Issue(s): Defenders #84, Defenders #85
Published Date: Jun-Jul 80
Title: "Battle royal!" / "Like a proud Black Panther..."
Credits:
Ed Hannigan - Writer
Don Perlin - Penciler
Tex Blaisdell / Jim Mooney - Inker

Review/plot:
Doctor Strange and the Hulk are in Atlantis with Namor recuperating from their battle with the Unnameable One. Last arc, Strange did something awful to the Hulk in order to defeat the Unnameable One. He "surgically sealed the Unnameable One into the Hulk's memory cells". The Hulk is currently in a coma, and soon transforms into Banner.

Meanwhile, there's a weapon sale going on between some rogue Wakandan elements and some ambitious Atlanteans. The Black Panther, who apparently has to handle every aspect of governing his country personally, shows up to put a stop to things.

Misunderstandings and a phony sense of honor eventually escalates this into war between the two countries.

After an uneasy ceasefire, the Defenders let Black Panther know that the Mandrill is plotting against Wakanda. The Defenders' association with the Panther drives Namor away.

The Defenders go after the Mandrill but fail to capture him.

This is better than the Unnameable One storyline, but still not very good. The political conflict between the two fictional nations should have been soooo much better.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This takes place soon after Defenders #83, before the Hulk or Doctor Strange appear elsewhere. Therefore it's been pushed back a bit from its publication date.

References:

• The rogue Wakandan/Atlantean forces meet on Kiber Island, which was shown to be a protectorate of Wakanda in Black Panther #13.
  
• The Defender's search for the Mandrill started in Defenders #79.

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: N/A