THE DEFENDERS - Team Tournament Breakdown

The Defenders started out as an unofficial team of Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, and the Incredible Hulk. Later incarnations would actually call them a team. As with most of the teams in this tournament, there have been a variety of members at different times. Also, the Defenders is the name of the first original Netflix series that features the Marvel heroes that have had their own solo shows so far. So, DareDevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist will be featured and from what I've read lately, they are rewriting the series to include the Punisher as well. I can't wait for this show!

DareDevil - Matt Murdock was blinded by toxic waste as a child, but even though he couldn't see, Murdock developed a new sense. Echolocation, like how a bat sees in the dark or a sonar device works, Matt can "see" everything. His other senses are heightened as well, so he can hear your heartbeat, or smell your fear. DareDevil was also trained by Stick, a founding member of the Cadre. Under Stick's teaching, DareDevil mastered all of his senses and became a master of martial arts. DareDevil has often been referred to as the "Batman" of Marvel Comics, and while there are definite similarities between the characters, they are still very different.

Iron Fist - Danny Rand was the son of Wendall Rand, a billionaire entrepreneur who discovered the lost city of K''un L'un. On a return expedition to re-find the lost city with his wife Heather, son Danny, and business partner Harold Meachum, Wendall fell to his death. Meachum, convinced Wendall to sacrifice himself and offered Heather his help. She refused and later her and Danny were attacked by wolves. She threw herself in front of the wolves to protect her son and died before they were rescued by archers from K'un L'un. Now in the lost city, Danny expressed his desire for vengeance and was taken in as a student. Danny would harden his fist by plunging them into sand, gravel, and rock; and would prove to be the most gifted of all of the students. At 19, Danny was given the chance to attain the power of the Iron Fist by fighting and defeating the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying.  During the battle, Danny throws himself against the dragon's scar, which burns a dragon tattoo to his chest. Having killed the dragon, Danny enters the dragon's lair and finds a brazier that holds the dragon's molten heart. He plunges his fists into the brazier and emerges with the power of Iron Fist! So, not only is he a master of martial arts (arguably the best martial artist in the Marvel Universe), but he also has the mystical abilities of the Iron Fist and Shou-Lao the Undying!

Luke Cage - one of my personal favorite characters. Luke Cage has a long history in comic books, but we're not talking about that today. He was the leader of the New Avengers and has a rich history of teaming up with Iron Fist and DareDevil as well as being married to Jessica Jones. Cage is a big man with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin. Yes, completely unbreakable, so he's invulnerable. He can be hurt, but it's gotta be something big that hurts him and even that most likely won't stop him.

Ghost Rider - there have been several people that have been cursed as Ghost Rider, for me the most notable aliases are Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Robbie Reyes. For this tournament though, it doesn't matter who Ghost Rider really is, only what he can do. Ghost Rider has IMMENSE super human strength (often underestimated), stamina, agility, reflexes, and durability. He carries an enchanted chain that's laced with hellfire. He has an invulnerability to fire, heat, lave and flames. He is nearly invulnerable and cannot be harmed by modern weapons. He also carries a shotgun that can fire hellfire, which burns the soul rather than physical burns. Most of all, Ghost Rider has what's called the "Penance Stare". When Ghost Rider locks eyes with a target and focuses, that person will experience any and all pain they have ever inflicted on someone. It has been said, "God created the Ghost Riders, and only God can kill them." GR also rides a motorcycle made out of hellfire that can ride at super speeds and do things not believed to be physically possible; like riding vertically up walls. Ghost Rider's abilities are supernatural, and therefore considered mystical.

Namor the Sub-Mariner - Namor is Marvel's Aquaman, with a couple of differences. Namor is the King of Atlantis and actually despises us "land lovers", but will fight alongside Earth's heroes in order to protect the planet. This has not stopped Namor from teaming with villains though. Anyway, Namor (under water) can swim at incredible speeds, and has super human strength. On land, he's not as strong as when in the water, but is still possesses super human strength, speed, agility, and durability AND can fly! I have always considered Namor an interesting character and now that Marvel owns the movie rights to the character again, I hope we see him soon.

Captain Marvel - Carol Danvers is another one of my favorite Marvel characters. Formally known as Ms. Marvel, Danvers is now the leader of the Ultimates. A cool new team with power levels equal to the Avengers. Captain Marvel first popped up on my radar back in the early 90's when I started getting into the X-Men and specifically Rogue. Danvers is who Rogue touches and takes away her powers and personality for awhile. Captain Marvel got her powers from a fusion of alien Kree and human genes, very much like the Inhumans, but never having to encounter the Terrigen Mists like the Inhumans do. Her powers include super human strength and speed, and near invulnerability plus flight! This lady packs a hell of a punch!

Red She-Hulk - Betty Ross was resurrected by Hulk villains, the Leader and M.O.D.O.K., and put through the same process that turned her father into Red Hulk. As Red She-Hulk, Betty has incredible super human strength and speed and is nearly invulnerable. Not as strong as the original Hulk or her father, Red Hulk, but her power is comparable to Jessica Walters' She-Hulk, which is nothing to sneeze at. Red She-Hulk adds even more power to this already incredibly strong team.

The Odds:
Teams like this are easily overlooked because of the huge shadow cast by teams like the Avengers or the Justice League, but they should definitely NOT be underestimated. I originally had the Silver Surfer on this team instead of DareDevil, but I felt the power cosmic gave this team TOO MUCH power.