With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is poised to conclude one chapter of the franchise and usher in a fresh era for this iconic super-team. In a surprising move that mirrors the MCU's decision to retitle Thunderbolts as "The New Avengers" following its opening weekend, the new Thunderbolts comic series is undergoing the same transformation. This shift places heroes such as Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine in the daunting position of embodying the legacy of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The question on everyone's mind: Can they meet the challenge?
The journey to becoming a cohesive and effective Avengers team won't be easy for these characters, as writer Sam Humphries recently highlighted in our discussion. Dive deeper into the details of the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transition, explore Humphries' unique approach to assembling this diverse yet formidable roster, and discover the new threat that necessitates such a powerhouse team.
The New Avengers #1: Exclusive Preview Gallery
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Who Are the New Avengers?
Given Marvel Studios' reputation for secrecy around upcoming projects, we were eager to learn when writer Sam Humphries became aware of the title change during the development of his Thunderbolts pitch. Was the concept of a New Avengers comic always part of the plan, or was it a recent twist? Humphries clarified that this wasn't a last-minute decision but rather a key element from the outset of the project.
“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries shared with IGN. “It's been both exhilarating and maddening to keep this under wraps for months. It's like organizing a surprise party, but for thousands of people. I don't even have a document on my hard drive labeled ‘New Avengers’. You just never know.”
Humphries elaborated on the planning process: “Initially, we had to navigate some logistical details, so I was ready to adapt quickly. But by the time I began the first issue, the entire plan was set. You can see the influence of [Brian] Bendis' and [Jonathan] Hickman's New Avengers teams in our lineup. Jed's [MacKay] Avengers book features a stellar cast of do-gooders, and I wanted our book to stand out with a group of rogues.”
Regarding the selection of the Thunderbolts/New Avengers team, Humphries had significant creative freedom. The aim was to represent various facets of the Marvel Universe with powerful characters.
“This was incredibly fun,” Humphries enthused. “My concept was inspired by the Illuminati, featuring seven kings and heroes from different corners of the Marvel Universe. We aimed to do the same with some of the biggest badasses representing mutants, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and more. I'm immensely grateful to our editor Alanna Smith for supporting this vision from the start, even though it required coordination with nearly every Marvel editorial office. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams begging for mercy. And huge thanks to all the editors and creators who entrusted us with their cherished characters! Love you all! (They might regret it later.)”
As Humphries hinted, the New Avengers aren't your typical paragons of virtue. This team comprises hardened killers, monsters, and one irritable underwater monarch. Similar to the original New Avengers from 2004, this group comes together under extraordinary circumstances and won't instantly gel.
“I described it in my pitch as ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’" Humphries explained. “These aren't calm protectors of humanity; they're a bunch of volatile characters trying to channel their darker instincts for good, with varying success. They shouldn't be in the same room together. The burning question is, who despises each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage. Or perhaps Namor and Laura. Or it might be…”
Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati
While the new series echoes the MCU's title change, the New Avengers roster diverges significantly from its cinematic counterpart. The consistent factor is Bucky Barnes, who remains after the current Thunderbolts team concludes in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. It will be Bucky's task to unify this eclectic mix of personalities and powers into a functioning team.
“I have so much respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] extensive, brilliant run with Bucky,” Humphries remarked. “I'm privileged to continue their work. Bucky will need every bit of the wisdom and experience from his past adventures. The world is in chaos, and someone needs to take action, damn it.”
What threat could possibly require the combined forces of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Drawing inspiration from the classic Illuminati, the New Avengers face off against a sinister group Humphries dubs the “Killuminati.”
Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)
“Someone attempted to replicate the Illuminati, but things went terribly wrong,” Humphries teased. “Now, there are seven deranged and distorted versions causing havoc. Bucky's going to have a tough time keeping his team together, and the same goes for the Killuminati and their so-called ‘leader’ — Iron Apex.”
The New Avengers series pairs Humphries with artist Ton Lima, known for his work on titles like New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries noted that the art style for this series draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another iconic action movie franchise.
“Ton is incredible,” Humphries praised. “He portrays the heroes as fierce and alluring, while the villains are menacing and repulsive. I challenged him to binge-watch every Fast and the Furious movie consecutively ten times without breaks. Judging by his artwork, I think he actually did it, the madman!”
The New Avengers #1 is set to hit shelves on June 11, 2025.
For more insights into the MCU's latest developments, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Bucky.
