Defenders: Beyond
“Defenders: There Are No Rules” was an entertaining high-concept miniseries from writer Al Ewing and artist Javier Rodriguez that saw the team traveling back in time through the conceptual ages of the Marvel Universe. It was successful enough that we’re now graced with its follow-up, “Beyond,” that sees Adam “Blue Marvel” Brashear leading an even more eclectic team of characters bound together by the final spell of Stephen Strange. Included are America Chavez, Tigra, Taia – Galactus’ mom who was featured in the previous miniseries, and Loki. Not just any “Loki,” however. This is the Loki that stepped out of reality at the end of Ewing’s “Agent of Asgard” series after recontextualizing themselves as the God of Stories. While they’re all meant to be seeing the threat facing Eternity right now, Loki – as is always the case – has another plan in mind.
If the previous miniseries was a case of big ideas expertly realized, its follow-up is a case of big ideas being less well done. That’s because the narrative through-line from issue to issue is harder to follow as it feels like Ewing is being a continuity fix-it guy for the Marvel Universe. From re-establishing how the Beyonder figures into the universe, to showing us just what Loki saw at the end of “Infinity Wars,” this is a miniseries that feels like it’s more concerned with showing us how things are meant to fit together than telling a proper story. Ewing does make a stab towards that with Loki at the end, but it feels more like he’s trying to draw a line under things than realizing a proper conclusion.
There is fun to be had along the way, however, as the writer never forgets to let his characters enjoy themselves along the way. From Loki being a giant troll most of the time to the Beyonder remembering that it’s never not a bad time to conjure up a blender to make a drink, this is definitely not a story that can be accused of taking itself too seriously. Nor can it be accused of looking bad either as Rodriguez serves up more dazzling visuals that convey all of the big ideas on display here effortlessly on the page. There’s lots of quality work on display from both creators here, it’s just a little disappointing that it’s in service of a story that doesn’t feel like it’s all the way there.