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It feels like a summer day, with hot weather (at least where I live) and the release of a new Marvel superhero movie just around the corner.

But the Thunderbolts aren’t your standard superhero team. They’re the antihero type—mostly reformed supervillains—serving as an exploration of what happens when you’re offered a shot at redemption, and what heroism looks like without the idealism.

Sure, you’ll need to look at more recent Thunderbolts comics to find something that lines up with the MCU version, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of great stories waiting for you in their earlier runs.

Before the release of the movie, we invite you to take a look at our reading guide and the many Thunderbolts collections out there. Also: some members of the movie team have their own reading guide!

Justice, Like Lightning! Following the events of 1996’s Onslaught, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four were declared dead. A new group of ‘superheroes’ decided to step in to help protect the world: The Thunderbolts!

Considered the equivalent of DC’s Suicide Squad, , the Thunderbolts were created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley, making their first appearance in The Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997) before launching their own ongoing series the following month.

Since their debut, this team of anti-heroes has worked to do good things when led by Hawkeye, Luke Cage, and the Winter Soldier, but has also been used as a dangerous and malevolent force by leaders like Norman Osborn and Wilson Fisk.

As you can imagine, between changes in leadership and direction, the roster of the team has changed a lot over the years. Follow our guide to explore Thunderbolt's comic book history collected in omnibus and trade paperback graphic novels.

Thunderbolts Comics

THUNDERBOLTS*

*(Well, at least some of them...)

Bucky Barnes

Bucky Barnes, a Golden Age character reinvented for the Modern Age, has taken on many roles over the years—including leader of the Thunderbolts.

See Bucky Barnes Guide

Yelena Belova

From student in the Red Room to adversary and eventual ally of the Black Widow, Yelena’s journey is one marked by cloning, hard decisions, and shifting loyalties.

See Yelena Belova Guide

Sentry

Who is Sentry? Robert Reynolds/Sentry is undeniably one of the most complex and intriguing Marvel characters introduced in the past two decades.

See Sentry Guide

News

What’s going on in the Comic Book World? Life can be pretty busy, so we highlight recent news and articles that may catch your interest in our fifth edition of Comic Book News.