Thunderbolts #5 (of 5)
(W) Jim Zub (A/CA) Sean Izaakse
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 28, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Super heroes, celebrities, troublemakers, criminals…Clint Barton’s dream team crumbles as the shadow that’s been cast over every move they’ve made is finally revealed! Who’s behind their downfall, and what comes next? “Justice, Like Lightning” celebrates 25 years in the Mighty Marvel Manner!
And thus ends the latest chapter for the Thunderbolts, a story far too short, and a team that begs to be explored even more. Thunderbolts #5 wraps up the miniseries with the team confronting the big bad and reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses.
Written by Jim Zub, this latest incarnation has been a fun ride. With Clint Barton at the helm, the team has been generally a group of screw ups, attempting to fill a role both difficult and near possible to do. Luke Cage has tasked them with not only fighting the superpowered crime in the city but also wage a public relations battle none of the members are prepared for. But, behind the scenes they’ve been manipulated and attacked by an unknown force who is finally revealed in this issue.
As it goes, Thunderbolts #5 is a fine conclusion to this story arc. Things come together nicely and set things up for the future. But, it’s that future that’s a hinderance. There’s so much left to explore with this team and group of characters. It’s unknown if we’ll get the chance. And there’s the problem. There’s a lot left hanging and questions to be answered. Hopefully we get more but with all of that out there, the finale is a little frustrating.
But, Zub does a solid job of focusing on the individual characters as much as the team. This a group of characters that have a lot of confidence issues and have experienced a lot of crap in the past. So, Nightmare using them makes a lot of sense. In their battle, and after, Zub explores a lot of that really emphasizing how messed up this team is. Which, only makes me want more of them. This is an imperfect team who are expected to be perfect for the public. There’s so much to explore there, so much left to do.
The art by Sean Izaakse and Netho Diaz is solid. With Izaakse on ink with Victor Nava, color by Java Tartaglia, and lettering by Joe Sabino, the art has bit of a throwback style to it all. The grit and gritty isn’t present, but there’s more than enough trauma and drama in the visuals to up the action. Panel layouts are very unique and interesting matching the disjointed fight Nightmare is waging against the team.
Thunderbolts #5 is a fine ending to the series. But, it leaves us wanting more. Gutsen Glory and Eegro deserve arcs of their own exploring their history and backgrounds. Hopefully we get more with Zub at the hub. The series has balanced mystery, action, humor, and a great team dynamic and deserves more to expand all of that and entertain readers more.
Story: Jim Zub Art: Sean Izaakse, Netho Diaz
Ink: Sean Izaakse, Victor Nava Color: Java Tartaglia Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Thunderbolts #5 (of 5)
(W) Jim Zub (A/CA) Sean Izaakse
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 28, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Super heroes, celebrities, troublemakers, criminals…Clint Barton’s dream team crumbles as the shadow that’s been cast over every move they’ve made is finally revealed! Who’s behind their downfall, and what comes next? “Justice, Like Lightning” celebrates 25 years in the Mighty Marvel Manner!
Thunderbolts #4 (of 5)
(W) Jim Zub (A/CA) Sean Izaakse
RATED T+
In Shops: Nov 16, 2022
SRP: $3.99
• The Thunderbolts were hired to defend New York City from superheroic threats of any size.
• Even the big ones.
• Especially the big ones.
• Terminus hits Manhattan. Time to go to work…
Thunderbolts #3 (of 5)
(W) Jim Zub (A/CA) Sean Izaakse
RATED T+
In Shops: Oct 26, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Hawkeye and Spectrum square off, Persuasion has her own perfume and Super Apes conquer Central Park!
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Briar #1 (BOOM! Studios) – What if Sleeping Beauty never got her happily ever after… and instead had to save herself? A concept we’ve seen before but we’re still very excited for this one.
DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. the Army of the Dead #1 (DC Comics) – Bruce Campbell writing has us interested in this one.
DC vs. Vampires #9 (DC Comics) – The series has been fantastic keeping readers on their toes as you never know who will die and who will actually be a vampire.
The Disciple (CEX Publishing) – Estranged former students must band together, to recover the secrets their teacher shared – and uncover the ones he kept hidden.
Eight Billion Genies #5 (Image Comics) – The series has been amazing with a world changing concept but a narrow focus that keeps the crazy concept grounded. We want so much more of this world.
Fist of the North Star Vol. 6 (VIZ Media) – We love this new printing of this series, a classic manga that’s a must read.
Flawed #1 (Image Comics) – By day she’s a psychiatrist, by night she solves problems with a more direct approach. But, an immortal serial killer has her in their sights.
Hollow (BOOM! Studios) – A new take on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A Free Comic Book Day teaser comic was solid and has us excited to read the whole thing.
Investigators Vol. 6 Heist and Seek (First Second) – The kids graphic novel series is always fun with its spy adventures for younger readers. Adults will enjoy it too.
Muhammad Najem: War Reporter (Little Brown Book for Young Readers) – A young Syrian chronicles the loss, hopes, and dreams of other Syrian kids.
