The Defenders is the new Netflix miniseries by Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez. This web television series brings four superheroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist together to fight crime and make New York City safe from evil powers. So far this series has earned good reviews and if you are a fan of the Marvel Comics world you can check it out.
The miniseries is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the characters continue with their individual stories in the franchise. The four heroes together make a team and are known as The Defenders. The story of defenders centers on the four lonely people who have a past that designed their present. Soon they realize that together they can use their extra-ordinary power to help people and save New York City from great damage.
The background story of the superheroes are great too and inspiring as well. Let’s look at their stories and how they became a superhero.
Daredevil/ Matthew Michael Murdock
Matthew Michael Murdock was blinded when he was a small child. A radioactive substance falls on him from a crashed vehicle while he is trying to save a man. Even though he loses his sight his other four senses are heightened to give him a supernatural power. He lives with his father who is a washed-up boxer. His father supports him and does everything to make him comfortable. But his father is one day murdered by mobsters and this changes his son’s life forever. He decides to dedicate his life to fight injustice in New York City. He goes to Law School graduating as a lawyer along with his friend Nelson. He works as a lawyer by the day in Nelson and Murdock, and by night as a vigilante known as Daredevil. The road to good work is not easy as it seems. While fighting the crime and evil he comes in conflict with a crime lord named Wilson Fisk. He is a prominent member of The Defenders.
Luke Cage
Luke Cage was born and raised in New York City's Harlem neighborhood, where he was involved in petty crimes. But, soon he realize his actions are hurting his family and tries to rebuilt his life through better ways, a life away from crime. Soon he is caught for the crime he doesn’t commit and he is sent to jail. He volunteers for an experimental procedure that leaves him with superhuman powers. He gains immense strength and unbreakable skin and is popularly is known as the “hero of fire”. He uses his newfound power to escape the Seagate where he was transferred after his bad record in the jail. He goes to New York and his encounter with the other criminals inspires him to use his power to help people keep the city safe. He then joins The Defenders.
Iron Fist
Iron Fist was born as Danny Rand, son of wealthy parents. When he was nine years old his father took his son and his wife to an expedition to seek out a certain K'un-L'un. During the journey up the mountain Danny slips off his path taking his mother and father with him. Harold Meachum who was with them at the time was in love with Danny’s mother and forces Danny’s father to jump to his death. He offers to save the nine year old Danny and his mother, but his mother refuses his help. Later she dies trying to save his son from wolves. The archers of the mysterious K'un L'un take the grieving Danny to see Yü-Ti, the hooded ruler of K'un L'un. There he learns the martial arts. Soon Danny proves to be the most gifted of the students. When he is nineteen Danny is given the chance to attain the power of the Iron Fist. For this he fights and defeats the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying, who guards the molten heart that had been torn from its body. Danny sets out to find his father’s killer only to find that he lost both of his legs in the expedition. He leaves Harold Meachum along, but a mysterious Ninja kills him and Danny or the Iron Fist is wrongly accused. After he clears his name he starts his career as Superhero and latter joining the Defenders.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is another prominent member of The Defenders. She loses her parents when she was a child in freak car accident when their car collides with military convoy carrying radioactive chemicals. She spends several months in coma before she is adopted by Jones family. She soon realizes that the exposure to the radioactive elements has granted her immense strength, limited invulnerability, and flight. She gets enrolled at Midtown High school along with Peter Parker. Once she witnesses a fight between Spider-Man and the villain Sandman in her school which makes her realize that she could use her powers for good. While her life as superhero is not noticed by anyone, her encounter with the Purple Man leaves her shattered. He uses his power to control her mind to aid in his evil schemes. Later, she gives up her superhero life and starts a detective agency. She and Luke Cage become good friends and later life partners after admitting that they feeling for each other. She joins The Defenders team later to fight the evil and keep the New York City safe.
The Defenders is in its first season and has gained popularity. It brings together superheroes to create a team who work together to serve a common goal.