List of Defenders members

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File:Marvel Feature 1 (1971).jpg
Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971). Art by Neal Adams.

The Defenders are a loosely organized team of fictional characters mostly, but not solely, superheroes in the Marvel Universe. For much of their history, there was no clear distinction between "official," "honorary" or "associate" members or even allies. Thus, the Defenders had a reputation as being a non-team, a term which was coined in the pages of the comic.[volume & issue needed] All could be considered Defenders. The following list attempts to make sense of their membership but may not be complete.

Original "non-team"

Founders

These characters helped form the team in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971).

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971). Now a member of the Illuminati.
Hulk Robert Bruce Banner Now a member of both the main Avengers team and Illuminati
Namor the Sub-Mariner Namor McKenzie Left the team following issues of trust and privacy, currently serving in the Illuminati.

Recruits of the early 1970s

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Clea Clea associate member
Marvel Feature #2 (March 1972).		 Later became a recurring member in Defenders #39.
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd Defenders #2 (October 1972).
Black Knight Dane Whitman associate member
Defenders #4 (February 1973).
Valkyrie Brunnhilde of Asgard Defenders #4 (February 1973). Created by the Enchantress as a mystical combination of the spirit of Brünnehilde the Valkyrie and the body of minor magic user Barbara-Denton Norriss; now a member of the Secret Avengers.
Namorita Namorita Prentiss associate member
Defenders #5 (April 1973).
Hawkeye Clint Barton associate member
Defenders #7 (August 1973).		 Now a member of the Avengers.
Nighthawk Kyle Richmond Defenders #14 (July 1974). Reformed member of Squadron Sinister, replaced Namor.
Professor X Charles Xavier associate member
Defenders #15 (September 1974).
Son of Satan Daimon Hellstrom associate member
Giant-Size Defenders #2 (October 1974).		 Later became a recurring member.
Luke Cage Carl Lucas associate member
Defenders #18 (December 1974).		 Later became a recurring member; now a member of the New Avengers.
Daredevil Matt Murdock associate member
Giant-Size Defenders #3 (January 1975).		 Later became a recurring member.
The Thing Ben Grimm associate member
Defenders #20 (February 1975).		 Now a member of the New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the Future Foundation.
Ant Man Hank Pym associate member
Giant-Size Defenders #4 (April 1975).

Guardians of the Galaxy

A group of superheroes from the 31st century, the Guardians of the Galaxy time traveled to the 20th century. They served as associate members of the Defenders in Giant-Size Defenders #5 and Defenders #26–29 (July–November 1975).

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Yondu Yondu Udonta associate member
Giant-Size Defenders #5.		 Also an honorary member of the Avengers.
Martinex Martinex T'Naga
Charlie-27 Charlie-27
Aleta Ogord Aleta Ogord
Vance Astro Vance Astrovik
Starhawk Stakar associate member
Defenders #29 (November 1975).		 Joins the Guardians in Defenders #29 (November 1975). Also an honorary member of the Avengers.

Recruits of the mid-1970s

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Red Guardian Tania Belinsky associate member
Defenders #35 (May 1976)
Howard the Duck Howard associate member
Marvel Treasury Edition #12 (c. November 1976).
Hellcat Patsy Walker Defenders #44 (February 1977).
Moon Knight Marc Spector associate member
Defenders #47 (May 1977).
Ms. Marvel Carol Danvers associate member
Defenders #57 (March 1978).		 Now a member of the Avengers as Captain Marvel.
Devil-Slayer Eric Payne associate member
Defenders #58 (April 1978).		 Later became a recurring member.
Spider-Man Peter Parker associate member
Defenders #61 (July 1978).		 Later became a recurring member; now a member of the Avengers, and the Future Foundation.

Defenders for a day

The team had managed to keep its existence a secret from the general public until a television documentary film by supporting character Dollar Bill announced it to the world. Dollar made a special mention to the currently open membership for the team. Consequently in Defenders #62 (August 1978), the currently active members were joined by a large number of former associates and new recruits. The majority of the latter served for a single mission before quitting in Defenders #64 (October 1978).

Rival group

Taking advantage of the newfound notoriety of the team, a number of supervillains formed their own rival group of so-called Defenders in Defenders #63 (September 1978). They soon came to conflict with their heroic counterparts and consequently disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978).

