Marvel on the Small ScreenLists about TV series based on the Marvel Comics superheroes and teams, from Jessica Jones to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to Hawkeye.
The Defenders are coming to Netflix and it's going to be HUGE. Marvel is upping their game in a huge way by establishing a fully fleshed out television universe that completely ties into their film universe, and they're doing it in all the right ways.
Before we get to The Defenders we will have met Daredevil (again), Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist and something cataclysmic will happen causing them all to team up and take down some mega threat. Basically we get another Avengers team with a grounded, darker, noir tone! Every comic geek's dream is coming to fruition, Superheroes are taking over both film and television.Â
But first, before the eight-episode show comes out, you should probably know a bit about The Defenders themselves, as well as the unprecedented deal that landed them at Netflix. These are Defenders trivia facts to get you caught up to speed!
The Defenders had a rotating roster as a team, all usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas. The team often battled mystic and supernatural threats.
Its original incarnation was led by Doctor Strange and included the Hulk, Namor, and eventually, the Silver Surfer.
2
The Defenders Were so Popular in the First Issue of Marvel Feature, They Quickly Got Their Own Title
The Defenders first appeared as a feature in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971), where the founding members gathered to battle the alien techno-wizard Yandroth, and remained as a team afterward. Due to the popularity of their tryout in Marvel Feature, Marvel soon began publishing The Defenders. Valkyrie was introduced to the team in issue #4 (February 1973).
Writer Steve Eaglehart has stated that he added the Valkyrie to The Defenders "to provide some texture to the group." Englehart wrote "The Avengers-Defenders War" crossover in The Avengers #116-118 (October-December 1973) and The Defenders #9-11 (October-December 1973). Len Wein briefly wrote the series thereafter.
3
All of the Actors Cast in Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage Are Slotted to Return
Daredevil's Charlie Cox, Jessica Jones's Krysten Ritter, Luke Cage's Mike Colter, and whoever ends up as Iron Fist will all be teaming up as The Defenders. Presumably Vincent D'onofrio (Kingpin), Rosario Dawson (Night Nurse), David Tennent (Purple Man) and the rest of the show's supporting cast have it in their contracts to return as well. This mini-series is going to enormous.
4
The Defenders (on Netflix) Is Shaping up to Be the Grittier, More Street Level Side of The Avengers
The Defenders is the superhero group assembling on Netflix. They are a "street-level" and "grounded" superhero team (as opposed to the scope and otherworldly-ness of The Avengers). The show plans to have a strong basis in reality and approachability.
The planned team is Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist.
5
The Team Has Had a Huge Rotating Roster of Major Heroes
The group had a rotating lineup from 1972 until 1986, with Dr. Strange and the Hulk being more or less constant members along with a number of other mainstays such as Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, the Gargoyle, Beast, the Son of Satan, and Luke Cage, and a large number of temporary members.
The publication was retitled near the end of the run as The New Defenders but featured none of the original members and only Valkyrie, the Beast, and the Gargoyle of the former long-term members.
6
The Defenders Will Conclude a 60 Hour Onslaught of Marvel Superhero Television
After four 13 episode (one hour each) shows (all released in their entirety for maximum binge viewing), Netflix with unleash The Defenders. It all starts with Daredevil, followed by Jessica Jones. Iron Fist is supposedly next on the docket, followed by Luke Cage, then between four and eight episodes of The Defenders rounding out a 60 hour epic.
