Amalgam Comics – NEXTsquad: Agents of B.O.L.T. – MK Stangeland Jr.

NEXTWAVE has a baby with Thunderbolts and Suicide Squad as Director AMANDA “GREENWALL” OSBORN (Amanda Waller/Norman Osborn) of the Black Ops Liberty Team deploys supposedly unstable misfits on what are supposed to be missions of certain death and then gets upset when they continue to succeed without anyone dying. Making up the team of misfits who are far more alive than they should be are:

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD/Luke McCabe (Luke Cage/Songbird/Vixen/Monica Rambeau): Inadvertent leader who didn’t know what he was signing up for, responsible for the near impossible task of keeping everyone in line and capable of generating sonic animal constructs around himself and accessing powers relevant to those animals by doing so.

X-SHOT/Floyd Stack (Deadshot/Aaron Stack): A trigger-happy killer cyborg with targeting systems more advanced than the most advanced targeting systems known to man and more weapons built into his body than you can shake a cattle prod at.

COUNTESS BLOODMOON/Karla Bloodmoon (Count Vertigo/Elsa Bloodstone/Karla Sofen): The manipulative, self-centered member of royalty from a minor European kingdom who possesses her nations prized Bloodmoon Gem, granting her mysterious mystical powers.

CAPTAIN SHARK (King Shark/The Captain): The super-strong, super hungry team muscle who’s temperamental, short-sighted, and kind of stupid.

Q-BOOM!/Dr. Tabitha Harleen Jenkins (Tabitha Smith/Harley Quinn/Abner Jenkins): An intelligent but easily distracted young woman who enjoys using her degree in engineering and her powered battle suit to make stuff blow up good.

AND

PHANTOM/Mr. Gordon (Barbara Gordon/Ghost): Technically the guy giving the team their mission information, but serves as their ‘guardian angel’ by manipulating events to ensure they survive – but whether it’s out of the goodness of his heart or to serve his own secret agenda is yet to be seen.

(8 Panels)

Panel 1: CAPTAIN POWERBIRD, X-SHOT, CAPTAIN SHARK, and Q-BOOM! are standing around a radio communications device that’s sitting on a table. COUNTESS BLOODMOON is off nearby being COUNTESS BLOODMOON.

AMANDA OSBORN: (Through the communicator device) How do they all keep surviving?! What is the point of a suicide mission if nobody dies!?

AMANDA OSBORN (2): (Through the communicator device) Wait…is this thing on? PHANTOM! I thought I said…

Panel 2: Everyone reacts as CAPTAIN SHARK slams his face down on top of the communicator device in a way that would put it directly into his mouth. CAPTAIN POWERBIRD has a look of shock, X-SHOT drops his head into his hand in a ‘I’m surrounded by idiots sort of way’, while Q-BOOM! looks excited by the random act of destruction.

SFX: (Following the trail CAPTAIN SHARK’s head traveled to get to the communication device.) RAAAAAHHHHW!

SFX: (From CAPTAIN SHARK’s face impacting the table) WAM

CAPTAIN SHARK: eet et afh!

Panel 3: CAPTAIN SHARK is standing up again and trying to chew on the communication device as it hangs half-way out of his mouth. CAPTAIN POWERBIRD has his hands out in front of him as he shouts at CAPTAIN SHARK.

SFX: (From CAPTAIN SHARK chewing on the device) krnk krk krnk

CAPTAIN SHARK: ohm nom nom nom nom!

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD: SHARK!

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD (2): We needed that!

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD (3): Osborn’s a jerk, yeah, but still!

Panel 4: Beat Panel. CAPTAIN SHARK stands with the device sticking halfway out of his mouth. His eyes are tilted to look at an angry CAPTAIN POWERBIRD.

Panel 5: CAPTAIN SHARK spits the device back out onto the table. CAPTAIN POWERBIRD reacts with a touch of disgust.

SFX: (From CAPTAIN SHARK spitting the device back out) Blegh!

CAPTAIN SHARK: Sorry

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD: ugh

Panel 6: Q-BOOM! takes a close look at the chewed on device. CAPTAIN POWERBIRD looks at her skeptically.

Q-BOOM!: It doesn’t look that bad. I should be able to fix it easy!

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD: Fix it fix it? Or make a bomb out of it fix it?

Panel 7: Beat Panel. Everyone looks at CAPTAIN POWERBIRD.

Panel 8: CAPTAIN POWERBIRD lowers his head into his hand in frustration.

