One of the best cross-over story lines I read in Marvel comics when I was a kid was the Evil Eye story line with The Defenders and The Avengers. The story, properly called “The Avngers/Defenders War” ran from Avengers #115 (with the prologue) to #118 and The Defenders #8 through #10, although the stage is set in Defenders #4 when the Black Knight is turned to stone by the Enchantress, and wrapped in Defenders #11 when we learn the fate of the Black Knight and the Evil Eye.
There are a lot of battles taking place between the various members of both groups, some started unintentionally, some deliberately, while the Defenders gather the components of the Evil Eye from various places around the world. All seems to be going well with Dormammu’s plans, with the help of Loki, despite the Avengers interference. Once Dormammu’s hand in the affair is revealed, the combined forces travel to the Dark Dimension to confront Dormammu and prevent him from taking over our Dimension. I don’t want to give away too much of the story for anyone who is interested in reading, but has yet to do so. NOTE – the entire run is on Marvel Unlimited, which is handy for those who subscribe to it. Otherwise, it may take a bit of time to dig up good reading copies of the comics, but it will be worth it.
On the side of the Defenders, we have Doctor Strange, The Silver Surfer, Hulk, Namor, Valkyrie and Hawkeye who wandered into their fold after leaving the Avengers in a hissy-fit.
For the Avengers, we have Thor (facing off against the Hulk), Ironman (versus Hawkeye), the newly (re-)recruited Swordsman (facing of against the Valkyrie, with an interesting resolution to their battle), also new Avenger-hanger-on Mantis with the Black Panther (against a really Strange dude, er, Sorcerer Supreme), Wanda and Vision (meeting the Surfer), and Captain America (meeting up with Namor in Japan).
The creative talent for this story line includes Steve Englehart (writer); Sal Buscema and Bob Brown (pencils); Frank McLauglin, Mike Esposito, Frank Bolle, and Frank Giacoia (inks); Petra Goldberg and George Rousos (colors); Charlotte Jetter, Gaspar Saladino, June Braverman, John Costanza, Artie Simek, Tom Orzechowski (letters). (I think that’s everyone except cover art.) Both Buscema and Brown are darn good artists and combined with the other creative talent provide some very nice visuals. Englehart being the sole writer of the saga helped ensure cohesiveness throughout the adventure.
Indeed, it is the visuals of the Dark Dimension as the story heads to its climax that has been one of the lasting appeals to me for reading doctor Strange. I guess it is the rather psychedelic presentation of the Dark Dimension, and other mystic realms that has drawn me to these Strange Tales (pun intended – Doc Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110, and that is also worth reading). Kind of brings out the inner hippy in me I guess.
All in all, good stuff, and worth the time to check out. For me, it was a trip down memory lane, rediscovering one of my favorite team crossover adventures.
Thanks for reading.
