SUB-MARINER #34-35 (1971): 2d time Defenders gather

I like how Marvel brought The Defenders together gradually, organically. First, Marvel cancelled the monthly Doctor Strange series and let Roy Thomas bring Stephen, Hulk and Namor together across three issues of each character’s series.  That was the beginning of the (unnamed) Defenders team. Now, Roy brings Silver Surfer into the mix in two issues of Sub Mariner. And of course they all fight before they team up.

And this trio is a good group: All three of them have problems with humans. In this case, they fight a corrupt Carribean country’s government.

silver surfer actually surfs!

And look!  Norrin Radd ACTUALLY SURFS!  I’m pretty sure that’s the first (and only?) time he did that….

After they save the world, The Avengers are called in to halt their invasion of this small country. Because Namor, Surfer, and Hulk are always misunderstood. (Although, to be fair, Hulk breaks a lot of stuff that he doesn’t need to break and Namor keeps invading New York.)

Clint appears to be a Blood, Sweat and Tears fan.

And Hulk tries to lift Thor’s hammer.

The story is pretty lame and the characters aren’t used as well as they should have been. Lots of potential here, but frankly I wish Thomas and Buscema had not included The Avengers but instead developed the interrelationships between these future teammates.

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