Essential Defenders #6
In "On Death and Dying... [Defenders #107]," the Defenders face their darkest hour as they gather in mourning after the loss of Nighthawk and the sudden killing of Valkyrie by a surviving Super Patriot henchman. With grief weighing heavy, Hellcat, Gargoyle, and Valkyrie’s friends hold a memorial in upstate New York, where the spirit of Valkyrie reaches out to Hellcat in a quiet, haunting moment. As Dr. Strange prepares to commune with the departed, the Enchantress arrives with a deadly twist, plunging Valkyrie’s soul into the cursed blade of Dragon Fang—setting the stage for a desperate rescue. Written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Don Perlin, with inks by Mike Esposito, Chic Stone, Sal Trapani, and Al Milgrom, and lettered by Shelly Leferman, the cover by Sandy Plunkett and Alan Weiss captures the somber intensity of the moment.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Cast · 40 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
The Defenders gather outside the Super Patriots Base, after just escaping the explosion that occurred in the previous issue. They mourn the loss of Nighthawk. When the Defenders prepare to leave, a sole surviving henchman of the Super Patriot's team emerges from a bunker, shoots and kills Valkyrie. Gathering in the apartment of Valkyrie, Hellcat and Gargoyle meet and decide to hold a memorial service. During the service many of their friends join them in a field in upstate New York. While their friends prepare their seance, Valkyrie's spirit visits Hellcat at the apartment. Meanwhile, at Asgard, Karnilla torments The Enchantress until she gives up the location of the Rose of Purity. At the conclusion of the memorial service, the closest friends of the fallen Defenders return to the apartment. When they arrive, Dr. Strange begins his effort to contact the departed Valkyrie. The Defenders are able to make contact with Valkyrie. As they effort to plan a rescue, the Enchantress arrives and tears Valkyrie's soul into the enchanted blade of Dragon Fang.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).