Panels: A Look at Recent Marvel Comic Books - Page 5

After Civil War the team known as the Thunderbolts has changed completely. Now the thunderbolts team is mostly comprised of villains, led by Spider-man arch enemy Norman Osborn. For two issues, we have been getting to know this team and what makes them tick. In some cases, it’s better not to know.

In this issue, there is not a lot of fighting, but there is a lot of talking, which writer Warren Ellis likes to do before he sends out his Thunderbolts to face the latest opponent to superhuman registration. The infighting continues between Moonstone and Songbird, the two female members who just don’t get along. Moonstone is cold, reminiscent of Emma Frost, and Songbird represents the last of the original Thunderbolts, a person who is truly looking for redemption as a hero.

Norman Osborn gets control over who’s the field leader, so it’s no surprise that he prefers the one who will work best towards his agenda. Radioactive Man, a former villain who has been a hero for a while, contests this, while also asking Norman Osborn about his new costume. It’s ok, Chen; we readers have been asking that same question since you became a part of the team.

It’s a funny exchange between Osborn and Radioactive Man. Osborn’s answer about the new costume makes a lot of sense. “Diapers,” indeed. Part of the reason behind Radioactive Man needing a new look, other than the fact that it does look a bit silly and outdated, is that Osborn is responsible for the team looking presentable to the American public. They are one of the teams that are part of the 50 states Initiative; and although they are some of the most evil villains to ever team up, America must come to love and trust them.

Who could love Venom or Bullseye, though? Venom, whose host is former villain Scorpion, AKA Matt Gargan, has been fighting Spider-man for years, and now he has a disgusting symbiotic alien creature that lives in his stomach when he’s not in battle. EW. Bullseye is without a doubt not deserving of any redemption. He has the talent to kill anything with pinpoint accuracy, and he loves killing. His conversation with Norman is creepier than hearing Matt Gargan’s description of being host to the Venom symbiote.