Why Thunderbolts: Doomstrike Is an Essential Part of Marvel's One World Under Doom Crossover

2025 dawns with a Marvel Universe shrouded in "Doom." February ushers in "One World Under Doom," a massive crossover event. Doctor Doom, the newly crowned Sorcerer Supreme, declares himself Emperor of the World. This epic unfolds in Ryan North and R.B. Silva's One World Under Doom miniseries and numerous tie-ins. A key tie-in is Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Tommaso Bianchi.

IGN exclusively previews Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 (April release). Marvel teases a clash: "Bucky, Songbird, Sharon Carter, and the Midnight Angels target Doom's vibranium supply, only to face…THE THUNDERBOLTS?! THUNDERBOLTS VS. THUNDERBOLTS!" See the preview slideshow below. Kelly and Lanzing discuss the series, revealing it as the culmination of a years-long Bucky Barnes storyline.

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 Exclusive Preview Gallery

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Is Bucky Barnes to Blame for Emperor Doom?

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike continues Kelly and Lanzing's 2023 Thunderbolts relaunch. Bucky Barnes leads a team tasked with neutralizing major villains. Their successes—defeating Hydra and the Kingpin—unintentionally paved Doom's path to power.

Lanzing explains, "Bucky eliminated the Red Skull, Kingpin's finances, and the US Government's main deterrent. This was meant to improve the world, but it also inspired Victor Von Doom—a pawn used to kill the Red Skull. No one uses Doom as a weapon without regret."

Kelly reveals Worldstrike (their initial Thunderbolts arc) was designed to lead to a Doom-centric story. North's company-wide Doom crossover was a fortuitous alignment.

Kelly states, "Planning the follow-up, we learned about 'One World Under Doom.' Ryan North's work used Bucky's manipulation of Doom as a key event in Victor's rise. This Thunderbolts mission became a referendum on Bucky's choices. Doomstrike is Bucky's chance at redemption, but it will push him to his limits."

Bucky's guilt over Doom's rise is central to Doomstrike. Kelly notes guilt has been a constant in Bucky's story since his resurrection.

Kelly says, "Bucky's guilt—from his Winter Soldier days or Outer Circle missions—has weighed him down. Just when he thought he could move on, he's burdened with causing Doom's rise. Doom knows this and will use his guilt as a weapon. After issue #1, that weight will multiply, and even his metal arm might not save him."

Lanzing adds context on other Thunderbolts: Songbird joins out of loyalty and heroism, but also carries the pain of loss. Black Widow prioritizes Bucky's safety, their romance recently rekindled. Destroyer is already on a mission, Sharon Carter fights fascism. U.S. Agent is disillusioned. Ghost Rider '44, an old friend, returns. Other members remain a surprise, each with reasons to oppose Doom or worry for Bucky.

Regarding Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Kelly teases, "Val…that's a complicated question; read issue #1!"

Thunderbolts vs. Thunderbolts

Doomstrike features the return of the original 1997 Thunderbolts. While Songbird sides with Bucky, most join Doom. Issue #3 depicts their conflict.

Kelly says, "We're thrilled to bring back the original Thunderbolts and cross them with Bucky's team. From Songbird and Abner's relationship to Citizen V's return, it's an honor to revisit these characters and their core dilemma: is redemption possible for villains?"

Lanzing adds, "It's not Bucky using the name; it's Doom. In Doom's world, heroes are under his thumb. Why are they organizing? And why is Bucky the target?"

Songbird is pivotal, torn between loyalty to old teammates and Bucky.

Kelly states, "Melissa returns ready to aid Bucky. But he's not the only Thunderbolt she has history with. Her friends serving Doom will devastate her. The Thunderbolts are her world; dealing with this will shake her."

Kelly and Lanzing's work with Bucky spans years, including Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Captain America: Cold War. Doomstrike is the culmination of their Bucky storyline.

Lanzing teases, "This is our final Bucky Barnes tale for a while. We call it the 'Revolution Saga.' It started in Devil's Reign: Winter Soldier, exploded in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, continued in Captain America: Cold War, and centered on Bucky in Thunderbolts: Worldstrike. Bucky discovered his origins, clashed with his friend, found love, and became the Revolution—but it all culminates here. Fans of our previous work shouldn't miss this. It's the grand finale, and we're giving it our all."

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike coincides with the May Thunderbolts movie. Kelly and Lanzing hope to attract MCU viewers.

Kelly says, "Absolutely. MCU Bucky fans will find ours familiar, at least initially. This story explains Contessa Valentina's threat. For Bucky/Natasha fans, their romance is core. With Doom's MCU spotlight approaching, this story and 'One World Under Doom' is a terrifying introduction to a great villain. We hope movie fans will find Worldstrike and Doomstrike and be drawn into Marvel comics."

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 releases February 19, 2025. See what else Marvel has planned for 2025 and our most anticipated comics of 2025.