Defenders 1972-1986 Series by Arnold Drake, Steve Gerber, Don Heck, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Len Wein, Roger Slifer, David Anthony Kraft, Gerry Conway, Mary Skrenes, John David Warner, Don McGregor, Naomi Basner, Scott Edelman, Chris Claremont, Ed Hannigan, George Tuska, Tony Isabella, Jim Starlin, Bill Everett, Steve Ditko, Dennis O'Neil, Bill Mantlo, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, David Michelinie, Mark Gruenwald, Bob McLeod

Vol. 100 in the Marvel Masterworks Library. Reprints: Sub-Mariner #34-35, Marvel Feature #1-3 and Defenders #1-6.

From the Sentinels and the Savage Land Mutates to Loki, Dormammu and Thanos, the Avengers prove the universe's worst is no match for their best! Magnetic mayhem and nuclear nostalgia! Featuring Golden Age guest-stars, mythic menaces and more! Plus: the Avengers-Defenders War and Hawkeye vs. Daredevil! Includes rare Marvel work by best-selling author Harlan Ellison! COLLECTING: Avengers #98-119, Daredevil #99, Defenders #8-11

While the Avengers are the world's mightiest heroes, the Defenders are a motley crew only united in times of crisis. Now these two team clash after being fooled by the trickster Loki and Dormammu into believing themselves to be enemies. Who will prevail when Silver Surfer clashes with The Vision, Namor challenges Captain America and the Hulk battles Thor.Collects: Avengers #115-118, Defenders #8-11

The Avengers battle the Defenders in comics' first great crossover battle royal! It's hero against hero in the sensational summer hit of 1973. Cap vs. Namor! Thor vs. Hulk! It's the original and there's never been another one like it. Also featuring the origin of Mantis; an all-hands-on-deck battle with the Zodiac; the Avengers vs... moreThe Avengers battle the Defenders in comics' first great crossover battle royal! It's hero against hero in the sensational summer hit of 1973. Cap vs. Namor! Thor vs. Hulk! It's the original and there's never been another one like it. Also featuring the origin of Mantis; an all-hands-on-deck battle with the Zodiac; the Avengers vs. Thanos and the Cosmic Cube; a Giant-Size adventure including the Golden Age heroes Miss America and the Whizzer; the wedding of Quicksilver and Crystal; the return of Ultron; and the increasingly tense love triangle emerging between the Scarlet Witch, the Vision and Mantis! And as an added bonus feature we're including rare Avengers pinups, profi les and more from the pages of the '70s fanzine F.O.O.M.! COLLECTING: AVENGERS (1963) 115-128, GIANT-SIZE (1974) 1, DEFENDERS (1972) 8-11, CAPTAIN MARVEL (1968) 33, FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) 150 less

Dr. Strange. Namor. The Hulk. The Silver Surfer. Set apart from others by nature and choice, this team of Marvel's mightiest loners embarked a string of strange adventures rarely equaled since - joined by some of the most off-kilter heroes of their time. Sorcery! Super-science! The war of the super-heroes! Learn how the "non-team" got its non-start in this multi-title compilation!Collects Dr... moreDr. Strange. Namor. The Hulk. The Silver Surfer. Set apart from others by nature and choice, this team of Marvel's mightiest loners embarked a string of strange adventures rarely equaled since - joined by some of the most off-kilter heroes of their time. Sorcery! Super-science! The war of the super-heroes! Learn how the "non-team" got its non-start in this multi-title compilation!Collects Dr. Strange #183, Sub-Mariner #22 and 34-35, Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel Feature #1-3, Defenders #1-14, and Avengers #115-118. less

It was August 1961, and change was in the air. Throughout the nation, a new comic book filled the stands, heralding an era of creativity soon to be dubbed the Marvel Age of Comics. Fantastic Four #1 did not feature the squeaky-clean heroes of yesteryear, clad in gaudy primary colors and hiding behind secret identities. These were real characters placed in extraordinary circumstances. They lived together, they fought among themselves and sometimes, they even lost to the bad guys... moreIt was August 1961, and change was in the air. Throughout the nation, a new comic book filled the stands, heralding an era of creativity soon to be dubbed the Marvel Age of Comics. Fantastic Four #1 did not feature the squeaky-clean heroes of yesteryear, clad in gaudy primary colors and hiding behind secret identities. These were real characters placed in extraordinary circumstances. They lived together, they fought among themselves and sometimes, they even lost to the bad guys. This was more than a change in attitude: It was the beginning of something entirely different. And readers couldn't get enough.Thanks to the fertile imaginations of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and others, the runaway train called Marvel showed no signs of slowing down. An unending list of heroes followed the FF with ever-increasing acclaim and popularity: the Amazing Spider-Man, the Mighty Thor, the Incredible hulk, Daredevil, Iron Man and the X-Men, to name but a few. These were the Marvel heroes, born of conflict and a continous struggle to balance human lives with superhuman responsibilities.The Masterworks series was created to give comic-book readers everywhere the chance to experience the creation of the Marvel Universe firsthand. The works contained within pulse with the same vitality, the same originality and the same genius today as they did so many years ago. But, above all, the pure joy and fun that went into making these stories continues to transcend the illustrated page. So lay back, dig in and enjoy Marvel again for the very first time.EXCELSIOR! less

