The Thunderbolts is a team from Marvel Comics, often depicted as a group of anti-heroes or reformed villains who take on heroic missions. The team was first introduced in 1997, created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. Initially, the Thunderbolts posed as heroes while secretly being a team of villains led by Baron Zemo. Over time, many of them genuinely sought redemption and became a mainstay of the Marvel Universe, operating with fluctuating rosters and leadership.
Some notable characters associated with the Thunderbolts include:
- Baron Zemo (original leader)
- Songbird
- Moonstone
- Ghost
- Taskmaster
- Red Hulk
- Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes)
The team's mission and character dynamics often revolve around themes of redemption, deception, and the blurry line between good and evil. Marvel Studios is also developing a Thunderbolts movie as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, scheduled for release in the near future, which will likely feature characters like Yelena Belova (the new Black Widow), Bucky Barnes, and more.