Marvel Feature was a comic book showcase series published by Marvel Comics in the 1970s. It was a tryout book, intended to test the popularity of characters and concepts being considered for their own series. The first volume led to the launch of The Defenders and Marvel Two-in-One, while volume two led to an ongoing Red Sonja series.
Volume one
Marvel Feature was one of three tryout books proposed by Stan Lee after he transitioned from being Marvel Comics' writer and editor to its president and publisher, the others being Marvel Spotlight and Marvel Premiere. The advantage of such tryout books was that they allowed the publisher to assess a feature's popularity without the marketing investment required to launch a new series, and without the blow to the publisher's image with readers if the new series immediately failed. The lead story in Marvel Feature #1, by writer Roy Thomas and artist Ross Andru, featured the first team-up of the Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Namor as the Defenders. The first two issues of Marvel Feature were in the 52-page format, with the remaining pages filled out by a new Doctor Strange solo tale and a Sub-Mariner reprint. Roy Thomas wrote issues #1, #6, and #7, while Bruce Jones scripted the other issues. Except for issue #1, drawn by Dick Giordano, the art for the series was by the creator most associated with Red Sonja, Frank Thorne. The character then received her own self-titled series in January 1977.
Collected editions
- Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders Vol. 1 includes Marvel Feature #1–3, 256 pages, July 2008,
- Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange Vol. 4 includes Doctor Strange story from Marvel Feature #1, 272 pages, January 2010,
- Essential Defenders Volume 1 includes Marvel Feature #1–3, 544 pages, May 2005,
- Mighty Marvel Team-Up Thrillers includes Marvel Feature #11, 166 pages, 1983,
- Essential Marvel Two-in-One Vol. 1 includes Marvel Feature #11–12, 576 pages, November 2005,
- The Superhero Women: Featuring the Fabulous Females of Marvel Comics includes Marvel Feature vol. 2 #4, 254 pages, November 1977, Simon & Schuster,