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Hero Defining Powers We Want To See Developed Before Season 2 of 'The Defenders'

Netflix's 'Defenders' are a hit both individually and as a group. Fortunately, the online giant has left room for future character growth.

By Christian ByrdPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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[The Defenders - Credit: Marvel Comics] 

The Defenders have gone through many incarnations since their first appearance in Marvel Feature #1 (Dec. 1971). The original members were a veritable who’s who of Marvel powerhouses wielding a wide array of abilities. Between The Incredible Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer, and Doctor Strange, there isn’t much they couldn’t handle — including The Avengers. But don’t take my word for it. You can read about the epic battle between the two iconic groups in the Avengers/Defenders War (1973).

Netflix's team line-up has a much more limited power set, or so it would seem. With the exception of Daredevil’s heightened senses and Danny’s healing power, The Defenders feel more like a group of brawlers. And that is fine from a character development standpoint. But where do our heroes go from here? How will Netflix’s team grow into a more engaging and versatile group? One course of action is to let their powers develop over time, as was done in Marvel Comics.

Here are some of the characters’s comic book powers we would like to see on screen:

5. Jessica Jones’s Power Of Flight, Or ‘Not Dying When She Falls’

[Jessica Jones - Credit: Marvel Comics]

Jessica first appeared in Alias #1 (November 2001). Yes. Netflix’s Season 1 of Jessica Jones was based on the Alias series with one exception. She can’t fly in the show, at least not yet. We have seen a couple of scenes where she jumps well. And that is on par with her comic book version, who never really seemed to master the power. On the bright side, aerial stunts aren't completely out of the question. Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg made the following statement about Jessica's character:

"She doesn't fly but she can jump many stories, and she lands really badly, which is why she doesn't do it too often. And the less you see it, the more believable it is. There will be flights in every episode and they'll get bigger and bigger and bigger, but that's not my priority."

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jessica catch someone in mid-air during a fall, or even glide off of a building in the near future.

4. Iron Fist’s Ability to Project Chi Energy

[Iron Fist - Credit: Marvel Comics]

Netflix has already delved into Danny’s extended skill set exploring Chi regeneration and the ability to heal others. But some of his more potent powers are, as of yet, unseen. Chief among them is the ability to manipulate and project energy. This power allows an Immortal Iron Fist to channel the Shou-Lao Chi into a long range projectile or ethereal mortar shell, if you will.

We saw Danny’s ability to release concussive energy blasts in Season 1 of The Defenders when he knocked his teammates on their butts. Now imagine all of that radiant energy focused into a single, targeted projectile. Such a weapon would be dangerous in anyone's hands, even a semi-emotionally balanced, meditating super hero with good intentions. One thing is for sure: we haven't seen the full power of Iron Fist's punch.

3. Daredevil's Sense of Touch and Heightened Agility

[Daredevil - Credit: Marvel Comics]

Two seasons of Daredevil are behind us and we have definitely noted dynamic character growth from both Matt Murdock and his devil-be-good alter ego. But Daredevil's power set is thus far limited to super hearing, biological sonar, and mixed martial arts training. To date, Netflix hasn't mentioned his heightened sense of touch and resultant agility, choosing to focus on his more "human aspects."

The wisdom of this tactic is clearly conveyed through Daredevil's dark and gritty fight scenes. We have watched him survive on nothing more than strength of will and a sense of purpose. And while that kind of realism makes the show intriguing, his other heightened senses are a definitive part of Daredevil's core character. One example of his agility and sense of touch is the ability to balance himself in a dead run across a phone line. That can be a scary sight over the streets of Hell's Kitchen. Like The Batman, Daredevil can be a dark and intimidating figure. Expect to see more from him.

2. Luke Cage’s Speed

[Luke Cage - Credit: Marvel Comics]

With great muscles, comes great — er, speed. He is no Quicksilver, but Luke Cage has been clocked at over 30 MPH in a dead run. Let's be honest; in New York City, that is faster than a car. But his speed is not limited to running. Viewers may have noticed Luke's ability to dodge and deflect blows from trained martial artists when The Defenders fought The Hand. While he definitely took some hard shots, everyone's favorite convicted hero fared much better than Jessica. And Netflix made sure to let us know it via Ms. Jones's vocal complaints:

"Does everyone know karate but me?"

Luke's speed and reflexes are actually a byproduct of his enhanced musculature tissue. Yes. Your mother was right. Eat your spinach, although you will probably never be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound like Luke Cage, or that other guy.

1. Leadership

[The Defenders - Credit: Marvel Comics]

Not every power has to be super-human. Sometimes, a hero's trials and character overshadow everything else. And sometimes, leaders are forged by such trials. No. This isn't the Justice League. There is no Batman, inspired by sacrifice, trying to unite heroes for a cause. And there isn't a shining beacon of hope rising from the dead. Or is there? Here is what we know from The Defenders Season 1 finale:

  1. Jessica and Luke are still lone wolves playing the anti-hero card.
  2. The world believes Daredevil sacrificed his life for the City he loves.
  3. Iron Fist is a hero without a cause, having destroyed The Hand.

Netflix has laid the foundation for a backstory with great potential. We will likely see a season of shows developing Jessica's character, cementing Luke's place in Harlem, and redefining Iron Fist's mission. And we will likely see Daredevil return as the MCU's own beacon of hope, uniting, leading, and molding The Defenders into a more focused and powerful team.

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About the Creator

Christian Byrd

Freelance Entertainment Journalist

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