'The Fearless Defenders, Vol. 1: Doom Maidens' can be considered an excellent and glorious start to those who are looking for female-led superhero comics, particularly in Marvel. It came out in 2013, so it is fairly old at this point (ten years!), but it is nonetheless an effective introduction to the prominent leading ladies featured here; not to mention entertaining as all hell. This is the most I've seen and understood of Valkyrie/Brunnhilde in the Marvel comics, and it marks the first time I've seen Misty Knight in anything, other than the book, 'Fearless and Fantastic!'.
'Doom Maidens' also stars Dani Moonstar (X-Man and Native American archer who is somehow no longer a mutant, and is somehow Hel's Valkyrie), Hippolyta, aka Warrior Woman (not related to DC comics, and is as far removed from that iteration as you can get), and Dr. Annabelle Riggs, an ordinary archaeologist who is swept up in the apocalyptic, earth-and-Asgard-and-the-Nine-Realms-and-the-universe-saving superheroine plot and action, and who also has the hots for Valkyrie. Cameos include the All-Mother, who are Freyja, Gaea, and Idunn, Hela, and brought in for the big climactic fight are: She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow, Hellcat, Spider-Woman, Electra, Black Cat, Tigra, Thundra, Tarantula, and Colleen Wing! It is awesome.The ending, not so much. In fact, the ending is a downer. There is girl power, but significantly less girl success and girl support; women supporting women, and saving women. It is the reason why I kind of both love and hate 'Doom Maidens', but I won't elaborate due to spoilers. I hear it gets better in the subsequent issues, anyway, and it can't diminish the quality of an otherwise bloody brilliant and near-flawless book.
There is very good humour and banter as well as action and drama. The dynamics are so well written and well paced. The only real flaw throughout the comic up to the ending is the weak, undistinguished and unmemorable villains, who want to control ancient armies of the dead. They are a couple of non-powered, rich, power-hungry, nihilistic, trigger-happy, ruthless, sadistic and murderous nobodies named Caroline LeFay and Mr. Raven, who just want to watch the world burn.
But there is high fun, high stakes and high emotional peaks to be had. The Marvel universe really is ginormous, ample and messy. And there is LBGTQ rep, with a w/w kiss in the first issue.
'The Fearless Defenders, Vol. 1: Doom Maidens' comes recommended by me, despite the downer ending. I've already ordered the second volume. I have to know what happens next. Can't wait.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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