The Daring Dynamic Defenders

The Defenders are not particularly well-known. One might consider them to be the Avengers not-so attractive cousin. Or that ever distant cousin that shows up every once in a blue moon.

They are essentially a more small-scale version of the Avengers, who had been formed by Doctor Stephen Strange. Because they are more unofficial than the Avengers, the Defenders had no charter or by-laws, no permanent headquarters, no fixed roster, and little affection for each other. And because they were never a truly formal team, they never had much of a dynamic with one another that hadn’t been forced by the apparent leader of the time. Recently, they have gained traction and new membership, as they are being led by Daredevil. Iron Fist, Luke Cage and his wife Jessica Jones. With that being said, they could use more allies and more team-members added to their roster.

Patricia “Patsy” Walker/Hellcat

Patsy had been a member of the previous version of the Defenders and would definitely suit the newest incarnation of them. While she is no longer engaging in the superhero lifestyle, she is still technically in it. Working in the law office of Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, she could still help them out as an ordinary person. Not to mention her own minor business being associated with Jessica Jones own investigative services, would actually greatly benefit the team. Whether she actually decides to help them out occasionally in the costume, she would prove to be a vital asset to the team.

John Walker/The USAgent

The USAgent initially started off as a man deemed to replace Captain America, having been called the Super-Patriot and given powers like him as well. Over time, he had become a respectable hero in his own right. John had joined several teams which had included the Thuderbolts and the ever-villainous Dark Avengers. But USAgent was still a respected hero in spite of it. Given his level of experience and ties to the U.S. Military, John could help give the Defenders a level of credibility as a fully functional team rather than a traditional rag-tag team of misfits (which they are to a degree)

Kevin “Kasper” Cole

Kevin “Kasper” Cole was a Brooklyn narcotics cop who at one point assumed the title of Black Panther. A young bi-racial man having a Jewish mother and a African-American father, he got his nickname due to his light skin tone. While having peak-physical training as a cop, he also has the Black Panther’s powers due to consuming a synthetic version of the herb that grants the Black Panther his powers. Black Panther himself had offered to train him with weapons native to Wakanda and even offered him a new form of body armor. Becoming a member to the Defenders would allow Cole to act as an ambassador of sorts to Black Panther as well as being able to become his own man and hero on a truly heroic team. Although, he would have to take on a different name, he’s already used the names of Black Panther and White Tiger. Grey Panther, maybe?

Robert Baldwin/Speedball

Speedball is an amazing hero who more or less has Spider-Man’s background regarding how he got his powers. But instead of gaining spidey powers, he gained the ability to manipulate kinetic energy in the form of balls of energy and other applications. Robbie Baldwin led a relatively normal life prior to gaining his powers and become a decent hero, having joined the superhero team known as the New Warriors. It wasn’t until the numerous deaths in Connecticut which caused the Superhuman Civil War that things had taken a dark turn for him; dealing with depression and suicidal tendencies. With the New Warriors currently dissolved and defunct, Robbie being on the Defenders would allow the character to explore his darker characteristics while demonstrating that he can still be the guy he was before. He doesn’t have to be a character of pure comic relief, but create a little bit light humor in the team.

Thomas Foster/Goliath

Tom Foster was the nephew of Bill Foster, who was a staunch ally to the Avengers and once an assistant to the first Ant-Man, Hank Pym. A graduate of MIT, Tom would later take up the mantle of Goliath, after his uncle had died as the result of Civil War; which occurred between Captain America and Iron Man. Because of the circumstances that lead to it, he ultimately blamed Iron Man for his uncle’s death. Sometime after, he had tried to destroy the Avengers with a briefly-formed team called the Revengers. He was later arrested and had vowed vengeance on Iron Man. Recently, he was offered parole from prison, due to preventing a prison break. Joining the Defenders, he would be able to provide immense support to the team and possibly being helped out of his desire for revenge. Most of them have known what the ugly road of vengeance may lead to, and could show him a better way and life by steering him in the right direction. Help channel his rage into something positive.