The Origin of the Defenders

When the intelligent Omegatron doomsday device set out to destroy planet Earth, Dr. Strange knew he couldn't face the threat alone. He needed powerful allies at his side.

That was the premise of Marvel Feature #1, the origin issue of the Defenders. And that's where Sub-Mariner and Hulk came in.

With numerous physical and mystical obstacles in the way, the trio reached Omegatron with only five seconds to spare. By casting a spell to make time all but stop around the nihilistic machine, Dr. Strange added countless years to Earth's future. Yet when the sorcerer explained what had happened, no one else felt like celebrating.

Hulk: Too confusing for Hulk. Hulk will go now--some place he can be alone.

Namor: Aye--it is best that we part. For, we all but caused the Earth's destruction---while we sought to be its valiant defenders.

Dr. Strange: Defenders! A fitting name for such a group--if ever we need to meet again.

Hulk: Hulk never wants to get together again. Never.

Such quarrels characterized the early years of the Defenders, with one or more characters calling it quits after almost every mission, though often showing up again later. As it turns out, Hulk, Sub-Mariner, and Dr. Strange returned in Marvel Feature #2-3, again billed as the "Defenders," shortly before the Defenders series began in 1972.

Marvel Feature. Vol. 1. No. 1. December 1971. "The Day of the Defenders." Stan Lee (editor), Roy Thomas (writer), Ross Andru (artist), Bill Everett (inker), Sam Rosen (letterer).