Secret Defenders #24: The Penultimate Sixty Minutes

Secret Defenders #24
“The Eleventh Hour”
Writers: Tom Brevoort and Mike Kanterovich
Penciler: Bill Wylie
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jim Hoston
Cover: Penciled by Bill Wylie, inked by Michael Bair
Editor: Craig Anderson
Livin' in the Past: Tom DeFalco
Released: Dec. 13, 1994

I was a little worried from the cover that Doctor Druid, Cadaver and Sepulcre would be left to fend for themselves against the time-tossed trio of Hulk, Namor and Silver Surfer – aka the original* Defenders – but Dagger, Deathlok and Drax stick around for some senseless hero-on-hero violence. It's not clear exactly why they ally themselves with the less credible team. Maybe Druid is doing more hypnosis?

The Surfer tries to talk some sense into the groups and at least start explaining to them, and the reader, why they're intervening. But Namor decides punching is the way to go, and that's good enough for Hulk.

Doctor Druid is only concerned that the throwback Defenders will stop him from doing... whatever it is he's doing, so he instructs Cadaver to also make with the punching. Cadaver's no dummy, asking Druid if he's “out of (his) gourd” expecting him to take on the Hulk. Druid tells him “the fate of man” rests on his shoulders, though I'm thinking it's just one man in particular.**

Cadaver gets a good slash in on the Hulk with his magic bone sword and is virtually punched in half for his efforts. The Hulk had been battling Drax, who I believe was empowered by the Power Gem of Infinity Gauntlet fame at this time, so that's a good matchup. Namor attacked Deathlok because, let's face it, Drax is the only current Secret Defender in the throwback team's weight class. The Sub-Mariner takes them into the air until a blast from Deathlok sends both plummeting back to Earth... where they rejoin the fight none the worse for wear?

Dagger – who is flying, which I don't think is one of her powers? – and Sepulcre are left to tangle with Silver Surfer, who fortunately comes from a time when he was still trapped on Earth. Realizing that's no longer the case in the early '90s, he decides to leave the planet, until his conscience brings him back. That's when Sepulcre blasts him with a massive “Phoooom” and envelopes him in darkness. I mean, she's a regular cast member and he's a guest star, so she's got to get a good shot or two in.

While all this is going on, Druid enters the tabernacle or whatever ol' Slorioth is trapped in, followed by Joshua, the hitchhiker whose last name is apparently Pryce, and Al, the zombie head in a floating jar. Joshua says Druid misled the Defenders about his intentions and is doing something that endangers mankind. Druid deduces the newcomer is a cognoscenti, which we know he is from last issue, though what that means I haven't yet Googled.

Druid blasts apart a conveniently placed column and traps Joshua in the debris. Then he uses the Bride of Slorioth statue to summon the Groom of the Bride of Slorioth*** who is apparently the entity he made a deal with back in issue 22. Evil Blue Beetle*** is pleased to see the Sorcerer Sufficient, until Druid tells him he's just going to take what he wants and leave him trapped. Slorioth says him nay and reveals that he is... like... already possessing the portion of Druid's soul that allows Jillian/Sepulcre to become tangible... or something.

Either way, Slorioth starts talking about himself in the third person and merges with Druid to form Blue Beetle on Steroids. A high tech temple-looking thing with lots of tentacles erupts from the ground, bringing the Defenders melee on the surface to a dramatic, two-page halt.

The issue is fun, an entertaining hero battle that throws some curveballs with Silver Surfer initially choosing flight over fight and Cadaver posing absolutely no challenge to the Hulk and nearly getting killed all over again (until magic healing kicks in). The way his dialogue shifts between Cody Fleisher and the “Pale Horseman of Agamotto” (a mouthful, sure, but better than Cadaver) is a nice continuing detail for the character.

But I have no idea why all this is happening. Yes, Druid is up to something and clearly isn't overly concerned with his “teammates” or the time-traveling Defenders. And I don't mind the mystery, but I would like some clue as to what the danger is and why Josh and Al are going to such lengths to stop it. Also, I'd like to know if I'm supposed to know who the heck they are at this point. I'm assuming not, since there haven't been any asterisked editor's notes to point me to prior appearances.

I'm confident it will be revealed in issue 25, which is, alas, the finale of the series. But that's the only complaint I really had (other than Dagger flying): I'd like to know what the stakes are for this otherwise enjoyable brawl.

For Suggested Secret Defenders of the Week, let's go with Nighthawk, Valkyrie and Hellcat from the classic Defenders team. Strange, Namor, Hulk and Silver Surfer were the headliners, but that trio was the heart and soul. As cool as it was to see the big guns, it would have been nice for them to show up too. Maybe next issue.

* - More or less.

** - Doctor Druid, in case that wasn't clear.

*** - That would be Slorioth.