History ComicBook / Thunderbolts

During the ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' after ''ComicBook/SecretInvasion'', Osborn is promoted to the head of all government superheroes, "officially" disbanding the Thunderbolts but retaining some members as his personal off-the-books black ops team. However, he also has villains (including some ex-Thunderbolts) pose as heroes again, only this time as the Avengers themselves in the series ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers''. In parallel, he also assembles a new version of the Thunderbolts... as another off-the-books black ops team, comprised of Paladin, ComicBook/AntMan (Eric O'Grady), Headsman, Ghost, Scourge (better known as Nuke, a Daredevil foe) and ComicBook/BlackWidow (Yelena Belova), who is later replaced by Mr. X once it's revealed that she's not Belova but Natasha Romanoff in disguise.

* HeroesWantRedheads: Atlas' love interest and later girlfriend Dallas Riordan is a redhead.

* ToCatchHeroesHireVillains: [[ComicBOok/IronMan Tony Stark]] hires legions of {{supervillain}}s to capture the resisting supers. ''Thunderbolts'', in particular, is an interesting example because the villains are the protagonists. And, of course, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero it blows up in Tony's face]]; Norman Osborn becomes the director of HAMMER.

* ToCatchHeroesHireVillains: See SuperRegistrationAct above.

A ''Thunderbolts'' movie set in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse was announced at San Diego [=ComicCon=] 2022 for a 2024 release after being foreshadowed in previous entries, especially ''Film/BlackWidow2021'' and ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier''. This incarnation of the team is comprised of [[Characters/MCUAvengersAllies Yelena Belova]], [[Characters/MCUOtherSuperheroes Red Guardian]], and [[Characters/MCURedRoom Taskmaster]] from the former; [[Characters/MCUBuckyBarnes Bucky Barnes]] and [[Characters/MCUJohnWalker U.S. Agent]] from the latter; and [[Characters/MCUOtherSupervillains Ghost]] from ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp''.

The series became the new ''Dark Avengers'' series when, with the Thunderbolts lost in time, members of Norman Osborn's second Dark Avengers team are recruited to be the new Thunderbolts, all analogues to established Avengers: Ragnarok (the {{clon|ingBlues}}e of [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] that Iron Man created in ''Civil War''), Trickshot (Hawkeye), Ai Apaec (Spider-Man), Toxie Doxie/Dark Scarlet Witch (ComicBook/ScarletWitch) and Skaar ([[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]]). The series lasted fifteen issues after the rebrand, ending at issue 190.

As a result of ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'', the team became made up of newer and deadlier villains, such as ComicBook/{{Venom}} ([[LegacyCharacter III]], originally the Scorpion) and [[ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} Bullseye]], working for the government under the leadership of ComicBook/NormanOsborn, ruthlessly hunting superheroes who try to elude the SuperRegistrationAct.

* SuperRegistrationAct: The team's main reason for existence is to enforce this. And during the ComicBook/CivilWar they were all pro mostly because since they're all former villains (i.e. have criminal records) the government already knew who they were.

* CallBack: Bucky won't let Steve die again, the way he did on the courthouse steps after ComicBook/CivilWar.

* ConspiracyTheorist: Ghost, to an insane degree. He once told Moonstone that he believed a crossword puzzle in a newspaper was a form of communication for a secret group. This all comes from his origin [[spoiler: which reveals that he was manipulated and nearly killed by the company he worked for. He only discovered their plot by connecting seemingly meaningless facts together]].

A Franchise/MarvelUniverse comic book series that debuted in 1997 (written by Creator/KurtBusiek and drawn by Mark Bagley; the former left at issue 33, the latter lasted 16 more) as a response to the disappearance of the big name heroes like the Comicbook/FantasticFour and Comicbook/TheAvengers as a result of the ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'' CrisisCrossover and the aborted ''ComicBook/HeroesReborn'' reboot. We are presented with a new group of colorful heroes who swoop in to protect the people from danger.

As a result of ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'', the team became made up of newer and deadlier villains, such as ComicBook/{{Venom}} ([[LegacyCharacter III]], originally the Scorpion) and [[Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} Bullseye]], working for the government under the leadership of ComicBook/NormanOsborn, ruthlessly hunting superheroes who try to elude the SuperRegistrationAct.

During the ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' after ''Comicbook/SecretInvasion'', Osborn is promoted to the head of all government superheroes, "officially" disbanding the Thunderbolts but retaining some members as his personal off-the-books black ops team. However, he also has villains (including some ex-Thunderbolts) pose as heroes again, only this time as the Avengers themselves in the series ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers''. In parallel, he also assembles a new version of the Thunderbolts... as another off-the-books black ops team, comprised of Paladin, ComicBook/AntMan (Eric O'Grady), Headsman, Ghost, Scourge (better known as Nuke, a Daredevil foe) and Comicbook/BlackWidow (Yelena Belova), who is later replaced by Mr. X once it's revealed that she's not Belova but Natasha Romanoff in disguise.

