The Defenders #24

The Defenders #24 was published by Marvel Comics in May 1975, arriving at a time when the series was firmly establishing itself as Marvel’s premier 'non-team' book. Created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Sal Buscema, the issue serves as a pivotal chapter in the long-running saga of the Defenders, a group defined by its rotating roster and metaphysical, often surreal, adventures. The era was marked by Gerber's idiosyncratic storytelling, which frequently blended social commentary with the cosmic threats that defined the title's identity during the mid-1970s.

The visual identity of this issue rests on the collaboration between Sal Buscema, whose prolific output helped define the aesthetic of Marvel throughout the decade, and the dynamic cover work that frequently signaled the series' unconventional tone. Designed to entice readers accustomed to traditional superhero team-ups, the book leaned into a more eclectic, moody atmosphere. Critical and fan reception has historically viewed this period as a high-water mark for the title, solidifying the Defenders' reputation as the darker, more introspective alternative to the mainstream Avengers.