Defenders #4
Title: “The New Defender!”
Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciller: Sal Buscema
Inker: F. McLaughlin
Colors: P. Goldberg
Editor: Roy Thomas
Hulk stands holding the unconscious body of Barbara. Hulk tells them to get back. He says that magician hurt Barbara, and that he isn’t going to do it again. Strange says that he was only trying to help Barbara, and that he couldn’t have known that she was so mentally entwined that she would go into a state of shock when he separated her from the Nameless One. Hulk says that Strange is trying to confuse him with big words, but that Hulk knows that he hates Strange. Hulk says that Strange bosses him around, and then doesn’t even thank him when he does well. Hulk leaps towards the castle, and says that Strange had better not try to stop him or he will smash. Strange tells Namor that even though he did what he had to do, and would do it again, that he cannot hold himself blameless for what happened to Barbara. Strange asks Namor what they should do. Namor says that Hulk might just as easily hurt Barbara accidentally, and that they have to go in after them. Namor says so as not to raise the Hulk’s ire that they will go in the conventional way. Namor pushes the door open. Namor says that it is strange that nobody screamed when the Hulk went in. He says that the castle is obviously tenanted.
Inside the castle, Namor and Strange don’t find anyone, including Hulk and Barbara. Eventually Namor and Strange find a brazier still burning. The brazier flares up and when the flame dies down reality is stripped away. The smoke settles and Namor and Strange stand before a group of armored soldiers surrounding Skurge the Executioner. Strange and Namor come to realize that they are in another land, and maybe even another time. Skurge’s army charges them. Strange and Namor start defending themselves. Strange says that he is worried that the Hulk came here with Barbara, and that she might be in great danger as these soldiers are beserkers. Skurge tells them to press onward and give no quarter. Namor says that even his super dense skin would be cut by their slashing swords. Namor charges into the crowd and says that he must keep from being closed upon. Strange says that he will provide Namor with a spell of protection, but before he can do so a mage appears behind him and says that they are in the realm of Casiolena, and that in this land no magicks may rise against Fragon, conjurer for the Queen. Fragon blasts Strange with a spell and Strange loses all of his mystically abilities. Strange is grabbed up by the soldiers. Namor says that he is alone, and that there is no water to replenish his strength, but that he will fight on. Skurge says that his soldiers are worthless. He says that he spent months training them, but still one man continues fighting against him. Skurge says that he has gained favor and unnatural powers in this unnatural land. Skurge blasts Namor and stuns him. A soldier nails Namor in the back with a cudgel. Skurge says that like always his opposition falls before him.
Strange and Namor are thrown into the dungeon. Bruce Banner is also in the prison and says that he was counting on them for rescue since as Bruce Banner he isn’t of much use. Namor asks about Barbara, Bruce points to her and says that she is here, but totally insane. Bruce says that he doesn’t know why though because the Hulk’s memories are seldom shared. Bruce says that all he remembers is turning into Bruce Banner right before the brazier flared up, and then he was thrown in prison. A voice from the cell across from them says that is basically the same story they have. Strange looks over and spots Dane Whitman, the Black Knight. Black Knight introduces them to his cellmate the Enchantress. Black Knight says that their story actually begins when Odin banished Enchantress and Executioner to this land. Soon after the Executioner left Enchantress for the queen of this land. Enchantress tried a few more gambits, but without Executioner they all came out wrong. Black Knight says that he helped turn Enchantress over into the captivity of Zeus, but when one day Zeus was sleeping the Enchantress escaped and came to him. She tells Black Knight that together they are going to reclaim the Executioner from her rival. Black Knight says that he isn’t Amora’s accomplice or lover. Enchantress kisses Black Knight, and from that moment on he was her willing slave. Enchantress uses her power and adds it to the occult brazier that Black Knight guards. They are transported to Casiolena’s realm. Casiolena tells Skurge and his troops to destroy them because they are trying to take Executioner from her side. Casiolena knocks Enchantress out with a blast, and Black Knight is overwhelmed by Executioner’s army. Black Knight says that was weeks ago, and that they have been there since.
Enchantress looks over into the
Defenders’ cell and notices Barbara lying there. 
Enchantress
says that to start their escape all she needed was a member of
her own sex. Enchantress says that she can use the girl to create
the Valkyrie. Bruce says that the Hulk remembers the Valkyrie,
but that the Valkyrie is just a false joined with a mortal girl.
Bruce says that all Enchantress will do is create a superpowered
maniac, as Barbara is already insane. Enchantress says that
isn’t so because here her magic is at its most powerful. She
says that the Valkyrie will be in complete control and the insane
woman completely subdued. Namor, Banner, and Strange all protest,
but as they cannot reach Enchantress to stop her the spell hits
Barbara. Barbara is transformed into the Valkyrie. Valkyrie tells
the men to move to one side at let their liberator at the cell
door. Valkyrie charges the cell door and shatters it with her
spear. Enchantress instructs Valkyrie to strike down their door
as well. Black Knight whistles and Aragon, his winged horse,
flies to him from the courtyard.
