House of Ideas

Defenders: Beyond #5 (Jan. 2023) wrapped up the limited series by taking the heroes to the House of Ideas. Home to a godlike creative force, the surreal dimension included some nostalgic comic book imagery. In drawing attention to the comic book as a storytelling medium, writer Al Ewing and illustrator Javier Rodríguez emphasized the importance of agency and experience within their characters—ending the abstract adventure on an optimistic note.

The House of Ideas is, of course, a longstanding euphemism for Marvel Comics. The cover of Champions #6 (June 1976), for instance, noted that the magazine came from the House of Ideas! In that story, Angel, Iceman, Black Widow and Hercules defeated a costumed villain called Rampage.

The Best of All Possible Worlds

Defenders: Beyond #4 explored a version of reality where Blue Marvel prevented the assassination of John F. Kennedy and Galactus was the "life-Bringer" rather than a devourer or worlds. The utopia wasn't all it was chalked up to be, however. Tigra, for example, was now the trusted leader of the Avengers, which amounted to Earth's mightiest heroes asking her to watch their belongings or run errands. Ultimately, the Defenders sought to escape this superficially idyllic realm and return to the world they knew.

Defenders: Beyond. Vol. 1. No. 1. December 2022. "The Land of Couldn't-Be-Shouldn't -Be." Al Ewing • Javier Rodríguez • VC's Joe Caramagna • Wil Moss • Michelle Marchese.

Reconstructing the Construction Worker

A citation at the end of Defenders: Beyond #3 (Nov. 2022) noted that the construction worker within that story previously appeared in Classic X-Men #43 (Jan. 1990). In comparing both issues, I prefer the rendition of the character in the Defenders over his portrayal in the X-Men. Among other physical differences, this latest depiction gives the character a construction helmet and reflective lenses—with a mustache replacing his classic stubble. Additionally, the construction worker's entire dimension now appears in black-and-white instead of full color.

It is indeterminate if the surreal character still whistles while he works, as he had in the X-Men vignette.

The Second Cosmos

Defenders #4 (Vol. 6) announced that the final installment of that five-part series would list the Marvel heroes and villains who were the basis for the archetypal characters in the Fourth Cosmos. Instead, those answers appeared at the end of Defenders: Beyond #2, reinforcing how intersected the two limited series happened to be.

Often reading like a travelogue, Beyond #2 brought the latest group of Defenders to the Second Cosmos, described as a multiverse of possibility and infinite instability. In a fitting touch of continuity, the issue brought back the Omega Council and Concordance Engines, credited in Defenders #11 (Vol. 4) for the impressive number of improbable events that happen on Earth.

This page comes from Defenders: Beyond #2 (Oct. 2022).

Stacking the Deck

Dr. Strange was dead. But before he departed, the sorcerer cast a lingering, final spell that would strong-arm Blue Marvel into leading a new combination of Defenders in a five-issue limited series. A magical Tarot deck would identify who would join this version of the non-team. In addition to Blue Marvel, the desk selected Ms. America Chavez, a young version of Loki, Taaia of the Sixth Cosmos, and Tigra, the Were-Woman (Defenders: Beyond #1).

Although a Ten card from each of the traditional Tarot suits (Wands, Swords, Cups, Coins) would represent four of these Defenders, the card representing Tigra was the Ten of Crowns (a fifth suit that doesn't exist in any other Tarot deck). While a standard Tarot deck has 78 cards in all, we can only imagine how many unique cards might appear in this magical deck—and what that could mean for the Defenders.

This image of Blue Marvel comes from Defenders: Beyond #1 (Sept. 2022).