Marvel Comics' Thunderbolts* Series Now The New Avengers, Echoing MCU

With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is set to conclude one chapter of the franchise and usher in a bold new era for this iconic super-team. However, there's an intriguing twist. Just as Marvel surprised MCU fans by retitling Thunderbolts as "The New Avengers" after its first weekend of release, the new Thunderbolts comic is also embracing this title change. This means that heroes such as Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine must rise to the challenge of embodying the legacy of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they meet the high expectations set before them?

It's going to be a formidable challenge for these characters to coalesce into a unified and effective Avengers team. This was a key point emphasized in our recent discussion with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper to uncover the details behind the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transformation, understand Humphries' rationale for assembling this diverse yet formidable roster, and discover the new threat that necessitates such a powerhouse team.

The New Avengers #1: Exclusive Preview Gallery

View 19 ImagesWho Are the New Avengers?

Given Marvel Studios' reputation for secrecy surrounding upcoming projects, we were eager to learn when writer Sam Humphries was informed about the title change during the development of his Thunderbolts pitch. Was the New Avengers comic always on the cards, or was it a late pivot? Humphries revealed that this was not a last-minute decision but was part of the plan from the outset.

"It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith]," Humphries shared with IGN. "It's been thrilling and challenging to keep this under wraps for months. It's like organizing a surprise party for thousands. I don't even have a file on my computer labeled 'New Avengers.' You never know."

Humphries elaborated, "Initially, there were logistical details to iron out behind the scenes, so I had to be ready to adapt quickly. But the overall plan was set by the time I started the first issue. You can see it reflected in the team lineup — the New Avengers and the Killuminati both echo the New Avengers teams crafted by [Brian] Bendis and [Jonathan] Hickman. Jed [MacKay] has assembled a stellar group of heroes in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to stand out with a team of rogues."

"Jed's got a killer lineup of do-gooders in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to distinguish itself with a bunch of bastards." As Humphries explains, he had considerable freedom in selecting the Thunderbolts/New Avengers lineup. The aim was to represent various key sectors of the Marvel Universe.

"Oh, this was incredibly fun," Humphries enthused. "My concept was inspired by the Illuminati, who were composed of seven kings and heroes from seven different areas of the Marvel Universe. So, what if we did the same with some of the most formidable characters representing mutants, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and so on? I'm deeply thankful to our fantastic editor, Alanna Smith, who backed this idea from the start, even though she had to coordinate with nearly every Marvel editorial department to bring it to life. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams app begging for mercy. And a huge thank you to all the editors and creators who were generous enough to entrust us with their beloved characters! Love you all! (They might live to regret it.)"

As Humphries hints, the members of the New Avengers are not your typical paragons of virtue and heroism. This team consists of hardened killers, monsters, and one irritable underwater king. Much like the original New Avengers from 2004, this group is brought together by fate and circumstance, and their initial interactions may be less than harmonious.

"I think the phrase I used in my pitch was 'interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,'" Humphries remarked. "These aren't calm guardians of humanity; they're a bunch of fiery rogues trying to channel their destructive tendencies for good, with varying success. They shouldn't be in the same room together. The big question is, who dislikes each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage. Or it might be Namor and Laura. Or it might be…"

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati

Despite the new series adopting the MCU's title change, the actual New Avengers roster diverges significantly from its cinematic counterpart. The consistent presence here is Bucky Barnes, who remains on board following the current Thunderbolts team's final appearance in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. It will be up to the former Winter Soldier to corral this group of strong-willed individuals into a cohesive unit.

"I have immense respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] long, glorious run with Bucky," Humphries stated. "I'm honored to build upon what they've accomplished with the character. Bucky will need every bit of the wisdom and experience gained from their adventures. The world is in chaos, and someone needs to take action, damn it."

What kind of threat could possibly demand the collective power of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Drawing inspiration from the classic Illuminati lineup, the adversaries in the series are a twisted version of the Illuminati. Humphries dubs them the "Killuminati."

Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)

"Someone tried to create duplicates of the Illuminati, and someone messed up," Humphries teased. "Now there are seven demented and deformed worst-case scenarios on the loose. Bucky's going to have his hands full keeping his team together. And the same goes for the Killuminati and their 'leader' — Iron Apex."

The New Avengers teams Humphries with artist Ton Lima, who has previously worked on titles like New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries shares that the art in this series draws inspiration not from the MCU but from another highly popular action movie franchise.

"Ton is a BEAST," Humphries praised. "He makes the heroes look fierce and alluring, while the villains appear brutal and repulsive. I told him he needed to marathon every Fast and the Furious movie ten times in a row without breaks. Judging by his pages, I think he actually did it, the madman!"

The New Avengers #1 is slated for release on June 11, 2025.

For more insights into the MCU's latest twist, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces significant challenges with Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Bucky.