What to Watch Before Thunderbolts*

 

With Marvel Studios latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts* mere days away, I thought it would be fun to take another quick break from my usual content and make a guide for anyone wanting to catch up or refresh before it hits theatres. Here’s What to Watch Before Thunderbolts.

 

First things first, in 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger introduced the world at large to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America, but more relevantly brought us Sebastian Stan in the role of James ‘Bucky’ Barnes. Best friend to Steve Rogers aka Captain America, Bucky would seemingly perish on a mission against Hydra during World War II.

 

Thankfully for the many, many Sebastian Stan fans, three years later in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), in modern times the defrosted Captain America would face off against the eponymous Winter Soldier in his mission to take down the secretly surviving Hydra among S.H.I.E.L.D. Who is the Winter Soldier? None other than a brainwashed and super soldier serum enhanced Bucky.

 

A post-credit scene in the 2015 film Ant-Man would lead directly into events seen in Captain America: Civil War. The third entry in Cap’s solo film series, Captain America: Civil War (2016) featured a full-blown physical fight between the various Avengers, with Iron Man leading a team against Captain America when Bucky is framed for a terror attack by Helmut Zemo. Following the fallout from this film’s finale, the Avengers disbanded, and Bucky would stay in Wakanda to have his brainwashing deprogrammed.  

 

Another post-credits scene, this time in 2018’s Black Panther lets us know Bucky is feeling better and his skills are required for a fast-approaching fight. 2018 properly marked Bucky’s return in Avengers: Infinity War, where Steve’s team of former Avengers come together in Wakanda to hold off the forces of the Mad Titan named Thanos in an effort to prevent the death of the Vision in Thanos’ quest for the Infinity Stones. With the Avengers still disassembled, they would all fail in their efforts, and Bucky was among half the universe’s population to be erased from existence with a snap of Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet adorned fingers.

 

Pivoting now to a prequel film of sorts, and another 2018 release; Ant-Man and the Wasp debuted Ava Starr as the intangible antagonist Ghost. Set short before the events of Avengers: Infinity War, we learn Ava’s abilities are deteriorating and killing her. Fortunately, she is saved by the intervention of Janet Van Dyne who utilizes energy obtained from her time trapped in the Quantum Realm to stabilize Ghost.

 

Avengers: Endgame in 2019 saw the likes of Bucky returned to life thanks to a united Avengers team succeeding in their ‘Time Heist’ mission. And it was a good thing too, because everyone was needed to fight off the army of a time-travelling Thanos and prevent total annihilation. The victory would come at the cost of three of the Avengers original members: Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Tony Stark aka Iron Man and Steve Rogers aka Captain America. A now elderly Steve Rogers would hand off the Captain America Shield to Sam Wilson aka The Falcon.

 

We all skipped a year, then 2021 saw the release of the Disney+ series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Catching up with Bucky, we learn he has been cleared of prior charges and is attending court-mandated therapy and attempting to atone for his past actions as The Winter Soldier.  When a terrorist group called the Flag-Smashers emerges, both Bucky and Sam are surprised when the US Government assigns a new Captain America aka John Walker the task of stopping them. While dealing with their own animosity toward one another, Sam and Bucky find themselves on the same trail and are forced to step up to the occasion when a freshly minted super soldier John Walker publicly murders one of the Flag-Smashers in cold-blood with Captain America’s Shield, losing the mantle in the process. At the end of the series, John Walker is dubbed U.S. Agent and recruited by the mysterious Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

 

Meanwhile on the big screen, 2021 also brought us the much-delayed and long-overdue Black Widow movie, a prequel to Avengers: Infinity War. This film revealed Natasha Romanoff’s origins and introduces her surrogate family of Russian spies including ‘father’ Alexsei Shostakov aka the super soldier Red Guardian, ‘mother’ Melina and younger ‘sister’ Yelena Belova. Natasha brings down the Red Room and in the process frees the various Black Widow agents around the world from the control of the sinister Dreykov. It’s also revealed that Deykov’s daughter, Antonia survived a previous attempt on her father’s life and had been turned into the assassin Taskmaster by him. During a post-credts scene set after Avengers: Endgame, Yelena is recruited by Valentina to take down her sister’s supposed killer, Clint Barton aka Hawkeye.

 

We wouldn’t have to wait long for Yelena to return, showing up in the 2021 Disney+ series Hawkeye for Episode 4, 5 and 6. There she would meet the young archery protégé Kate Bishop and learns from Clint Barton himself the truth of what happened to her sister Natasha. We also see via flashback that Yelena was among those ‘snapped’ out of existence for five years by Thanos.

