwing devil horns?The rest of the book gets like a Hickman über-plot: big influences shaping the very world, and lots of intelligent heroes looking very hard to figure out what it all means. It feels more serious as the story progresses, which could be just because of the artists working after Dodson (where'd he go so suddenly, from a project literally made for him?).Sad to know that Marvel didn't carry this series after the next book, which I guess means the sales weren't there (which is amazing - Fraction usually brings 'em in droves). But I'm enjoying what I can get, because Fraction ties in threads from his previous series' (Iron Fist, Thor) and makes those extra plot elements pay off here.I do wish the early humour carried through the book as strongly as it started, but I can see how the world-threatening nature of the "villains" may have cast a dour shadow over the proceedings. less

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