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD: That was a stupid question, wasn’t it?

CAPTAIN POWERBIRD (2): Silly me.

(END PAGE)

Thunderbolts – Turncoat - MK Stangeland Jr.

(The ‘Underbolts’ are trying to make their escape, having decided now is the proper opportunity. SHOCKER was interested in only escape, while BOOMARANG, CENTURIUS, and MR. HYDE have since decided they also want to kill TROLL and the current handlers while they’re at it. This friction between the would-be escapees has caused SHOCKER to turn on his would-be fellow escapees.

MR. HYDE is currently off in another location fighting TROLL and the Underbolts current handlers. SHOCKER has been left to fend to himself against BOOMARANG and CENTURIUS.

(8 Panels)

Panel 1: SHOCKER continues to charge at BOOMARANG, and creates a vibration wave that shatters the boomarangs that have been thrown at him.

BOOMARANG: When did you go soft, Shocker?

SHOCKER: When you guys decided to add murder and revenge to the escape itinerary!

Panel 2-4: One panel cut up into three parts, showing SHOCKER as he gets in close to BOOMARANG, misses with his first swing, hits the ground underneath BOOMARANG’s feet with a vibration wave, and then uses the loss of footing from BOOMARANG to get a solid hit in against BOOMARANG.

SHOCKER (1): What is it with you people?

SHOCKER (2): Why must there always be revenge involved?

SHOCKER (3): You know what I always hated about working with the Sinister Six?

Panel 5: SHOCKER is standing over BOOMARANG, who’s not quite out, but is on the ground, SHOCKER holds BOOMARANG by the neck of his costume, and is prepared to deliver a knockout punch. Behind him, wires can be seen approaching from the top of the panel.

SHOCKER (1): It’s always “I hate Spider-Man this!” and “Let’s kill Spider-Man” that!

SHOCKER (2): No one ever suggests anything simple like…

Panel 6: CENTURIUS wraps his hacking wires around SHOCKER’s neck and arms and pulls him into the air, intent on strangling him.

SHOCKER: *urk!*

CENTURIUS: It’s a pity your simple mind thinks that way.

Panel 7: SHOCKER uses a vibration wave to cut through the wires, freeing himself and dropping the short distance to the ground.

CENTURIUS: There’s a reason you’ve always been a third-rate member of the villain community, Mr. Schultz. You lack vision.

Panel 8 SHOCKER tries to shoot CENTURIUS with a vibration wave, but is blocked by a shield from CENTURIUS.

SHOCKER: I’ll take…*cough, cough*…take common sense over your…*cough*…‘vision’ any day!

(END PAGE)

Thunderbolts - Second Guessing - Grant McLaughlin

A calmer script this week.  I think I used up a good part of my dialogue quota on that Invincible piece, so I figured I'd take it easy this time around.  This page would take place after the current Thunderbolts storyline, assuming they get the Raft back up and running (and assuming Shocker is still among its occupants).

Five rows. Each row is made up of a single panel that spans the entire page.

1 – Herman Schultz, the Shocker, stands in his cell, wearing the Raft's prisoner uniform and looking towards John Walker who is at the cell control panel.

JOHN WALKER: I want to personally thank you for your help in securing the Raft, Schultz. You really proved yourself out there. If you keep up this kind of behaviour, you could be out in the field with the Thunderbolts sooner than you think.

SHOCKER: Glad I could be of--

SFX (interrupting): Click!

2 – The window / force field closes. Shocker remains in the same standing position, now obscured by the cell door. John Walker is leaving, already mostly off the panel.

SHOCKER: ...help.

3 – Same panel. Shocker continues to stand in the same position and no one is outside his cell. He looks to his left, but there's nothing to see but his cell wall.

4 – Repeat panel. He looks to his right, and sees the other wall.

5 – Repeat panel. He looks down and places his head in his hand.

SHOCKER (quietly): ...why the hell didn't I try to escape?

Thunderbolts - Pain – Ryan K Lindsay

  

1. Cage and Satanna lay at the feet of Man-Thing. There is blood around them, on them, but otherwise they are back and safe in The Raft. They are both panting while lying down and it looks like they’ve been through hell. In fact, they’ve just experienced worse, but at least they survived. Man-Thing kind of looks unscathed.

Caption-Cage: When you’ve got indestructible skin there’s not a lot that actually scares you.

2. Cage looks across at Satanna, she doesn’t look as cocky as usual. She was scared, she only just survived.

Caption-Cage: You might fear for others but you don’t fear for yourself. Nothing can harm you.

