Defenders, The (2001 series) #5

After the events of the last issue, the Defenders go their separate ways. Namor departs, determined to end his affiliation with the Defenders. Doctor Strange sends Hellcat, Valkyrie (Samantha Perrington), and Nighthawk away so he may work on Yandroth’s curse. Bruce Banner discusses his sudden disappearances with his psychiatrist Doc Samson. Namor returns to Atlantis to remove Attuma, who has usurped his throne. Hellcat, Nighthawk and Valkyrie stop at Ray’s Pizza, at Val’s insistence, because she is still partially amnesiac, and it feels familiar to her. 

The Headmen (villains team) attacks a nearby museum and retrieves a fragment of an ancient statue. As they leave the front door, Nighthawk snatches the fragment from them. A fight ensues between him, Valkyrie and Hellcat and the burglars, who snatch the fragment back and teleport away.

Namor finally gets his hands on Attuma, who sits on the Atlantean throne with Namorita in chains, only to be teleported away by Yandroth’s curse. The child-like Hulk is attempting to relate his adventures with the Defenders to Doc Samson and gets plucked away too. Nighthawk, Hellcat, and Valkyrie return to Dr. Strange’s Sanctum to relate the story of the Headmen. Dr. Strange disappears and finds himself with Namor and Hulk in the shadow of a gigantic monster.

Also in this issue: Silver Surfer, Bi-Beast, Alicia Masters