The Defenders of the Deep were established by King Namor of Atlantis to accomodate to his new policies regarding relationships between the ocean and the surface world. Namor declared the oceans off-limits to all but their native inhabitants, and used the Defenders of the Deep to drive off any human presence on the ocean.
After tearing down Russian submarines in the Black Sea, the Defenders of the Deep attacked the international undersea research station Hydropolis. They were intercepted by the Avengers, and a fight broke out after the heroes attacked Namor's Piranhas to stop them from eating two bystanders despite Namor ordering them to stand down. The Winter Guard arrived to retaliate against the attack on the Black Sea, and worked with the Avengers to take down Namo's team. During the fight, Manowar was killed by Crimson Dynamo. However, tensions between the Avengers and the Winter Guard arose after She-Hulk attacked Perun and Chernobog to stop their in-fighting. While the Avengers and the Winter Guard fought each other, Namor killed the Piranhas due to their continued misconduct and ordered the Defenders to retreat.
The Defenders of the Deep next attacked a Roxxon oil drilling platform in Alaska, but they were repelled by the Squadron Supreme of America, at the expense of Orka.
Leader:
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Members:
Andromeda
Bloodtide
Orka
Tiger Shark
King Crab
Echidna
Former Member:
Manowar
Piranhas
