With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is poised to conclude one chapter of the franchise and inaugurate a thrilling new era for this iconic super-team. However, there's an intriguing twist in store. Just as Marvel stunned MCU fans by retitling Thunderbolts as "The New Avengers" following its debut weekend, the upcoming Thunderbolts comic series is set to undergo the same transformation. This shift presents a unique challenge for heroes like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine, as they strive to embody the legacy of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they rise to the occasion?
The journey to becoming a cohesive and effective Avengers team will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges for these characters. This was a key point emphasized during our recent discussion with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper into the details of the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transition, Humphries' selection process for this eclectic yet formidable lineup, and the formidable new threat that necessitates the formation of such a powerhouse team.
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Who Are the New Avengers?
Given Marvel Studios' renowned secrecy surrounding upcoming projects, we were eager to learn when Humphries became aware of the title change during the development of his Thunderbolts pitch. Was the New Avengers concept always on the cards, or was it a more recent pivot? Fortunately, Humphries confirms that this was no last-minute change but was part of the initial plan.
“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries shares with IGN. "It's been both exhilarating and maddening to keep this under wraps for so long. It's like organizing a surprise party for thousands. I don't even have a document on my hard drive labeled 'New Avengers.' You just never know."
Humphries elaborates, “We had to navigate some logistical intricacies initially, so flexibility was key. But by the time I penned the first issue, the vision was crystal clear. The New Avengers lineup echoes the essence of both [Brian] Bendis' and [Jonathan] Hickman's iterations. While Jed [MacKay] is steering a team of valiant heroes in the Avengers book, I wanted our narrative to stand out with a roster of rogues.”
Humphries had considerable latitude in crafting the Thunderbolts/New Avengers lineup, aiming to represent the diverse spectrum of the Marvel Universe.
“Oh, this was incredibly enjoyable,” Humphries enthuses. “My vision was to mirror the Illuminati’s structure, but with the most formidable characters from various Marvel factions, including mutants, the mystical realm, and more. I owe immense thanks to our phenomenal editor, Alanna Smith, who championed this concept from the outset, despite the need to coordinate across multiple editorial departments. That's the sound of her Microsoft Teams crying for mercy! And a huge shoutout to all the editors and creators who entrusted us with their beloved characters. They might come to regret it, though!”
As Humphries hints, the New Avengers aren't your typical paragons of virtue. This team is a blend of hardened killers, monsters, and a notably irascible underwater king. Similar to the 2004 New Avengers, this group is united by fate and circumstance, and their initial chemistry is far from harmonious.
“I described it in my pitch as ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’" Humphries explains. “These aren’t your serene protectors of humanity; they’re a group of fiery rogues attempting to channel their darker instincts for the greater good, with varying degrees of success. They shouldn’t even be in the same room together. The burning question is, who despises each other the most? It could be Clea and Carnage, Namor and Laura, or…”
Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati
While the new series mirrors the MCU's title shift, the New Avengers' roster diverges significantly from its cinematic counterpart. Bucky Barnes remains a constant, transitioning from the current Thunderbolts team, which will conclude its run in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. Bucky faces the daunting task of uniting this eclectic group of strong-willed individuals into a cohesive unit.
“I have deep admiration for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] extended and impactful run with Bucky,” Humphries remarks. “I feel privileged to build on their work. Bucky will need every ounce of wisdom and experience from his past trials. The world is in chaos, and someone needs to step up.”
What threat could possibly necessitate the collective power of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Drawing inspiration from the classic Illuminati, the New Avengers' adversaries are a twisted version known as the “Killuminati.”
Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)“Someone attempted to replicate the Illuminati, but the experiment went awry,” Humphries teases. “Now, seven deranged and distorted versions are wreaking havoc. Bucky’s going to have his hands full keeping his team together, just as the Killuminati and their so-called ‘leader,’ Iron Apex, will struggle with their own unity.”
The New Avengers pairs Humphries with artist Ton Lima, whose previous works include New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries notes that the series' artistic style draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another blockbuster action franchise.
“Ton is phenomenal,” Humphries praises. “He portrays our heroes as both fierce and alluring, while making the villains menacing and repulsive. I challenged him to marathon every Fast and the Furious movie ten times without a break. Judging by his artwork, I believe he might have actually done it!”
The New Avengers #1 is set to hit shelves on June 11, 2025.
For further insights into the MCU’s latest twist, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky.
