Warning: Contains preview images for Thunderbolts #1
The newest Thunderbolts team from Marvel Comics is leaping into action for the first time in an exciting new preview. Originally making their debut in 1997, the Thunderbolts consist of a constantly changing roster of heroes and reformed villains who take on new threats to the Earth when the Avengers are out of commission. Originally formed by Baron Zemo, the group has undergone numerous shifts with some notable members including Deadpool, Green Goblin, Luke Cage and the Winter Soldier. Now, a new group of Thunderbolts is about to make their debut, and it's perhaps Marvel's most exciting team yet.
This August, Hawkeye's new Thunderbolts team will officially replace the Avengers in a new series created by Jim Zub and Sean Izaakse. The legendary archer will be taking charge against crime with his new group consisting of America Chavez, Spectrum, Power Man, Persuasion and a newcomer hero named Gutsen Glory. The latter hero is so mysterious that Marvel has not disclosed much about him, hinting that there will be exciting revelations to come in the new series. Back in April, a first glimpse at the team was shown including a look at who they'll be up against. Now, even more has been shown of their first battle, and it's bound to be an exciting first issue.
An official Marvel press release features cover art and a first look at the team's first major battle in Thunderbolts #1. In these action-packed pages, the new Thunderbolts are taking on a pretty fitting group of foes: the Thunderbolts. During Wilson Fisk's reign as the mayor of New York City, he created his own team of "heroes" to enforce his laws against unsanctioned superheroes with members such as U.S. Agent, Abomination, Electro, Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter and more. Based on these first images, it looks like the team is cleaning up the mess that Fisk created by dealing with the previous group. Hawkeye is seen delivering some pretty nasty blows to U.S. Agent, who joined he team even after becoming a real Marvel hero. It also includes some pretty great moments of the team working together to make sure they overcome the teamed-up baddies.
The cover is pretty inventive, recreating an iconic image in American history called "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper," which depicts a group of workers on a lunch break on a steel girder while constructing a building. While the image itself is staged, it's an unforgettable picture that fits thematically with where Marvel's New York heroes currently stand. After a long and arduous time with Wilson Fisk as the mayor of New York, a new mayor has taken his place: Luke Cage. However, this doesn't mean that things are back to normal. There's still work to be done to bring NYC back to its former glory after Kingpin showed he was a threat to every Marvel hero. However, things may be a difficult uphill battle as the rebuilding of the city begins, but the future being paved by the new Thunderbolts looks bright.
Based on the preview provided by Marvel, it looks like the series will not only provide the exciting action that Marvel fan love but also a promise that big changes are coming to the Marvel universe. Right now not much is known about the overall journey that the team will embark upon. Still, it's an exciting time for fans of the Thunderbolts stories and will certainly highlight a new era in Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel
Look for Thunderbolts #1 on August 31st!