 

We learn quite a bit about the mysterious Valentina Allegra de Fontaine during 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film reveals that Val is the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, that she was formerly married to Wakandan ally and fellow CIA Agent Everett Ross and that she has ambitions of obtaining the rare metal Vibranium. Ross loses his job and finds himself arrested for working with the Wakandans, who shortly afterwards break him free. Val, on the other hand, remains as Director of the CIA.

 

Finally, 2025’s first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, Captain America: Brave New World featured a cameo from James ‘Bucky’ Barnes wherein he comes to show his support to his friend Sam Wilson aka the new Captain America. It’s also established that Bucky is running for Congress which sets him up for his new status quo in the Thunderbolts* movie.

 

As a bonus, Avengers Tower was first established to have been sold during 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, and its evident from the Thunderbolts* trailers we will finally see that little plot thread come to bear.

 

Barring any unforeseen surprise cameos or post-credits reveals, that should be all you need to get a deeper appreciation out of the Thunderbolts* movie.

 

Until I get my face emblazoned on a Wheaties box, I remain

 

frogoat

 

Shang-Chi in the MC2

 

By now you all know the new Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is out and that means it’s time for another of my usual cheap tie-in post about their MC2 counterpart. Without further ado, here is Shang-Chi in the MC2.

 

Shang-Chi makes his solitary appearance in the MC2 in a story written by Tom Defalco and pencilled by Ron Lim from J2 #11. When American Dream of the Avengers turns down an invitation to participate in a martial arts contest, J2 aka Zane Yama takes it upon himself to attend in her place. Travelling via mystical amulet to a small island, J2 meets the (apparently) blind Howard the Duck, the self-proclaimed Master of Quack-Fu.

 

From Howard we learn that a few dozen of the world's greatest martial artists were invited to the contest, but only a few of the previous generation's 'old fogies' showed up. Among these ‘old fogies’ is Shang-Chi, sparring with Shen Kuei aka Cat. Other characters glimpsed include Iron Fist, the Sons of the Tiger and White Tiger.

 

 Suspecting a trap, Howard had hoped to stack the deck in his favour with American Dream, Stuck with J2 instead, Howard attempts to train the big lug to defend himself but has no success. When J2 reverts back to Zane Yama after his powers temporarily wear off, he encounters Blind Al. Concerned for Zane's well-being in the upcoming contest, Al attempts to get past Weasel to talk to the mystery person who organised the contest: Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.

 

 

Having followed Blind Al, Zane learns the contest will have a deadly ending. Encountering Deadpool, Zane turns back into J2 to duke it out with the mercenary. Deadpool reveals he set up the contest to alleviate his boredom. Having overheard his plans, Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, White Tiger, Cat and the Sons of the Tiger proceed to kick Wade’s butt off-panel.

 

While that’s it for Shang-Chi in the MC2, I’d like to quickly cover where this version of the character may branch off from the Main Marvel Universe. My best guess is similar to speculation for the Black Widow, with Shang-Chi making only a few major appearances in the late 1990’s. This leads me to suggest either Journey Into Mystery #514-516 or Elektra #16 as the point of divergence, the latter of which was published in early 1998. Feel free to disagree and leave me a comment!

 

Until I stop finding new excuses to discuss my favourite comic universe, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

Black Widow in the MC2

 

After too many delays we’ll finally see the release of the Black Widow movie. For those of you keeping track, you’ll know I’ve previously covered Natasha Romanoff’s five fellow MCU founding Avengers, but until now I’ve held off on covering Black Widow.

 

 

As I briefly touched upon in a past post, Natasha Romanoff as the Black Widow is seen in Spider-Girl #60 on both the issue’s cover and within the thoughts of May ‘Mayday’ Parker as the latter reflects on her place amongst the other superheroines who came before her. Natasha is not seen among the gathered Avengers who travelled to an alternate earth for the original team’s final mission. So at least we can likely rule out her dying on the mission. Either way, no specifics are given, and as such her status remains unknown.

 

The Black Widow doesn’t make a physical appearance in the MC2 outside her ‘Zombie’ counterpart’s decaying visage in Avengers Next #1. There, stolen blood and tissue samples of Avengers members past and present are used by the Asgardian Sylene to create ‘magical clones.’ These shambling creations are sent against the current generation of Avengers. Requiring constant magical energy and attention to maintain, the duplicate Black Widow crumbles to dust alongside the other doppelgängers when Sylene’s focus is broken. It’s unknown at what point Natasha provided a sample of her blood and tissue to the Avengers.

