Having rescued Barbara Norriss, now lost to madness, from the Nameless One, the Defenders find themselves back on earth again. Quickly divided by in-fighting, the group becomes ensnared in a conflict that involves the Executioner, the Enchantress and the Black Knight.
Having been recently returned to the mortal plane, Valkyrie ponders her existence and her place. Dr. Strange sets her on a path that will lead to both conflict and self discovery.
Remorseful over his previous dismissal of the Defenders, the Silver Surfer returns to find Strange's mansion under siege. Given the circumstances, the rest of the reluctant team welcomes him with open arms.
Val and Namor come across the conclusion of Hulk's scuffle with Hawkeye in time to intercede and win the archer over as a temporary ally of the Defenders. Quickly the team is called to action by a dire message from Atlantis.
"
... If Atlantis Should Fall! / The Avengers VS The Defenders Chapter 1: Deception!! "
With Val, Namor and Hawkeye under the control of the Red Ghost, it falls to the remaining Defenders to save them and stop Attuma. Thankfully, Dr. Strange has returned from his own tribulations in time to organize the rescue.
"
The Avengers VS The Defenders Chapter 2: Betrayal! / Chapter 3: Silver Surfer VS The Vision and the Scarlet Witch "
The plots set forth by Loki and the dread Dormammu have begun and the Defenders have set out to recover the Evil Eye, the Avengers to stop them. The battle's first blows are between the Vision and the Silver Surfer.
"
The Avengers VS The Defenders Chapter 4: Divide... and Conquer / Chapter 5: The Invincible Iron Man VS Hawkeye The Archer" "
The battle continues when Hawkeye and Iron Man renew their rivalry of old. Meanwhile, Dr. Strange must contend with the Black Panther and the enigmatic Mantis if he and the Defenders are to recover the Evil Eye.
"
Holocaust / The Avengers VS The Defenders Chapter 7: Swordsman VS Valkyrie / Chapter 8: Captain Amer "
The record stands at Defenders 3, Avangers 0, but will Cap and the Swordsman be able to reverse that trend or will the Defenders continue to widen the gap? Meanwhile can Dormammu and Loki keep their alliance together long enough for their plots to play out?
"
The Avengers VS The Defenders Chapter 9: Breakthrough! The Incredible Hulk VS The Mighty Thor "
A clash of titans is at hand when Thor and the Hulk square off over the final piece of the Evil Eye. Meanwhile, the other members of each group have started to piece together the conspiracy that has embroiled them.
