Role of the Thunderbolts

[thunderstrike78]

So I'm re-reading my Thunderbolts collection in conjunction with Kurt's run on Avengers, and I'm finding myself really nostalgic for the old Thunderbolts.

The theme of the book from day one was redemption. Is it possible? How difficult is it? Can people really and truly change? If so, is it for the right reasons? I think this is largely true through the entire run of the series up until Warren Ellis' debut.

Then it changed. At the end of Civil War, it stopped being a book about villians trying to rehabilitate themselves and instead became an out-and-out villain book. It may be a very good villain book, in fact, but it's not Thunderbolts to me. The Thunderbolts were a bunch of former villains trying to turn their lives around--the current team seems focused on using their stature with the government to do bad without fear of reprisal.

Does anyone else miss the old concept?

I read somewhere not long ago that Zemo and the old team might show up to kick the current team's cans at some point. I really hope this is true. I want my Thunderbolts back!

[goldenfist]

I don't know how the old Thunderbolts are going to trust Zemo.

I doubt they will let Moonstone back cause she doesn't like Song
bird, Will they ask Radioactive Man back or is he going to stay
where he's at.

[thunderstrike78]

I think Zemo could cobble together some of the old Thunderbolts. It's not like they ever DID trust him, even after he turned "good". The definition of "good" for Zemo is still for everyone to do what he tells them to do--he's just looking out for everyone's well being instead of actively trying to exploit them is the only difference. Zemo will always be Zemo. Which is what's great about him, actually. He can totally become a good guy, dedicate himself to it heart and soul, and still be a massive prick.

I think Techno and MACH-Whatever (Abe Jenkins) would still follow him, and he could probably even convince Songbird, despite their more recent history, if he presented his case in the right light. And I'll bet Atlas would follow him if the others did--Erik will probably always be a follower at heart.

That just leaves Moonstone and Jolt.

As far as I know, Jolt is still on the new Counter-Earth, right? So she probably has no idea what's been going on during Civil War, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, etc. She'd probably be FURIOUS at how the Thunderbolts have been appropriated by Norman Osborn, and it wouldn't take much to convince her to follow Zemo (albeit warily) if he swore to take down Osborn.

Personally, I think you could spin a VERY interesting story out of Moonstone's loyalties. For a long time, Jolt and Moonstone occupied opposite ends of the Thunderbolts' moral compass. Pit them that way again: Moonstone clearly knows which side her bread is buttered on, which is reinforced by her new role as Ms. Marvel. Still, she wouldn't dismiss Zemo out of hand--rather, she'd take some time to consider which side would give her a greater advantage. She might even end up siding with Osborn in the end.

Bottom line: Norman Osborn is no Heinrich Zemo. The good baron could take Osborn apart if he set his mind to it, and I would LOVE to see that happen.

[goldenfist]

I always thought that the Thunderbolts were a team where a
villain can redeem himself as the hero.

I wonder if Marvel will ever let Mach IV team up with Spider-Man.