 

To add a little context, let’s take a look at the most likely point at which the MC2 Black Widow would have diverged from her Main Marvel Universe counterpart. As I’ve covered in prior posts, the MC2 Avengers history seemingly splits off from the Main Marvel Universe prior to the events seen in Avengers (vol. 3) #1. Unlike many of her teammates, Natasha did not seemingly sacrifice herself during the Onslaught event and wind up as Heroes Reborn in a pocket dimension created by a young Franklin Richards.

 

But as Natasha doesn’t play a significant role in these aforementioned events, it seems likely we can include her Main Marvel Universe counterpart’s history up until a little after the Avengers team returns in Avengers (vol. 3) #1-4. The reason I’m suggesting this is two-fold. First, there aren’t a huge number of major appearances during this period of time for Natasha, mainly some Daredevil issues and solo adventures in Shadows & Light and Journey Into Mystery. Second, when Natasha is next back in the spotlight under the Marvel Knights imprint’s Black Widow mini-series, there is a very clear shift in tone and we start to see retcons surrounding her origin and past. Thus, it makes a lot of sense to propose this as the point at which the MC2’s Black Widow diverges from the Main Marvel Universe.

 

On the subject of retcons to Natasha’s origins, an oft-cited reason for their necessity is Natasha’s appearance as a child during World War II with Wolverine and Captain America (Uncanny X-Men #268). Even when this story was published in 1990 it presented a continuity problem: why did Natasha appear so young in the present-day if she was around as a child back then? Well, the truth is that this was not the first time, with Daredevil #88 explicitly depicting Natasha as child in Russia during World War II far earlier.

 

While there were several stories that mentioned Natasha’s training as a spy for Soviet Russia dating back to her earliest appearances, the Marvel Knights Black Widow mini-series' are usually credited with putting a name to the concept (the Red Room’s Black Widow Ops Program) as well as greatly expanding and building upon the idea with further retcons, such as the implication Natasha was actually an enhanced human and as such had a better immune system, healed faster and didn’t age as fast. ‘But this all takes place after the MC2 divergence, why are you mentioning all this?’ I hear you say. Let me try and explain.

Long-time readers know I struggled with the World War II origins of Peggy Carter and the impact on Sharon Carter and the rest of the family. I’m happy to say, I’ve not had as many issues reconciling Black Widow’s appearance in WWII and her surprising longevity. Thanks to this throwaway exchange between Natasha and Nick Fury in Marvel Comics Presents #130 published in 1993, long before the aforementioned divergence or later retcons:

Nick Fury: ‘Y’know how many guys are runnin’ ‘round with spandex on their butts and secret formulas in their guts?’

Natasha: ‘Like Infinity Formulas?’

Nick Fury: ‘Or Super Soldier Serums?’

Natasha: ‘Touché’

 

So, while this isn’t explicit, the fact that Natasha directly mentions the ‘secret formula’ that keeps Fury youthful and the fact Fury seems to be responding in kind regarding Natasha certainly makes it seem like the Black Widow has some kind of Super Soldier Serum flowing through her veins. There you have it, a readily available explanation for her longevity and abilities tucked away in an obscure issue without having to reach further forward into a mess of further future retcons and their unfortunate implications.

 

Where ever Natasha Romanoff is in the MC2, I hope she’s happy. I’m personally of the belief she’s alive and well, living off the grid someplace, laying low and doing what she does best.

 

 

Until I uncover more hidden lore for my spymasters, I remain

frogoat

 

 

 

 

Taskmaster in the MC2

 

With the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie finally being released, I thought I’d throw together a lazy tangential tie-in post. So, here’s a brief look at the Black Widow film’s mysterious antagonist as they appear (or don’t appear?) in my favourite Marvel Universe: Taskmaster in the MC2.

 

The mercenary with the photographic reflexes known as the Taskmaster has been around since 1980’s Avenger’s #195 and #196 but until relatively recently we knew very little about the character’s past, including his real name. As such it doesn’t relate to the MC2 and so I won’t be covering any of it here! I took a brief look at Taskmaster’s appearances to try and pin down the most likely point at which the Main Marvel Universe Taskmaster’s published history diverged from the MC2 published history.  The best fit I found was 1998’s Hawkeye: Earth’s Mightiest Marksman written by none other than MC2 co-creator Tom Defalco himself. If you disagree, feel free to let me know!

