Thunderbolts Series Rebrands as New Avengers in MCU Style

With the Thunderbolts movie now gracing theaters, Marvel Comics is gearing up to conclude one chapter of the franchise while ushering in a thrilling new era for this iconic super-team. In a surprising twist, just as Marvel shocked MCU fans by renaming Thunderbolts to "The New Avengers" following its debut weekend, the new Thunderbolts comic is also embracing this title change. Now, characters like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine must rise to the challenge of embodying the legacy of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they meet the expectations?

It's an uphill battle for these characters to gel into a cohesive and functional Avengers team. This was the key insight from our recent conversation with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper to discover more about the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transformation, how Humphries curated this eclectic yet formidable lineup, and the formidable new threat that necessitates such a powerhouse team.

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View 19 ImagesWho Are the New Avengers?

Given Marvel Studios' reputation for secrecy around upcoming projects, we were eager to learn when Humphries was informed about the title change during his Thunderbolts pitch development. Was a New Avengers comic part of his initial vision, or was it a later pivot? Fortunately, Humphries clarifies that the title change was part of the plan from the outset.

“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries shares with IGN. “It's been both exhilarating and maddening to keep this under wraps for months. It's like planning a surprise party for thousands. I don't even have a document on my hard drive labeled 'New Avengers.' You never know.”

Humphries adds, “There were some logistical hurdles to overcome initially, so I had to be ready to adapt quickly. But by the time I started writing the first issue, the plan was set in stone. You can see it reflected in the lineup — echoes of Bendis' and Hickman's New Avengers teams. Jed [MacKay] has crafted an incredible group of heroes for the Avengers, and I wanted our book to stand out with a roster of characters who are, let's say, less traditional.”

"As for that lineup, Humphries had considerable freedom to select his Thunderbolts/New Avengers. His goal was to represent various key superhuman factions within the Marvel Universe.

“Oh, this was incredibly fun,” Humphries enthuses. “My concept was inspired by the Illuminati, with seven kings and heroes from different corners of the Marvel Universe. So, I thought, why not do the same with some of the biggest badasses from the mutant community, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and beyond? I'm immensely grateful to our fantastic editor, Alanna Smith, who supported this vision from the start, even though it required coordination across nearly every Marvel editorial office. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams app pleading for mercy. And a huge thank you to all the editors and creators who entrusted us with their beloved characters! Love you all! (They might regret it later.)”

As Humphries hints, the New Avengers aren't your typical paragons of virtue and superheroic ethics. This team comprises hardened killers, monsters, and a notably irritable underwater monarch. Much like the original New Avengers from 2004, this group is brought together by fate and circumstance, and they won't instantly mesh.

“I think the phrase I used in my pitch was ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’" Humphries notes. “These aren't the calm, rational guardians of humanity; they're a bunch of hotheaded rebels trying to channel their darker impulses for good, often with unpredictable results. They shouldn't even be in the same room together. The big 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 mirrors the MCU's title change, the actual roster of the New Avengers diverges significantly from the film version. The one constant is Bucky Barnes, who continues his journey after the current Thunderbolts team concludes in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. It's up to the former Winter Soldier to unite this diverse group of powerful personalities into a functional team.

“I have so much respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] long, brilliant run with Bucky,” Humphries comments. “I'm honored to build on what they've achieved with the character. Bucky will need every bit of wisdom and experience from his past adventures. The world is in chaos, and someone needs to take action, damn it.”

What threat could possibly necessitate the combined forces of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Just as the New Avengers draw inspiration from the classic Illuminati, their adversaries in the series are a direct offshoot. Humphries dubs them the “Killuminati.”

Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)“Someone attempted to create duplicates of the Illuminati, but things went horribly wrong,” Humphries teases. “Now, there are seven demented and deformed worst-case scenarios on the loose. Bucky's going to have his hands full keeping his team together, and the same goes for the Killuminati and their so-called ‘leader’ — Iron Apex.”

The New Avengers teams Humphries with artist Ton Lima, who previously worked on titles like New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries reveals that the art in this series draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another immensely popular action movie franchise.

“Ton is a BEAST,” Humphries praises. “He makes the heroes look fierce and alluring, and the villains look ferocious and repulsive. I told him to marathon every Fast and the Furious movie ten times without breaks. Judging by his pages, I think he actually did it, the madman!”

The New Avengers #1 will hit shelves on June 11, 2025.

For more insights into the MCU's latest twist, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Bucky.