  • Batroc the Leaper: A member of Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts army, and leader of various incarnations of Batroc's Brigade.
  • Beetle: Later changed its codename to MACH-1 of the Thunderbolts. Currently working for the Commission on Super-Human Affairs.
  • Blob: A member of various incarnations of the Brotherhood of Mutants, former member of Freedom Force.
  • Boomerang: A member of the Sinister Twelve, and former member of the Sinister Syndicate. A one-time operative of the Secret Empire.
  • Electro: A member of the Sinister Twelve, and a former member of various incarnations of the Sinister Six.
  • Joe the Gorilla: A former member of the Split-Second Squad.[1] (Avengers Vol. 1 #77).
  • Leap-Frog: Has since reformed and retired. His equipment has been adopted by his son as the second-string superhero Frog-Man.
  • Libra: An android and a member of the second incarnation of the criminal Zodiac cartel.
  • Looter: Also known as Meteor Man.
  • Melter: Killed by the Scourge of the Underworld in Avengers Vol.1 #263.
  • Pecos: Was a member of the Split-Second Squad (Avengers Vol.1 #77) with Joe the Gorilla. A former partner of Live-Wire.
  • Plantman: Reformed, became a member of the Thunderbolts under the codename Blackheath.
  • Porcupine: Deceased as of Captain America vol 1 #315 (March 1986).
  • Sagittarius: An android and a member of the second incarnation of the criminal Zodiac cartel.
  • Shocker: A member of the Sinister Twelve, and former member of the Sinister Syndicate.
  • Toad: A member of various incarnations of the Brotherhood of Mutants.
  • Whirlwind: A member of various incarnations of the Masters of Evil.

Late 1970s recruits

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Moondragon Heather Douglas associate member
Defenders #76 (October 1979).
Wasp Janet van Dyne

Early 1980s recruits

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Aeroika associate member
Defenders #79 (January 1980).[2]
Black Panther T'Challa associate member
Defenders #84 (June 1980).
Gargoyle Isaac Christians Defenders #94 (April 1981).
Dracula Vlad Dracula associate member
Defenders #95 (May 1981).
Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze associate member
Defenders #96 (June 1981).
Man-Thing Ted Sallis associate member
Defenders #98 (August 1981).
Beast Hank McCoy Defenders #104 (February 1982). Now a member of the Secret Avengers.
Wonder Man Simon Williams associate member
Defenders #104 (February 1982).
Mister Fantastic Reed Richards associate member
Defenders #105 (March 1982).		 Also a member of the Fantastic Four.
Captain America Steve Rogers associate member
Defenders #106 (April 1982).		 Now the leader of the Secret Avengers.
Nighthawk Kyle Richmond associate member
Defenders #112 (October 1982).		 Former member of the Squadron Supreme.
Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff
Vision Victor Shade Currently a member of the Avengers
Overmind Grom associate member
Defenders #115 (January 1983).		 The body of Overmind under spiritual possession.

New Defenders

In Defenders #125 (November 1983) the team was reorganized into a more formal organization, somewhat modeled after the Avengers. By this time, several former members had severed ties with the team.

Founders

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Angel Warren Worthington III Defenders #125 (November 1983) Later changed codename to Archangel.
Beast Hank McCoy
Gargoyle Isaac Christians
Iceman Robert Louis Drake
Moondragon Heather Douglas
Valkyrie Brünnehilde

Later recruits

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Cloud Inapplicable Defenders #127 (January 1984) A sentient nebula who was able to assume human form. At first, it modeled itself after a human female Carol Faber. After falling in love with Moondragon, Cloud also developed a male form that was modeled after Danny Milligan.
Seraph Sonya Tolsky Unofficial member as of Defenders #129 (March 1984). Returned to her native Soviet Union in Defenders #150 (December 1985). Alleged sister of Cloud, but it was proven false when Cloud's origin was revealed.
The Southern Belle Candy Southern Leader and strategist in Defenders #138 (December 1984). Aka Marvel Girl II. A longtime lover of Angel. Deceased as of X-Factor #34 (November 1988).
Andromeda Andromeda Attumasen Unofficial member as of Defenders #146 (August 1985). Officially joined in Defenders #149 (November 1985). Daughter of Attuma by his Lady Gevan.
Manslaughter Unofficially joined in Defenders #151 (January 1986).
Interloper

Dragon Circle

By the time of Defenders #152 (February 1986), Moondragon had fallen under the control of the Dragon of the Moon. The Dragon led her to attack the Defenders. During the battle, the physical forms of Andromeda, Gargoyle, Interloper, Manslaughter, Moondragon, and Valkyrie were destroyed. Candace Southern retired. Angel, Beast, and Iceman were joined by Cyclops and Marvel Girl in forming X-Factor.

