Defenders #101: Review

Nov 1981

J. M. DeMatteis, Joe Sinnott

Story Name:

Renewal

Synopsis

Defenders #101 Synopsis by Julio Molina-Muscara

The Savage Hulk is the only one happy for obtaining a victory against the hordes of Hell. But everybody is sad for the high price they payed in return: the loss of Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, into the hands of his father. Tired and mad at everyone for not being nice to him anymore, the green behemoth leaves. The Sub-Mariner understands the Hulk and before returning to Atlantis, asks everyone not to minimize the good action they have accomplished. Later Nighthawk leaves in his wheel chair, saying a last goodbye to the group. Devil-Slayer now doesn't know what to do. And Doctor Strange feels guilty for Hellstrom's situation. Everybody needs a shoulder. To better his mood, the Silver Surfer invites him and Clea to get away for a while. They fly to a small village in Africa where the kindness and simplicity of the villagers get to the sourcerer, who grabs Clea and takes her on a magical romantic dance in the air. Meanwhile, Hellcat, Valkyrie and the Gargoyle visit Patsy at a hospital. They find ill children as well. One unmasks the Gargoyle but instead of fearing the monstrous face, they think he's cool. Hellcat also finds in a little girl suffering cancer more strength, faith, and happiness than she can bare. And they start feeling better. On a dark side of the city, Devil-Slayer meets a hippie who is immune to his mental screen. He is a drug addict and the drugs have altered his brain allowing him to see the hero's custome. The misserable man teaches the slayer a lesson, of accepting oneself as it is. After walking the streets at night, Devil-Slayer reaches Doc Strange's mansion before dawn and finds everyone outside. They tell him they're renewing themselves. And he joins them. They feel so much better after their recent experiences.

Review / Commentaries

Rating:

Defenders #101 Review by Peter Silvestro (August 20, 2024)

Review: After some nightmarish adventure, during a milestone issue, no less, the Defenders have to kick back and unwind and gets everything back in order. Of course, that’s only after the two least casual of the non-team, Hulk and Subby, have groused and decamped for grumpier climes. And then it’s all nice! Patsy and Val and Isaac find peace and healing in a hospital children’s ward and even Isaac finds an acceptance he’s never dreamed of. Then Silver Surfer takes Strange and Clea to an African village where everybody jams. Had the art been better, Strange and Clea’s sky dance could have been a thing of beauty but it isn’t so it’s not. Pity. And then Devil-Slayer, not the jolliest of names befitting not the jolliest of characters, shows up. He snarls at everybody, terrifying a spaced-out hippie but eventually he mellows out, a bit too late, but still…. Some nice moments, both in quality and content, here.

Comments: First appearance of Ira Gross a/k/a Sunshine. His reference to Altamont is to the ill-fated Altamont Free Concert in Tracy, California, on December 6, 1969; look it up, it was pretty grim. Joe Sinnott is credited with finished art and Al Milgrom did the backgrounds. The letters page includes one by T.M. Maple, pseudonym of prolific letter writer Jim Burke.