Defenders #21 page 32 – plus a note from Sal Buscema to Steve Gerber (reverse) about the script missing a page

The Headmen, the most enigmatic of all of the Defenders’ adversaries, have succeeded in committing a robbery ‘without confrontation’ (albeit with great risk to life and limb on the part of the New York populace). The black rain Chondu the Mystic brought into existence enraged those touched by it into a frenzy – including the Hulk, who turned on Valkyrie. I love the panels of the Hulk looking deeply regretful on this last page of the story. And the banner of the ‘Next’ story to come – the classic 'Sons of the Serpent' – is still exciting to see now.
On the reverse of the page, there is a note from Sal Buscema to Steve Gerber about the script for this issue having one page too few. I have attached a second scan of the note, but as the text isn’t very easy to read I’ve typed it up below. Sal describes it as ‘no big deal’, but I guess it was enough of an irritation to be worth mentioning – particularly as this had happened for (at least) a second time – perhaps on Defenders #20? It is really interesting to read about the extra storytelling job that Sal had to do, but as he was the consummate storyteller perhaps it was just impossible to notice that the story was stretched over an extra page. I wonder how often he had to do that when working with Gerber?

Text: "Steve, You did it to me again. Your script didn’t have a page nine. So the book would only have 17 pgs. I stretched it to 18, but it makes the job a little tougher. It’s no big deal, but I just thought I’d mention it. Best regards, Sal."