Issue(s): Defenders #6
Cover Date: Jun 73
Title: "The dreams of death!"
Credits:
Steve Englehart - Writer
Sal Buscema - Penciler
Frank McLaughlin - Inker

Review/plot:
One of the problems with having a sorcerer on your team in addition to some of Marvel's most powerful heroes is that it's only natural to resort to threats of a mystical nature to give the group a challenge. So far we've had several stories about the Undying Ones, plus Dormammu and the Enchantress. This issue has Strange's house attacked by a wizard named Cyrus Black. It was his henchmen that attacked the Valkyrie last issue.

Strange says that his path crossed with Black once more earlier in his career, but he doesn't elaborate.

No Hulk in this issue, but the Silver Surfer returns, apologizing for his abrupt exit a few issues back.

Black isn't much of a threat...

...but it's interesting to see the avatars he calls on, which include Umar and Zom, both Dr. Strange baddies.

    

What saves the book from just being a generic Dr. Strange story that happens to have a couple of other heroes standing around is the characterization. I especially continue to like the Valkyrie, who at one point has to cut herself off when she reverts to stereotype-feminism mode.

And here's the Surfer and Namor giving her a tour of the world; she's still a sort-of point-of-view character.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - first Cyrus Black

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• The Silver Surfer left the team in frustration in Defenders #3.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Maybe Englehart should have written World War Hulk!