Gargoyle and Moondragon were later able to gain new corporeal forms. However the other four remained disembodied spirits until Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol 3 #3–4 (March–April 1989). There they managed to gain temporary but recurring spiritual possession over the bodies of four residents of Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. These four unknowingly acted as their representatives in forming a successor group of the Defenders.[3]

  • Sian Bowen: Host to the spirit of Valkyrie.
  • Geneviene Cass: Host to the spirit of Andromeda.
  • Will Fanshawe: Host to the spirit of Interloper.
  • Roger Loomis: Host to the spirit of Manslaughter.
  • Dafydd ap Iowerth: Alleged descendant of King Arthur and host to his spirit.[4]
  • Doctor Strange: Associate member.

Secret Defenders

Debuting in Dr. Strange (vol. 3) #50 (February 1993) the Secret Defenders were another successor group to the team. They were very loosely organized, consisting of a leader and the various associates recruited for a mission at hand. They would disband again after each mission. Several "members" were former Defenders. Others had no previous connection to the team. Some served for a single mission while others were recurring members.

Founders

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Dr. Strange (vol. 3) #50 (Feb. 1993) Initial leader and recruiter of the group.
Hulk Robert Bruce Banner
Ghost Rider Daniel Ketch
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd

Early recruits

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Spider-Man Peter Parker Fantastic Four (vol. 1) #374-375 (March–April 1993).
Wolverine James "Logan" Howlett Now a member of the X-Men, the Avengers, the New Avengers, and the co-leader of X-Force.
Darkhawk Chris Powell Secret Defenders #1 (Mar. 1993).
Nomad Jack Monroe Served as the third Bucky during the 1950s. Later served as Scourge of the Underworld.
Spider-Woman Julia Carpenter
Namorita Namorita Prentiss Secret Defenders #4 (June 1993).
Sleepwalker Inapplicable
Captain America Steve Rogers Secret Defenders #6 (Aug. 1993).
Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff
Thunderstrike Eric Masterson Secret Defenders #9 (Nov. 1993).
War Machine James Rhodes Secret Defenders #9 (Nov. 1993); now a member of the Secret Avengers.
Northstar Jean-Paul Beaubier Secret Defenders #11 (Jan. 1994).
Nova Richard Rider

Questing villains

From Secret Defenders #12-14 (February and April), the title of characters was an organized group of super-villains that was in the quest of finding and obtaining the Oracle of Ancient Knowledge. They apparently disbanded after the successful mission.

Final recruits

By Secret Defenders #15 (May 1994), Doctor Strange was apparently weary of his duties as the sole steady member of the team. He retired after naming Doctor Druid as his replacement. The latter would serve as leader until the group disbanded in Secret Defenders #25 (March 1995).

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Druid Anthony Druid Secret Defenders #15 (May 1994). The final leader and recruiter of this group.
Luke Cage Lucas Cage
Deadpool Wade Wilson
Sepulchre Jillian Woods
Cadaver Cody Fleischer Secret Defenders #16 (June 1994).
Giant-Man Hank Pym Secret Defenders #18 (Aug. 1994).
Iron Fist Daniel Rand
Archangel Warren Worthington III Secret Defenders #19 (Sept. 1994).
Iceman Bobby Drake
U.S. Agent John Walker Secret Defenders #20 (Oct. 1994).
Dagger Tandy Bowen Secret Defenders #23 (Jan. 1995).
Deathlok Michael Collins
Drax the Destroyer Arthur Douglas

Note

Before and during the initial few months of publication of Secret Defenders, an advertisement that Marvel used depicted a team consisting of Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, John Blaze, Maverick, and Wolverine, a team which never existed in the comics. Neither John Blaze nor Maverick were ever part of a Secret Defenders team in any published story.

