Thunderbolts #1

This is a great first issue that introduces the team, their purpose, and its identity. If you're not hooked by the last page, you wouldn't know a good thing if it ripped your heart out. Read Full Review

I've removed several comics from my monthly reading list recently because they were not keeping me interested anymore and I have added a lot of independent comics. There is so much to want and read, but there is just never enough time. After Pleasant Hill, I was curious what happened to Kobik and in time I think this cosmic child will either make the future better or bring a level of destruction that we saw during M-Day. Liking Kobik, liking this team of characters, and loving the art makes this a must read addition to my reading list. Read Full Review

Thunderbolts' newest iteration gets off to a strong start. Real solid writing and art here. Bucky Barnes proves to be a great addition to the Thunderbolts formula, and we geta pretty huge surprise ending, though it won't likely stick. Read Full Review

Malins artwork feels like a throwback to the comics seen during the early years of Image Comics. Its full of energy, and he captures the classic look of these character while still managing to give the designs a 2016 upgrade. Thunderbolts was one of my favorite series when it was first released, so to see the book relaunched and under the creative work of Zub and Malin, I couldnt be happier. This issue ends on a shocking note, one that leaves us to wonder what exactly will happen with issue #2. Read Full Review

"Thunderbolts" #1 is a throwback full of punches, guns and crazy twists. This book is like a portal back to the height of '90s comic storytelling. Zub and Malin turn the volume is up to 11 throughout, from word to page. While I loved this comic, I feel like the exact reasons why I did will also be the reasons some fans will hate it; however, as a first issue, "Thunderbolts" #1 is refreshingly fun to read. Read Full Review

A lot of people are going to have a hard time looking past that "Thunderbolts" title to enjoy this book at the level it deserves. It's a strong Winter Soldier comic starring the Thunderbolts. Jim Zub wrote a heck of a Bucky story that just happens to be a "Thunderbolts" title; I'm over it and you should be, too. Artist Jon Malin's Kobik is worth the cover price, alone.  Read Full Review

Im going to need another issue to know if Im fully invested in this new run on Thunderbolts, partially due to my feelings about the end of the issue. Yet, Im willing to give it a chance to see one of my favorite teams have another go-round in the 616. Read Full Review

It's a shame Jim Zubnb wasn't simply tapped to launch a new Winter Soldier comic. This first issue has a lot going for it in terms of Bucky's new status quo and his relationship with Kobik, but it does little to justify the ensemble approach at all, much less reuniting the classic T-Bolts. Worse, the mismatched, Liefeld-esque art style is a poor fit for such a dark, character-driven superhero book. Read Full Review

Jim Zub has a lot to set up and deal with. Midway through this first issue, you do start to feel the pieces falling into place. Jon Malin's art and Matt Yackey's colors do give it a throwback vibe. It took a little getting used to at first but it does capture the feel of the team. Winter Soldier is a great character with an interesting agenda and the idea of the Thunderbolts has always been intriguing. You can see the potential here, and I'll definitely be back for the next issue. Read Full Review

Thunderbolts #1 isn't a bad comic but it's unlikely to win over new fans. The artwork is competent but doesn't suit the serious story. The plot and character development may improve in future issues, but it's unlikely I'll return to confirm that. Read Full Review

I do question of the muddled feel of Thunderbolts and I look toward the editors, Tom Brevoort and Alanna Smith. Ill pick one character to whine about: Fixer. How the hell was he pulled out the time loop he created when he killed then replaced himself? (Dont tell me Kobik) Why the shit is he wearing his Techno gear when he was in the modern version of his costume during Pleasant Hill? Eh, Ill lay off. I adore this franchise, and the original crew back together is kind of a dream. Imma stick around for a little. Just do the obvious, Marvel Bring back Jolt! Read Full Review

Our verdict? This comic would function better as a Winter Soldier run, we hope the rest of the team will come into their own as the series continues. We don't enjoy the artwork, it feels lazy with a huge amount of gradient backgrounds. Read Full Review

Except for the interactions between Bucky and Kobik, Fixer's supreme arrogance which ends up reading like a parody of Hank Pym and Reed Richards, and occasional fun banter from writer Jim Zub, Thunderbolts #1 is a paint by numbers superhero team book with a smidgen of espionage elements. And it slips from average to borderline bad in Jon Malin's 1990s Marvel house style art work, which is an awkward fit for Matt Yackey's garish digital colors. Read Full Review

A less than auspicious rebirth for the watcher on the wall. Read Full Review

At the end of the day, it's hard to pan Thunderbolts too completely, because it's not a bad book " but it does come across a bit unambitious compared to many of the other #1 issues that Marvel has been putting out over the past several months. Perhaps inadvertently, Thunderbolts #1 evokes much of the stylings of Marvel's output of 25 years ago, but without any of the singular qualities that made this secret team of villains stand out from the pack. Here's hoping that with some course correction, Zub, Malin and Marvel can get lightning to strike twice. Read Full Review

The plot in this issue moves far too fast and the individual characters don't get enough story beats to establish where their personal journeys are beginning. On some level, I'm curious to know if Zub is crafting the narrative like this with intent, as the story reads as 90s as Malin's art looks. Read Full Review

The whole issue was just a jumble of stuff (and tiny heads) that left me interested enough to come back for a few more issues but not interested enough to really care about the cast one way or another. And folks, in todays market, with a property Thunderbolts, that could spell a very short run. Read Full Review

johnavenger

May 18, 2016

It's not a bad book overall but it does little to show that this is an ensemble comic book and the development is not great. To be kept up with the story you have to read the Avengers Standoff series and Thunderbolts #1 focuses more on the fallout of that event rather than develop and introduce new fans to the pinnacle heart of the Thunderbolts, it is a new take on them so there is room for growth.

The Villain

Nov 15, 2016

The cast of characters really isn't a interesting grouping. Winter Soldier makes an interesting leader but I don't really care about the other members of the group. I found the dialogue to be a little too heavy throughout the whole book. I didn't really think that tying it in so heavily to Standoff was a great idea either but Jim Zub does a decent job of getting the readers up to date with those events. I don't know how long I'll read this series but it could be worse.

Gizmo

Jun 22, 2016

The artwork looks straight out of the 90s, which is a little jarring. Add some line variation, less crowding and less colour contrast on none-focal areas and the artwork would we drastically improved. The writing is okay, I only read a couple Standoff issues and I was fine jumping into this, so I think it is friendly enough for new readers despite carrying continuity over.

Nightmare of Solomon

May 08, 2016

I'd prolly make the effort to get invested in the story that Jim Zub wants to tell if it wasnt for the art that looks like it came out of Youngblood.