Defenders Issue 1-5

With the news that Brian Michael Bendis would be moving from Marvel Comics to DC Comics, I decided I would describe the plot of my favorite series of his. The current run of Defenders will be passed to someone else of course, but Bendis finished at least one volume of the Defenders. This series takes the Netflix superheroes and places them into the street team of "The Defenders." Bendis has had great series, but currently, this has been my favorite series to read. For no spoilers, skip to the last paragraph. It may feel unusual once passed on to another writer, but enough of that and let us get on with issue 1.

Issue 1 of the Series

Issue one of The Defenders starts with Diamondback being introduced as he meets a dealer selling fake I.G.H. (Inhuman Growth Hormone) Clearly upset with how things are being handled on "his" streets, Diamondback goes ahead and kills the man, leaving his signature diamonds.

We shift to introduce Luke Cage, the African-American superhero with invulnerable skin, with groceries for his family of Jessica Jones and their daughter Danielle. Two young girls notice Luke and ask about his groceries before a missile goes off heading in their direction. Luke protects the girls and finds the source of the missile. He gets a call, finding out that Jessica is in the hospital.

Furious, Luke finds Jessica in hospital bed, only to find her unconscious and Daredevil (DD) hiding on top of the ceiling. Daredevil notes that like Jessica and Luke, he was attacked in his alter ego, Matt Murdock, which is still a secret to the rest of the heroes. Daredevil notes that "four" of the heroes were attacked as Danny Rand or Iron Fist comes in to the hospital room. The three boys question who attacked the four of them, including Kingpin, A.I.M, Hydra, and the Hand, before Jessica reveals that was Diamondback.

As Jessica or Jess notes that Diamondback attacked the four of them, Luke Cage doubts that since Diamondback has been dead for a long time. Jess sarcastically implies that plenty of people have died and come back. She strongly notes that her attacker dropped diamonds and implied that he knew Luke well, only for hospital staff barging in after an alarm goes off.

We, the readers, eventually meet Black Cat speaking to the mob boss, Hammerhead. Eventually, she meets Diamondback and questions his resurrection. We swap back to "The Defenders" as they interrogate individuals about Diamondback in their own style. Diamondback explains to Black Cat that he wants her to assist with his operation. She refuses since he angered Luke Cage, attacking Luke and his wife. Luke Cage bursts into the hideout, questioning Diamondback, as Black Cat stands by. Iron Fist and Jess sit around in a bar as Daredevil interrogates some individuals. Daredevil suggests the four of them should team up. Meanwhile, Diamondback attacks Luke with a spray and beats him brutally, ending the issue, with Black Cat looking on.

End Issue 1

Issue two follows on with Linda Carter, The Night Nurse, explaining to Jessica that Black Cat dropped off Luke Cage to her as he was injured by Diamondback. Luke Cage has been poisoned and they need to get the cure. Meanwhile, Daredevil meets reporter Ben Urich and reports what's happened to the four of them.

Night Nurse tries to stabilize Luke when vampire hunter Blade drops by with a cure and injects a device through Luke's mouth. He eventually stabilizes, and Blade requests a favor before exiting. While Jess and Linda argue, Luke wakes up. Jess asks about Diamondback's whereabouts and is disappointed to learn that Linda doesn't keep up that information.

We swap over to Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, at an event in the Guggenheim Museum. Danny Rand interrupts his speech and takes Fisk on a walk, acknowledging that Fisk is attempting to become a legitimate businessman. He asks Fisk about any information of Diamondback.

We move on to Diamondback, who is looking for information of Luke Cage. He wonders where the body is, and whether he is alive. Eventually, Jessica arrives and punches Diamondback in the face. Daredevil takes out his men carefully before Diamondback escapes Jess's clutches, only for Daredevil to knock Diamondback to the ground.

Danny Rand arrives and Diamondback throws Jessica and Daredevil at Danny. Diamondback escapes and Daredevil searches for him with his radar sense. Suddenly, they are shot by The Punisher.

End Issue 2

Issue three opens with Diamondback questioning Black Cat. He asks why she saved Luke Cage. She interjects that many of Marvel's heroes along with the City of Harlem would "tear" him apart. Diamondback has his men aim their weapons at Black Cat and she claws them before explaining that while she will "tear" someone up to get their money, she allowed Luke Cage to live because he is "a good man."

We move over to "The Defenders" and Jessica Jones wakes up at the Night Nurse's base. Iron Fist and Daredevil sit around the room with Jess and Luke. Night Nurse tends to Jess and Daredevil explains that The Punisher's bullets were nonlethal, for the purpose of paralyzing them. Luke and Jess talk about The Punisher, Frank Castle, and Danny and Daredevil explain that The Punisher wants to kill Diamondback by himself.

