The Defenders
From The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Teams 2005
Head Writer/Coordinator
Jeff Christiansen
"While trying to defend Earth from extradimensional demonic Undying Ones, Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange manipulated Prince Namor into aiding him, and then teamed the montrous Hulk to ward off the demons. Later, when the Yannian scientist Yandroth menaced Earth with the Omegatron doomsday device, Dr. Strange persuaded a reluctant Hulk and Namor to help him thwart Yandroth's scheme, forming the 'non-team' known as the Defenders."
This team has no official membership rules or charters or by-laws and a few have become mainstays of the group over the years.
The core group of the team consists of Dr. Strange, Namor, Hulk, and the Silver Surfer. A secondary grouping that is more associated with a consistent team is Nighthawk, Hellcat, and the Asgardian Valkyrie.
More recently the first four members were cursed by Yandroth to stay together and eventually became corrupted by the curse. They formed the Order and began to dominate humanity. The secondary group along with some other teams eventually restored their sanity.
During a conflict known as Civil War in the superhero community, Hulk was removed from the planet, Silver Surfer submited to serve Galactus again, Namor went to serve his kingdom, and Dr. Strange aided the anti-registration group.
It remains to be seen whether this group will reappear at this time.