3. Cage reaches across a hand to touch Satanna’s face.

Caption-Cage: Such power numbs you. Makes you forget pain…
Cage: You’re okay, you’re okay.

4. Cage and Satanna kiss under the hulking mass of the Man-Thing.

Caption-Cage: Forget you can cause it as well.

Thunderbolts - A Force To Be Reckoned With - Matt Duarte

Thunderbolts in “A Force To Be Reckoned” by Matt Duarte

Panel 1

Description: The Thunderbolts sit in the briefing room of the Raft. Luke Cage is talking in front of them, with some computer screens in the back that we can't really see yet. Around the room we can see Juggernaut, Moonstone, and Fixer sitting down, while Songbird and Mach V stand to the side and Ghost floats on the back.

LUKE CAGE: Alright, next mission ain't going to be easy. We are not going against a random bunch of villains, or some mindless goons. We are talking about a highly trained and organized military group operating on American soil.

JUGGERNAUT: What? No way these geeks are doing this.

MOONSTONE: About time they grew some cojones, if you ask me. They could only play the victim card for so long.

GHOST: It is not surprising at all. All organizations turn corrupt in the end, so it was only a matter of time before they became just like their enemies.

Panel 2

Description: Close-up on Songbird, she looks concerned and questioning the wisdom of the mission before her.

SONGBIRD: Are we sure about this, Luke? How do we know we are not playing this to someone else's tune.

Panel 3

Description: Close up on Fixer. He is looking at some screens before him, not looking up as he talks

FIXER: The data checks out. We don't know how the higher-ups got hold of this, but the photographic and video evidence is damning. And gruesome.

Panel 4

Description: Turn around, revealing Luke again, standing directly in front of the previous computer screens. In them, we can see photos of Wolverine, Angel, Psylocke, Deadpool, and Fantomex, the members of Uncanny X-Force.

LUKE CAGE: No way around it, Thunderbolts. We are going up against these killers, even if we normally know them as the good guys.

LUKE CAGE: The X-Men have a lot of explaining to do...

Next: Thunderbolts vs. Uncanny X-Force.

Thunderbolts - The Fear Lingers On - Sime McDonald

A FEAR ITSELF tie-in!

I do not read Thunderbolts. I have not read any of the Fear Itself tie-ins. This script will go against events already in motion in Marvel continuity. You’re gonna have to roll with it.

PAGE NINETEEN

PANEL ONE

Within the subterranean headquarters of The Sons of the Serpents (first appeared in Avengers #32), the Supreme Serpent stands before his followers, arms outstretched, palms flat, in the midst of an empowering sermon. The Serpent followers are lapping it up, arms raised, hands bunched into fists. He’s clad in traditional ‘Sons of Serpent’ attire, his identity obscured by his serpent mask. The only attribute that differentiates the Supreme Serpent from his followers is he’s wearing robes. Behind him are several screens, all displaying moments occurring in Fear Itself related chaos; e.g. The Hulk / Nul, The Thing / Angrir, Juggernaut / Kuurth; and one should showcase the death of Captain America / Bucky. The world is going crazy – and these guys are loving it.

THE SUPREME SERPENT

Cosmic threats; they come and go!

But fear! Fear remains latent! Fear lingers on!

GHOST

(off-panel / no word balloon tail)

You getting this?

PANEL TWO

Focus on The Sons of Serpents crowd, all of whom are cheering. We can see an outline of Ghost, in his invisible form, standing amidst the crowd.

THE SUPREME SERPENT
(off-panel)
And we will use this fear to revolutionize America
into its true form!
LUKE CAGE
(off-panel / static / from Ghost’s earpiece)
Yeah…

PANEL THREE

Cut to the White House situation room. Luke Cage stands with the President and his Chief of Staff. The Chaos of Fear Itself is showcased on several monitors. POTUS’ face is etched with concern; his Chief of Staff is leaning in, whispering something in his ear.

LUKE CAGE
… we got it.

CHIEF OF STAFF
Well, at least they believe we’ll eliminate this threat…

GHOST
(off-panel / static)
Ahem.

PANEL FOUR

Cage looks at POTUS expectantly, an eyebrow arched. The Chief of Staff is still right by his side, still whispering in the President’s ear conspiratorially.

LUKE CAGE [1]
Mr. President.

LUKE CAGE [2]
The Thunderbolts are on standby, ready to engage on your command.