In 1968, industry legends Arnold Drake (creator of DC's Deadman and Doom Patrol) and Gene Colan (penciler for virtually every major Marvel character) looked to the future and saw a crusading quartet - Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex, and Charlie-27 - rising to retake Earth from reptilian raiders The Guardians of the Galaxy begin their battle with the Badoon, and they're not just building on the heroism of past centuries - they're recruiting from it Captain America, Doctor Strange, the Thing, the... moreIn 1968, industry legends Arnold Drake (creator of DC's Deadman and Doom Patrol) and Gene Colan (penciler for virtually every major Marvel character) looked to the future and saw a crusading quartet - Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex, and Charlie-27 - rising to retake Earth from reptilian raiders The Guardians of the Galaxy begin their battle with the Badoon, and they're not just building on the heroism of past centuries - they're recruiting from it Captain America, Doctor Strange, the Thing, the Hulk, and others join the Sol System's soldiers in a war that began a thousand years from now Collects Marvel Super-Heroes #18, Marvel Two-In-One #4-5, Giant-Size Defenders #5, and Defenders #26-29. less

Captain America, Doctor Strange, the Thing, the Hulk and other familiar faces join the star-spanning heroes in the greatest war the future ever saw! Then, as the Guardians help a planet in turmoil rebuild, threats rise from two other worlds: one of them living, the other gone mad! It's cosmic action as you like it, as the Avengers of tomorrow face their baptism of fire! Featuring the introduction of Nikki and the origin of Starhawk! Guest-starring the Silver Surfer! COLLECTING: Marvel Super... moreCaptain America, Doctor Strange, the Thing, the Hulk and other familiar faces join the star-spanning heroes in the greatest war the future ever saw! Then, as the Guardians help a planet in turmoil rebuild, threats rise from two other worlds: one of them living, the other gone mad! It's cosmic action as you like it, as the Avengers of tomorrow face their baptism of fire! Featuring the introduction of Nikki and the origin of Starhawk! Guest-starring the Silver Surfer! COLLECTING: Marvel Super Heroes (1967) 18, Marvel Two -In-One (1974) 4-5, Giant -Size Defenders 5, Defenders (1972) 26-29, Marvel Presents 3-12 less

There's nothing the non-team can't handle when mutants, gods, demons and miscreants of the 1950s all get their crack at the sensational super heroes of the seventies With Luke Cage The Guardians of the Galaxy The Son of Satan vs. the Sons of the Serpent Brain transplants, foreign intrigue and the tumultuous terror of Tapping Tommy Daredevil, Yellowjacket, Bambi And introducing.. moreThere's nothing the non-team can't handle when mutants, gods, demons and miscreants of the 1950s all get their crack at the sensational super heroes of the seventies With Luke Cage The Guardians of the Galaxy The Son of Satan vs. the Sons of the Serpent Brain transplants, foreign intrigue and the tumultuous terror of Tapping Tommy Daredevil, Yellowjacket, Bambi And introducing... an Elf ? Featuring the first appearance of the ever-reliable Wrecking Crew Collects Defenders #15-30, Giant-Size Defenders #1-5, Marvel Team-Up #33-35, Marvel Treasury Edition #12, and Marvel Two-in-One #6-7 less

The Day of the Defenders first gathered Doctor Strange, the Hulk and the rest of Marvel's legion of loners - but can they survive "Defenders for a Day?" If the second team calling themselves Defenders doesn't finish them off, the third one just might Plus: more non-stop action when the non-team faces team after team - including the Emissaries of Evil, Zodiac and the Headmen Demons and gods alike threaten humanity, leaving its outcasts to defend it Guest-starring Iron Fist, Ms... moreThe Day of the Defenders first gathered Doctor Strange, the Hulk and the rest of Marvel's legion of loners - but can they survive "Defenders for a Day?" If the second team calling themselves Defenders doesn't finish them off, the third one just might Plus: more non-stop action when the non-team faces team after team - including the Emissaries of Evil, Zodiac and the Headmen Demons and gods alike threaten humanity, leaving its outcasts to defend it Guest-starring Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel, Havok and Polaris, the Son of Satan, Hercules and more Collects Defenders #31-60 and Annual #1 less