The first batch of reviews for 2012! I read quite a few books I did not particularly like this week. Luckily for me though, I did find a handful of comics I loved. It was touch and go there for a little while, but I found the good stuff anyway. As always beware of Spoilers!

THE DEFENDERS #2
Marvel Comics
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Terry & Rachel Dodson

I was not terribly impressed with the first issue of this book, but with the second issue I am happy to say that all has changed. Where the first issue threw the characters together in a haphazard way trying to be humorous as it did the required work of getting the team together, this issue simple sits back and has lots of fun watching the Defenders take on the villains of the piece.

Nul, a destructive force dubbed the “black Hulk,” is headed for Wundagore Mountain to destroy a concordance engine, a science/magic hybrid device. This device upon its destruction will open a rift in time/space and allow Prester John and his people a chance to escape while the rest of our world is decimated. Prester John is a bit insane and thinks that all of this is quite all right.

The Defenders take on Prester John and his fellow beasts/warriors. Last issue Iron Fist was shot in the chest and we see his prowess to channel his Chi has only improved since the last time Fraction wrote the character. The heroes are on the verge of a win when Prester John uses his “evil eye” device to capture the Silver Surfer. Soon the rest of the Defenders are captured as well. By the end the Defenders escape their jail using Betty and just as they are about to throw down with Prester John and his men again the black hulk arrives.

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