The Nice House on the Lake #10 (DC Comics) – It’s been a while since the last issue but we’re excited as the series starts to wind down. We have no idea what’s coming in this sci-fi/horror series.
Old Dog #1 (Image Comics) – A CIA operative is given a second chance after a mission goes wrong.
Parker Girls #2 (Abstract Studios) – The first issue was a hell of a lot of fun and we’re expecting more of the same in this riff on Charlie’s Angels featuring Terry Moore’s beloved characters.
Roadie #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – A horror saga about nostalgia, heavy metal music, hell, and redemption from Tim Seeley and Fran Galán? Yeah, we’re in.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Armageddon Game #1 (IDW Publishing) – After some lead up comics, the next major TMNT event kicks off!
Thunderbolts #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was a lot of fun and we want to find out a bit about the new character debuting in this issue.
Tim Drake: Robin #1 (DC Comics) – Tim Drake gets the spotlight!
Thunderbolts #2 (of 5)
(W) Jim Zub (A) Sean Izaakse
(C) Java Tartaglia (L) Joe Sabino
(CA) Sean Izaakse (VCA) Stefano Caselli, Betsy Cola, Mateus Manhanni
RATED T+
In Shops: Sep 28, 2022
SRP: $3.99
WHO IS EEGRO THE UNBREAKABLE?
• How will his strange power help New York’s only official super hero team battle their enemies and balance their budget?
• Read on and discover, True Believers!
At San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios dropped a lot of their plans for the future announcing film and television projects. Now, at D23, the movie studio has expanded things with even more.
The trailers for Secret Invasion and Werewolf By Night were revealed but there was far more news to come out of the Disney focused event.
Armor Wars, which was not mentioned at SDCC leading to rumors got some focus as the series was announced (again) with Don Cheadle returning as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, aka War Marchine. The series will stream on Disney+.
Matt Shakman was formally announced as the director of Fantastic Four. Shakman had directed WandaVision and has also directed numerous episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Good Wife, You’re the Worst, and more. Shows relevant to the Fantastic Four include Heroes Reborn, Chuck, The Boys, and Succession. Shakman was attached to the upcoming Star Trek film.
Carl Lumby, Danny Ramirez, and Tim Blake Nelson, will all return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The trio will reprise their roles as Isaiah Bradley, Joaquin Torres, and Dr. Samuel Sterns in Captain America: New World Order.
The cast of Thunderbolts has been revealed! The film will feature David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S.Agent, with Florence Pugh reprising her role as Yelena Belova.
Loki Season 2 gets a new cast member in Ke Huy Quan. They’ll join the returning cast of Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Owen Wilson as Agent Mobius, and Sophia Di Martino as Sylvie.
Anthony Ramos has been officially announced as Parker Robbins, aka the Hood, in Ironheart.
There are those time in your life where people may look to you to lead. Most of us try to avoid it, but unfortunately those situations we often fall into. My first instance of this was when I was still active duty military. I remembered I had to take care of a small task, but they gave me five people to do it.
The rest of my career, I often found it to be effortless, because I mostly looked for consensus. Still being thrust into it, is never a pleasant experience at first. You doubt yourself more than those who are looking to you to lead them. In the debut issue of Thunderbolts, Hawkeye get asked to lead a new group of superheroes as they pick up the pieces in New York City.
We find Clint Barton as he hides out in New York City, being on the outs with most the Avengers, he is looking for a new purpose and it just so happens because Luke Cage became mayor, he needs someone to lead the Thunderbolts. As the city is in disarray after Kingpin, leaving the city open to menaces like Taskmaster, who is trying to pull off a heist at the exact time Clint leads the new crew on their rescue mission. Once Clint realizes who is in play, he knows exactly how to counter Taskmaster’s crew: Electro, Whiplash, US Agent, and the Abomination. By issue’s end, the team saves the city, but the chinks their armor also show, leaving each of them, that much more flawed.
Overall, Thunderbolts #1 is a great debut issue, which will remind fans why people love Hawkeye. The story by Zub is hilarious. The art by the creative team is enthralling. Altogether, another great addition to the superhero team genre.
Story: Jim Zub Art: Sean Izaakse
Color: Java Tartaglia Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Throughout the last year, superstar artist J. Scott Campbell has helped Marvel honor the milestone anniversaries of some of comic book’s greatest icons including Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, and Ant-Man! Up next will be a cover for October’s Daredevil #4 featuring Luke Cage who’s celebrating 50 thrilling years of defending the streets of the Marvel Universe as a solo fighter, a Hero for Hire, and an Avenger! The stunning piece depicts Luke in his iconic Power Man costume and, like all of Campbell’s anniversary covers, will also be available in a retro version and as a virgin cover.
After the shocking events of Devil’s Reign, Luke Cage is undergoing one of his biggest transformations yet! Fans can see Luke tackle his duties as the newly-elected Mayor of New York City in the pages of various Marvel titles such as Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s Daredevil and Jim Zub and Sean Izaakse’s Thunderbolts. Check out the covers now and stay tuned for the reveal of more J. Scott Campbell Anniversary Covers in the coming months!
