With the Thunderbolts making their live-action debut soon, Marvel Comics is unleashing ambitious plans for the team in print. The current Thunderbolts are already heavily involved in the "One World Under Doom" crossover. However, a brand-new Thunderbolts team will assemble shortly after the film's release.
Marvel has unveiled New Thunderbolts—a series written by Sam Humphries (Uncanny X-Force) and illustrated by Ton Lima (West Coast Avengers), with cover art by Stephen Segovia. See the striking cover for issue #1 below:
While capitalizing on the movie's hype, with Bucky Barnes leading and a mysterious asterisk in the title, the team roster is surprisingly unique. This iteration includes Clea, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), Namor, Hulk, and Carnage (with Eddie Brock as the current Venom).
The series kicks off with Bucky and Black Widow confronting a universe-threatening crisis involving Illuminati doppelgangers. They'll assemble this formidable, if volatile, team to tackle the threat. Managing such a diverse group of powerful individuals, many of whom are known for their less-than-savory tendencies, promises significant challenges.
"I love every iteration of Thunderbolts," Humphries stated in Marvel's press release. "I'm thrilled to continue the franchise's legacy of intense action, explosive personalities, and surprising twists. This is a group of seven of the Marvel Universe's most formidable and unpredictable characters. Forming a super team is like planning a dinner party – you need the right mix of guests. I envisioned a dangerous, chaotic, and utterly unhinged Marvel dinner party, and that’s what we’ve got."
"I'm having a blast collaborating with Mr. Humphries and the team," added Lima. "Look at this lineup… it's insane. They're not here for polite conversation; they jump straight into the action! That's the most fun part to draw. None of them are known for holding back, so neither am I."
New Thunderbolts #1 hits shelves June 11, 2025.
For more on the Thunderbolts movie, explore Lewis Pullman's character, The Sentry, and delve into the meaning behind the title's asterisk.
