Marvel's Thunderbolts Series Revives Defunct MCU Heroes

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Who Are the New Avengers?

Marvel Comics is pulling a bold move mirroring the MCU's recent Thunderbolts rebranding, transforming their Thunderbolts comic into New Avengers with a wildly unconventional roster. Writer Sam Humphries reveals this was always part of the plan, not some last-minute studio mandate. "From day one, we knew we wanted this to be New Avengers," Humphries tells us about his initial conversations with editor Alanna Smith. "Trying to keep this secret was like planning the world's craziest surprise party while walking on eggshells."

The new lineup - featuring morally questionable characters like Carnage and Namor alongside heroes like Wolverine - was specifically designed to contrast with Jed MacKay's mainstream Avengers team. "We're not dealing with boy scouts here," Humphries laughs. "This is a squad of dangerous personalities who'll probably tear each other apart before saving the world."

The writer enjoyed unprecedented creative freedom in assembling his team, selecting powerful representatives from across Marvel's various superhuman communities. "Imagine the Illuminati, but instead of dignified leaders, you get their most volatile counterparts," he explains. Getting approval required coordinating with nearly every Marvel editorial department - an effort Humphries jokingly compares to "herding cats while wearing roller skates."

Bucky Barnes Steps Up as Unlikely Leader

Following the Thunderbolts' final mission in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, Bucky Barnes inherits the unenviable task of wrangling this dysfunctional squad. Humphries acknowledges inheriting the character from previous writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly is both an honor and challenge. "Bucky's got the hardest job in the Marvel Universe right now," he notes. "Keeping these personalities from killing each other might be tougher than fighting Thanos."

The team faces an appropriately terrifying new threat - the Killuminati, a grotesque parody of the classic Illuminati. "Someone tried replicating Earth's smartest minds and spectacularly messed up," Humphries teases about these deformed antagonists. Artist Josemaria Casnanovas' disturbing designs perfectly capture their nightmarish quality, especially their leader "Iron Apex."

Fast & Furious-Inspired Action

Artist Ton Lima (New Thunderbolts, West Coast Avengers) brings unrelenting energy to the series. Humphries reveals their unusual artistic inspiration: "I told Ton to binge every Fast & Furious movie until his eyes bled. Judging by his explosive pages, I think he took me literally!" The result promises dynamic action sequences unlike anything currently in Marvel's lineup.

Readers can expect the first issue to deliver brutal fights and even more brutal banter. "These characters would rather stab each other than work together," Humphries warns. "Watching them try to function as a team is like throwing lit dynamite into a room full of fireworks."

The New Avengers #1 hits stores June 11, 2025.