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1974-02-01 01:02:10
Previous:
Power Man #18
Up:
Main

1974 / Box 8 / EiC: Roy Thomas

Next:
Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1

Giant-Size Defenders #1

Issue(s): Giant-Size Defenders #1
Cover Date: Jul 74
Title: "The way they were! / The once and again dooms"
Credits:
Tony Isabella - Writer
Jim Starlin - Penciler
Al Milgrom - Inker

Review/plot:
The Defenders' first Giant-Size issue is largely reprints, but they are framed with present day sequences.

The idea is that Valkyrie, being new to the team, wants to know more about the other Defenders. So Clea casts spells to show Val some of their past adventures.

While that is happening, something mystical begins to occur.

It turns out that Clea's spell isn't just replaying the past; it's making it come alive again.

This allows for some nice trippy art from Jim Starlin.

The Defenders manage to stop Clea's spell. Clea is ashamed at her mistake, but Val does appreciate her effort.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This begins with the Defenders returning from their fight with Xemnu the Titan in Defenders #12. A footnote confirms that it takes place before Defenders #13.

References:

  • The Defenders fought Xemnu in Defenders #12.
  • The reprints include:
    • Hulk "just beginning to learn what it is to be so hated by his fellow man", from Hulk #3.
    • Namor when he was just a 17 year old warrior, not a monarch, from the young Namor story in Sub-Mariner Comics #41.
    • Dr. Strange's battle with Mister Rasputin from Strange Tales #145.
  • (This issue also reprints the Silver Surfer back-up from Fantastic Four annual #5, but it's not worked into the main story.)

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Characters Appearing: Clea, Dr. Strange, Hulk, Sub-Mariner, Valkyrie

Previous:
Power Man #18
Up:
Main

1974 / Box 8 / EiC: Roy Thomas

Next:
Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1

Comments

Yes, Stephen, one should never attempt a spell if one doesn't know its effects. Now are you going to check on your brother to see if you turned him into a vampire?

Posted by: Michael | August 1, 2016 11:54 PM

That's too much like work. You'll have to pay him. Talk to his secretary for further consultation. Moving on.

Posted by: ChrisW | August 2, 2016 2:41 AM

Clea's nipples seem unable to stop popping out.

Posted by: Mark Drummond | August 2, 2016 10:30 AM

The Mighty Marvel Checklist for this month listed this as "Giant-Size Super-Teams", and a house ad for it described it as a new full-length story.

Posted by: Mark Drummond | November 24, 2016 3:16 PM

Wow, the trippy Starlin dimension the Hulk goes to actually looks a lot like the Crossroads that he is banished to almost a decade later. Fnord, maybe you should consider this a Crossroads appearance?

Posted by: Wis | January 17, 2018 6:20 PM




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