I was a big fan of The Defenders early on, and then lost a bit of interest.  My ideal team would retain the mystical dimension but would focus on the most powerful heros to defend the Earth from attack (usually from that other realm).  This was the original premise if I recall, and I think that worked well -- but only the top-notch would do.  So, I'd pick: Dr. Strange (of course), Valkyrie, Nighthawk (both long time members), and supplement that with Namor, Hulk, Ghost Rider, and the Silver Surfer, depending on the mission.  I think the flexible membership status of this non-team kept it interesting, with plenty of cross-over references to these characters other plot lines. 

doctor strange   at  classic  full power levels
 jean  grey ( post  ressurection and away from the xmen)
Namor
Hulk
silver surfer
reject

 
 
( yeah you know this would be the perfect  team !  toyed wih the inclusion of black bolt.

My favorite Defenders team is.

Silver Surfer

Hulk

Doctor strange

Ghost Rider.

A thing I've been thinking about is how there's sort of two distinctly different styles of Defenders teams that have handled different roles over the years; the first being the original team who supposedly only come together for emergencies, and the collections more street level marvel superheroes. Traditionally, the overlapping character(s) would be Dr.Strange (and/or Valkyrie), who would assemble different styles of teams for different kinds of threats. Going back and forth from different types of threats means that you don't have to be constantly under threat of emergencies that would necessitate the combined powers of Dr.Strange, Namor, the Hulk, Silver Surfer, and Valkyrie.

Now, while I do like the idea of Dr.Strange and Valkyrie being more or less constant members of the team, I don't think either one of them should be the main character, or even be around all the time.

I think the main characters should be Iron Fist and Misty Knight. Iron Fist has already been inducted into the emergency Defenders and Misty Knight and Valkyrie actually are the Defenders right now, so it would be a cool way to bring those two smaller teams together.

They both also have lots of super hero friends and connections to cool street level heroes. So characters like Black Cat, Coleen Wing, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, or even Hurcules could guest star for the mystical quests and threats that don't necessitate Dr.Strange calling together the big guns like Namor, Silver Surfer, or the Hulk.

So about ten or so main or reoccurring characters, but with stories that focus on mainly 5 or 6 at a time, I think it could make for pretty classic, but still classically loose Defenders association.

What do you guys think?

• Dr. Strange
• Namor
• Sentry
• Sersi
• Monkey King
• Arachne
• Valkyrie

Definitely pursuing a Mystic/Cosmic Vibe.

@backflip: Who is the Monkey King?

@or35ti: Monkey King - The version that appeared in Fear Itself.

I'm going to be keeping the theme of the Valkyior from fearless defenders because.I really like that concept and Ill contne from its current roster and add to fill up the remaining 9

Valkyrie

Misty Knight

Anabelle Riggs

Warrior Woman

Dani Moonstar

Phyla Vell

Songbird

Black Cat

Red She-Hulk

• Doctor Strange
• Hellcat
• Ghost Rider (Reyes)
• Daredevil
• Beast
• Iron Fist (Misty Knight)
• Songbird

Also toyed with Sentry, Warpath, Polaris, Danny Rand, and Captain Universe is a very interesting idea. However, I'd stick it here for the most interesting team.

I guess my team would be:

Falcon

Luke Cage

Iron Fist

Jessica Jones

Misty Knight

Cloak

Dagger

Colleen Wing

and I think Justice and Firestar would really fit in well with a street team. Also there's White Tiger and Hellcat

Daredevil

Luke Cage

Iron Fist

Punisher

Moon Knight

Ghost Rider

Blade

Marvel has basically turned the Defenders into the Heroes for Hire.

My Ideal Team:

• Doctor Strange
• Scarlet Witch
• Clea
• Silver Surfer
• Namor
• Hulk

Honorable Mentions:

• Damion Hellstorm
• Nico Minoru
• Sersi
• Ardina
• Valkyrie
• Hellcat