Essential Defenders Vol. 2

[Indigo Al]

And by Essential Defenders Vol. 2, I mean issue No. 22....!!!

I mean geez -- an offbeat superhero comic masquerading as an episode of Good Times or the Jeffersons! Tons of well meaning 70's style social relevance/commentary... Even though it's entirely naive and out of place, I still have a soft spot for it....

[Hombre]

Tons of well meaning 70's style social relevance/commentary... Even though it's entirely naive and out of place, I still have a soft spot for it....

I guess you must be referring to this story:

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/pennysworthjc.htm#mrs

I can say that these themes were indeed an important inspiration for Marvel creators at the time.

I really, really liked McGregor's brief run on Luke Cage, for example, which includes this story, addressing the same themes from a different angle - a family trying to start a new life, and finding itself ostracized, with a first person narration from a little boy that still sees life as an adventure and is unable to understand what is happening around him:

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/wildfire.htm#Simmons

McGregor followed up on the story, the impact that it had. I think it's a perfect example of that delicate balance between maintaining a sense of warmth and fun and dealing with personal and social tragedies that he and many creators of his generation were able to obtain.

McGregor and Robbins show on one page Luke getting hassled by a pernicious soda machine, and in the next the funeral for Augie Simmons. Later, Luke phones Alex, to check on Beth. The look on his face as he sees his daughter with a blank stare in the next room is subtly devastating.

I think that, aside from the specific issues that they tackled and the circumstances that inspired them, the lasting power of these stories lies in the way they show the human suffering that comes in the wake of intolerance, blind hatred and social injustice, which is something that everyone can relate to.

[Lone Ranger]

I posted about in the the "What Classic Comics Have You Read Lately?" thread.

I am almost finished it - have enjoyed it immensely (much more than vol.1).

Sure, a scene of a rat threatening a baby is a bit 70s, but you've gotta love it.

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=4258828&postcount=1719

I also like how Jack Norris keeps popping up every issue screaming 'What have you done with my Barbara?'

Reminds me of the 'I want my two dollars?' kid from Better Off Dead.

[Indigo Al]

I posted about in the the "What Classic Comics Have You Read Lately?" thread.

I am almost finished it - have enjoyed it immensely (much more than vol.1).

Sure, a scene of a rat threatening a baby is a bit 70s, but you've gotta love it.

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=4258828&postcount=1719

I also like how Jack Norris keeps popping up every issue screaming 'What have you done with my Barbara?'

Reminds me of the 'I want my two dollars?' kid from Better Off Dead.

Yep, I'm feeling rather bad for Jack Norris! What a sad sack.

And you're right, Vol 2 is much better than vol. 1. Hopefully we'll make it all the way to the end of the run....

I'm about to finish the Sons of the Serpent thing and get into the Guardians arc.



I guess you must be referring to this story:

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/p...orthjc.htm#mrs

I can say that these themes were indeed an important inspiration for Marvel creators at the time.

Very good point - and like I said, even though it doesn't really work, I still liked these stories (How about Doc conjuring a meal for a homeless man from the Plaza restaurant!)