Cursed members and The Order

In Defenders (vol. 2) #1 (March 2001), four former Defenders were forced to regroup to help Nighthawk and Hellcat in a battle against Yandroth. He was defeated but cursed them to gather every time planet Earth faces a threat. This continued until Defenders (vol. 2) #12 (February 2002). Four members of the team formed The Order. This group attempted to conquer the world in order to protect it. Its activities were featured in The Order #1-6 (April–September 2002). The group disbanded again after Gaia lifted Yandroth's curse which was associated with her.

Founders

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Defenders (vol. 2) #1 (March 2001). Became a member of The Order.
The Incredible Hulk Bruce Banner
Namor the Sub-Mariner Namor
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd
Hellcat Patsy Walker
Nighthawk Kyle Richmond Reformed member of Squadron Sinister.

Recruits

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Valkyrie Samantha Parrington Defenders (vol. 2) #4 (June 2001). Transformed by the Enchantress to a duplicate of the original Valkyrie in both appearance and powers.
Red Raven Unknown Defenders (vol. 2) #7 (Sept. 2001). Associate member.

Recruits against The Order

This incarnation of the Defenders was divided among two rival groups. The Order (Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Silver Surfer) and the Defenders (Hellcat, Nighthawk, and Valkyrie). The three decided to recruit the so-called "female analogs" of their former teammates. They would serve until both teams disbanded.

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Clea Clea The Order #3 (June 2002).
Namorita Namorita Prentiss
She-Hulk Jennifer Walters
Ardina The Order #4 (July 2002). An actual female analog of Silver Surfer. It was created by combining the energy drained from him and by the magic of Clea that called the protector Goddesses Apalla (living embodiment of the Sun in Marvel Comics stories), Demeter, Hecate, Jord and Umar.

Initiative Team (the Last Defenders)

Kyle Richmond requested an Initiative version of the Defenders from Tony Stark, intending to fill the ranks with previous Defenders including Gargoyle, Hellcat, and Devil Slayer. However, Stark assembled an entirely different team in hopes of the Defenders maintaining a stable roster for once. The team was officially disbanded after its first mission was deemed a failure.

Founders

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Blazing Skull Mark Todd Last Defenders #1.
Colossus Piotr Rasputin Leaves the team in Last Defenders #2.
Nighthawk Kyle Richmond Reformed member of Squadron Sinister.
She-Hulk Jennifer Walters Last Defenders #6: Rejoins after the Initiative version of the team disbands.

Last Defenders recruits

After the Initiative team disbands, Richmond attempts to continue by hiring registered mercenaries to replace the teammates that Stark had assigned to him. After he was forced to retire from his superhero career, he privately assembles and supports a version of the Defenders based on an encounter with a future version of that team. This team is later forcibly disbanded by H.A.M.M.E.R.[5]

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Atlas Erik Josten Last Defenders #3.
Junta Manuel Diego Armand Vicente
Paladin Unrevealed
Warlord Krang Krang Last Defenders #6.
Son of Satan Daimon Hellstrom
Nighthawk[6] Joaquin Pennysworth Son of J.C. Pennysworth, Kyle Richmond's former business partner. Becomes a new Nighthawk in a possible future.

Fear Itself: The Deep's Defenders

This incarnation of the Defenders was formed during the Fear Itself storyline in order to liberate Atlantis from Attuma (in the form of Nerkodd: Breaker of Oceans).

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Joined in Fear Itself: The Deep #1, Rejoined in Defenders Vol. 4 #1 (Nov. 2011)
Namor Namor McKenzie
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd
Lyra Lyra Joined in Fear Itself: The Deep #1 Now a student at the Avengers Academy.
Loa Alani Ryan A student of the X-Men.

Defenders Vol. 4

The Defenders came together again when it comes to keeping the Concordance Engine from falling into the wrong hands.

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Doctor Strange Stephen Strange Joined in Defenders Vol. 4 #1
(November 2011)		 Also a member of the Heroic Age New Avengers team.
Namor Namor McKenzie Also a Former member of the X-Men
Silver Surfer Norrin Radd N/A
Hulk Bruce Banner N/A
Red She-Hulk Betty Ross N/A
Iron Fist Daniel Rand Also a former member of the Heroic Age New Avengers team.
Black Cat Felicia Hardy Joined in Defenders Vol. 4 #8 N/A
Ant-Man Scott Lang Joined in Defenders Vol. 4 #10 N/A

References

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