Marvel's Thunderbolts Rebranded as New Avengers

View 19 Images

Who Are the New Avengers?

Following Marvel Studios' unexpected decision to rebrand the Thunderbolts film as "The New Avengers," Marvel Comics is orchestrating a similar transformation for its print version. Writer Sam Humphries reveals the carefully planned shift wasn't a last-minute surprise but integral to the series' DNA from inception.

"This was baked into our earliest discussions," Humphries told IGN. "Imagine keeping this secret while developing the whole series - thrilling but maddening. My computer doesn't even have a single document labeled 'New Avengers' for security."

The new lineup deliberately contrasts with Jed MacKay's main Avengers title, featuring morally ambiguous powerhouses like Carnage, Clea Strange, and Wolverine. Humphries describes them as "a team of bastards trying to channel their destructive tendencies toward good... with predictably messy results."

Building a Dangerous New Team

According to Humphries, assembling this particular roster involved coordinating across nearly every Marvel editorial department. "We wanted powerhouse representatives from each major corner of the Marvel Universe - mutants, mystics, symbiotes, gamma mutates," he explained. "Our amazing editor Alanna Smith deserves combat pay for coordinating this ensemble."

The interpersonal dynamics promise explosive conflict, with Humphries noting: "These aren't Earth's noble protectors - they're volatile personalities who probably shouldn't share the same zip code. Clea and Carnage's mutual contempt might eclipse even Namor and Laura's legendary hostility."

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati Threat

Bucky Barnes emerges as the reluctant leader anchoring this unstable team, building on his character development from previous Thunderbolts runs. "Jackson and Collin's brilliant work with Bucky established crucial groundwork," Humphries acknowledged. "He'll need every ounce of that hard-won experience to manage this crew."

The team faces a nightmarish new antagonist collective - the Killuminati. Humphries teased their origin: "Someone attempted cloning the Illuminati... with disastrous results. Now seven twisted abominations stalk the Marvel Universe, led by the terrifying Iron Apex."

Artist Ton Lima brings a kinetic, cinematic style to the series, with Humphries joking about his unconventional inspiration: "I told Ton to binge-watch the Fast and Furious franchise on loop. Judging by his electrifying pages, he actually did it!"

The New Avengers #1 launches June 11, 2025.