So begins Jeff Parker’s run, and Luke Cage’s term as leader of the T-Bolts.
This phase of the series is launched at the same time as the Avengers Academy series. It’s interesting to see the two series develop in parallel to the rebooted X-Men, who as a group have moved to more overtly political goals, while embracing their darker defensive in the X-Force book. In Academy, seasoned veteran heroes teach youngsters (mostly new characters) how to master their powers. It’s like the X-Men but it’s not about mutants, and the kids are specifically being groomed for Avengers membership. Here, in Thunderbolts, a criminal-turned-hero (Luke) teaches similarly situated adults how to use their powers for societal betterment instead of more selfish reasons. The group is also specifically sanctioned by Captain Steve Rogers.
The new team consists of Fixer (for tech) and Ghost (for digital “hacking”)…
…I don’t recall ever seeing Ghost without his big mask on before this. Not sure why he’s portrayed staring at the bottom of his own foot…Looks like he’ll be the “crazy one” this time around. Songbird, who has gone back-and-forth from hero to villain, as well as Moonstone, are freed from the Raft Prison to join up.
Songbird has a new haircut.
Crossbones is on the team, too. He’s obviously the most questionable member since he killed Captain America, is a Nazi by association, etc. etc. Finally, Juggernaut will serve as the team’s “tank” (I guess Cage himself isn’t the Tank because he’s the leader), and Man-Thing is…
…The team’s Quinjet.
The issue is just about team formation. Each character gets a few pages to establish their character. On the last page, Cage has the field team out practicing when Helmut Zemo shows up.
I know it’s not really Zemo, but I’ve tagged him as such so as (a) not to spoil who it really is and (b) because we as the readers don’t know it yet.
Solid beginning. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more.