With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is gearing up to conclude one chapter of this iconic franchise and embark on a thrilling new journey. In a surprising move, Marvel has mirrored the MCU's decision by retitling the Thunderbolts comic to "The New Avengers" post its initial release weekend. This bold transition challenges characters like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine to step into the formidable shoes of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they meet the high expectations set by their predecessors?
The path to becoming a unified and effective Avengers team will be fraught with challenges for these diverse characters. This insight came to light during our recent discussion with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper into the transformation of Thunderbolts into the New Avengers, the strategic selection of this formidable lineup, and the looming threat that necessitates their assembly.
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Who Are the New Avengers?
Marvel Studios, known for its secrecy regarding upcoming projects, sparked curiosity about the timing of the title change in Humphries' Thunderbolts pitch. Was the New Avengers concept a part of the initial plan, or a later addition? Humphries clarified that the title change was part of the strategy from the outset.
"It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith]," Humphries shared with IGN. "It's been exhilarating and maddening to keep this top secret for months. Like planning a surprise party, but for thousands of people. I don't even have a document on my hard drive that says 'New Avengers' on it. You never know."
He added, "Initially, there were some logistical details to be worked out behind the scenes, so I had to be prepared to pivot on a dime. But the whole plan was locked in by the time I started the first issue. You can see it in the lineup -- the New Avengers and the Killuminati both have echoes of [Brian] Bendis' and [Jonathan] Hickman's New Avengers teams. Jed's [MacKay] got a killer lineup of do-gooders in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to distinguish itself with a bunch of bastards."
Humphries had significant creative freedom in assembling the Thunderbolts/New Avengers team, aiming to represent various sectors of the Marvel Universe. "Oh, this was so much fun," Humphries enthused. "My basic concept was -- the Illuminati were seven kings and heroes from seven different corners of the Marvel Universe, so what if we did the same with some of the biggest badasses representing mutants, the mystical world, the Spider family, the gamma family, and so on? I have immense gratitude for our amazing editor Alanna Smith who supported this idea from the jump, even though she had to liaise with pretty much every Marvel editorial office to make it happen. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams begging for mercy. And big thanks to all the editors and creators who were generous enough to trust us with their wonderful, cherished characters! Love you all! (They're gonna regret it.)"
The New Avengers, unlike their predecessors, are not the epitome of moral integrity and heroism. This team comprises hardened killers, monsters, and even a notoriously irritable underwater king. Reflecting the original New Avengers from 2004, these characters come together under unique circumstances and are bound to clash.
"I think the phrase I used in my pitch was 'interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,'" Humphries remarked. "These aren't level-headed guardians of humanity, these are a bunch of hothead bastards trying to use their bad impulses for good, with mixed results. They should not be allowed to be in the same room together. The big question is, who hates each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage. Or it might be Namor and Laura. Or it might be…"
Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati
While the new comic series shares its title change with the MCU, the roster of the New Avengers diverges significantly. Bucky Barnes, a consistent figure from the Thunderbolts, remains integral as the team transitions in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. The responsibility falls on the former Winter Soldier to transform this diverse group into a cohesive unit.
"I have so much love for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] long, glorious run with Bucky," Humphries expressed. "I'm honored and lucky to follow what they've achieved with the character. And Bucky's gonna need the wisdom and experience of every insane thing they put him through. The world is upside down and someone needs to do something about it, damn it."
The New Avengers face a formidable threat that demands their unique combination of skills. Drawing inspiration from the classic Illuminati lineup, their adversaries are an offshoot known as the "Killuminati." Humphries hinted at their origin, saying, "Someone tried to make duplicates of the Illuminati, and someone f***ed up. Now there's seven demented and deformed worst-case scenarios running around. Bucky's gonna have big problems keeping his team together. And the same goes for the Killuminati and their 'leader' -- Iron Apex."
Collaborating with artist Ton Lima, whose previous works include New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers, Humphries noted that the art style draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another action-packed franchise. "Ton is a BEAST," Humphries praised. "He makes the good guys look brutal and sexy, and the bad guys look brutal and disgusting. I told him he needed to watch every Fast and the Furious movie in a row ten times without breaks. Based on his pages, I think he actually did it, the madman!"
The New Avengers #1 is set to hit the shelves on June 11, 2025.
For further insights into the MCU's latest twist, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and discover why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Bucky.