At the start of the ''Comicbook/HeroicAge'', following Osborn's downfall, the Thunderbolts are now the Raft (Super Villain Prison) inmate rehabilitation project. Led by Luke Cage, they are a team put together to try to set a number of villains on the path to redemption while giving a place to those who already have switched sides. The initial lineup includes a number of ex-Thunderbolts who are now heroes (Songbird, Mach V, Fixer), some of Osborn's former crew hoping to use it as a way to earn good publicity (Moonstone), the criminally insane (Crossbones), those who are caught in the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor (Ghost and Juggernaut), and their transportation (Comicbook/ManThing). Just before the ''Comicbook/FearItself'' event, a second "Beta" team of Raft inmates was introduced.

** The team's actual first appearance was in an issue of Creator/PeterDavid's ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk'' run, which featured a brief scene where the Hulk confusedly claimed to recognize Meteorite's voice. He'd have good reason to, since she previously battled the Hulk in her Moonstone identity.

* CListFodder: The Thunderbolts fight minor characters such as Jack Flag and Steel Spider instead of other (major) unregistered heroes like Comicbook/SpiderMan or Comicbook/{{Daredevil}}; {{justified|Trope}} as that was mainly because they were based in Colorado, while Spidey and Daredevil are over in New York. They do go after Spidey when they head to New York though. Also justified by Norman knowing it'd make them look bad, and feeling the team would screw up (which given they fail to catch American Eagle and get humiliated... a good call for Normy.)

* SuperRegistrationAct: The team's main reason for existence is to enforce this. And during the Comicbook/CivilWar they were all pro mostly because since they're all former villains (i.e. have criminal records) the government already knew who they were.

* AscendedExtra: The Headsman's sole previous appearance was in a few issues of ''Comicbook/UntoldTalesOfSpiderMan'' before being bumped up to solidly big league as a main T-Bolt.

* DemonicPossession: Ghost completes the platter of powers typical of his namesake by having an "imposition module", which he uses to possess other people's PoweredArmor. He first tries it on an unconscious Mach-V. Satana later gives it a mystical upgrade to get inside Juggernaut and free him from the influence of Kuurth in ''Comicbook/FearItself''. [[spoiler:It doesn't work.]]

** [[spoiler:This comes to a head at the end of the Thunderbolts Comicbook/FearItself tie-in, where, after Mach-V walks in on a video-communication between Fixer and Zemo, Bert absconds with Moonstone, Satanna, Centurius, Boomerang, Mr. Hyde, Troll and even the Thunderbolts Tower. He had become annoyed with not being let out for field missions, but in the end of the arc he ended up sacrificing himself for what could have been his end to save the timestream. In his most dramatic moment he was still a tweener.]]

!!Examples from the Daniel Way/Charles Soule (Comicbook/MarvelNOW) [=retool=]:

* CallBack: Bucky won't let Steve die again, the way he did on the courthouse steps after Comicbook/CivilWar.

* AnythingThatMoves: Satana, in issue 156, jumps [[CrackPairing Man-Thing]], Juggernaut, [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Ghost]] and Moonstone. [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Luke Cage cockblocks her]] with a magic gizmo from Comicbook/DoctorStrange.
** As of the Golden Age Thunderbolts arc, [[spoiler: Namor]].

A MarvelUniverse comic book series that debuted in 1997 (written by Creator/KurtBusiek and drawn by Mark Bagley; the former left at issue 33, the latter lasted 16 more) as a response to the disappearance of the big name heroes like the Comicbook/FantasticFour and Comicbook/TheAvengers as a result of the ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'' CrisisCrossover and the aborted ''ComicBook/HeroesReborn'' reboot. We are presented with a new group of colorful heroes who swoop in to protect the people from danger.

* VillainProtagonist: Each incarnation of the team includes at least some villains who are playing as heroes either to atone or for their own personal reasons. Weither they reform for real later on depend on the character and the run.

A MarvelUniverse comic book series that appeared in 1997 (written by Creator/KurtBusiek and drawn by Mark Bagley; the former left at issue 33, the latter lasted 16 more) as a response to the disappearance of the big name heroes like the Comicbook/FantasticFour and Comicbook/TheAvengers as a result of the ''ComicBook/{{Onslaught}}'' CrisisCrossover and the aborted ''ComicBook/HeroesReborn'' reboot. We are presented with a new group of colorful heroes who swoop in to protect the people from danger.

