Back Issue Bloodbath Episode 494: Thunderbolts by Busiek and Bagley

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Petula Neale as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot-button topics.











The Thunderbolts* hit theatres this past weekend and has done well both with critics and audiences. While the iteration for the team in the film is not based on any particular roster or story from the comics, the movie captured the overall underdog spirit that’s long been associated with the Thunderbolts. Over the years, there have been quite a few versions of Thunderbolt teams, each with its own unique signature. In honour of the film, we decided to look back on the original roll call. This week on Bloodbath, we look back on the first five issues of The Thunderbolts from 1997.







Written by Kurt Busiek with artwork by Mark Bagley, The Thunderbolts was birth out of the aftermath of the Onslaught Saga, a summer crossover event from 1996. Everyone thinks the Avengers and FF are dead. Many folks believe The X-Men are the reason. This left a big hole in the Marvel U for a new superteam to rise. Enter The Thunderbolts who at first appear as a new crop of heroes to protect the world. But all is not as it seems. These new champions of the people are, in fact, The Masters of Evil in disguise! A shocking revelation that was pulled off to perfection.







Join Andrew and Petula as they look back on the first Thunderbolts arc. There’s also talk of Onslaught and the Heroes Reborn imprint….but not too much. Give the latest episode a listen if you want to know more about where the heck The original idea for The Thunderbolts came from.







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