The Defenders: Valkyrie and the Jack Norriss Problem Pt.1 of 3

[@Rick-mp8tm]

Iv been waiting for this !!!!! Thanks Drew !!!!!

[@thomasdempsey721]

You better highlight Val's coffee-making skills....

[@drewgeraci8434]

@@thomasdempsey721 Paladin: " What about cream and sugar?" Hulk: "Drink it BLACK!" Perfect

[@alexnejako777]

the Valkyrie had a few really good years. It was a long way there but when I started reading comics, she was a really valuable member of the Defenders. Toward the end of the Davud Kraft run, she started to become a really powerful character separate from the Barbara Norris personality, and remained very strong through Ed Hannigan and JM DeMatties' great runs on Defenders including more guest stars and bigger battles until the end of the series. She has returned very well in Fear Itself and Secret Avengers .

[@markshulusky6680]

Seeing this story line, which has always been one of my favorites, edited together, and appreciating how the character of Valkyrie was presented and developed, gives me a sudden insight into the difference between the bronze age style of writing (full of thought balloons and editorial comments) and the modern, stripped down approach. While the older style may have moments where the quiet parts were said out loud, or the exposition (both situational and emotional) was maybe belated, still it works because you feel a connection, and empathy, that can't be reached with the sometimes more realistic (or at least cinematic) modern dialog. I mean that you know what characters are saying in the newer stories, but not explicitly what they're thinking and feeling. I think modern readers are accustomed to (or maybe trained into liking) that style. And in my opinion, somethings been lost.

[@JaimeTanner-b2i]

About nine hundred thousand readers a month has been lost, to begin with. I live in a city of half a million people and so far as I know, we have no stores left selling un-bespoke new marvel comics.

[@deliusmyth5063]

Marvel had a strange way of creating superheroines. Either they were accomplices of male characters (Invisible Girl, Marvel Girl, Wasp), or they begin as villains and then turn good (Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Medusa). It seems Stan and Jack never wanted to introduce a Marvel version of Wonder Woman. And then finally we have Valkyrie.

[@drewgeraci8434]

@deliusmyth5063 I hadn't thought of that, but you're spot-on

[@Rick-mp8tm]

That was a lot of fun , Drew ! I really enjoyed seeing some of the comics I never read, I do have 24 , and 25, and I remember seeing the head of the sons of the Serpents, and what a twist ! Valkyrie is a great character that I have really liked since the 1975 Avengers treasury, that's the first time I saw her also ! Anyway can't wait for Part 2 !

[@FrancisM-w4m]

Thanks for this entertaining episode Drew! I had read some of this era but you're putting together the Valkyrie arc very well, looking forward to the next part. 😁 Also, Klaus Jansen really elevated the art in all the issues where he was the inker. Reading these Defenders back issues, I remember thinking that the art dropped off significantly once he left the title.

[@drewgeraci8434]

It's amazing that you said that because that's very statement Stuart Moore made in the next Defenders Marvel Masterworks! (elevating the art, not the post-decline- lol)

[@arghsonofcliff]

Val had nowhere to go so she stayed with strange. When strange got the hulk and namor together she was also there. Later they hung out at Richmond's riding academy after strange stepped out and became a regular team.

[@darrylwiggins4799]

Subservient.That's the word you were struggling with.

[@drewgeraci8434]

@darrylwiggins4799 thanks!