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With The Defenders receiving a new line-up this summer, who could be the best new members of the classic Marvel team?
Officially debuting in 1972, The Defenders consisted of one of Marvel’s most unique line-ups. Doctor Strange, Hulk, and Namor stood shoulder to shoulder to fight the forces of evil both on Earth and beyond. After the original members of the team went their own ways, The Defenders continued over the decades, maintaining its tradition of boasting incredibly unique rosters of heroes. Members of the Avengers, X-Men, and a myriad of other heroes such as Spider-Man, Nova, Ghost Rider, and She-Hulk have all worked under the banner of The Defenders.
With The Defenders #5 (2021) by Al Ewing and Javier Rodriguez ending with the announcement that The Defenders will return the biggest question that arises is who will populate the team next? Ewing and Rodriguez’s five issue mini-series was a blend of classic characters such as Doctor Strange and Cloud and brand new characters such as Taaia and The Masked Raider. Barring any brand new characters that might make their debut in the next iteration of the team, let’s take a look at other Marvel heroes that would be perfect additions to the classic title.
A young mutant with the physical appearance of a winged scorpion, Rico has proven his heroism by aiding Nightcrawler in the rescue of kidnapped children by the evil Crimson Pirates. What Rico lacks in experience he more than makes up for with his courage, altruism, and dedication to justice. His addition to The Defenders would provide a youthful perspective on matters at hand while also representing the X-Men and mutants in general.
A gifted scientist that willingly underwent gamma irradiation, Leonard Samson transformed himself into a green-haired, superpowered individual. Sometimes an ally to the Hulk while other times a rival, Doc Samson has accrued a colorful history as a gamma-infused hero. The Defender’s would enjoy a member that provides both brains and supreme brawn with Doc Samson on board.
In one of countless attempts at defeating The Fantastic Four, the Skrull Empire sent the warrior Lyja to infiltrate the team. Taking the appearance of Alicia Masters, Lyja’s plans became complicated when she fell in love with The Human Torch and eventually married him. Lyja has had a tumultuous relationship with the Fantastic Four ever since, but has always maintained herself as a capable and lethal warrior. As a Skrull, connection to The Fantastic Four, and military warrior, Lyja would be one of the most unique characters to The Defenders, both in her personality and her approaches in tackling objectives.
The firstborn daughter of Odin and Freya, Angela was kidnapped and taken to the realm known as Heven. Angela grew to become a powerful warrior and even ruled over the realm of Hel for a time. Fierce, impassioned, and lethal, Angela’s martial prowess and godlike powers would be a vital, albeit unstable addition to The Defenders.
Discovering a gleaming red jewel on the surface of the moon, astronaut John Jameson, the son of Daily Bugle publisher and editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson, turned into the creature known as Man-Wolf. His adventures taking him far into space and deep into the criminal underworld of New York City, Man-Wolf has experience across a great number of fields. Man-Wolf’s would be a jack of all trades on The Defenders as John is a skilled combatant, explorer, and pilot.
Nephew to the original Black Knight Nathan Garrett, Dane Whitman inherited the cursed weapon the Ebony Blade. A former member of both the Avengers and The Defenders, Black Knight has ample experience in teamwork and combat while also possessing a specialization in sorcery and magic. Black Knight’s dark history, cursed weaponry, and impurities of character would provide excitement and drama to The Defenders.
The possibilities for the new line-up for The Defenders is virtually limitless and there are countless amazing characters that could do wonders for the team. The characters mentioned above check off all the boxes previous rosters presented: space/cosmic individuals, physical powerhouses, genius level intellect, outcasts/wild cards, and magic users. A common interest and goal amongst the team undercut by differences in personal experiences, philosophies, and motivations creates a working, yet tenuous relationship within the roster. Whatever foe or obstacle the new Defenders may face, and whatever the resulting roster may result in, it’s a certainty that excitement and adventure await readers with the launch of the new Defenders this summer.
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