Issue(s): Secret Defenders #4,Secret Defenders #5
Cover Date: Jun-Jul 93
Title: "Roadkill!" / "Get your kicks on route 666!"
Credits:
Roy Thomas - Writer
Andre Coates - Penciler
Don Hudson - Inker
Joe Andreani - Assistant Editor
Mike Rockwitz - Editor

Review/plot:
Doctor Strange summons the Punisher, Namorita, and Sleepwalker to deal with the problem of Roadkill, the TV horror mascot that we saw in Doctor Strange #38-40. Roadkill has been traveling the highways searching for the person that (he says) killed him, and also turning trucks into big demonic fireballs just like you would if you could.

The punchline is that the person that "killed" Roadkill is really the TV exec that created him.

The Secret Defenders use um, hypnotism and electric wires to put Roadkill back in the producer's head.

A brilliant, character driven use of these three characters. My favorite was when the Punisher reacted not at all to any of the insane mystical stuff going on around him.

One thing we're learning fast is that if you want to enjoy this series, you have to suspend your disbelief regarding how easy it is to recruit anti-hero characters like the Hulk, Wolverine, and the Punisher. Maybe it's part of the magic.

Actually, Namorita is a harder sell than the Punisher.

To be clear, it's still not really possible to enjoy the series. You also have to accept expositional scripting like this, and that's a lot harder.

One thing i do like is the logo on the letters page, just 'cause it reminds me that i should be thinking of this book as Marvel Team-Up.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Sleepwalker is still bonded with Rick Sheridan for this story, meaning that it takes place before Sleepwalker #19-24, which is more difficult than it sounds since Sleepwalker #19 in the aftermath of Infinity War, but see that entry for more details.

References:

• We first saw Roadkill in Doctor Strange #38-40.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A