* UndressingTheUnconscious: In ''Thunderbolts'' #25, The Thunderbolts defeat and knock out some of Crimson Cowl's Masters of Evil who then get MuggedForDisguise. They're all stripped and left unconscious in their undies, with the exception of Joystick who is naked due to her GoingCommando.

The series has experienced a fair share of cancellations and {{Retool}}s since, but gained particular attention as a result of ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'' with the team now made up of newer and deadlier villains, such as '''ComicBook/{{Venom}}''' ([[LegacyCharacter III]], originally the Scorpion) and '''[[Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} Bullseye]]''', working for the government under the leadership of ComicBook/NormanOsborn, ruthlessly hunting superheroes who try to elude the SuperRegistrationAct.

During the ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' after ''Comicbook/SecretInvasion'', Osborn is promoted to the head of all government superheroes, "officially" disbanding the Thunderbolts but retaining some members as his personal off-the-books black ops team. However, he is also having villains (including some ex-Thunderbolts) pose as heroes again, only this time as the Avengers themselves in the series ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers''. In parallel, he also assembles a new version of the Thunderbolts... as another off-the-books black ops team, comprised of Paladin, ComicBook/AntMan (Eric O'Grady), Headsman, Ghost, Scourge (better known as Nuke, a Daredevil foe) and Comicbook/BlackWidow (Yelena Belova), who is later replaced by Mr. X once it's revealed that she's not Belova but Natasha Romanoff in disguise.

At the start of the ''Comicbook/HeroicAge'', following Osborn's downfall, the Thunderbolts are now the Raft (Super Villain Prison) inmate rehabilitation project. Led by Luke Cage, they are a team put together to try to set a number of villains on the path to redemption while giving a place to those who already have switched sides. The initial lineup includes a number of ex-Thunderbolts who are now heroes (Songbird, Mach V, Fixer), some of Osborn's former crew hoping to use it as a way to earn good publicity (Moonstone), the criminally insane (Crossbones), those who are caught in the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor (Ghost and Juggernaut), and their transportation (Comicbook/ManThing). Just before the Comicbook/FearItself event, a second "Beta" team of Raft inmates was introduced.

The series became the new ''Dark Avengers'' series when, with the Thunderbolts lost in time, members of Norman Osborn's second Dark Avengers team are recruited to be the new Thunderbolts, all analogues to established Avengers: Ragnarok (the {{clon|ingBlues}}e of [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] Iron Man created in ''Civil War''), Trickshot (Hawkeye), Ai Apaec (Spider-Man), Toxie Doxie/Dark Scarlet Witch (ComicBook/ScarletWitch) and Skaar ([[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]]). The series last fifteen issues after the rebrand, ending at issue 190.

A new volume was announced as part of the ''ComicBook/MarvelNOW'' relaunch, the new Thunderbolts series was released December 2012, initially written by Daniel Way with Creator/SteveDillon on art, Charles Soule took over as writer with issue 12. The series will be about a new team brought together by former long time Hulk nemesis and recent Avenger, General [[ComicBook/RedHulk Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross aka the Red Hulk]], with the initial line up consisting of [[ComicBook/{{Venom}} Agent Venom (Flash Thompson)]], ComicBook/ThePunisher, ComicBook/{{Elektra}} and ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}.

During ''ComicBook/KingInBlack'', it was revealed that Mayor Wilson Fisk had purchased the name of “Thunderbolts” and used it to create a new team to act during the Knull invasion. Another team was created in ''ComicBook/DevilsReign'' to enforce Fisk’s anti-vigilante law. In the aftermath of the story, a new six-issue mini-series will be launched with a new team lead by Hawkeye and under the watchful eye of the new mayor.

Following the conclusion of Jim Zub's encore run in 2022, the Thunderbolts will finally get a [[ComicBook/Thunderbolts2023 new ongoing monthly book]] in December 2023.

A ''Thunderbolts'' movie set in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse was announced at San Diego [=ComicCon=] 2022 for a 2024 release after being foreshadowed in previous entries, especially ''Film/BlackWidow2021'' and ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier''. This incarnation of the team is comprised of [[Characters/MCUBuckyBarnes Bucky Barnes]], [[Characters/MCUAvengersAllies Yelena Belova]], [[Characters/MCUJohnWalker U.S. Agent]], [[Characters/MCUOtherSuperheroes Red Guardian]], [[Characters/MCURedRoom Taskmaster]], and [[Characters/MCUOtherSupervillains Ghost]].

