List of Defenders members

The Defenders are a loosely organized team of fictional characters mostly, but not solely, superheroes in the Marvel Universe. For much of their history, there was no official membership. Thus, the Defenders had a reputation as being a non-team, a term which was coined in the pages of the comic.

Original "non-team"

Founders These characters helped form the team in Marvel Features #1 (December 1971). Character Real Name Joined in NotesDoctor StrangeDr. Stephen Vincent StrangeMarvel Feature #1 (December 1971).HulkDr. Robert Bruce BannerNamor the Sub-MarinerNamor McKenzie

Recruits of the early 1970s Character Real Name Joined in NotesClea StrangeMarvel Feature #2 (March 1972).Later became a recurring member in Defenders #39.Silver SurferNorrin RaddDefenders #2 (October 1972).ValkyrieBrunnhildeDefenders #4 (February 1973).Created by the Enchantress as a mystical combination of the spirit of Brünnehilde the Valkyrie and the body of minor magic user Barbara Denton-Norriss; former member of the Secret Avengers.HawkeyeClinton Francis "Clint" BartonDefenders #7 (August 1973).Left after issue #10NighthawkKyle RichmondDefenders #14 (July 1974).Reformed member of Squadron Sinister, replaced Namor.Power ManLucas "Luke" CageDefenders #17 (November 1974).Son of SatanDaimon HellstromGiant-Size Defenders #2 (October 1974).YellowjacketDr. Henry Jonathan "Hank" PymDefenders #23 (May 1975).

Recruits of the mid-1970s Character Real Name Joined in NotesRed GuardianTania BelinskayaDefenders #35 (May 1976)HellcatPatricia "Patsy" WalkerDefenders #44 (February 1977).Devil-SlayerEric Simon PayneDefenders #58 (April 1978).WaspJanet van DyneDefenders #77 (November 1979).

Defenders for a day The team had managed to keep its existence a secret from the general public until a television documentary film by supporting character Dollar Bill announced it to the world. Dollar made a special mention to the currently open membership for the team. Consequently, in Defenders #62 (August 1978), the currently active members were joined by a large number of former associates and new recruits. The majority of the latter served for a single mission before quitting in Defenders #64 (October 1978).

Character Real Name Joined in NotesBlack GoliathDr. William Barrett "Bill" FosterDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Captain Mar-VellMar-VellDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Captain UltraGriffin "Griff" GogolDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)FalconSamuel Thomas "Sam" WilsonDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)HavokAlexander "Alex" SummersDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Hercules PanhelleniosDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Iron FistDaniel "Danny" Thomas Rand-K'aiDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Jack of HeartsJonathan HartDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Marvel ManWendell Elvis VaughnDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Ms. MarvelCarol Susan Jane Danver / Car-EllDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)NovaRichard "Rich" RiderDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)PaladinNADefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)PolarisDr. Lorna Sally DaneDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)ProwlerHobart "Hobie" BrownDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)StingrayDr. Walter NewellDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Tagak the Leopard LordTagakDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)TorpedoBrock JonesDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)White TigerHector AyalaDefenders #62 (August 1978).Quit in Defenders #64 (October 1978)

Rival group

Taking advantage of the newfound notoriety of the team, a number of supervillains formed their own rival group of so-called Defenders in Defenders #63 (September 1978). They soon came to conflict with their heroic counterparts and consequently disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978).

Character Real Name Joined in NotesBatroc the LeaperGeorges BatrocDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)BeetleAbner Ronald "Abe" JenkinsDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)BlobFrederick J. "Fred" DukesDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)BoomerangFrederick "Fred" MyersDefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Cap'n SkraggNADefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)ElectroMaxwell "Max" DillonDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Joe the GorillaNADefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)Leap-FrogVincent PatillioDefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)LibraNA (Life Model Decoy)Defenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)LooterNorton G. FesterDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)MelterBruno HorganDefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)PecosNADefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)PlantmanSamuel "Sam" SmithersDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)PorcupineAlexander "Alex" GentryDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)SagittariusNA (Life Model Decoy)Defenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)ShockerHerman SchultzDefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)ToadMortimer "Mort" ToynbeeDefenders #64 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)WhirlwindDavid "Davey/Dave" CannonDefenders #63 (August 1978).Disbanded in Defenders #64 (October 1978)

Early 1980s recruits Character Real Name Joined in NotesGargoyleIsaac ChristiansDefenders #94 (April 1981).BeastDr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoyDefenders #104 (February 1982).OvermindGromDefenders #115 (January 1983).The body of Overmind under spiritual possession.

New Defenders In Defenders #125 (November 1983) the team was reorganized into a more formal organization, somewhat modeled after the Avengers. By this time, several former members had severed ties with the team.

