Final ‘Thunderbolts’ Trailer Gives a First Look at Its Villain

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In this fresh trailer for “Thunderbolts” (or “Thunderbolts*” if you prefer unconventional punctuation), it’s labeled as the concluding one, but it’s the initial one to offer a peek at, and some sound of, The Void. It’s not appealing; there isn’t a close-up of any character. However, it does provide a hint of his overpowering might, suggesting that the Thunderbolts team, made up of reformed villains, many of whom possess no superpowers at all, will undoubtedly be the underdogs in this battle.

Indeed, if you’re familiar with Marvel comics, you should recognize who takes on the role of The Void and understand his connection to the team – not to mention a potential new member hinted at in rumors. However, for those less versed in comic lore, I’ll leave the intriguing details for you to explore elsewhere (I do appreciate that you value spoilers).

Watch the “final” trailer for Thunderbolts below:

This movie features a stellar lineup of actors such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (Examining the cast in the trailer could potentially provide some hints about the movie’s plot that revolves around the Void.)

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

In “Thunderbolts” by Marvel Studios, an unusual ensemble of anti-heroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker – come together. When they are all drawn into a deadly trap by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disenchanted outcasts must embark on a perilous journey that will compel them to delve into the darkest recesses of their past. Will this troubled team self-destruct or discover redemption and coalesce into something stronger before time runs out?

Thunderbolts* is set to debut in theaters everywhere on May 2.

What One Man Learned Reading All 27,000 Marvel Comics

1. You Should NOT Try To Read Them All In Order

Simply because Wolk delved into every Marvel comic from the 1960s to 2017 doesn’t imply he began with Fantastic Four #1 or read them sequentially, concluding at Marvel Legacy #1 in 2017. On the contrary, Wolk advises readers embarking on a comprehensive Marvel history exploration to steer clear of reading in chronological order.
“Many attempt to establish a unified reading order and commence at the origin,” says Wolk. “But you might encounter three tedious Ant-Man tales, or an early, less-than-stellar Human Torch story, and become disheartened, halting your journey. These stories were never intended to be consumed in such a manner. There are instances where, yes, if you’ve got a series of tales that belong together and should be read consecutively, then by all means proceed. However, the essence of reading these comics lies in pleasure, amusement, and delight. It’s not about completing a task or fulfilling an obligation. Instead, focus on the stories, characters, and artists that resonate with your passions.”

2. Reading Digitally Is A Different Experience Than the Original Comics

In the past, it was quite challenging to enjoy old Marvel comics as many original issues were scarce or costly. Nowadays, numerous vintage titles are accessible in trade paperback editions or via digital platforms like Marvel Unlimited. However, as Jason T. Wolk points out in “All of the Marvels”, reading these reprints doesn’t always recreate the same experience as the original issues. Reprints often omit letter columns and Marvel’s monthly “Bullpen Bulletins” page, and the artwork may appear differently due to modern recoloring.

Wolk highlights that there’s something special about physically holding the original comic, feeling its texture, and appreciating the off-register printing. But if you can’t obtain the old issues, he asserts that digital versions are still a worthwhile alternative. “If the means to read that story is on a screen without the extra material, you’re still getting the story,” Wolk notes, emphasizing that the central story matters most, even without all the additional features.

3. Some Marvel Comics Are Hard to Find — And a Couple Are Lost Forever

The Marvel Unlimited app grants access to numerous comics, yet it doesn’t encompass everything Marvel has ever produced. Even with digital reprints and trade paperbacks, some older comics have slipped through the gaps. For instance, certain digitally-produced comics from America Online’s peak period are scarcely found on the internet today.

In his endeavor to read every Marvel comic, Wolk encountered challenges in locating specific titles. For example, he mentioned difficulty finding promotional comics such as a particular issue of Fantastic Four created exclusively for Target stores, and an odd issue of Iron Man that was produced as a promotion for a drone manufacturer.

“Iron Man: Remote Possibilities #1″ showcases Iron Man using drones during a time when drone technology was increasingly being employed as weapons in Iron Man comics,” Wolk explains. “The irony lies in the fact that this comic, which features Iron Man advertising drones, is promoting a toy, while Iron Man stories are often about our feelings towards the military-industrial complex.” This duality of Iron Man using drones for combat purposes in a promotional context is intriguing to observe.

4. Romance Comics Had An Enormous Influence on the Marvel Universe

As a devoted cinema enthusiast looking back at comic book history, I’d say that before Marvel Comics unveiled their Silver Age superheroes, they were publishing romance comics like “Millie the Model” and “Patsy Walker”. This genre eventually faded away by the end of the 70s and is mostly forgotten today. However, Wolk believes these romance comics played a crucial role in shaping Marvel’s signature formula.

In essence, these romance comics were absorbed into the superhero genre, much like how monster comics, western comics, and war comics were. They all became essential elements of these grand superhero stories. For instance, take a look at “The Amazing Spider-Man”. After John Romita Sr., a former romance comic artist, took over the penciling duties, Peter Parker’s character transformed from a nerdy scientist to a hunk.

5. No Comic, No Matter How Silly, Is Completely Worthless

Discussing All of the Marvels with Douglas Wolk is captivating because he can engage in a conversation about any Marvel comic, no matter how unpopular or bizarre. For instance, I’ve long been intrigued by a brief series called NFL SuperPro, which centers around a former NFL star turned superhero who fights crime dressed as a football player. I dared Wolk to find something valuable in NFL SuperPro, and he certainly delivered.

“Even the worst comics are fascinating as cultural artifacts.” He pointed out that NFL SuperPro #0 features a parody of the mythopoetic men’s movement from the early ’90s. There’s a scene where someone is leading a group of men, encouraging them to celebrate their masculinity and awaken their inner superhero. The men are wearing togas and sitting around a fire, holding hands, and thinking, “This is so silly.” You won’t find a scene about the mythopoetic men’s movement in X-Men; it will be in an obscure title like NFL SuperPro. And that makes it wonderful for that reason.

6. You Can Learn A Lot About Our History By Reading Comics

In his own words, Wolk expressed that after completing his extensive assignment, he gained a deeper respect for comics’ knack for preserving moments in time. He further explained that comics serve as an intriguing lens to explore history, providing insights into the historical context surrounding their creation and how they mirrored those times, consciously or subconsciously.

Wolk found delight in discovering how the themes depicted in these comics evolved over time. He noted the shifting answers to questions like ‘What are our fears? What do we aspire for? What do we depend on?’ as the comics’ narratives progressed.

One aspect that particularly intrigued him was the central role of science and knowledge in driving the Marvel narrative. Although it initially led to ominous scenarios, this theme of learning the unknown and its impact on the storyline and cultural shifts over the past 60 years resonated with him. He pointed out that while our world has undergone significant changes, the Marvel universe has experienced transformations far beyond what we’ve witnessed in reality. However, he emphasized that science, discovery, and learning—not only in a military context but broadly—have significantly shaped our world and continue to do so.

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2025-04-16 23:54