By Rafael A. Hernandez
Okay, I am doing away with the Defenders being the “Not-So-Avengers” jokes. They grow tiresome and droll. I would rather be making snide comments about how Doctor Strange is a bit of a creeper in this newest issue of Defenders. But let us keep this creepiness aside until later and focus more on the important aspects of this new issue. So the black hulk known as Nul is soon to arrive to the kingdom of Avalon where some mystic cult leader plans to use the creature’s immeasurable power to energize some magical space engine that will lead into alternate dimensions. Are you exhausted after reading that? I am within inches of dying after writing it. Defenders #2’s story culminates in an underwhelming notion of “what?”, as the reader cannot pin point the exact conflict. Is Nul the true threat? Are those trying to capture it the threat? All the while the Defenders stand by making some half hearted effort to discover the truth. But so far all that they have displayed toward their heroic merit is beating up a few minions, Iron Fist pushing a bullet out of his chest by sheer chi and Doctor Strange using some clever but mysterious (one might say creepy) comment to make Red She-Hulk change back to her human form. Defenders #2 is a bit of a mess and in the face of better team oriented comics like Secret Avengers and the excellent Uncanny X-Force, one demands greater quality.