POTUS
I –

CHIEF OF STAFF [1]
Mr. President, I must protest! I've made my feelings on
the Thunderbolts initiative quite clear...
There must be another option, here.

CHIEF OF STAFF [2]
Sanctioning this band of – of misfits! – for an operation like this, I mean - -

PANEL FIVE

On Cage. He’s keeping his temper in check – but only just.

LUKE CAGE [1]
Mr. President. The Avengers are scattered. Captain America is dead.
Steve Rogers has his hands full. Hell, the X-Men... they're dealing with
San Francisco .

LUKE CAGE [2]
Forget their history. My team is comprised of a teleporter, a half-demon,
a sound manipulator and a superhuman with the ability to manipulate
gravity and fire motion blasts.

PANEL SIX

POTUS and his Chief of Staff share a glance as Cage thumbs his chest.

LUKE CAGE
We’re all you’ve got, Mr. President.

END OF PAGE 19

The following page (page twenty) would be a splash of the current Thunderbolts team (minus Juggernaut, of course) preparing to teleport. Luke’s spiel would follow on in a narrative caption: “We’re all you need.”

Thunderbolts – You Belong To Me – Rol Hirst

Panel One.

Close on Norman Osborn, looking crazy-scary as ever. He's wearing a business suit, not a Goblin outfit.

NORMAN: My name is Norman Osborn and I’m taking back my Thunderbolts.

NORMAN: In just under six minutes, I’ve already dealt with anyone who might have stood in my way.

Panel Two.

Luke Cage is shackled in the most extravagant, high tech fashion imaginable. He’s bound hand and foot, and every part of his body is restrained. He can’t even move his head. This elaborate shackling device is set inside an adamantium cage with a sign on the front that reads ‘DANGER - 10,000 gigavolts’.

CAP (Norman): Luke Cage – caged.

Panel Three.

Close on Songbird’s head and shoulders. Her head is tied back and her throat exposed. A clear plastic tube has been inserted into her throat, like a large size tracheotomy device – only far more fiendish and diabolical looking. There's a hideous alien tequila worm crawling along the tube and into her throat.

CAP (Norman): Songbird – silenced.

Panel Four.

The Fixer sits in an oversized child’s playpen, wearing an adult nappy. He’s playing with large plastic building blocks, trying to spell out the words ‘Help Me’ but all he can manage is ‘Hepl e’ – he’s holding the M block, trying to work out where he goes. He’s been non-surgically lobotomised and though he can’t even spell out his cry for help, he’s desperately aware that something is wrong.

CAP (Norman): The Fixer – fixed.

Panel Five.

Norman stands in a meeting room at Thunderbolts HQ / The Raft. He’s talking to a gathering of Thunderbolts who’ve decided to stick with him. Ghost, Moonstone, Juggernaut, Shocker, Boomerang. They’re listening to Norman spout.

A dark shadow falls over Norman as he addresses his new allies.

Norman’s head turns slightly as though he’s noticed the shadow approaching.

NORMAN: The rest of you – well, you’re smart enough to know where your future lies—

NORMAN: What’s this now?

Panel Six.

Norman turns to face Man-Thing who is reaching out a muck-encrusted hand to grab Norman’s head. Moonstone steps forward to warn Osborn of the creature’s attack, but Norman (who is facing the monster now) just grins and waits.

NORMAN: Oh, yes, the muck monster. I was waiting for you…

MOONSTONE: Careful boss – whoever knows fear, burns at the--

Panel Seven.

The others watch as Man-Thing’s hand swallows Norman’s head whole. Norman doesn’t try to resist, he just stands there laughing. The Man-Thing looks puzzled: Norman isn’t burning.

NORMAN: Yes, yes, Karla – don’t fret about that. I certainly won't.

NORMAN: Hahahahahahahahaha!

SHOCKER (to Boomerang): Man – that’s gonna seriously mess up his ‘do!

Thunderbolts - FUNderbolts - Maxy Barnard

Remember when Warren Ellis' Thunderbolts presented a marketable team? With elements like Who Wants To Be A Thunderbolt (or whatever it was called), action figures and presenting themselves with a toyetic quality? Well here's a minor revival of that concept, with a kids show version of the current team. Or rather a hand-picked selection of the most toyetic and visually safe Thunderbolts, so creepier ones like Mr. Hyde and Crossbones are off limits. (when I wrote that last bit I realised that most of the Thunderbolts are really toyetic and pleasing to look. I wonder if that was deliberate)

On the creative side, I adopted a system of creating a beat every 4 panels, creating the same sort of pacing joke to joke and scene to scene as a kids show tends to lean towards, which owes itself heavily to both Thom Zahler and to many, MANY 4-koma gag manga. I feel it works effectively, and frames the jokes well, regardless of quality or set-up. So keep in mind, if panel continuity seems to jump a bit every 4 panels, it's because it IS jumping ahead scene to scene.

