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Post by Shiryu on Feb 20, 2009 17:38:48 GMT -5
As Dlw's and others have suggested, to decrease the workload on the servers and avoid burying old topics too quickly, we should compress all the web reviews (IGN, Newsarama etc) in a single topic in each section. So from now on, we should post all the ones about Thunderbolts here only, ok? EDIT: To help everyone find what he wants when this topics became big, a good index is in order. Page 1: Thunderbolts 129 review (IGN)
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Post by goldenfist on Feb 26, 2009 10:20:23 GMT -5
Ign.com reviews Thunderbolts #129
Dark Avengers might have recently displaced Thunderbolts as Marvel's premier villain-centric book, and it might have also stolen away some of the T-Bolt' A-list cast members. One thing Dark Avengers didn't steal, however, is Thunderbolts' crown as the vilest, most wicked book on the stands. This is a series that remains as unapologetically evil and venomous as ever, even if the actual Venom is off masquerading as Spider-Man in Brian Bendis' series. Credit writer Andy Diggle for sharing the same sort of inner-maniac as his predecessor, Warren Ellis.
The issue follows Norman Osborn's masterfully devious plan to win the trust of President Obama and convince his new boss that he was never in fact the psychotic Green Goblin, and it very much reads like the fiery plain crash it depicts. Scripting high paced action has long been Diggle's strong suit as a writer, and here he gives us a story in which the shell of Air Force One is blown open by an imposter Green Goblin, an infected Doc Samson rages Hulk-style in the same cabin as the President and the new Thunderbolts carefully execut Norman's precisely planned ruse. The book's first nine-pages are the best of Diggle and Roberto De La Torre's run so far, and the whole sequence plays out like a ballet of violence, double crosses and explosions.
Unfortunately, the wheels fall of the cart on the issue's tenth page, and it's thanks almost entirely to this month's fill in artists, Carlos Magno (of Countdown infamy) and Scott Hanna. At this point I have to admit that no bit of well-scripted wickedness on Diggle's part could have distracted me from the lackluster art. Just look at that page ten shot of Green Goblin descending feet-first from above and tell me that crudely rendered image doesn't completely distract you from what's going on elsewhere on the page. The same can be said of Magno's attempts at low-angle close-ups of facial expressions, which brought back horrible reminders of an evil Mary Marvel grimacing awkwardly at me from the page.
It's a shame De La Torre, or at least someone of his artistic caliber, didn't draw the issue's middle section, because it includes a great moment between Norman and President Obama that is on par with any bit of machiavellian scheming we've seen from Osborn in the past few months. The way Diggle has Osborn convince Obama of his benevolence and innocence without ever really convincing him plays out wonderfully, and by the time it was through I was convinced this book would remain the place to go to see Norman in all his villainous glory.
As for the new team of Thunderbolts that are at last fully introduced in this issue, all I can say is that I'm unfamiliar with all of them except Robert Kirkman's Ant Man, yet I remain as intrigued with this series as ever. I think that says a lot of about Diggle's handle on this property. Have no fear, T-Bolts fans - it doesn't look like this book will lose its evil crown any day soon.
Review Score: 8.1 Impressive
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Post by goldenfist on Mar 25, 2009 9:19:57 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #133 Cover Written by ANDY DIGGLE Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! It's Thunderbolt vs. Thunderbolt, as Norman Osborn's black-ops hit squad targets former team-member Songbird—and this time, they're not underestimating this bird of prey! But even with a pack of blood-thirsty killers on her heels, Songbird has a few tricks up her sleeve...and enough experience fighting dirty to know that attack is the best form of defense! The acclaimed team of Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre serve up another offering of the book that Wizard calls “a breakout book”! i.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/june09/113_thunderbolts_133.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Mar 25, 2009 9:37:47 GMT -5
DARK REIGN: DEADPOOL/THUNDERBOLTS TPB Written by ANDY DIGGLE & DANIEL WAY Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE & PACO MEDINA Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA Deadpool unleashes his most insane plan yet: a full-on assault against Norman Osborn! As Deadpool storms his way to the top of Avengers Tower, Osborn is forced to pull out all the stops to save his own skin — and that means deploying the brand new Thunderbolts! Plug your ears, kids — this is gonna be loud! Collecting THUNDERBOLTS #130-131 and DEADPOOL #8-9. i.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/june09/34_dark_reign_deadpool_thunderbolts_tpb.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Apr 21, 2009 11:17:02 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #134 Written by ANDY DIGGLE Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVIDA Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA 30s DECADE VARIANT by TBA It’s Thunderbolt vs. Thunderbolt in “Widowmaker” part 2 of 4! Black Widow II leads the hunt for renegade ex-team-member Songbird, but one of her own squad of blood-thirsty killers is carrying a deadly secret! Who holds the secret, what is it, and how will it explode the delicate balance of power within Norman Osborn's black-ops hit squad forever? There's no going back after the latest chapter in the book that IGN.com calls “the vilest, most wicked book on the stands!” www.