Issue(s): Defenders #86
Cover Date: Aug 80
Title: "The left hand of silence!"
Credits:
Ed Hannigan - Writer
Don Perlin - Penciler
Pablo Marcos - Inker

Review/plot:
The Defenders help the Black Panther retrieve some high tech Wakandan devices that a Soviet satellite country has stolen. The devices absorb sound. The Soviets are in fact working for the Mandrill.

While the devices are working there's a "quiet riot" as people panic. The Panther attacks the Hulk just to increase the amount of sound in the area.

The result is that the devices overload and explode, but of course the Hulk isn't happy about it and he jumps off. Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl show up to help manage the riot. Hellcat doesn't appreciate the FF's appearance, and she isn't concerned about going after the Hulk. The Panther agrees when Patsy asks the Panther to buy her a drink rather than find the Hulk.

The Hulk scene aside, Hannigan does a better job depicting the Panther as a resourceful and regal individual than he ever was treated in the Avengers.

In general, Hannigan's characterization is improving.

Unfortunately the art isn't so great, which is so surprising to me. In a few years, Don Perlin will be doing some really great stuff on this books with Kim DeMulder on inks. Here, same penciler... very different art.

And it's not just an issue of having a better inker - panel layouts, action shots (look at that picture of the Hulk leaping away above), everything just feels a lot more primitive here, even beyond the shaky lines.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Bruce Banner is still in Dr. Strange's house after leaving Atlantis with Strange last issue. He angrily leaves the Defenders at the end of this issue.

References:

• The Valkyrie contemplates her situation a bit, with a reference to Defenders #66-68, the arc that sort of resolved her origin.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A