This weekend’s escapist, light-hearted superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog looks at Marvel Comics’ very first multi-issue crossover event – the clash between the Avengers and the Defenders.
AVENGERS Vol 1 #115 (September 1973)
Title: Below Us, the Battle
Avengers Roster: Thor (Donald Blake, MD), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Scarlet Witch (Wanda), Black Panther (T’Challa), Vision (N/A), Mantis (Mantis Brandt), Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne)
Defenders Roster: Dr. Strange (Stephen Strange, MD), Sub-Mariner (Namor McKenzie), Hulk (Bruce Banner, PhD), Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd), Valkyrie (Barbara Norris) and Hawkeye (Clint Barton)
Villains: The Troglodytes
Synopsis: The Avengers fly in a Quin-Jet to Garrett Castle in England to check up on their British member the Black Knight (Dane Whitman). He has been out of touch for an alarmingly long time.
NOTE: That’s because the old Avengers foe the Enchantress turned the Black Knight’s body to stone in the pages of the (at the time) secret superteam the Defenders, covered previously HERE.
Arriving at Garrett Castle the superheroes land their Quin-Jet on the grounds and warily approach the castle. The Avengers find their way blocked by an invisible force-field which surrounds the castle. Continue reading
Balladeer's Blog 