Defenders vol. 2 #7
Title: “Fire Above, Thunder Below”
Writer: Kurt Busiek and Erik Larsen
Penciller: Erik Larsen
Inker: Sal Buscema
Colors: Gregory Wright and Tom Smith’s Color Arts
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The Defenders stare up in awe as the explosion on Sky Island opens up a portal. A gigantic dual being in one emerges from the rift. It says that there is a new world and they have been called. Reality begins to warp around Sky Island.
Hulk sees a giant monster and says that he knows what to do. Dr. Strange says that if this is what he suspects then they dare not engage it directly. Valkyrie senses fear in Strange’s voice. Strange says that this being has no name, but is referred to as the Wayfinder. He says that if it comes through the rift then the Earth will be doomed, and that if they go through the rift to battle it they will be driven mad. Hulk says that Dumb Magician talks too much. Hulk says that he knows how smash monsters and that he has smashed lots of monsters. Strange puts Hulk back in the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. Hulk starts raging inside about being trapped in the red ball. Strange apologizes but says that he can’t let Hulk risk the lives of every living being. Strange flies up to the Wayfinder and tries to use the Bolts of Balthakk to drive Wayfinder back.
The Bloodraven cultists try to attack the Defenders to stop them from fighting the Dark Gods’ vassal. Hellcat notices that the Bloodravens said that the Wayfinder was only a vassal and wonders what could be worse. Red Raven tries to tell the Defenders that this is his fight and that he will punish his people. Namor says that they can discuss jurisdiction later after the threat is over. Valkyrie says that they must stop these cultists to let Strange continue. Namor says that Strange should have thought of that before he trapped the Hulk.
Dr. Strange is trying to fight the Wayfinder, but discovers that the incantation eludes him. He says that his timing is as bad as a novice’s. He says that he mastered these incantations long ago and wonders what is happening to him. Strange frees Hulk. He says that he finds he cannot drive Wayfinder back alone, and though it risks their very souls, he must ask them to help him drive the Wayfinder back. Hulk mutters that Dumb Magician traps Hulk and then frees him to do what Hulk wanted to do in the first place. Hulk says that he will smash the dumb monster anyway to show Magician that he was right.
Nighthawk asks Hellcat where Red Raven went and says that he thought this was a big honor thing for him.
Hulk, Namor, and Valkyrie are all trying in vain to hurt the Wayfinder. Hulk is biting Wayfinder’s finger and says that monster is making him feel funny.
Doctor Strange is failing against the Wayfinder. He says that he should have cleansed his spirit, fasted, and meditated. He says that there must have been omens warning him, but he has been so distracted with breaking the curse.
Suddenly Valkyrie shouts for everyone to get out of the way as the Sky Island itself plugs the hole that the Wayfinder is coming through. The Defenders all feel the Wayfinder shouting in their heads that it will flay their souls for this indignity. Nighthawk remarks at Red Raven’s dedication. Strange puts a few spells on the Sky Island. He says that the island must remain in place for now. Strange gives Red Raven his thanks and says that while the threat has not past it has at least given them a little time. Red Raven says that he doesn’t need Strange’s thanks, and that this kingdom is his responsibility. Strange says that with time and study he will find a more permanent way of closing the portal. Strange says that the Wayfinder will continue to try and break though, but that it must not. Red Raven says that he and his people will see that they don’t. Red Raven tells Strange to go do his studying.
Namor says that Strange is going to have to study later because he was promised that they would help him free Atlantis, and that he will not take no for an answer. Strange says that Namor must see the folly, and that the curse could pull them all away at any moment. Namor says that is why they must hurry. Strange concedes, but Hulk says that he isn’t going anywhere. Hulk says that Fish-Man and Dumb Magician both hate him, and that he doesn’t want to help Fish-Man. Namor and Strange try to tell Hulk that they don’t hate him, but Hulk says that Fish Man hits him, and that Magician keeps putting him the red ball. Nighthawk tells Hulk that there will be monsters in Atlantis that Hulk can fight. Hulk says that Fish Man can smash his own monsters. Nighthawk says that the monsters think Hulk is afraid, that they are stronger than him, and that Hulk’s mother wears combat boots. Hulk gets angry.
