Thunderbolts Got You Hooked? Read These Comics Next!

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The recently released film titled “Thunderbolts*” is a stellar addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). If you’ve been absent from the MCU, this could be your perfect re-entry point. It embodies the charm of the Guardians of the Galaxy series and features beloved characters such as Yelena Bolova, Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, and John Walker. The plot unfolds following the events of “Captain America: Brave New World“, offering an exhilarating superhero adventure while delving into themes like depression, mental health, and grief in a relatable manner. If Marvel Studios handles it appropriately, “Thunderbolts*” has the potential to be the next major MCU sensation. Although not as widely recognized, the Thunderbolts have an intriguing comic book history, and the movie promises some captivating stories featuring these characters.

Movie-goers who follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe may not always dive into comics post-film screening, but the arrival of “Thunderbolts” is certain to lure them to their local comic shop. This project stands out as one of the few MCU endeavors that resemble it, making it a must-read for fans eager to satisfy their curiosity. Here are five recommended reads – most hailing from Marvel, but one from DC Comics – that tackle similar themes and characters as “Thunderbolts”. They’re ideal picks to delve into after catching the movie.

Mister Miracle

We’re about to dive into the world of “Thunderbolts,” a comic series, which delves deeply into the topic of depression. Throughout the narrative, Yelena grapples with the heavy burden that has come to define her existence. Although there are numerous comics addressing this issue, none seem as authentic as “Thunderbolts.” The closest contender is “Mister Miracle,” penned by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. This comic revolves around Mister Miracle, one of the New Gods, who attempts suicide at the story’s onset. Subsequent issues offer a masterful portrayal of depression, exploring the journey of an individual seeking the compassion and joy that life can offer. This is a remarkable comic, featuring a shocking climax that will leave readers questioning their entire reading experience. Few comics share the same emotional depth as “Thunderbolts,” but “Mister Miracle” manages to replicate that feeling perfectly.

New Avengers: The Sentry

The groundbreaking comic series “New Avengers” has consistently been a “must-read” for Avengers enthusiasts since its inception. It was the pivotal Marvel Comics title of the 2000s, setting the stage for some of the most monumental events in Marvel history. The Sentry, a team member, posed significant challenges for the Avengers, as they grappled with managing one of Earth’s most powerful beings and his psychological struggles.

The character of the Sentry was initially introduced in 2000 through his own series, and “The Sentry”, the second story arc of “New Avengers“, delves into the Avengers’ efforts to handle this enigmatic figure. This narrative, penned by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Steve McNiven, may at times be leisurely in pace and filled with dialogues — a characteristic that reflects Bendis’ fondness for incorporating witty banter into his stories. However, the artwork is exceptional, and the plot is captivating. Readers of “Thunderbolts” will recognize some familiar elements, and it ranks among the top Sentry tales ever written.

*Note: Since Thunderbolts was not specified in the original text, I assumed it to be a Marvel Comics series.

Venom: Deathtrap: The Vault

In the comic series Thunderbolts, character Yelena Bolova is assigned a mission to apprehend a thief at a desert facility that is commonly referred to as a vault, but comics aficionados will recognize it as the actual Vault – a significant supervillain prison within the Marvel Universe. This prison has had numerous breakouts over time, one of the most notable being a single issue titled “Venom: Deathtrap: The Vault,” written by Danny Fingeroth and illustrated by Ron Lim. In this storyline, Venom is sent to the penitentiary where he initiates a jailbreak, with Captain America, the Avengers, Mystique, and her Freedom Force (working together with the US government), all attempting to prevent the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe from fleeing. It’s a somewhat elusive book that focuses on just a small aspect of Thunderbolts but offers an exceptional read.

Dark Avengers

In the Marvel Universe during the mid to late 2000s, the Sentry gained significant prominence and became a notable character. He was part of various series such as the New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, and an exceptional Avengers comic titled Dark Avengers, penned by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Mike Deodato Jr., Mike Mayhew, and Luke Ross. The Dark Avengers comics primarily revolved around a team assembled by Norman Osborn following the Skrulls’ defeat in Secret Invasion, which contrasted greatly with its portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This team was composed mainly of villains, including Venom, Moonstone, Bullseye, and Daken (Wolverine’s son), taking on roles like Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and Wolverine (respectively). Ares (God of War) and The Sentry were the powerful holdovers from the previous Avengers team.

This 18-part series is outstanding, delving into the struggles of a band of villains as they navigate their position as the premier team within the Marvel Universe. The Sentry plays a crucial role in the narrative, and fans of Thunderbolts will find familiar scenes reminiscent of the movie. Additionally, Dark Avengers boasts an impressive X-Men collaboration – “Avengers/X-Men: Utopia” – right smack in the heart of its storyline. It’s top-tier stuff, and fans of Thunderbolts will surely appreciate it.

*Note: I assumed that ‘Thunderbolts’ was intended to be the name of a Marvel comic series.

The Sentry

One of Marvel Comics’ most distinctive characters is The Sentry, whose origin story was uniquely crafted. Following their successful collaboration on “The Inhumans” in 1998, writers Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee decided to create The Sentry for their next project. To generate buzz around the new book, Marvel cleverly marketed it as if The Sentry was an undiscovered creation by legendary comic writer Stan Lee that had never been published before. This intriguing narrative piqued fans’ curiosity for “The Sentry,” with Jenkins, Lee, Phil Winslade, Bill Sienkiewicz, Rick Leonardi, and Mark Texeira joining forces to bring the character to life on the pages.

The comic “The Sentry” follows the narrative of Bob Reynolds, a typical character who unexpectedly recovers memories of his heroic past and acquires divine powers. As he grapples with these new developments and his personal mental health issues, an enigmatic adversary launches attacks on the world. It’s revealed that this threat is somehow connected to Bob, leaving the superheroes in a quandary.

“The Sentry” remains a captivating read; the excitement of its initial release and the shocking twist were almost palpable. I won’t spoil the surprise for those who haven’t read it yet, but fans of “Thunderbolts” might be able to piece together part of the puzzle. Even after twenty-five years, this comic still packs a punch. Simply put, “The Sentry” is an example of comic storytelling at its finest.

Thunderbolts* is in theaters now

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2025-05-03 19:41