How Powerful Thunderbolts*’ New Avengers Are Compared to the MCU’s Original Avengers

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The significance of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be overstated. Early in the story, Nick Fury recognizes that certain dangers exceed the capabilities of agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D., prompting him to initiate the Avengers Project. Bringing together superheroes with their individual issues may seem risky, but it proves vital when Loki uses his powers to manipulate people and commit atrocities. The triumph over Loki bolsters Earth’s strongest heroes, leading them to work independently – a decision that soon proves crucial as other villains emerge, intent on wreaking havoc.

Regrettably, the initial six Avengers functioned as a team for merely two films. Internal conflicts ultimately resulted in their dissolution, and by the time these disputes were resolved, it was too late to reunite them. The Avengers thus became a memento of a past era until Valentina Allegra de Fontaine introduced a fresh squad. This new team may not have the same celebrity appeal as the original, but they compensate for it with their considerable might.

*Here, I’ve changed “Thunderbolts” to “the squad introduced in Thunderbolts” for clarity.

The New Avengers Have a Pretty High Floor in the MCU

Initially, the Thunderbolts avoid any interaction with each other. However, when Valentina dispatches her hired assassins to eliminate one another, they unexpectedly uncover a shared adversary. Red Guardian enters the scene late but manages to rescue Yelena Belova, Ghost, and John Walker from impending doom, inspiring them to band together. Though hesitant, the anti-heroes receive encouragement from Bucky Barnes to assist in rescuing Bob, which they eventually do, liberating him from the Void and saving New York City in the process. And so, the New Avengers are formed. The media amusingly dubs them the “B-Vengers,” but what people fail to grasp is the true potential these heroes possess.

Yelena, much like her sister, is indeed a cunning spy with hidden talents. As for Ghost, though he might not be the strongest on the team, he’s still far stronger than most ordinary individuals. The rest of the New Avengers are enhanced soldiers, each possessing immense power and extensive military background.

The wildcard in this group is Bob, a seemingly ordinary man who hides an extraordinary dark persona within – one capable of consuming entire planets given the opportunity. Bob must exercise great caution to prevent his Sentry alter ego from taking over, for fear of causing the Void’s release. Valentina refers to him as more powerful than all Avengers combined, but it should be noted that she may underestimate just how formidable the original six can be when united.

The Original Avengers Never Reached Their Full Potential Together

It might seem simple to undervalue the power of the original Avengers squad given that only two humans are part of it. However, it’s important to remember that a team’s strength can often be determined by its weakest member, disregarding this perspective does not account for the presence of an Asgardian like Thor and a powerful being such as Hulk. In instances like the Chitauri invasion in New York, as well as events in Sokovia during Avengers: Age of Ultron, these two characters are typically the ones shouldering the bulk of the work, while the other Avengers focus on tasks within their capacity, such as closing portals and ensuring civilian safety. It’s also evident that not all team members possess equal abilities during battles.

Despite the Avengers being separated during their battle against Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War”, they manage to make a difference in significant ways. Notably, Thor transforms the battle’s dynamic by arriving in Wakanda with Stormbreaker, a weapon potent enough to slay a deity. Despite Thanos possessing all the Infinity Stones, he couldn’t prevent Thor from embedding his axe into the Mad Titan’s chest. While Thor commits a fatal mistake by allowing Thanos to snap his fingers, the sheer power of his actions often overshadows this mental lapse. The New Avengers have an asset, but he’s less reliable compared to the most powerful member of the original Avengers, which could put them at a significant disadvantage in combat situations.

Thunderbolts* is streaming now on Disney+.

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2025-09-02 22:42