[[folder:Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts (Original)]]

[[folder:The post-''Devil's Reign'' Thunderbolts]]
See [[ComicBook/Thunderbolts2022 here]].
[[/folder]]

The series has experienced a fair share of cancellations and {{Retool}}s since, but gained particular attention as a result of ''ComicBook/CivilWar'' with the team now made up of newer and deadlier villains such as '''ComicBook/{{Venom}}''' ([[LegacyCharacter III]], originally the Scorpion) and '''[[Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} Bullseye]]''', working for the government under the leadership of ComicBook/NormanOsborn, ruthlessly hunting superheroes who try to elude the SuperRegistrationAct.

During the ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' after ''Comicbook/SecretInvasion'', Osborn is promoted to the head of all government superheroes, "officially" disbanding the Thunderbolts but retaining some members as his personal off-the-books black ops team. However, he is also having villains (including some ex-Thunderbolts) pose as heroes again, only this time as the well-known Avengers themselves in the series ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers''. In parallel, he also assembles a new formation of the Thunderbolts... as another off-the-books black ops team, comprised of Paladin, ComicBook/AntMan (Eric O'Grady), Headsman, Ghost, Scourge (better known as Nuke, a Daredevil foe) and Comicbook/BlackWidow (Yelena Belova), who is later replaced by Mr. X once it's revealed that she's not Belova but Natasha Romanoff in disguise.

At the start of the ''Comicbook/HeroicAge'', following Osborn's downfall, the Thunderbolts are now the Raft (Super Villain Prison) inmate rehabilitation project. Led by Luke Cage, they are a team put together to try to set a number of villains on the path to redemption while giving a place to those who already have switched sides. The initial lineup includes a number of ex-Thunderbolts who are now heroes (Songbird, Mach V, Fixer), some of Osborn's former crew hoping to use it as a way to earn good publicity (Moonstone), the criminally insane (Crossbones), those who are caught in the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor (Ghost and Juggernaut), and their transportation (Comicbook/ManThing). Just before the Comicbook/FearItself event, a second "Beta" team of Raft inmates get introduced.

The series becomes the new ''Dark Avengers'' series when, with the Thunderbolts lost in time, members of Norman Osborn's second Dark Avengers team are recruited to be the new Thunderbolts, all analogues to established Avengers: Ragnarok (the {{clon|ingBlues}}e of [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] Iron Man created in ''Civil War''), Trickshot (Hawkeye), Ai Apaec (Spider-Man), Toxie Doxie/Dark Scarlet Witch (ComicBook/ScarletWitch) and Skaar ([[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]]).

* ChangedMyMindKid

* EvilCostumeSwitch: Zemo goes back to his old threads.

* TheMole: All the team was initially created for this purpose, villains posing as heroes to receive SHIELD's secret codes (of course, it did not work as intended)

'''Jolt:''' [[EurekaMoment He GROWS!]]

Following the conclusion of Jim Zub's encore run in 2022, the Thunderbolts will finally get a [[ComicBook/Thunderbolts2023]] new ongoing monthly book in December 2023.

* TheChessmaster: Baron Zemo

* {{Hoverboard}}: The V-Wing.

** Moonstone.

* UnreliableNarrator: Jolt asks Citizen V about the OriginStory of the team. We see flashbacks of the real origin, with Zemo's narration to change the meaning. For example, he said that he was devastated when Onslaught killed the Avengers, and he was... but because he's the [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou only one allowed to defeat them]].

During ''ComicBook/KingInBlack'', it was revealed that Mayor Wilson Fisk had purchased the name of “Thunderbolts” and used it to create a new team to act during the Knull invasion. Another team was created in ''ComicBook/DevilsReign'' to enforce Fisk’s anti-vigilante law. In the aftermath of the story, a new six-issue mini-series will be launched with a new team lead by Hawkeye and under the watchful eye of Mayor [[spoiler:Luke Cage]].

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e4f76f89_b63d_43e7_8e74_c8cbe5124a76.jpeg]]

Not to be confused with the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Wonderbolts]], who manage to be even more colorful while facing far less drama.

A ''Thunderbolts'' movie set in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse was announced at San Diego [=ComicCon=] 2022 for a 2024 release after being foreshadowed in previous entries, especially ''Film/BlackWidow2021'' and ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier''.

* GreenLanternRing: Songbird's carapace. Even literally works like a ComicBook/GreenLantern's ring on a less cosmic level, but with additional uses related to her pre-existing sonic powers.

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/TBolts_TVTropesImage.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Marvel's Most Wanted]]

* GadgeteerGenius: Techno/Fixer

* {{Intangibility}}: Moonstone has one.

* MonumentalDamage: Right in the first issue, the Thunderbolts fight the Wrecking Crew by the Statue of Liberty, inadvertently damaging the old girl (who was already scratched up as was). The team earns themselves some major brownie points by sticking around to fix her.

* AnAxeToGrind: Troll wields an ancient Asgardian war axe that requires superhuman strength to even lift off the ground.