Secret Defenders #12: The Secret Offenders?

Secret Defenders #12
“Pawns”
Writer: Ron Marz
Penciler: Tom Grindberg
Inker: Don Hudson
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: John Kalisz
Editor: Mike Rockwitz
Group Editor: Ralph Macchio
Boss: Tom DeFalco
Released: Dec. 14, 1993

After a more or less one-and-done issue 11, we're back to a multi-part story about a powerful figure in the Marvel universe assembling an unlikely team of recruits for a specific mission. But instead of Doctor Strange, Thanos is running the show.

The common denominator of Marz's run so far, Geatar, finds himself before the Mad Titan, who demands he lead a small strike force to kidnap a being known as the Oracle of Ancient Knowledge from an order of monks on the planet H'aarg. In return, Thanos will not kill Geatar, because that's the kind of swell guy he is.*

A computer screen shows Thanos' potential recruits including, notably, Darkseid? I remember those two chatting during the Marvel vs. DC/DC vs. Marvel crossover Marz co-wrote with Peter David, released about two years after this issue. I wonder if Marz was trying to lay a bit of in-continuity groundwork for that or if this was simply meant as a cool Easter egg. I can't make the case that this is a canon appearance of Darkseid in the Marvel Universe, unlike Hawkeye's JLA membership.

“Darkseid” is one of several heavy hitters on Thanos' vision board, along with actual Marvel characters Ultron, Juggernaut, Annihilus, Deathbird and Venom. But the roster he actually chooses consists of Nitro, Rhino, Super-Skrull and Titanium Man. Maybe he was going for a “Moneyball” approach versus a New York Yankees lineup? There may be no salary cap on super villain heists, but who knows what Thanos' personal budget was at this point?

More likely he felt this team was easy to manipulate and up to the task. Years later, “Annihilation: Conquest” would show what a bad idea it is to bring Ultron into space, so I'll give Thanos the benefit of the doubt.

After a brief battle with the Super-Skrull, who lasts longer than I would have expected, Thanos explains he wants the Oracle to help coordinate his defense of Gotham City from a clock tower.

Wait, wrong Oracle.

Thanos wants the information the Oracle has, no doubt as part of an elaborate plan to impress Death, though he doesn't say that. When Super-Skrull balks at kidnapping a holy man, Thanos said the Oracle is preparing his followers for a holy war that would wreak havoc on the galaxy. He also notes that his “name has of late been connected with too many altruistic acts,” so he wants somebody else to do the dirty work. I'm no Thanos scholar, but this was in the post-“Infinity Gauntlet” days when he was in more of a gray area and sometimes assisting heroes in cosmic catastrophes. I find that Thanos – who in my recollection is brilliant and ruthless, but also prone to do stupid things in the name of love and sometimes conflicted and even unsure of himself – more relatable than the relentlessly evil killing machine he's often portrayed as today. (You can find more authoritative coverage of Thanos and company on Resurrections: An Adam Warlock and Thanos Podcast.)

The team lands on H'aarg, which gives off some Tatooine vibes, and attacks the monks' stronghold. The monks put up a fight, and the final page shows Thanos watching the scene unfold from his headquarters and chuckling ominously.

This issue continues the change of pace Marz has brought to the series, though it again lacks an overarching reason for being other than an odd assortment of characters. Don't get me wrong – that's a fine and fun concept. But it feels more Marvel/Super-Villain Team-Up than something with a specific title like Defenders. I've made that complaint/observation for four issues straight now, and if that's my biggest gripe, I'm going to continue enjoying this.

Grindberg's art is still it's own thing. I wouldn't want every comic to look like this, but he makes it work, especially with the non-traditional layout, as elements spill over into other panels.

It feels like there's more to Thanos' plot here than he's told his expendable soldiers (another reason to pick C-listers for the job). I guess we'll find out next issue.

Once again, the letters page is bereft of team suggestions, but there are still plenty left over from issue 9. Given the villainous nature of this story, I'll select a villainous group for the Suggested Secret Defenders of the Week: Venom, Gideon, Sphinx and Thanos, suggested by Jerry L. Garner of Texas. They're more than powerful enough to overcome any hero or villain that stands in their way, but three of the four consider themselves masterminds, and Venom doesn't exactly play well with others so most of the conflict would be within the quartet.

* - He also promises to lay off of Nebula, who he says is definitely NOT his granddaughter.