The Defenders are forced to travel to Atlantis by a floating bubble instead of teleporting because of Strange’s weakness. Namor asks about Nighthawk’s teleportation ring, but Nighthawk says that it only works to follow the curse. Hulk takes Hellcat to go away and that he wants to be alone. Hellcat says that she thought they were friends. Hulk says that Cat-Girl is not his friend, and that friends stay with friends. Hulk says that she went away, and now everyone just yells at Hulk. Hellcat says that she was dead and in hell, and that it isn’t as if she just didn’t want to stop by. Hulk grumbles and says that he doesn’t think he has any friends. Nighthawk is talking with Namor and says that stopping the Wayfinder was a good thing because if the whole world is in danger that means that Atlantis is in trouble too. Nighthawk puts his hand on Namor’s shoulder. Namor just says, “Touch me not, Richmond.” Valkyrie is talking with Strange. She says that being a part of the Defenders just feels right and that they all seem like stouthearted warriors. Strange says that the Defenders have always been a fractious group, though not this fractious, that for all their bickering they do not lack heroism. Strange starts to recount fun times with the Defenders, but he stops dead. Valkyrie calls his name, but Strange just says that they are there.
The Defenders plunge into the water. Hulk is
holding his breath, but Hellcat tells Hulk that Strange cast a
water breathing spell. The Defenders swim along until they come
upon Attuma and his new army. Attuma says that he knew that Namor
would return and so he gathered a welcoming committee. 
Attuma stands
with Tiger Shark, Orka, Piranha, Nagala, and Sea Urchin. Dr.
Strange is starting to say that maybe they should come up with a
plan as Namor lunges forward in anger. Namor is about to wrap his
hands around Attuma’s throat again when Piranha grabs
Namor’s foot. Piranha throws Namor into some rocks. He says
that Namor left him for dead, but that he did not die and that
this time Namor will fall to the Piranha.
Hulk punches Orka in the face and says that these are the monsters Bird-Nose was talking about. Hulk says that he is not afraid, that he is the strongest one there is, and that his mother wore sensible shoes. Nagala introduces herself to Dr. Strange. She says that she is a descendant and heir to Naga who created the Serpent Crown. Nagala says that she has crated a new Serpent Crown the equal of its predecessor. Strange says that he should have sensed its re-creation. Strange says that for all her power that his experience will win the day. Sea Urchin blasts at Nighthawk and tells him that he gets a bonus for every dead Defender. Attuma tells them all to fight and that if they slay them all that they will not find him unappreciative. Tiger Shark swims at Valkyrie and says that he has beaten Namor himself and asks what chance a “mere chick” has. Orka punches Hulk and says that his name isn’t Tooth-Face. Orka says that he draws his strength from the killer whales, and that he brought a bunch of them. Hellcat is dodging the spears of Attuma’s warriors. Namor helps Hellcat out by throwing the defeated Piranha into them. The Defenders charge Attuma’s welcoming committee. Suddenly Hulk, Strange, and Namor disappear. Attuma tells his warriors to get those remaining. Shortly afterwards Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Hellcat follow the big three.
Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Hellcat arrive and find their many eyed foe unconscious on the ground as Hulk stands over him with a balled up fist. Hellcat asks what happened. Strange says that their foe was Hell-Eyes, who rules a multitude of infernal dimensions and has tried to merge the Earth with his realms many times. Hulk says that he will tell Hellcat what happened. “Hulk hit Eyeball-Man. Hit him in the eye.” Hellcat says good for him. Strange says that they have to break the curse. He says that if he had been attending to his sorcerous duties that he would have sensed the Wayfinder, the Serpent Crown, and even Hell-Eyes. Namor says that they will break the curse once Strange’s promise to him is kept. Namor says that they need more power, and that they should find the Surfer. Namor says that once they free Atlantis that Strange will have his help. Hulk says that he doesn’t like any of them, but will do what he has to, to break the curse. Namor starts to warn Strange that he had better not renege on his promise. Strange says, “Yes. Yes we’ll take it as said, Namor.” Namor says not to test his patience or Strange will find his backhand as swift and powerful as the Hulk’s was. Valkyrie dreads that they will actually break the curse.
Elsewhere Stevie is arguing with Sally that they never go out anymore. Sally says that her work is important and that the museum needs the dating on the artifacts by morning. Stevie says that she can do what she wants, but that he is going out. Stevie leaves and there is a knock on the door. Sally says that the pizza man is here. She gets up to get the door after calling for Stevie and finding him gone. Sally opens the door and says, “You’re not the pizza man... you’re a...” Suddenly a gun comes in the door and shoots Sally.
Dumb Magician’s rating: 7 out of 10
The story is pretty good, if not a little chaotic. I like the introduction of Wayfinder and Attuma’s welcoming party members. The team has lots of pokers in the fire what with Surfer’s absence and now I hope we get to see a few of them wrap up soon. Entertaining read.
The art sadly suffers a little in this issue. It still gets a 3 out of 5. We get Larsen and Buscema again, but the definition doesn’t seem like it’s there this time. Still some great shots of the Wayfinder and the fighting.
RETURN TO DR. STRANGE'S DEFENDERS