The Defenders #143

The Defenders #143, published in May 1985, arrived during the final stretch of the original series' run. Created by writer Peter B. Gillis and artist Don Perlin, this issue fits into the 'New Defenders' era, a period defined by the unconventional team roster featuring Beast, Angel, and Iceman—the original X-Men—alongside eclectic members like Valkyrie, Moondragon, and Gargoyle. The storytelling during this time moved away from the team's early roots as a loose coalition of outsiders, leaning instead into serialized, long-form narratives that often dealt with complex interpersonal dynamics and darker, more mystical stakes.

Don Perlin’s work on this series is frequently cited for its steady, grounded approach to the chaotic world of the Defenders, where he managed to balance the distinct visual identities of such a disparate group. The creative team aimed to maintain a sense of internal continuity as the book approached its conclusion, focusing on the team’s ongoing struggles with public perception and internal erosion. While the series was cancelled shortly after with issue #152, this era remains a point of interest for collectors who appreciate the late-period expansion of Marvel's supernatural and offbeat superhero mythos.