In an attempt to shake things up, Kurt Busiek introduces a “reformed” Zemo back into the mix, returning him to team leader, and having the despot lead his team on a mission to depower every superhero. 2: Best IntentionsĬollects: Avengers/Thunderbolts (2004) #1-6.Īfter a fairly uneventful and uncollected stretch, it was obvious that Thunderbolts was losing steam. Hawkeye joins the ranks and tries to keep the team of villains on the straight and narrow by promising pardons.Ĭollects: Thunderbolts (1997) #38-50, Avengers (1998) #31-34.Īvengers/Thunderbolts Vol. The Avengers return and the truth is revealed.Ĭollects: Thunderbolts #15-22, #0 Captain America & Citizen V Annual 1998 Avengers (1998) #12Ĭollects: Thunderbolts (1997) #23-37, Thunderbolts Annual 2000, Avengers Annual 2000. The early days of the team as the Thunderbolts seek fame and fortune with the Avengers being believed dead.Ĭollects: Thunderbolts (1997) #6-14 & Heroes for Hire (1997) #7. The Birth and Rebirth and Rebirth of the ThunderboltsĬollects: Thunderbolts (1997) #1-5 and #-1, Incredible Hulk (1968) #449, Tales of the Marvel Universe #1, Spider-Man Team-Up #7 & Thunderbolts Annual ’97. Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a qualifying affiliate commission.Ĭomic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.Īny size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Related Reading Orders:Ĭomic Book Herald is reader-supported. Since then, the role and purpose of the Thunderbolts organization has changed shapes many times to fit into these replacement cycles.

Spoiler, this newest superteam was actually the villainous cabal the Masters of Evil with long-time Avenger nemesis, Baron Zemo, in charge. After the Avengers were seemingly killed at the hands of Onslaught, the team was ripe to be “replaced.” It also allows for new characters to be introduced, expanding the company’s line. From a business standpoint, these overhauls give characters time away, freedom to change, and hopefully come back creatively refreshed. Long-running stories run the risk of getting too popular, oversaturated, and/or predictable and need to be shaken up. “Replacing” origins, characters and even whole teams is a long-establish trope in comics.

A well-written and genuinely shocking twist is a key part of the team’s earliest appearances.

The Thunderbolts team itself begins as a spoiler.

Thunderbolts kurt busiek