One of the soldiers goes to Skurge and Casiolena’s side. He says that there has been unpleasantness at the prison. Skurge says that he can read his words just by looking at his twisted visage. Skurge orders that they be captured.
Black Knight, Namor, and Hulk all fight against Skurge’s men. The Enchantress fights against Fragon. She says that only Casiolena is her equal in this realm. Strange’s powers start to return to him as Fragon is forced to resist Enchantress’ attack. Strange and Enchantress strike at Fragon together and take him out. Valkyrie fights Skurge’s men as well. She notes that the men are so stunned by the appearance of any women except their queen that they don’t know what to do against her. Executioner finally arrives and charges Namor. Skurge says that he isn’t sure how they escaped the dungeons through his spell-enforced wishes, but that they will not profit from it. Skurge blasts Namor with a bolt coming from his axe. Namor is struggling to rise when Executioner spots the Hulk standing there. Hulk says that he remembers Executioner from before, but that he didn’t used to use tricky weapons. Executioner says that here, like in Asgard, that none may stand if he doesn’t want them to. Skurge swats Hulk with his axe. Skurge tries to blast Black Knight but misses. Suddenly Skurge’s axe is knocked from his hands by Valkyrie’s spear. Skurge underestimates Valkyrie and Val closes in on him and punches him. Skurge is sent hurtling into the combined punches of the Hulk and Namor. Black Knight says that he doesn’t know if it’s necessary, but gives Skurge a smack to the gut with the flat of his sword. Valkyrie shouts that the day is theirs.
Casiolena appears above them on a parapet. She says that the day has not yet run its course. Casiolena is about to strike them all down, but Valkyrie scales up the parapet. She grabs Casiolena and is about to punch her when she finds that she cannot hurt a woman. Enchantress says that she can though. Enchantress says that Valkyrie was only created from a part of her personality, and that she has no problem striking down any opponent. Amora blasts Casiolena and says that they are of equal power, and all that mattered is who struck first. Amora says that if Skurge has regained his senses that she will come with her, and their abilities will return to their peaks of success. Skurge says that he supposes so because in the realm of the vanquished there is no place for the Executioner. Black Knight says that she can’t leave with him because he loves her. Enchantress tells Black Knight that he was only a pawn for her. Black Knight says that he is going to get rid of Executioner, and challenges him to a duel. Enchantress stops him and says that his desire to be her champion has moved her. She kisses him again and transforms him into a stone statue of himself. Enchantress and Executioner disappear.
Strange is trying to undo the spell, but finds that he cannot. Valkyrie says that maybe she can help since she was born of the Enchantress’ mind, and might be able to counter her. Namor asks why Valkyrie would help since it is said that she hates men. Val says that she doesn’t hate men, she just knows that she is equal to them. Val kisses the Black Knight, but he remains unaffected. She says that her mistress’ powers were not transferred to her. Strange says that they will take Black Knight back to Earth so they can help him as soon as they find a cure. Val says that she guesses that she will go to Earth too as she has been deserted. She looks at Aragon and figures that he has been deserted as well. Namor asks if Strange can take them home. Strange says that he can now that he knows how they wound up there. Strange creates the opening, and they all start their journey home. Hulk asks where the girl is, and says that Strange better not have hurt her again. Strange says that Valkyrie has very little connection to Barbara, but that he hasn’t done anything to her. Strange says that Val might cause herself harm as she is trying to break Aragon to accept her as a rider. By the time they reach their destination Aragon has accepted Valkyrie. Val says that she seems to have a rapport with horses. Strange says that he will take Black Knight to his sanctum and that there is no spell so great that it cannot be broken. Strange seals Garrett Castle. Strange asks Valkyrie if she is going to continue caring for Aragon. She says that she will, but figured since they are both alone now that they would come with them and become a member of the Defenders. Namor says to hold on, and says that there is no real “Defenders”. He says that they team up when they have to, but that they aren’t like the Avengers. Strange adds that with all modesty the three of them are among the most powerful people in the world. Strange asks why they would need Valkyrie.
The Omegatron’s countdown continues.
Dr. Strange’s Defenders: 8.5 out of 10
Great story. A Defender is born…literally. Valkyrie’s origin is a cool one, and the Defenders get their own Asgardian. The dimensions crossing action also sets a cool standard for Defender’s adventures. The funny part is when Valkyrie decides that she wants to join the team. Namor just goes, “whoa whoa whoa- there’s no team here!” Sal Buscema’s art continues to be of fantastic quality for storytelling. The longer I read comics the more I appreciate Sal’s work.
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