We shift over to reporter Ben Urich, asking various Harlem individuals about the history of Diamondback and Luke Cage. He finds the story of how they were brothers and a falling out over Reva Connors. Reva chose Luke and Willis, or Diamondback, was furious and planted stolen diamonds on Luke to get him arrested. From there, Luke went to jail and was experimented on, thus receiving his powers. The mob who Willis stole from "punished" Willis by killing Reva.

We move from Urich's interviews to two criminals pondering over Diamondback's situation and pay rates. The Punisher aims his gun and shoots one of the men, only for Daredevil to attack Frank. He is visibly frustrated and gets caught in Luke Cage's arms. While Luke and DD question him, Frank throws acid onto Luke. Luke asks why The Punisher wants to handle Diamondback by himself. Frank responds that he doesn't trust masked vigilantes. Luke listens and knocks him unconscious. He then asks for DD's identity only for Daredevil to hint that he is someone they have known for years.

Meanwhile, Jess and Iron Fist sit in a car on a stakeout, searching for Diamondback. When they finally find him, he immediately walks in front of their car. Danny tries to reason with Diamondback before Diamondback shoves the car to the side. Danny invokes the Iron Fist only for Diamondback to grab Danny's fist. Jess gets out of the car through the window, and Diamondback picks up Danny and breaks Danny's back with his knee.

End Issue 3

Issue four opens with Diamondback and Black Cat checking the potency of an I.G.H. drug someone has manufactured. Black Cat has Hammerhead take the drug and test it. Hammerhead considers taking the drug and hands it to a man named Roman to test. Roman and his girlfriend take the drug and feel a "rush." Hammerhead reports this to Black Cat while he observe the aftermath. A detective enters Roman's apartment, finding Roman's girlfriend dead. Ben Urich tries to get further information about the drug, but the detective refuses. Roman wakes up and cries at the sight of his dead girlfriend. The drug falls into Urich's hands and he walks away.

Ben Urich speaks to his manager and shows the drug, revealing that it "fell... into" his hands. The manager speaks to Ben alone, proud that this could put the Daily Bugle back on top.

The manager asks about the Defenders and we move back to the current time where Diamondback broke Iron Fist's back. He picks up Danny's body and monologues only for Jessica Jones to hit him in the head. She keeps fighting against Diamondback while people take pictures. They jump through a window and Diamondback attempts to jump Jess only for Danny to come back and use his Iron Fist against Diamondback. He unfortunately destroys Jess's car in the process. Danny meticulously attacks Diamondback in specific parts of his body and knocks him to the ground.

The police come by, questioning Danny and Jess. They provide all the information they have and allow the cops to arrest Diamondback or Willis Stryker. Meanwhile, Luke Cage is walking with his daughter Danielle, getting the update on Stryker's whereabouts. The issue ends with Diamondback being placed in the same armored car as The Punisher.

End Issue 4

Issue five begins with Danny Rand in immense pain at Night Nurse's hideout. Danny thanks Linda and offers a favor. She jokingly asks to lower the rent only for Danny to offer to buy the building. The Defenders, as they are collectively being called by the public, thank Night Nurse for all her work.

Suddenly, Daredevil alerts the team that Diamondback has escaped. He remarks that he heard it on the police scanners and reveals that he is in the same car as The Punisher. Luke is shocked and guesses accurately that Willis opened his mouth against Frank.

Frank asks Willis who is the backer. Diamondback refuses to reveal that only to be insulted as a "small-time" crook. Diamondback provokes The Punisher and the car tips over. Diamondback knocks Frank out before escaping the cops.

The Defenders question Diamondback's current location with Luke commenting that this is how Willis has always been. They begin their search for him with banter, including a running joke that Luke thinks Daredevil's secret identity is Gary.

Luke and Jess walk on to the streets to meet Raindrop Lilly, a contact of Jessica. They meet Hellstorm, or Daimon, an ex of Jessica, who is upset to see her. They eventually reach Lilly to question her of her information regarding Diamondback. She refuses as she only introduces people to each other.

Meanwhile, Daredevil and Iron Fist chat, talking about DD's secret identity. DD remarks that Danny wears a mask and Danny explains the importance of The Iron Fist costume. DD responds that he wants to scare his opponents and protect his close ones. Daredevil searches for energy residue, before he discovers Elektra was in their current location.

Meanwhile, Black Cat, or Felicia Hardy, finds Diamondback in her apartment. They converse about their situation and Felicia notes that she wants nothing more to do with Diamondback. Diamondback responds by shooting her. DD hears the shots go off and has Danny text Jessica and Luke.

End Issue 5

The first volume ends here with issue five. Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez create a wonderful story for this quartet of heroes. The writing is always pushing the story forward and ending with excellent cliffhangers. The various small references Bendis brings in are always inviting. David Marquez's art is beautiful, giving a gritty and realistic look. This is definitely a book to recommend. Buy the issues or get the first volume once it comes out on December 26, 2017.