The Defenders

Marvel’s ‘Punisher’ spinoff is nowhere near the tone-deaf shoot-em-up we feared, but still feels like three different series rolled up in one strong supporting cast. Our early review, before first season hits Netflix on November 17.

Boy, that Disney really knows how to break the internet. In addition to news of Rian Johnson planning a brand-new Star Wars trilogy, so too is Disney finally pulling the trigger on a live-action Star Wars TV series for its upcoming streaming service. Plus – is Marvel headed away from Netflix?

We’ve heard one reason or another why Marvel’s film heroes aren’t likely to cross paths with The Defenders, but one recurring oddity is the absence of any Avengers tower from the Manhattan skyline. Marvel brass now explain we should envision New York City in a “less specific” way, so as to avoid overthinking shared continuity.

The ever-evolving Netflix model makes it difficult to discern viewer data, let alone interpret what tidbits the company confirms. That said, Netflix has been studying “binge racers” who finish seasons within twenty-four hours of their debut, and you might be surprised by the highs and lows.

We had hoped perhaps Iron Fist might forgo Season 2 in favor of a Luke Cage “Heroes for Hire” series, but Marvel and Netflix will bring us the next best thing. Danny Rand will return alongside his new buddy Luke in Season 2.

Spoiler alert - one of them is a very good boy.

The combined might of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist was enough to take out The Defenders’ biggest foes, but perhaps not enough to hook viewers. Reports indicate that Defenders may have been the least-viewed premiere of all Marvel’s Netflix series in its first month.

The Defenders certainly took a toll on Misty Knight, but our second “Daughter of the Dragon” will be armed and dangerous in time for Luke Cage Season 2. Our first photo of the new season sees a moment comic fans have been waiting for, simultaneously raising some Marvel-ous questions.

Marvel’s Netflix Iron Fist had one job; to elevate fight scenes above what we’d seen in other martial arts dramas. The last-minute casting of Finn Jones immediately undercut that with lackluster choreography, but Jones may actually rectify that in Season 2 with a serious upgrade to his training.

The grand experiment of Marvel’s Netflix Defenders more or less paid off, but we’ll always wonder why some fan-favorites didn’t make the cut. Enter producer Marco Ramirez, who explains why Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin wasn’t a central threat, and why Punisher was too busy.