The Defenders #139

The Defenders #139, published by Marvel Comics in January 1985, serves as part of the long-running series that featured a revolving roster of non-traditional heroes. By this point in the series, the book had transitioned into the 'New Defenders' era, focusing heavily on the original X-Men members like Beast, Angel, and Iceman. This issue was written by Peter B. Gillis, a writer known for his intricate, often metaphysical approach to superhero storytelling, and illustrated by Don Perlin, a stalwart Marvel artist who provided a consistent visual grounding for the team's eclectic adventures during the mid-eighties.

The narrative context for this issue follows the team's ongoing struggles to maintain their identity while dealing with internal strife and cosmic threats. The series' design philosophy, particularly under editor Carl Potts, aimed to differentiate The Defenders from the more conventional team dynamics of The Avengers or the X-Men. Because the title historically lacked a fixed headquarters or a formal charter, the art and writing focused on the transient, often desperate nature of the members' alliances, making this specific era a poignant chapter in the team's legacy of being Marvel's ultimate 'non-team.'