Sal Buscema--The Defenders #2 Cover (1972)
Artists: Sal Buscema (Penciller) , Frank Giacoia (Inker)
53 Comments - 1,015 Views - 29 Likes
Additional Images:
Altered cover, as published
Published Cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThe Defenders was a team largely made up of loners and outsiders who didn't particularly like being part of a team. As a result, it was constantly losing members and adding new ones to replace them. Already here in Defenders #2, the Silver Surfer had left the team and they were searching for him to get him back. As it turned out, the Surfer was being mind controlled by a powerful sorcerer named Calizuma (in his first appearance) and his evil allies, the Warrior Wizards. On this kick-ass cover, penciled by the great Sal Buscema and inked by the amazing Frank Giacoia, the Surfer has been freed from Calizuma's mind control and he's rejoined the rest of the team to do battle with Calizuma and his evil henchmen. Here we see Calizuma firing energy bolts powerful enough to stun even the Silver Surfer, while Hulk and Namor try to smash their way through a hostile horde of Warrior Wizards. Flying above the fray, Doctor Strange attempts to subdue Calizuma with a mystic spell, but the Sorcerer merely shrugs it off. It's beginning to look like the Defenders may need a little defending themselves. Fabulous action-packed cover by Buscema and Giacoia. I feel very fortunate to have picked up a Defenders cover that includes the entire original team. They didn't stay together very long, so there aren't too many of these out there.Note: Shown above is the original version of the cover, as pencilled and inked by Sal and Frank. Before publication however, Marvel editors made a number of small changes--They increased the size of the Silver Surfer, made slight adjustments to the bodies of Strange and Namor, as well as slightly altering the expression on Hulk's face. Those changes can be seen on a mylar overlay, displayed below. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rick W 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
There's no defense against this impressiveness!
"Our pal Sal" trophy cover!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Fabulous posing all around. Truly heroic in every aspect. Huge congrats!
André .
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Why are they searching for the Surfer? He's right there.
Excellent!
Michael Reyes
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Calizuma reminds me of Ming the Merciless! Very cool.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
WOW Bill, The Defenders #2 cover!!!?? Most excellent, and huge congrats! this cover image is burned into my brain from seeing so many copies of the book over the years at shows and elsewhere. Interesting about how they edited it (and thanks for sharing the seperate overlay version to compare) for publication. Great addition. Really love this!!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Magnificent Marvel Magic! Except for making Surfer larger, changes feel like some folks just didn't have enough to do that day!
Dan P
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Great job landing this one! I don't think I've seen it before.
I like the use of the overlay, too. It's nice to compare the published image with the original art.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
All they really needed to do was to look up if they wanted to find the Silver Surfer. The early appearances of the Defenders had a lot of heat with Hulk being the major star. Everyone was curious on how they'd mesh as the major team members were high up in their power levels. Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia contain all that power in the classic 70's Marvel opened sided window frame that always seem to have the flow of action threaten to go out of it.
Imran A
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Classic Defenders cover!
Always had a soft spot for the Defenders, and a great cover from Sal.
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Great analysis of this team and a great cover to add to your collection. Cheers and congrats!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
I was a huge fan of the Defenders as a kid; this is fantastic, Bill. 'The Search for the Silver Surger'...no wonder why they enlarged him!
Red Raven
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Historic cover by the master - congratulations my friend !!!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Quite the dynamic and early Defenders cover by Sal who never disappointed. Congrats.
Daren Domina
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Nice pick-up Bill! Love the Defenders--great stuff!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/3/2025
The Big Four! My favorite lineup of my favorite super team. When the Defenders became an official “unofficial” team in 1972 with the first issue of their own title, I was ecstatic. First, there was Namor, Surfer, and Hulk in Sub-Mariner #34 & 35. Then there was Doctor Strange, Hulk, and Sub-Mariner in Marvel Feature #1,2 & 3. Finally, all four were together in their very own book. With all due respect to the Avengers, the FF and the X-Men, as a diehard, teenage, Marvel junkie in 1972 I felt this was the best super team ever. With a lineup that included three of Marvel’s Top 10 (maybe Top 5) strongest characters, the young fanboy in me knew they could never be beat. I also knew that a cross-over with one of those “other” teams was inevitable (and of course it happened just a handful of issues later). As with all comic book teams, the roster would constantly change over the years. But for me, Strange, Subby, Surfer, and Hulk were the real fantastic four. Even adding Valkyrie a short time later only made the team better and stronger. This museum caliber cover for only their second issue really takes me back. And arguably the best period for Sal Buscema in his prime with legendary runs on Captain America, Defenders, and of course Hulk. Congratulations on this exceptional acquisition. The growth and development of your collection/gallery in size, scope, and historical significance, has been both a pleasure and privilege to follow.
