The worst threat to the Defenders turns out to be the other Defenders! Can our heroes prevail? Your Major Spoilers review of Defenders Beyond #4 from Marvel Comics awaits!

DEFENDERS BEYOND #4

Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Javier Rodriguez
Colorist: Javier Rodriguez
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 19, 2022

Previously in Defenders Beyond: On their quest to save reality itself, the Defenders have stared down the Beyonder and survived the scorching flames of the Phoenix, but now Loki and Co. must face their greatest threat yet: Themselves! The Defenders find themselves in a plane of possibility, where they are haunted by visions of the lives they WISH they could have, if only, the dream weaver warns, they didn’t have the others holding them back!

Will they turn against each other? Or accept closing those doors?

“I HATE BEING A TREE!”

Defenders Beyond #4 opens in the year 1963, as Adam Brashear, The Blue Marvel, stops Lee Harvey’s Oswald’s attack on the President. He chides Kennedy (who canonically asked him to give up his superhuman activities when he was exposed as Black, waaay back in his original miniseries) and warns him that re-election won’t be as easy as he thought. Cut to the present, where former President Brashear is now the leader of The Avengers, with Tigra as a respected, key member of the team. America Chavez returns from the Utopian Parallel with her missing sister, while Taaia is happily the avatar of Galactus, The Life-Bringer (AKA her son, Galan). Even The Beyonder is happy here, thanks to Glorian’s illusionary abilities, but America isn’t sure that she should be as happy as she is. And as for Loki, she’s stuck being a tree, which apparently happens more often than you might think…

ON TO THE HOUSE OF IDEAS

The first Defenders miniseries explored Ewing’s eight cosmoses, deconstructing not only the structure of comic books, but their very form, ink, and colors. This series continues that exploration, with Cloud and the archetypical heroes of the Fourth Cosmos returning to aid the Defenders in their quest. Glorian finds himself trapped in a traditional comic book page, with dull Bronze Age-style coloring, while the heroes are greeted by the mad, swirling vividness of the Queen of Nevers. It’s visually stunning stuff, showing off the skill and sheer artistic joy that Rodriguez brings to The Defenders. While I understand that this kind of storytelling isn’t going to appeal to the same broad audience as, say, Batman’s latest battle, it’s a truly enthralling comic book experience for those who are willing to open their perspective.

BOTTOM LINE: LOVING THIS BOOK

The presence of Taaia, who speaks entirely in “JACK KIRBY BLURBS” and attacks every conversation with the same enthusiasm she brings to battle, makes this series a total winner for me. But, if you need more convincing, Defenders Beyond #4 combines a thoughtful analysis of stories within a story, breaking down its unusual cast’s uniqueness (and even making The Beyonder interesting) and giving us some of the most striking art I’ve ever seen in comics, earning a dead-solid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Take my advice, read any comic by either of these creators.

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