"The Curse"
Feeling brave again, the barbarian, Attuma attempts another coup in Atlantis. Namor is poised and ready to repel the affront. An assembled host of Atlantean warriors and cousin, Namorita by his side, the Sub-Mariner warns Attuma - then vanishes from view.
Three other Defenders are similarly plucked from the ether and deposited somewhere in the frozen wastes of northern Canada. Nevertheless, they are far from pleased to see each other: Cue some Hulk/Subby type wrasslin'.
Acquaintances are remade at Kyle Richmond's New York penthouse. Nighthawk and Hellcat try to fathom the mystery of Valkyrie. Is she Brunhilde, their old comrade-in-arms, or a new incarnation of the Asgardian sword maiden?
World-shaking threat #2 manifests itself in Canada, as mythological monsters appear from out of the very ground. Pluto, lord of the Underworld has brazenly (see, it's catching - first Attuma) risen to the daylight realm to conquer and enslave it.
Defenders are quick in defiance, but they are cut down in their tracks, seemingly by another Valkyrie.