The Defenders #117

The Defenders #117 was published by Marvel Comics in March 1983 as part of the long-running series featuring the unconventional superhero team. During this era, the title was written by J.M. DeMatteis with interior art by Don Perlin, moving away from the more traditional team-up dynamic to explore the complex, shifting interpersonal relationships of characters like Doctor Strange, Valkyrie, and the Hulk. This issue specifically serves as part of a mid-80s transition for the series, reflecting the creative team's intent to weave deeper psychological narrative threads into the standard action-adventure framework that defined Marvel's bronze age.

The cover art and interior design align with the house style of Marvel at the time, prioritizing dynamic panel layouts and expressive character work to maintain visual consistency across their broader shared universe. While The Defenders were often viewed as Marvel's 'non-team,' the creative direction for this period sought to solidify their identity as a distinct entity capable of handling metaphysical and existential threats. The issue remains a notable example of DeMatteis’s focus on character-driven storytelling, which earned modest praise from fans of the period for adding necessary depth to the often chaotic nature of the group's adventures.