CATALOG RECORD

Giant-Size Defenders #1

Marvel · Series began 1974 · July 1974

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Dates

Cover date: July 1974
On sale: April 23, 1974
Pages: 68

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Creators

pencils: John Romita, Gil Kane, Jim Starlin, Jack Kirby, Bill Everett, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Rich Buckler, Sal Buscemainks: Frank Giacoia, John Romita, Al Milgrom, Dick Ayers, Bill Everett, Steve Ditko, Neal Adamsletters: Danny Crespi, Dave Hunt, Artie Simek, Bill Everett, John Costanzascript: Tony Isabella, Stan Lee, Bill Everett, Steve Ditko, Denny O'Neil, Roy Thomascolors: Jim Starlin, Petra Goldbergediting: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas

Stories

The Way They Were! [Prologue] · 3 pages
Valkyrie learns the origins of the Hulk, Namor and Doctor Strange and the Defenders stop Rasputin.
[The Way They Were] Part 1: Banished to Outer Space · 11 pages
The military captures Rick and Ross convinces him that they need the Hulk to test a new experimental rocket for national security. Rick tricks the jade giant into the capsule but once it is shot into space, he realizes that Ross deceived him to get rid of his foe. Rick overrides the programming and returns the rocket to earth but not before Banner (he transformed back to his human form when the rocket came into view of the sun) is doused with further radiation. The Hulk is now unable to revert to his human form and is under Rick's control but only while Rick remains awake.
The Way They Were!, Interlude 1 · 1 pages
[The Way They Were] Part 2: Bird of Prey! · 4 pages
The Way They Were!, Interlude 2 · 1 pages
[The Way They Were] Part 3, To Catch a Magician! · 10 pages
[The Way They Were] Part 4: The Once and Again Dooms · 4 pages
Good Evening! This is the Eleventh-Hour Bullpen! · 0.67 pages
The Peerless Power of the Silver Surfer · 12 pages

Characters

Bruce BannerHulkStephen StrangeDoctor StrangeNamorSub-MarinerSilver SurferNorrin RaddRick JonesThaddeus "Thunderbolt" RossCleaWongBarbara NorrissValkyrieQuasimodoFenMister RasputinPavel Plotnick

Reprinted in

Defenders Epic Collection (2016), The Defenders Omnibus (2020), Giant-Size Marvel Omnibus (2025), Essential Defenders (2005), Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders (2008)