We’ve been keeping an eye on Marvel’s The Last Defenders series
since its earliest announcement, and today, the six issue series
reaches its final issue, and of course, we’ve got a few exclusive
preview pages and some comments from writer Joe Casey.
The pages are up top (use the arrow to move to them), and Casey’s comments? They’re right here…
Page 19
Casey says: “Lot of action in this issue (it is the big finish of the
mini-series, after all), but I think the most important scenes are the
"recruitment" scenes. Here we see Kyle's pimp move, taking She-Hulk out
to an expensive dinner to try and talk her into this crazy idea. She's
understandably concerned and cautious. From the very first issue, I've
thought these two characters had a chemistry. Not romantic, mind you...
but they've definitely got a connection. And, if nothing else, it shows
that Kyle's got the gift of gab (a skill he's gonna need in the future,
believe me).”
Page 22
Casey says: “Now, I don't want to give too much away here... exactly
why Hellstrom is the one recruiting Krang into the Defenders. I suggest
you read the issue for that. But with Krang being the wild card of the
team (and when it's a team with the fuggin' Son of Satan
as a member, being considered the "wild card" is probably saying
something), he needs a specific kind of nudging to persuade him to join
up. We all have our hot buttons, don't we...?”
Page 26
Casey says: “Another important bit of character interaction happening
in this bit. Kyle Richmond and Joaquin Pennysworth. These are two guys
with a decent amount of history between them. One of the things I'm
proudest of as a writer is the creation of Joaquin as a character. It's
the fun part of writing for Marvel... taking the established continuity
and spinning something new out of it. And, at this point in the story,
Joaquin's been through it and he's carrying around a lot of baggage.
His feet of clay are on display for all to see. In other words, a
pretty typical Marvel-style hero. And his story is just beginning. By
the way, despite how Panel 1 looks... Joaquin can't fly. Not yet
anyway.”
And some final thoughts on the series from Casey…
“This series has been an absolute blast to write. It's really the
culmination of all the work I've ever done at Marvel over the last
eleven years. To write a new, modern team book set in current Marvel
continuity is definitely a dream gig for a guy who grew up on a steady
Marvel diet of Englehart, Shooter, Michelinie, Gerber, Kraft, Wein,
Wolfman, Byrne, Mantlo, DeMatteis, etc. So, hopefully, there's more to
come... especially since there's tons of potential with this team. It
was a helluva trip to get to this point...!”
Check back Friday for a final Q&A with Casey about the series.