---------------------------------------

Page 1 - 8 Panels*

*Page note: to emphasise this as a tv show, I want to take the concept presented in other works like Love & Capes of having all of the panels the same size, to take on the appearance of the story being on a television screen.

1.1
Title card for this episode of Funderbolts. Top left we have the Thunderbolts logo, retooled to be multi-coloured and to instead read as Funderbolts. Other than that touch run wild, whilst trying to keep within the guidelines of a kids show title. Good reference cards can be found in stuff like Spongebob Squarepants or various classic Looney Tunes episodes. You know, playing up the text with a relevant frame and such.

TEXT: FUNDERBOLTS IN... A 'Shocker'ing Surprise!


1.2
Establishing shot of The Raft, done up all shiny and with a large Thunderbolts logo on the front. At the water around the base are smiling Jellyfish, swimming to and fro along the surface. The speech bubble connects to an upper window above the giant logo.

Speech Bubble(Shocker): I have to go where?!


1.3
[Scene note: We're in a break room for the Funderbolts, split into two general areas. A TV area, with a HUGE couch (made comically huge to fit the whole team, including the colossal Juggernaut) and a giant widescreen TV with an unidentifiable games console at the base of it (in true animated cartoon tradition, this must be completely different to any existing console, purely for that wonderful feeling of dodging royalties or whatever the motivation was), and a kitchen area, with basic amenities like a coffee machine, counter, fridge and microwave. The exit to the room is between these two areas.]
Two Shot¦Kitchen Area: A 'chibi' Shocker is flailing his arms comically up and down, frustrated at chibi Ghost, who is drinking coffee through a gas-mask-like/straw-like extension on his mask.

Ghost: ... The Haunted Mine.

Shocker: WHY WOULD YOU SEND ME THERE?! It's haunted! The name even says so!


1.4
Two Shot¦Kitchen Area: Ghost remains unchanged. Shocker is slumped forward, a huge sweat drop on his head and a black cloud just above him.

Ghost: ... You can take Swampy.

SFX(coffee): *sllllurp*

Shocker: But he's spooky too...

SFX(cloud): *doom*


1.5
Three Shot¦Kitchen Area+Exit: Shocker is being pushed towards the door by chibi Boomerang (you don't get more toyetic than his current design!), who is grinning widely as Shocker tries to put up a resistance. Ghost is at the edge of the shot, continuing to drink his coffee.

Boomerang: C'mon Shocker, it'll be fun! You never know what you'll find!

Shocker: THAT'S THE PROBLEM!!

SFX(coffee): *ssssip*


1.6
Three Shot¦Kitchen Area+Exit: Shocker is having the door closed on him by Boomerang, who is still sporting his huge grin. Ghost is putting his coffee down on the side, and phasing one arm through the counter.

Shocker: Don't make me go-o-ooooo!

Boomerang: Nonsense! Seeya later when you've searched the WHOLE MINE!


1.7
Three Shot¦Kitchen Area+Exit: The door is now closed, with Boomerang leaning against it and breathing a sigh of relief(and yet still grinning. Terrifying AND hard to pull off, I know). Ghost has now dived through the counter, with his legs floating up in the air.

Boomerang: Phew, he's gone.


1.8
Three Shot¦Kitchen Area+Exit: Boomerang is grinning and giving a HUGE thumbs up at Ghost, who has pulled balloons, a cake and some boxed-up presents (ribbons and everything!) up through the counter.

Boomerang: Now we can get his SURPRISE PARTY ready!

SFX(birthday stuff): *TA-DAA*

Thunderbolts - In the Cards - Ben Rosenthal

Panel 1 goes the length of the page. 2 – 7 are small profile shots of each of the individual Thunderbolts, with 3 panels per line. Panel 8 is the same size as Panel 1.

1 – A dimly lit room in The Raft. Some of the Thunderbolts (Songbird, Satana, Juggernaut, Man-Thing, Mach-V and Moonstone) sit around a table. Their heads are down, hands in front of them. All are concentrating. They are playing a game of cards.

SONGBIRD

You know the game. Let’s see how you all go without cheating.

