Carol Danvers’ Cameo : Defenders #62 – August 1978
Defenders #62: "Dollar Bill's Documentary Disaster Part 1: Membership Madness!"
Ms. Marvel has a cameo in an amusing Defender’s issue.
This issue opens with Hellcat, Nighthawk and Valkyrie playing frisbee, in their superhero costumes from some reason. The game ends when Hulk throws the frisbee at Valkyrie, who luckily survivors the impact. Then Aaron English also known as Dollar Bill shows up to tell the Defenders that a documentary about them is about to be aired on TV. They are upset because their existence is supposed to be a secret. Although he did join them for one day, so what did they expect? Hellcat as a former model asks Dollar Bill is he used good shots of her, well obviously someone decided to write her character in a stereotypical manner.
When the documentary starts it praises them and compares them to the Avengers. Then shows someone who escaped from the Defenders. For a sweeting ending Dollar Bill says anyone can declare themselves a Defender, no rules, nothing special, any superpowered person can join. He even calls them Dollar Bill’s Defender and claim that they will be bigger than the Avengers. Obviously, the Defenders are not happy. Well, Nighthawk is angry. He thinks everyone will want to be a Defender now. He has no idea how right he was. Hellcat is happy to be back in the spotlight, makes one wonder why she left it in the first place. Valkyrie thinks they will get pass it and Hulk is Hulk and doesn’t care.
The scene shifts to the threat that the Defenders will have to face. Presence hovers above a wrecked area in the Soviet Union (don’t forget the comics is from 1978) realizing that danger is coming.
Then the scene switches back to the Defenders residence the next day. Nighthawk hears someone knocking impatiently at the door and ringing endlessly as well.
Nighthawk was right. Half of Marvel’s superheroes are at the door. Ms. Marvel in her new outfit is at the front. Nighthawk is not impressed with Hercules claiming that it is a glorious day for the Defenders. Yes, the Hercules, Thor isn’t the only mythology that Marvel has borrowed from. Nighthawk is furious. He kicks Dollar Bill out of the house and when Falcon tells him to take it easy, it just makes him angrier. The rest of the Defenders are calmer. Hellcat thinks about all the hot guys. Val wants to be a good hostess. Hulk asks if he should smash them.
Hellcat steps outside and starts talking to all of the boys. Black Goliath says that they need a leader Jack of Hearts nominates Captain Marvel to the role, but he declines. Captain Marvel nominates Hercules, who has been both an Avenger and chief of the champions. In a democratic vote they all agree that Hercules will be their leader.
Val shows up to give everyone coffee and Ms. Marvel re-introduces herself. They already meet, but she’s in her new outfit now. In an amusing scene everyone tries to secretly spill their coffee, because it’s too bitter. Val’s first attempt at coffee didn’t go well apparently. She’s a better fighter than a secretary. However, she still looks unhappy about everyone’s reaction to her coffee.
Then in a very stupid move, a few of the new Defenders decide that Hulk is a threat and needs to be captured.
Jack of Hearts and Captain Ultra fight over Hellcat’s attention. When she tries to dissolve the situation, Captain Ultra actually hits her. That’s quite an unreasonable response to her diplomatic response.
Everything is a disaster. The issue ends with a few heroes trying to tackle Hulk, who is very harmless here.
Ms. Marvel just has a cameo here. We simply see her with her new black outfit. She agrees that Captain Marvel should lead the Defenders, even though she has all of his skills. She doesn’t come up as an option. Still the issue is amusing enough, and so packed of characters that we hardly notice her small role, and unlike some heroes, at least she has a few lines. Also, I can’t believe one of the heroes actually hit Hellcat for being flirtatious, that’s terrible.
Do you agree with me? Have anything to say about this or any other related issue? Let's discuss in the comments below or on my Facebook page or on Twitter. Also, please help the site grow by liking it and sharing my posts. Have a great day.