Defenders, The (1972 series) #44

Review: Exposition-heavy issue has quite a number of entertaining moments, such as the arrival of Hellcat, accompanied by a lengthy sci-fi account of where she has just been, the battle with the Red Rajah, who comes with a fantasy history of the Star of Capistan and… Well, those were the good parts. There’s also an account of Red Guardian’s troubles with her Soviet bosses and the umpteenth scene of Valkyrie telling Jack Norriss to take a long walk off a short roof. And a bunch of people are hypnotized, including our (male) heroes, leaving the ladies to save the day next time. So see you then….

Comments: Part one of two parts. Hellcat/Patsy Walker makes her first appearance in the title, joining the team next issue; her previous appearances were in AVENGERS #144-151. First appearance of Detective Kris Keating who will show up a few times in this title, then in FF and Captain America issues, finally in several Spider-Man titles; somewhere along the line he is murdered by the Foreigner and replaced with a double but no one is clear exactly when. Rhino comes back in INCREDIBLE HULK #218, Solarr in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #53. Jack Norriss’ name is misspelled “Norris” throughout the issue. Dialogue by David Kraft.