‘Thunderbolts*’ brings together a group of anti-heroes of the MCU that try to redeem saving the world, but its original version in the comics was very different. Far from being a heroic formation, Original Thunderbolts They were actually supervillans disguised, in one of Marvel’s most shocking revelations in the 90s. So who really were these characters and why did they not appear in the film?
Also read: Trump vs. Foreign cinema: How will new tariffs affect movies made outside the US?
Who were the original members of the Thunderbolts and why did they not appear in the film?
The original Thundolts debuted in The Incredible Hulk #449 (1996), created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley JR .. At that time, the Avengers and the Fantastic four were missing after the Onslaught events, leaving a void of heroes on earth. The Thunderbolts emerged as new “saviors”, led by patriotic Citizen V. What the public did not know was that Citizen V was actually Baron Zemo, and the complete team were the Masters of Evil under new identities.
- Mach-1 (Abner Jenkins, alias The Beetle)
- Songbird (Melissa Gold, antes Screaming Mimi)
- Atlas (Erik Josten, alias Goliath)
- Meteorite (Karla Sofen, alias Moonstone)
- Techno (Norbert Ebersol, alias The Fixer)
These villains disguised themselves as heroes to manipulate public opinion and facilitate Zemo’s plans to dominate the world. However, something unexpected happened: many began to enjoy their new life as heroes and eventually rebelled against Zemo.
In contrast, the movie ‘Thunderbolts*’ of the MCU completely omits these characters. The main reason is that the cinematographic version never introduced the Masters of Evil team, nor developed the concept of villains supplanting large -scale heroes. Although Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) exists in the MCU, his role was reduced after ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’, and is not part of the team on the tape.
Instead, the MCU brought together characters such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Ghost, Us Agent, and Guardian Red, presenting them as anti-heroes or ex-Villains without the deception layer that characterized the original group.
What is the origin of Thunderbolts in comics?
The concept was born as a elaborate hoax. The public and readers believed they were seeing a new group of heroes, but the final number of the first arch reveals their true identity. This turn was considered one of Marvel’s greatest Plot Twists in the 90s.
With the passage of time, the Thunderbolts series became a story of redemption. Several of its members sought genuinely to change, helped by Hawkeye, who assumed leadership after separating from Zemo. As an ex-reformed Villain, Clint Barton identified with them and guided them towards a true heroic life.
The team evolved over the years. In subsequent versions (more similar to MCU), Thunderbolts was shown as a government tactical squad led by Red Hulk, including Deadpool, The Punisher, Elektra, and Agent Venom. But no subsequent team has matched the narrative impact of the original alignment.
It might interest you: Marvel Studios changes the title of ‘Thunderbolts*’: This is the new official name of the film
Where were the other MCU characters during the events of ‘Thunderbolts*’?
In the film, the team must face Void, the dark counterpart of Sentry, played by Lewis Pullman. However, many fans wonder: where were the great heroes of the MCU?
- Captain America (Sam Wilson): After the events of ‘Captain America: a new world’, Sam was gathering his own Avengers team. Although it does not appear on the tape, the postcredit scene shows its disapproval towards the new formation of Bucky Barnes.
- Daredevil: According to Screen Rant, the events of ‘Thunderbolts’* happen before the official return of Matt Murdock as Daredevil, which explains his absence.
- Spider-Man: There is no official explanation, but it is suspected that its absence is due to legal issues with Sony Pictures. Tom Holland’s last appearance was in ‘No Way Home’, and is briefly mentioned in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’.
- Thor and Captain Marvel: Thor is still taking care of Gor’s daughter after ‘Love and Thunder’, and Carol Danvers is training Kamala Khan after ‘The Marvels.
- Hulk (Bruce Banner): He is outside the planet visiting his son Skaar, as shown in ‘She-Hulk’.
- Doctor Strange: After ‘Multivize of Madness’, Strange is exploring incursions into other realities.
Although ‘Thunderbolts’* of the MCU takes a very different course from the comics, the legacy of the original team remains one of the most complex and interesting in Marvel’s history. Its history of deception, redemption and transformation does not appear on the screen … at least for now.
Do not leave without reading: Sentry/Void was not chosen: screenwriter of ‘Thunderbolts*’ reveals who was going to be the original villain
Related news :