J. Lim
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
WOAH! Defenders #2 cover! I used to collect this book growing up. Loved this team so much and brings back so many memories! What an amazing pick up. CONGRATS!!!
James S
Member Since 2017
2 - Posted on 9/3/2025
A classic battle royal cover! You knew Calizuma was evil just from his facial hair!
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
James S wrote:
A classic battle royal cover! You knew Calizuma was evil just from his facial hair!
I took a look a look at him and could tell he was amorous.
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
You look like and angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh, yes you are the devil in disguise.
Johnny M
Member Since 2014
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
I am currently in kahoots with Calizuma to convince Bill J to give me his collection. I mean, if it worked on Silver Surfer...
Another great addition!! If I were an artist, all of the little editor redraws would drive me crazy! Haha.
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
I love Defenders covers with the core group of Surfer, Doc Strange, Namor and Hulk, and this is one of the very best ones! Not surprising, as you have an amazing eye and an even more amazing collection. Major congrats, Bill!!
Steve Lawrence
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Well that's something you don't see every day! Truly a piece of history. Awesome addition to a museum level collection.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Having the four original Defenders on the cover is a very rare treat indeed! Sal Buscema delivers an action-packed cover that nicely sums up a very tangled storyline while delivering the thrills that urge every young reader to pick that book out of the rack. Historic!
Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
A royal rumble of Marvel royalty if I ever saw one!
A K
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Sal Buscema was one of the mainstays of the House of Ideas for decades and this amazing Defenders cover shows why that was. The excitement of the cover makes me miss the days when comics covers depicted what was going on inside the book. Congratulations on a great pick-up!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Just look at those heroic weaklings. I mean, Hulk is being stopped by a few henchmen. Work out more Guys!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Well, if you can't get the Defenders #1 cover, I guess this is the next best thing! So great to clearly see all four of the original members on the cover, because as you noted, Bill, there aren't many Defenders covers that can boast that. The Buscema/Giacoia art is quite strong and exciting. I appreciate being able to see all the editorial changes as well, but given how many they made and the type of changes they were, I'm surprised they didn't seem to notice that The Hulk could also use an enlarging. Anyway, a great cover from everyone's favourite non-team!
Bob Goerder
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
A Cover With GREAT IMPACT!! Congratulations On Getting It!!
Benedict Judas Hel
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/3/2025
Who is that horned character on the cover? Could it be...Satan?!
JN 80
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Stunning Buscema cover with the Defenders getting smacked around
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Whoa, such a classic and impressive Buscema Defenders cover, just too cool, big congrats!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Memorable cover of one of the most rare and loved spuerheroe teams ever existed. It is so amazing to have all characters using their huge powers. Excellent composition and execution. Huge congrats!
alessandro gentili
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
This is an amazing piece..even in your collection/museum!!
So great ..
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Buscema really knocked it out of the park on this one, and so did you as a collector! What a phenomenal piece!
Michael Weigant
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
I liked this cover as a kid and still own the book! Just a marvelous cover that brings back great memories as a young man growing up in the bay area.
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Amazing pick up. Compared to his huge body of work, there are not that many covers by Sal. Long live the Defenders!
Gene Park
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
Fantastic Marvel 20-cent picture frame cover - congrats, Bill!!
Michael One Minute Later
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/4/2025
A real classic of a Marvel cover by our pal, Sal. I love this iteration of The Defenders and the action and drama are pure 1970s Marvel! Well done!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 9/5/2025
Mephistopheles has nothing on Calimuza! The devil certainly is in the details with this fantastic cover. Congrats Bill!
Tyler T
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/5/2025
Another absolute stunner! Everyone is packed in here tight and we have bodies flying! Strange and Surfer midair are both such a wonderful touch. BIg congrats on this beauty!
Anthony T
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/5/2025
Great early Defenders cover! I always liked the Marvel picture frame covers for some reason. Sal did a great job with all the characters and action.
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