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/july2009/133_thunderbolts_134.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Apr 21, 2009 11:29:10 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS: BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE PREMIERE HC Written by ANDY DIGGLE Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA The new creative team of writer Andy Diggle (Losers, Green Arrow: Year One) and penciler Roberto De La Torre (IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF S.H.I.E.L.D.) shake up Marvel’s most unpredictable team! The events of Secret Invasion have taken Norman Osborn out of Thunderbolts Mountain...and when the cat is away, the mice will play! Bullseye owes Songbird big time – and now it’s time to settle up! Collecting THUNDERBOLTS #126-129. www.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/july2009/134_thunderbolts__burning_down_the_house.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on May 18, 2009 14:30:32 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #135 Written by ANDY DIGGLE Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA 70th Frame Variant by PAUL RENAUD Norman Osborn! Black Widow II! Songbird! Nick Fury! When you finally learn how these four powderkegs intersect and collide, you will be picking your jaw off the floor! Secrets will be uncovered, agendas will be exposed, and heads will roll in the latest wicked installment of the book ComicPants.com calls "Bold and awesome. Diggle has woven a tale of underhanded evil and it truly is a great thing to behold.” i.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/aug09/113_thunderbolts_135.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Jun 21, 2009 11:14:03 GMT -5
Luke Cage & Iron Fist: Thundebolts For Hire?
You wouldn’t typically find too many big announcements centering on a single issue unless they had to do with a big death or a big return. However, Thunderbolts #136 merits some special attention. It’s not just because Rick Remender is building his rep as the other busiest writer at Marvel, and it’s not just because the 48-page issue will be drawn by artistic up-and-comer Mahmud A. Asrar (Dynamo 5, Nova Annual #1). The real heat on the September issue is the fact that Luke Cage and Danny Rand, Power Man and Iron Fist, find themselves in the employ of Norman Osborn as his deadliest new assassins. WTF, right? We talked to Rick Remender before Philly for some of the salient details.
“I’m doing one double-size issue to set up a new program [of Norman’s],” Remender tells us. “Norman comes up [with this] in order to strengthen his mercenary operations. The idea of the new program here is that . . .basically Norman is bringing heroes into the Thunderbolts.” As for why Cage and Rand? Remender points out that should be obvious. “Why he goes for Danny and Luke kind of makes sense, given that they were the Heroes for Hire and how me makes them perform for [this team].”
When asked about the ongoing appeal of the Cage/Rand combination, Remender sums it up pretty succinctly. He notes, “It’s the muscle and the karate guy, just to boil it down to the fun aspects . . . the bruiser busting heads and his little buddy doing roundhouses . . . they really are unlikely friends, and that’s the core. It’s exploring the boundaries of a friendship that’s gone on as long as theirs has . . . that’s the theme.”
Apart from the cool-buddy-action aspect, Remender has some loftier goals for the story. “ what could I do that might have poignancy? This is action heavy, but also with some humanity that says something about the characters.”
Remender, a new dad himself, indicates that some of Luke Cage’s motives here are affected that character’s own fatherhood. Suggesting a key to the story, Remender says, “At what point does that friendship crumble away in lieu of self-interest and other friendships . . . their [respective places] in life play a role in that.”
As far as the overall tone of the issue, Remender says, “It flips and flops [between] espionage and intrigue, Mission: Impossible[i/]-style reveals . . . you never really know anybody’s true motives . . . with Osborn and Ghost, there’s an undercurrent of people playing each other; there’s a good four or five zigs and zags [in the plot].”
And on top of that? Remender laughs: “Kung Fu guy is already a ton of fun.”
Look for the 48-page issue in September.
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Post by goldenfist on Jul 22, 2009 10:04:11 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #137 Written by ANDY DIGGLE Penciled by MIGUEL ANGEL SEPULVEDA Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA This is it, the finale to writer Andy Diggle’s run! Who is Scourge? What is Black Widow II’s game? Who answers Songbird’s cry for help? All the answers are supplied here, in the latest shocking installment of the book that ComicPants.com calls “Bold and awesome...One of the best books Marvel puts out. Period.” i.newsarama.com/preview_images/marvelnew/oct09/100_thunderbolts_137.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Aug 8, 2009 20:31:35 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Aug 9, 2009 22:43:59 GMT -5
JEFF PARKER is Newest THUNDERBOLT Recruit
This weekend at the Chicago Comic-Con, Marvel Comics announced that writer Jeff Parker would be assuming control of The Thunderbolts beginning in November. The current storyline, written by Andy Diggle, will come to a close later this fall under the skillful artistic hands of Rick Remender as Diggle begins writing Marvel’s Daredevil monthly title. While details are still sketchy at this point along the lines of a new line-up for the title or if any of the original members of the squad would be returning, Newsarama contacted Parker to discuss his plans for Marvel’s motley band of not-so-good guys going into 2010.
