The Defenders #142

Published by Marvel Comics in 1985, The Defenders #142 represents a transitional period for the team, arriving during the final year of the original series' run. The narrative, written by Peter B. Gillis with art by Don Perlin, follows the title's shift from a loosely affiliated gathering of outcasts to a more structured team dynamic. This era is notable for its focus on the metaphysical and cosmic themes that defined the later years of the title, reflecting the broader editorial desire at the time to distinguish the Defenders from the more traditional superhero lineups found in the Avengers.

The cover and interior illustrations by Don Perlin are characteristic of his long tenure on the book, where his grounded, somewhat gritty aesthetic provided a consistent visual anchor for the team's increasingly bizarre adventures. As the series approached its conclusion with issue #152, this particular issue serves as a snapshot of the creative efforts to maintain reader interest through complex character interplay and high-stakes conflict. While the title would later be relaunched multiple times, this specific volume remains a significant artifact of mid-eighties Marvel continuity.