A revolution is coming! Bucky Barnes, the Revolution, just inherited a mountain of covert intel, and he has one objective: justice. Like lightning. He’s going after the establishment, the people no one else is willing or able to take down, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win. Teaming with the mysterious Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine, Bucky assembles a team of black-ops heavy hitters to pursue high-profile targets like the Red Skull, Kingpin and even Doctor Doom himself. Thunderbolts #1 kicks off a new direction for the classic team name, delivering a start that feels a bit familiar.

Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Thunderbolts #1 is a fun start to the series that delivers familiar steps. Bucky Barnes has tons of intel after his last adventure (you don’t really need to know about that). And, he now wants to put a team together to take on big threats and willing to do what’s needed to stop them. In some ways, this feels like Secret Avengers and Secret Warriors but with a different team name and different leadership. But, this team is willing to cross lines those other two never really did. That’s clear by the ending that has a villain executed. That seems to be the big differentiation between the Thunderbolts and the Avengers.

The team itself is pretty solid, featuring a mix of personalities that are all “alpha” and thus will clash and peacock to each other. It keeps the story fun and flowing nicely adding for smart ass comments and a bit of showmanship. But that pace extends to the story itself delivering an issue that’s an introduction and generally one and done story. Team is formed, battle happens and is resolved, all in one issue. Also throw in some solid explanations to get readers caught up.

The art by Geraldo Borges is good. With color by Arthur Hesli and lettering by Joe Sabino, it has a pulp style about it with good use of close up panels and characters’ reactions to really drive home the moments. There’s good dynamic moment, each used as an introduction to each team member so far and playing off the fun nature of the comic. It could easily, visually, be shown as a dark, serious, bloodbath, but it sticks to a more fun adventure… where some folks get killed too.

Thunderbolts #1 is a fun start delivering a “comic booky” adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously and achieving a style that feels like modernized serial/pulp entertainment. What the final dynamic of the team is like as it grows will be the key here as the bombast, sniping, and general not getting along will be a fun aspect and draw to the missions themselves. A very different direction for the classic team but a story and style that’s very welcome.

Story: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Geraldo Borges
Color: Arthur Hesli Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle