As of March 2022, the six Marvel Cinematic Universe shows that premiered on Netflix were made available on Disney+. These shows include Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Defenders, and The Punisher. Some actors from these shows, such as Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, have also begun reprising their roles in MCU films and Disney+ series.
It's unknown if this means that there will be a future for the Netflix Defenders in the MCU. However, the superhero team has a long history in Marvel Comics, with some line-ups being wildly different from the ones depicted in Netflix's original series. These ten comic runs showcasing the Defenders are ones that fans should keep their eyes on.
10 Marvel Feature (1971)
The Defenders were first formed in 1971, during a three-issue arc of a larger series known as Marvel Feature. These issues were written by Roy Thomas, known for his work on Conan the Barbarian comics. This Defenders miniseries also features a different group than the ones Netflix fans may be familiar with, with completely different origins as well.
This version of the Defenders is led by Doctor Strange, calling upon Namor the Sub-Mariner and Bruce Banner to deactivate a doomsday machine. The second issue features supporting roles from Strange's allies, Wong and Clea, as they face Dormammu. Perhaps the sequel to Multiverse of Madness could introduce a new iteration of the Defenders to the MCU.
9 Defenders (1972)
The superteam became the stars of their own ongoing series in 1972, which ran for over 10 years and concluded in 1985. The team starts off with their 1971 line-up of Strange, Banner, and Namor, but they collect some new members along the way. Some of these additions to the Defenders cast include Valkyrie, Silver Surfer, Hawkeye, Nighthawk, Luke Cage, and Clea.
Over a total of 139 issues, the Defenders face many otherworldly threats. They initially converge to fight Necrodamus, the Warrior Wizards, and the Enchantress. However, their later rogues' gallery includes teams like the Wrecking Crew and villains such as Nebulon and Red Rajah. However, Strange, Banner, and Namor remain key members throughout the series.
8 New Defenders (1985)
In 1985, a new Defenders team hit comic book store shelves in the first team designated as the "New Defenders." This team included several X-Men characters, such as Beast, Angel, and Iceman. It also saw the return of Valkyrie as a member of the core Defenders, alongside later additions like Andromeda, Gargoyle, Moondragon, and Carol Faber, a.k.a. Cloud.
As a continuation of the previous Defenders series, this group gathers in their first issue when they come into conflict with, surprisingly, a group of neo-Nazis. Don't worry, because later issues in this run would feature some less realistic villains, such as in its last issue, #152. As part of the lead-up to Secret Wars II, the Defenders are betrayed by Moondragon and fight her.
7 Secret Defenders (1993)
Doctor Strange would return to the Defenders as part of the Secret Defenders line-up in the early 1990s. This version of the group finds Strange joined by Jack Monroe's Nomad, Julia Carpenter's Spider-Woman, Wolverine, and Christopher Powell's Darkhawk. Together, they form to stop the threat of a group called the Zusommin, featuring Tokamak and Decimator.
Later issues feature more high-profile Marvel heroes joining the ranks of the Defenders, often led by Strange. For instance, issue #7 finds Strange joined by Wanda Maximoff, Steve Rogers, and Peter Parker in battle with the sorcerer Xandu. Later issues, like #11, feature the threat of Thanos, with Strange teaming up with Banner, Nova, and former X-Men member Northstar.
6 Last Defenders (2008)
The Defenders would make a return in this 2008 limited series written by Joe Casey and Keith Giffen. This would be a series that helped establish the Defenders as a foursome, featuring a new line-up including Nighthawk, Colossus, She-Hulk, and Blazing Skull. Like other Defenders comics, however, the line-up is subject to change throughout the six-issue series.
Later additions to the Last Defenders include Paladin, Son of Satan, and the warlord Krang. Thier antagonists this time around are primarily the Squadron Sinister, a team that includes Dr. Spectrum, Hyperion, and Whizzer. They also fight the duo known as the Brothers Grimm and a hate-driven army known as the Sons of the Serpent.
5 Fear Itself: The Deep (2011)
The Marvel Comics event known as "Fear Itself" finds several superhero groups facing the Serpent, the All-Father of Asgard who preys on people's fears. This storyline incorporates many of Marvel's greatest heroes, including the Avengers (featuring Thor and Wolverine), the New Avengers (featuring Carol Danvers and Luke Cage), and many more.
Of course, the Defenders also make an appearance in this storyline during the four-issue arc "Fear Itself: The Deep." Here, Strange and Namor reprise their roles and are joined by Banner's daughter Lyra, Silver Surfer, and the matter-manipulating mutant Loa. The series primarily focuses on Namor, whose is being hunted by the Serpent's lieutenants.
4 Defenders (2017)
Netflix fans will find most comfort in the Defenders team that appears in volume 5 of the ongoing series released in 2017. This comic-book run coincided with the release of Netflix's Defenders, featuring the same line-up of Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist. Their antagonist, however, is not Sigourney Weaver's character Alexandra.
In this comic run written by Brian Michael Bendis, the foursome are up against Willis Stryker, a crime boss who operates under the name Diamondback. The series also features a surprise appearance by Deadpool in the sixth issue, with other guest appearances including the Punisher, Maya Lopez, Black Cat, and villains such as Titania and Moonstone.
3 Best Defense (2018)
In 2018, Marvel Comics released a series of five one-shots starring the original line-up of the Defenders from 1971. This series, known as "Best Defense," features four seperate stories for Bruce Banner, Doctor Strange, Namor, and Silver Surfer, before converging in a final issue of the Defenders. Compared to the Netflix series, this Defenders story has more cosmic action.
In "Best Defense," the Defenders interact with not only Mephisto, but also Silver Surfer's master, Galactus. However, the series really shines in its deep dives on each of its four Defenders. It's a lot darker than the stories Marvel Comics may be used to, as it features a look at each of these characters on a variant of Earth, including an aged Doctor Strange.
2 Defenders (2021)
Another limited series featuring the Defenders ran from late 2021 to early 2022, written by Al Ewing. This series features a healthy mix of old and new characters to the Defenders line-up. Strange, Silver Surfer, and Cloud return to the group, while new additions include the Masked Raider and Red Harpy. This time around, the Defenders are called upon to save history.
Their antagonist for this run is Dr. Carlo Zota, a scientist proficient in time-traveling magic. However, Zota's plans are much more sinister than Strange suspects, as the scientist is also masquerading as the Masked Raider, a member of the Defenders. This series does a great job of mixing the cosmic, otherworldly threats of the Defenders with great team conflicts.
1 Defenders: Beyond (2022)
For fans who are curious about the future of the Defenders, look no further than "Defenders: Beyond." This limited series is set to release in the second half of 2022, featuring an all-new lineup of superheroes to join Strange, Silver Surfer, Hulk, and Namor. It's also a reunion for writer Al Ewing and artist Javier Rodriguez, who helmed the 2021 limited series as well.
New additions to this cast include America Chavez, Blue Marvel, Kid Loki, and Tigra. According to the pre-release synopsis, this team is coming together to defend reality itself after Strange sends them a message from the afterlife. The series promises to feature many surprises, so eager fans should catch up on their Defenders reading before this releases!