Marvel's Thunderbolts Series Rebrands as New Avengers, Echoing MCU

If you're a fan of Thunderbolts, you're in for a thrilling surprise. Marvel Comics is reimagining this iconic team, transforming them into the new New Avengers. This shift isn't just a name change; it signals a bold new chapter for the franchise. In theaters, Thunderbolts stunned audiences by becoming The New Avengers after its opening weekend, and now the comics are following suit.

This dynamic team, featuring characters like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine, faces the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they rise to the occasion? According to writer Sam Humphries, it's going to be a challenging journey. In our recent conversation, he shared insights into this dramatic makeover, the carefully curated roster, and the looming threat that necessitates such a formidable team.

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Who Are the New Avengers?

When Marvel Studios is tight-lipped about future projects, it’s always intriguing to discover how early the creative team plans align with studio decisions. For Thunderbolts writer Sam Humphries, this wasn’t a last-minute revelation but part of the initial vision.

“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries tells 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.”

Humphries emphasizes that while logistical details required flexibility, the core plan was finalized early. “You can see it in the lineup—the New Avengers and the Killuminati both echo Brian Bendis' and Jonathan Hickman's New Avengers teams. Jed’s [MacKay] has a great lineup of do-gooders in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to stand out with a group of misfits.”

This ragtag crew includes morally complex characters like Carnage, Clea, and Namor, who bring a mix of brute strength, cunning, and unpredictability to the table. Unlike traditional superheroes, this team thrives on chaos and conflict, making interpersonal dynamics a central element of the story.

“I think the phrase I used in my pitch was ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’” Humphries says. “These aren’t calm, collected heroes—they’re flawed individuals trying to channel their darker impulses for good, with mixed results. They shouldn’t even be in the same room together. The big question is, who dislikes each other the most? Maybe it’s Clea and Carnage. Or Namor and Laura. Or...”

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati

One constant remains: Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldier, who transitions from the Thunderbolts to lead this unconventional group. Humphries expresses admiration for Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s work with Bucky, acknowledging the weight of following such a legacy.

“I’m honored and lucky to follow what they’ve achieved with the character,” Humphries says. “Bucky’s going to need every ounce of wisdom and experience from their stories. The world is upside down, and someone needs to do something about it.”

The New Avengers face a formidable foe known as the Killuminati, a twisted offshoot of the original Illuminati. Created from failed attempts to replicate the original team, these demented versions wreak havoc across the Marvel Universe. Bucky must navigate internal strife while confronting this external threat alongside allies like Wolverine, Namor, and Hulk.

Art by Josemaria Casanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)

“The Killuminati are a direct response to the Illuminati,” Humphries explains. “Someone messed up while cloning them, creating seven deranged duplicates. Bucky will struggle to keep his team intact, just as the Killuminati and their leader, Iron Apex, face similar challenges.”

Visual Inspiration

The collaboration between Humphries and artist Ton Lima brings a fresh aesthetic to the series. Lima’s work draws inspiration from action-packed franchises like The Fast and the Furious, resulting in visually striking pages that emphasize both brutality and beauty.

“Ton is a BEAST,” Humphries says. “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!”

Release Date

The New Avengers #1 hits shelves on June 11, 2025. Stay tuned for more updates on Marvel’s evolving universe and the secrets behind this groundbreaking series.