Marvel Comics just pulled off a classic bait and switch worthy of the Thunderbolts legacy. What was teased in March as a bold new Thunderbolts comic by writer Sam Humphries and artist Ton Lima has now been unmasked. This isn’t a Thunderbolts book at all. It’s New Avengers issue one.
This sudden title shift mirrors the recent rebrand of the Thunderbolts movie currently in theaters, further blurring the lines between Marvel’s comic universe and the cinematic one. But in comics, this kind of twist is deep in Thunderbolts DNA. From their first appearance in 1997, the team has been all about misdirection, surprise reveals, and impossible alliances. This relaunch continues that tradition.
The new New Avengers lineup is stacked with heavy hitters and wild cards alike. Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Carnage, Hulk, Namor, Clea, and Wolverine. It’s less “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” and more “Earth’s Most Volatile,” with a team that feels one bad mission away from imploding. And that’s exactly the energy Sam Humphries is channeling.
“Plot twist, it’s been New Avengers all along” Humphries revealed. “This is just the first of many surprises. This new era is about explosive personalities and even more explosive stakes.”
The team’s first mission? Taking down corrupted clone versions of the Illuminati. A meta threat that feels tailor made for a squad of misfits who don’t play by the rules. And while this book stands on its own, longtime Marvel fans will recognize echoes of the 2004 New Avengers run by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, which redefined the Avengers for a new era. The cover of issue one even pays homage to that era with art from Whilce Portacio.
Adding to the hype, Marvel is releasing special Marvel Studios Variant Covers for the first three issues. These covers feature Andy Park’s original designs from the Thunderbolts movie, tying the comic directly into the live action spotlight.
Between the explosive lineup, the meta storytelling, and the crossover appeal, New Avengers issue one is shaping up to be one of the boldest launches of 2024. Preorders are already live. Don’t miss your chance to see how far Marvel is willing to shake things up.
Sources:
Marvel.com
gfpods.com 
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