After Warren Ellis made the series so enjoyable I have to admit that I had my doubt about Andy Diggle taking over this past January.
(For an interesting look at how Diggle is approaching the series, listen to the Marvel Podcast)
The first two-parter featuring Norman Osborn’s ruse on President Obama to throw the scent off of his criminal activities was a real stunner but the Deadpool ‘Magnum Opus’ crossover left me very cold. This may be down to the inferior artwork and the fact that I wasn’t exactly a fan of the ‘merc with a mouth’ (oddly, I bought the next issue of Deadpool written by Daniel Way and loved it so it just be Andy Diggle’s take on humor that didn’t click with me here).
Nevertheless I took another chance on the series with the latest issue… damn was it good.
The New Thunderbolts
After the Secret Skrull Invasion, Norman Osborn disbanded the Thunderbolts, making me wonder what the deal was with the series still existing. It turns out that he wasn’t done with his wetworks covert ops team just yet, he just needed a new crew that he could count on. Enter Black Widow (the blond one), Headhunter, Paladin, Ghost, the Ant Man (of the Irredeemable Ant Man series) and now Mister X (featured in promotional art but only introduced this month) as the new team.
The Thunderbolts live in a former prison, watching their backs and wondering what someone as shifty as Osborn is will do with them when they no longer serve a use. In the previous adventure, Osborn was called upon by incoming President Obama to answer some very serious accusations from Doc Samson that Norman had lost his mind, dressed up as Green Goblin and killed several of his own security guards. All true. Nevertheless, Norman agreed to meet the accusations head on and even come out on top. Part of his master plan involved Headhunter dressing up as the Green Goblin and attacking Air Force One (making it appear that beyond a shadow of a doubt that Norman was not the Goblin). While Norman defending the President, Ant Man injected Samson with gamma radiation, causing him to go on a rampage.
Hilariously, Obama still suspects Norman Osborn of something shifty.
In the latest issue (#132), Ghost lets it drop to Headhunter that Osborn did not intend for the imposter to survive the performance. Ghost also took the time to threaten Black Widow that he does not appreciate being spied upon as she meticulously monitored each team member’s activities.
With the team not sure who they can trust (if anyone) and nowhere else to go, the stakes are very high on both danger and drama, making this series a monthly must read. I just hope Diggle will stick around after taking on Daredevil as well.
Recommended:
Thunderbolts, Vol. 1: Faith in Monsters
Thunderbolts, Vol. 2: Caged Angels
Thunderbolts: Burning Down The House Premiere HC
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