2 – A tight panel of Songbird as she looks at one of her opponents (Moonstone).

CAPTION (SONGBIRD)

Come on Moonstone. Just one more slip up and I get to send you back to your nice damp cell.

3 – A tight panel of Moonstone, eyes closed and lost in an arousing thought.

CAPTION (MOONSTONE)

...rubbing the honey all over Cage’s chest.

4 – A tight shot of Juggernaut. His helmet takes up the entire panel. He has only one card in his hand.

CAPTION (JUGGERNAUT)

Who runs a card night and only brings diet coke? Reforming sucks.

5 – A tight shot of Mach-V, peeping over the top of his cards. He does not want anyone to see his hand.

CAPTION (MACH-V)

C’mon, c’mon, c’mon.

6 – A tight shot of Satana looking off panel (at Man-Thing).

CAPTION (SANTANA)

I would give ten freshly reaped souls for one of his roots right now.

7 – A tight shot of Man-Thing. He is holding his cards incorrectly, with some facing the wrong way. The corner of another card hangs out his mouth.

CAPTION (MAN-THING)

BLARGHURGARGH!

8 – The same as Panel 1, however Mach-V is walking away from the table throwing his cards on the ground in disgust.

SONGBIRD

Do you have a 3?

JUGGERNAUT

Go fish.

MACH-V

DAMMIT!

Thunderbolts - Worthy - Danial Carroll

*Layout*

[This page catches our would-be heroes in the midst of a massive battle in Central Park with various elemental demons (rock, fire, wind, and water). The Avengers have also been fighting, but have just lost their last man...]


PAGE FIFTEEN (six panels)


PANEL ONE
Songbird is in flight. She looks horrified at what has just occurred.

SONGBIRD: Oh, my god. Thor is down!


PANEL TWO
Songbird is now swooping down. Below her we can see the damage of the battle, both fallen heroes and demons alike.

SONGBIRD: Thunderbolts, we need to fall back.
SONGBIRD: Regroup on Man-Thing.


PANEL THREE
Juggernaut is plowing through a group of demons.

JUGGERNAUT: We're just gonna leave?

COMM/SONGBIRD: We're not going to win this. We have to find backup.

JUGGERNAUT: Who needs backup? I could do this all day.

COMM/SONGBIRD: Cain!--


PANEL FOUR
In the distance, Moonstone is landing, looking towards us. Silhouetted in the foreground we can see Man-Thing's hand reaching for Mjolnir.

MOONSTONE: Uh, guys? What's he doing?


PANEL FIVE, TALL
Full shot of Man-Thing, holding Mjolnir at his side. Small arcs of electricity are jumping to the ground and up Man-Thing's arm. Despite this, he looks his usual stoic self.


PANEL SIX, WIDE
Wide view of the scene. Man-Thing is in the center with the rest of the team circled around him. A few meters out, the mass of demons are surrounding them. Spreading out from the ground where Man-Thing stands is a web of electricity. Every plant in the area is now covered in arcs of such.

JUGGERNAUT: This is gonna hurt, ain't it?

GHOST: I believe so, yes.


[The very next page would be a splash of Central Park with a huge lightning bolt shooting upwards from the T'bolts assumed position, several of the demons seen shooting up within to convey a sense of power.]

Why Thunderbolts?

This week on Thoughtballoons, we're not only writing the Thunderbolts, but Jeff Parker's current roster of Thunderbolts. As with every comic team, its value comes from the individual members and their chemistry with each other, and because the Thunderbolts are a team of supervillains trying to play superhero, you are always guaranteed plenty of that... even if that chemistry sometimes starts a fire.

So who makes up this motley crew? Well, it's lead by Luke Cage, who has Songbird, Fixer, and Mach-V as his second-in-commands. Then there is Ghost, the tech guy, Juggernaut, the heavy-hitter, Moonstone, the powerhouse, and most recently Satana, the magic-user. Then, to give you guys even more pawns to play with, there is also the newer B-Team which includes Boomerang, Centurius, Mr. Hyde, Shocker, and Troll.

Despite all these characters, however, the star of the show, in my eyes at least, would have to be Man-Thing, who not only provides transport for the team by means of his teleportation through the Nexus of All Realities, but once there, stands by, ever so stoic, lending a hand only when absolutely necessary.

So there we have fourteen diverse characters to make use of, which I'm sure will result in equally diverse pages. Most importantly, however, in the spirit of the book, just go crazy and have fun!