The Defenders #2

The second issue of the new series finds the newly gathered team fighting Prestor John and the forces of Avalon who wish to use the rampaging Black Hulk to break through reality so they might finally journey home. Hmm, a comic where a super-powered being punches reality hard enough to make it shatter... where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, here.

Defenders #2 isn't really a good comic. It's not bad, by any means, but it's certainly disappointing. Don't get me wrong, the comic does have some very enjoyable moments such as Betty Ross' reaction to Doctor Strange trying to scare her and Red She Hulk attempting to get her Big Ass Sword back. In fact, anything revolving around the comic's most ridiculous member works really well.

There are several odd choices, chief among them is a narrator with insight into both the Defenders and the forces of Avalon who is never identified. Only an omnipresent observer is possible, but the narration doesn't fit a character like Uatu The Watcher.

The second issue is still worth picking up on a very slow week in comics, but despite being my only chance to get a Silver Surfer comic every month (don't even get me started on Matt Fraction's version of the character in The Mighty Thor) this month's issue does nothing to convince me that this comic will be worth picking up every single month. Only two issues in, The Defenders feels much more like an occasional read. Hit-and-Miss.

[Marvel, $3.99]