Founders Character Real Name Joined in NotesAngelWarren Kenneth Worthington IIIDefenders #125 (November 1983)Later changed codename to Archangel.BeastDr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoyGargoyleIsaac ChristiansIcemanRobert Louis "Bobby" DrakeMoondragonHeather Douglas ValkyrieBrunnhilde

Later recruits Character Real Name Joined in NotesCloudDefenders #127 (January 1984)A sentient nebula who was able to assume human form. At first, it modeled itself after a human female Carol Faber. After falling in love with Moondragon, Cloud also developed a male form that was modeled after Danny Milligan.Candy SouthernCandace "Candy" SouthernDefenders #138 (December 1984).Angel's former girlfriend who is appointed leader. Deceased.AndromedaAndromeda AttumasenDefenders #147 (September 1985).Member of the Homo mermanus race. Illegitimate daughter of Attuma.InterloperBetilakkDefenders #151 (January 1986).An Eternal.Man-SlaughterNADefenders #151 (January 1986).A psychotic assassin.

Dragon Circle By the time of Defenders #152 (February 1986), Moondragon had fallen under the control of the Dragon of the Moon. The Dragon led her to attack the Defenders. During the battle, the physical forms of Andromeda, Gargoyle, Interloper, Manslaughter, Moondragon, and Valkyrie were destroyed. Candace Southern retired. Angel, Beast, and Iceman were joined by Cyclops and Marvel Girl in forming X-Factor.

Gargoyle and Moondragon were later able to gain new corporeal forms. However the other four remained disembodied spirits until Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol 3 #3–4 (March–April 1989). There they managed to gain temporary but recurring spiritual possession over the bodies of four residents of Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. These four unknowingly acted as their representatives in forming a successor group of the Defenders.

Sian Bowen: Host to the spirit of Valkyrie. Geneviene Cass: Host to the spirit of Andromeda. Will Fanshawe: Host to the spirit of Interloper. Roger Loomis: Host to the spirit of Manslaughter. Dafydd ap Iowerth: Alleged descendant of King Arthur and host to his spirit. Doctor Strange: Associate member.

Secret Defenders Debuting in Dr. Strange (vol. 3) #50 (February 1993) the Secret Defenders were another successor group to the team. They were very loosely organized, consisting of a leader and the various associates recruited for a mission at hand. They would disband again after each mission. Several "members" were former Defenders. Others had no previous connection to the team. Some served for a single mission while others were recurring members.

Founders Character Real Name Joined in NotesDoctor StrangeDr. Stephen Vincent StrangeDr. Strange (vol. 3) #50 (February 1993)Initial leader and recruiter of the group.HulkDr. Robert Bruce BannerGhost RiderDaniel "Danny" KetchSilver SurferNorrin Radd

Early recruits Character Real Name Joined in NotesSpider-ManPeter Benjamin ParkerFantastic Four (vol. 1) #374-375 (March–April 1993).WolverineJames "Logan" HowlettNow a member of the X-Men, the Avengers, the New Avengers, and the co-leader of X-Force. DarkhawkChristopher "Chris" PowellSecret Defenders #1 (March 1993).NomadJack MonroeServed as the third Bucky during the 1950s. Later served as Scourge of the Underworld.Spider-WomanJulia CarpenterPunisherFrancis G. "Frank" CastleSecret Defenders #4 (June 1993).Namorita PrentissSleepwalkerInapplicableScarlet WitchWanda MaximoffSecret Defenders #6 (August 1993).ThunderstrikeEric MastersonSecret Defenders #9 (November 1993).War MachineJames Rupert "Jim" RhodesNorthstarJean-Paul BeaubierSecret Defenders #11 (January 1994).NovaRichard "Rich" Rider

Questing villains From Secret Defenders #12-14 (December 1993 and February 1994), the title of characters was an organized group of super-villains, where Thanos was the leader and recruiter of this group. That was in the quest of finding and obtaining the Oracle of Ancient Knowledge. They apparently disbanded after the successful mission.

Character Real Name Joined in NotesThanosSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Abandons them in Secret Defenders #13 (January 1994)GeatarSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Disbanded in Secret Defenders #14 (February 1994)NitroRobert L. HunterSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Disbanded in Secret Defenders #14 (February 1994)RhinoAleksei Mikhailovich SytsevichSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Disbanded in Secret Defenders #14 (February 1994)Super-SkrullKl'rtSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Disbanded in Secret Defenders #14 (February 1994)Titanium ManBoris BullskiSecret Defenders #12 (December 1993).Disbanded in Secret Defenders #14 (February 1994)

Final recruits By Secret Defenders #15 (May 1994), Doctor Strange's duties and circumstances required him elsewhere. He retired after naming Doctor Druid as his replacement. The latter would serve as leader until the group disbanded in Secret Defenders #25 (March 1995).