The Red Skull is dead, but his schemes continue, one of which involves a certain Corporal Todd Ziller. Cancel Christmas. Your Major Spoilers review of Thunderbolts #3 from Marvel Comics awaits!

THUNDERBOLTS #3

Writer: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Artist: Geraldo Borges
Colorist: Arthur Hesli
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Editor: Alanna Smith
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 14, 2024

Previously in Thunderbolts: When an attempt to recruit U.S.Agent and his partner, Todd Ziller, to the fight against Red Skull goes terribly wrong, it will take everything in Shang-Chi’s and Bucky Barnes’ arsenals – and more than a little luck – to keep the American Kaiju from destroying Hong Kong!

“YOO! ESS! AY! YOO! ESS! AY!”

In a quiet watering hole in Hong Kong, John Walker, codename U.S. Agent is enjoying a drink… and getting ticked off. “Stop lurkin’ ‘fore I get paranoid,” he drawls to an unseen observer, who turns out to be Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu. John postures a bit, while Shang calmly explains that the mission Walker is on is actually a fraud, engineered by the Red Skull. Nearby, Bucky Barnes engages with Todd Ziller, codename American Kaiju, causing the villain in the shadows to show his hand. Ziller transforms and begins destroying the city, while Shang, Bucky, and John try to minimize casualties. Bucky finds himself with a kill shot, but U.S. Agent intervenes, trying to save his partner, causing him to hesitate. It turns out to be his last chance with a gun, but Shang-Chi has brought along an equalizer: A magical wristband from the vaults of his Five Weapons Society.

IS THIS A MINISERIES?

The emotional core of the story focuses on the similarities and differences between the two former Captains America, with Walker focused on following orders and saving his partner, while Barnes tries to explain that it’s all a plot by the Red Skull. That triggers Walker to fly off the handle, predictably, since the Skull killed his parents. It’s also a chance to assemble another of the players of the upcoming Thunderbolts film, a rare instance of Marvel editorial being ahead of the game as regards their adaptations. The resolution is okay, but the real meat of this issue is in how we get there, focusing on the characters and letting the threat of the Red Skull simmer a bit on the back burner. One thing that is disturbing is the promise that next issue will be the “conclusion” but it’s unclear if that means of the first arc, or the series as a whole. Given that the last Thunderbolts book was a five-issue limited with an entirely different cast, it’s actually hard to tell.

BOTTOM LINE: HEADING INTO THE FINAL STRETCH

Contessa remarks to The Revolution that Walker makes six team members, joining The Destroyer, Black Widow, White Widow, Shang-Chi, herself, and Bucky, but that final roster isn’t the best part of Thunderbolts #3, it’s the interplay of four warriors, the soldier, the sniper, the monster, and the general, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. I don’t know if next issue is the end, but I certainly hope not, as this creative team and this cast have a lot of as-yet-unrealized potential.

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THUNDERBOLTS #3

67%

67%

Building A Movie Cast

The final pieces of the puzzle are placed, and it's a really well-rounded issue worth of comics, worth it to see Shang-Chi and U.S. Agent throw down.

• Writing

  6
• Art

  7
• Coloring

  7
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
  0