The discussion of the new direction of The Thunderbolts began in earnest with Parker discussing his involvement with the title after Andy Diggle’s run finishes up in October. “I'm a little over-excited, actually,” he remarked. Briefly mentioning the most recent revelation in Thunderbolts #134 - that Black Widow II, Yelena Belova, is in fact Black Widow I, Natasha Romanov - and how there are still several more startling surprises in Diggle’s run before he takes over the book in November; he said, “The end of Andy’s run will leave the ‘Bolts as probably the most unstable, chaotic version of the team yet!”
When asked about the original Thunderbolts returning to the title, Parker was ominous, “Shake the magic eight ball again—it’s telling me it’s too early to say and to try again.” As readers can see, as of issue #134 and from pending solicits, it appears that at least Mach V and the Fixer are reuniting with Songbird to attempt to take down Osborn’s miscreant band of Thunderbolt operatives. When asked about the potential for some of these not-so-nice Thunderbolts to wind up on his roster, Parker said, “I’ve really enjoyed how Andy has developed Ghost in particular; he’s a classic case of a writer squeezing more potential out of a character and making a true wildcard.”
Parker spoke about some of his favorite characters in The Thunderbolts, “Paladin on the current team is well-suited because he’s always been so morally ambiguous. They offer him a steady paycheck—so his mercenary nature puts him at their disposal.” He continued, “If we’re talking about ‘favorite Thunderbolt character of all time’ then I have to be predictable and go with Baron Zemo. I know a lot of readers are into him, and it’s easy to see why. He’s got that kind of complex that positions him as a future Dr. Doom type.”
When asked about a potential confrontation between Baron Zemo and Norman Osborn as the Iron Patriot, Parker feigned mystery, “The Magic Eight-Ball says ‘Outlook hazy’ so I can’t tell you right now.”
The discussion changed directions; with the focus of the conversation leaning more towards the premise of the current incarnation of The Thunderbolts versus the theme of the title at its inception in the mid-nineties under the watchful eye of Kurt Busiek. When asked about returning the title to its roots, Parker was candid, “The Thunderbolts has to constantly evolve—the very name of the comic book suggests something that can change suddenly with impact,” he added, “Besides that, I think that this book has always had this remarkable ability to take an obscure character and turn them into something timely and relevant.”
When asked about the challenge of writing a book with such a diverse cast, Parker was frank, “It can be a challenge—which is why I tend to show character through action. Let’s have Character X (or say, Mr. X) show readers what he’s all about by the way he reacts to a situation in the heat of the moment. Slamming a threat into the team gets you into their voices the fastest.”
Turning to future story prospects, Parker was animated, “We’re going to see team members at each other’s throats,” he added, “and readers will begin to see how they work together with that level of animosity.” He hinted at potential cast members for the new Thunderbolts by saying, “I’ll be bringing in some characters I’m closely associated with who Osborn is tired of seeing still alive.”
As the conversation began to wind down, Parker remained conservative, “As the plan stands at the moment, we are heading down a rollercoaster of volatility. We quickly get done with spending time at ‘The Cube’ and it’s become all-Thunderbolts-in-the-thick-of-things from here on out.” He mused, “Characters you already assume are dark will sink to new levels. It’s going to get pretty harsh!
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Post by goldenfist on Sept 22, 2009 13:42:34 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #139 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA Scourge and Ghost vs. Gorilla-Man and M-11, the Human Robot? Oh, it’s on! A former ally has earned Norman Osborn's ire, and now he’s sent his team of psychos to unearth—and kill—none other than The Agents of Atlas! Can the Thunderbolts take down the squad of ‘50s misfits, or will they destroy themselves first? That’s right, writer Jeff Parker has brought his cult-fave team to town for a two-part throwdown...and when the dust clears, one T-Bolt won’t be left standing! i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/dec09/117_thunderbolts_139.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Oct 16, 2009 23:10:13 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Oct 20, 2009 14:54:55 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #140 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA Thunderbolts vs. Agents of Atlas—round 2! The hunt down in the swamp comes to a head when one of the T-Bolts ends up dead! There's not going to be much time to cope either, because Norman Osborn needs his team of killers ready for a final mission—and this is what he's been saving them for! i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/jan2010/104_thunderbolts_140.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Nov 13, 2009 2:14:31 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Nov 17, 2009 13:57:11 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #141 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by ADI GRANOV SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! Norman Osborn has unleashed his team of psycho killers and ordered them to the site of the biggest battle they will ever face: Asgard! Standing in their way are the Mighty Avengers. An epic clash begins here with no-holds-barred action. There will be blood! i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/feb2010/110_thunderbolts_141.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Dec 22, 2009 13:57:06 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #142 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by WELLINTON ALVES Cover by ADI GRANOV SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! As the Mighty Avengers clash with the Thunderbolts in the Siege of Asgard, surprises abound. What are everyone’s true motivations, and when push comes to punch, where do their loyalties lie? Will this most twisted version of the team produce any heroes—
or will the Thunderbolts’ tradition of redemption get stomped into the muddy battlefield that is The Siege? i.newsarama.com/images/119_thunderbolts_142_02.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Jan 15, 2010 10:56:55 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Jan 19, 2010 13:40:51 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #143 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by ADI GRANOV IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by GREG HORN SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! Round three of Thunderbolts vs. The Mighty
Avengers! Here at the end of SIEGE, everything
set in motion by Norman Osborn comes to a
fiery resolution—like his prime black-ops force!
