Giant-Size Defenders #2 (1974): Son of Satan!

I first got to know Son of Satan, as a kid, as a member of the Defenders.  This giant issue is the first time he met the group. 

Son of Satan

 This issue was written by Len Wein, NOT Steve Gerber.  But it was Gerber who wrote Damian Hellstrom on to the team, while Gerber was also writing Marvel Spotlight featuring the character.

Storywise, it’s basically just a big fight against the head of a devil-worshipping cult who kidnap Hulk and send him to Sattanish’s realm, so the others have to rescue him, with Son of Satan’s help.

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2 thoughts on “Giant-Size Defenders #2 (1974): Son of Satan!”

  1. Mr. Ekko identifies the following issue of ‘Giant-Size Defenders’- issue#3- as one of the most important Marvel Comics of all time, due to it’s being the first time Marvel Superheroes are drafted/assembled for battling each other for the amusement of cosmic deities, a trope that would repeat itself many times across the rest of the Twentieth Century’s Marvel Comics. But I disagree. I think, in terms of sheer entertainment value, this issue, issue #2’s “‘H’ is for Hulk, Hell……and Holocaust!!” has it all over the following issue. Klaus Janson’s inks over Gil Kane’s pencils create an atmosphere of mood that makes this issue feel like some kind of a horror movie, which is underscored by the ordeals suffered by Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and the Hulk. “Hellish” scenarios, indeed- I can think of only one other artist-inker duo that could have sold the horror overtones of this story as successfully as Kane/Jansen, and that would have been ‘Dr. Strange’/’Tomb of Dracula’s Gentleman Gene Colan and Terrific Tom Palmer. The inclusion of Daimon Hellstrom into this story also sets off the mood of horror. As conflicted exorcist/Son of Satan, Hellstrom is actually one of Marvel’s most inspired characters, if debatably a knock-off of DC/Jack Kirby’s Jason Blood/’ Demon’ character. ( the similarities abound ) The only reason why the Son of Satan/Hellstorm character never made it to superstar status is simply because Marvel just can’t figure out how to properly write him. Presenting him to us as a straight-up superhero who fights supernatural menaces is not enough of a bite, while Warren Ellis’ take on the character was just SO off-the-wall that it alienated too much of the readership. ( including myself ) I would say, of the two extremes, that the Steve Gerber version is probably closer to what is needed, simply due to commercial reasons, if nothing else. Ellis’ take was interesting, but, let’s face it, it ain’t gonna sell enough funnybooks to make it commercially viable. But, in this issue, Hellstrom distinguishes himself as a natural Defender, and a perfect colleague for Dr. Strange. I always thought that, following the events of this issue, Dr. Strange should have allowed Hellstrom to operate a branch-office of his business out of Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum! These two go together professionally like ‘Starsky & Hutch’, ‘Penn & Teller’, ‘Sonny & Cher’, ham& eggs, PB & jelly, Lennon & McCartney, Hawkeye & Trapper John, steak & lobster, ham and cheese, Jagger & Richards, and Batman & Robin! I would have been very comfortable with seeing Strange and Hellstrom featured prominently in every single issue of ‘The Defenders’ that Marvel ever published! Had this BEEN the case, the series most likely would not have degenerated into the banality which resulted in it’s cancellation in 1983, and later again at the end of 1985! I wonder whatever happened to Klaus Jansen, and why he never worked with Gil Kane again, following this issue. What an artistic team! “C-“, Mr. Ekko-??? As Fred Sanford would have put it, “Are you CRAZY-???-!!!” I say, “A+”!! This is as good as funnybooks get!!! Right up there with ‘Uncanny X-Men’s issues # 56-65, 141-143, and ‘Silver Surfer’ #’s 3, 4, and 5, from 1969!! Word!!

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  2. Additional thought: Had the Son of Satan been given the same amount of exposure in the ‘Defenders’ series that was enjoyed by the Incredible Hulk, or at least the Valkyrie, Nighthawk, and the annoying Hellcat, ( whom Hellstrom actually wound up marrying- and look how well THAT worked out ) it is quite conceivable that exposure could have spilled over and supported him in his own solo series. Food for thought.

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