Defenders #5

This volume is issue #5 of 2017's Defenders Vol. 5, written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by David Marquez, a middle chapter of the series' opening arc. Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist join forces to investigate a dangerous drug circulating on the streets and the cartel behind it, and are drawn into a confrontation with Frank Castle, the Punisher — why this former comrade-in-arms has turned against the Defenders is one of the issue's central mysteries. In the previous issue, Iron Fist was gravely wounded in a fight with the Rattler, who was taken into custody; this issue opens with Iron Fist receiving treatment at a clinic, and during the group's brief respite, the Rattler escapes while being transported, further inflaming the conflict. Meanwhile, Daredevil uses his superhuman hearing to track police movements, and the four split up to pursue leads, gradually being drawn toward a larger conspiracy and pulled by intersecting old acquaintances and old enemies. Bendis continues his signature ensemble-dialogue style, vividly rendering the four street heroes' banter, tests of trust, and unspoken understanding; Marquez and colorist Justin Ponsor contribute solid paneling, action, and character acting, so that beyond advancing the main plot, this issue preserves the character-charm moments every issue of the series must have. This volume is issue #5 of the 2017 Defenders series, containing a single issue, not a complete story arc.