It’s the cataclysmic end of an era – that sets
the stage for the next big chapter of the most unpredictable book ever! i.newsarama.com/images/109_thunderbolts_143_02.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Feb 16, 2010 13:37:38 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #144 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by KEV WALKER Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Heroic Age Variant by LARRY STROMAN THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE! The new era for Marvel’s always-evolving, always controversial team kicks off here! It’s a beginning, a return, a departure, and an arrival of a new artist (MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 & 4’s Kev Walker) all rolled into one in a fresh, shocking status quo! The most dangerous people on Earth are now all in one hellish prison, and the only way out is through rehabilitation and contribution to society via The Thunderbolts...under the leadership of the steel-hard-skinned Avenger named Luke Cage! So bring on the first participants: Juggernaut! Crossbones! Ghost! Moonstone! And...Man-Thing? Against the sordid recent history of the group as a black ops kill squad, can Power Man restore the Thunderbolts to their rightful potential? Find out as the entire series is revamped, and also discover why ComicsBulletin.com says: "Jeff Parker writes villains with his typical panache...This is why I read comic books." i.newsarama.com/images/122_thunderbolts_144_02.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Feb 19, 2010 0:57:29 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Mar 19, 2010 0:50:38 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Mar 22, 2010 23:02:29 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #145 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by KEV WALKER Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE! Special Post-SIEGE issue – that introduces a brand-new character! When a magical landmark like Asgard crashes to Earth, the fallout doesn't end just by sweeping up the wreckage. This historic disaster has unleashed unprecedented threats, and one of them is pillaging the American Midwest! This sounds like the perfect mission for Luke Cage's untested team of incarcerated superhumans—and while the newly assembled Thunderbolts boast the power of Juggernaut, Ghost, Moonstone, Crossbones and Man-Thing, are even they ready to handle the girl known only as…Troll? media.comics.ign.com/articles/107/1079117/img_7635238.html
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Post by goldenfist on Apr 20, 2010 13:24:21 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #146 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by KEV WALKER Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Who or what is Unit 23? Luke Cage must lead his new Thunderbolts deep below on their deadliest mission and face the horrors that mankind can become. While S.H.I.E.L.D. was shut down, a now-missing government squad was charged with guarding a cavern full of impure Terrigen crystals...and if these powerful elements morph Inhumans with wild transformations, what in the world will they do to humans? It's a volatile environment--and a bad time for a challenge to authority from The Juggernaut! i.newsarama.com/images/113_thunderbolts_146_02.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Apr 23, 2010 1:30:28 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #143 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA Cover by ADI GRANOV IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by GREG HORN SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! Round three of Thunderbolts vs. The Mighty
Avengers! Here at the end of SIEGE, everything
set in motion by Norman Osborn comes to a
fiery resolution—like his prime black-ops force!
It’s the cataclysmic end of an era – that sets
the stage for the next big chapter of the most unpredictable book ever! Click on the link to see the previews www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album_view.php?gid=1928
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Post by goldenfist on Apr 28, 2010 23:05:05 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Jun 15, 2010 11:27:49 GMT -5
THUNDERBOLTS #148 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by KEV WALKER Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC The Thunderbolts crossover with Shadowland begins here! Luke Cage heads into Hell’s Kitchen to pull his old friend back from the brink of madness. And if swarming ninjas aren’t enough, he's become aware of other forces that will make his task even harder. Going against the Warden and the government itself, Cage sends the T-Bolts in to level the playing field. But without his direct guidance, will this squad of killers and criminals make the situation even worse? Find out in the book IGN.com calls "Impressive...not to be missed." i.newsarama.com/images/tbolts148_02.jpg
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Post by goldenfist on Jul 17, 2010 16:57:18 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Jul 28, 2010 0:16:17 GMT -5
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Post by goldenfist on Aug 4, 2010 19:47:31 GMT -5
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