Now, as for the Taskmaster as he appears in the MC2, well, he doesn’t. Not really. But we do know what happened to him. You’d be forgiven for missing this reference in the pages of The Buzz #2: according to Otto Octavius aka Doctor Octopus ‘There’s been a noticeable decrease in quality henchmen ever since the Taskmaster retired.’ This is obviously a direct reference to the fact that Taskmaster is known for training the henchmen of various super villains.

 

Getting closer to an actual physical appearance, a statue of the Taskmaster can be glimpsed at the Avengers Compound as part of an exhibit showing the various threats defeated by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers (American Dream #1).

 

Beyond his retirement, we know nothing about Taskmaster in the MC2. He’s alive and presumably at liberty if he’s retired from his former occupation. Anyway, just a quick post this time to hopefully impart some new information for those interested in the MC2.

 

Until I master every superhero’s move sets at the cost of my own past, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

 

History of the MC2: Zombie Avengers Breakdown

I’m unable to churn out large posts regularly at the moment due to extra work obligations, but I wanted to put out something of substance, something that looks more deeply at what a few pages of not-quite Zombies in the MC2 actually tells us about the original Avengers. I’ve already tackled the History of the MC2 Avengers in the past, so consider this a supplemental piece to that post.

Created by combining magic with stolen blood and tissue samples of various former and present Avengers, the ‘magical clones’ are sent against the current Avengers team as a diversion. There are eighteen ‘zombie’ Avengers depicted in Avengers Next #1. They are as follows:

 

1.       Falcon

2.       Hulk

3.       Vision

4.       Wonder Man

5.       Quicksilver

6.       Hawkeye

7.       Stinger

8.       Black Widow

9.       Hercules

10.   Luke Cage

11.   J2

12.   Freebooter

13.   Scarlet Witch

14.   Thunderstrike

15.   Black Panther

16.   Bluestreak

17.   American Dream

18.   Yellowjacket *

 

*seen on later page only

 

Let’s group them into smaller groups based on their actual Avenger counterparts. First up, the ‘Zombie’ A-Next Members:

 

1.       Stinger

2.       J2

3.       Freebooter

4.       Thunderstrike

5.       Bluestreak

6.       American Dream

 

Obviously, these are all the current-generation of Avengers, and it’s evident the six of them donated their blood and tissue samples prior to the events of this story, most likely before Last Planet Standing, as Freebooter and Stinger were stated to be on leave at the start of Avengers Next #1. Notably, Crimson Curse is not seen among the horde of ‘Zombies,’ despite being the only member of the new Avengers to have died. This perhaps indicates that the new Avengers samples were provided after her death in A-Next #11.

Next, lets list all of the ‘Zombie’ Avengers whose counterparts are known to be still alive/operational:

1.       Hulk

2.       Vision

3.       Hawkeye

4.       Hercules

5.       Luke Cage

6.       Scarlet Witch

7.       Black Panther

 

Bruce Banner is first seen in the MC2 in A-Next #3 where we learn he hasn’t turned into the Hulk in some time and has settled down in the suburbs to raise his son. The Hulk was last seen in Last Hero Standing #5 accompanying Loki to Limbo after being mind-controlled into causing a swathe of destruction through New York. See here for more information.

The synthezoid Vision is first glimpsed in What If #105 on a computer screen, making his first proper MC2 appearance via flashback in A-Next #7 where we learn he was one of the few original Avengers to return from the team’s last mission. We later learn in Last Hero Standing and Last Planet Standing he works as an advisor to the President of the United States. Apparently destroyed in Last Planet Standing #4, Vision is presumably restored by the newly combined being formerly known as the Silver Surfer and Galactus as he returns in Fantastic Five (vol. 2) #5 and is among the reserve Avengers members called upon in American Dream #4.

Hawkeye is first seen in flashbacks in A-Next #7 where we learn he was also among the few original Avengers to return from their final mission. Clint makes his first present-day appearance in A-Next #10 where we learn he was blinded as a result of the mission, but went on to train the members of the Dream Team. Barton would also return to his costumed identity in Last Hero Standing while mind-controlled by Loki and as an Avenger in Spider-Girl #93-#95 with the aid of a device that enables him a form of sight. He is among the assembled heroes attempting to stop Galactus in Last Hero Standing and is one of the many heroes to fall victim of Sylene’s energy duplicate spell in Avengers Next #4.

Hercules first appears in A-Next #6, driven made by his experiences on the original Avengers final mission to an alternate world, he was kept in a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility until discovered by the new Avengers. He is currently in the care of his son Argo and only makes another appearance via flashbacks to the original Avengers final mission in A-Next #7.

I’ve placed Luke Cage on this particular listing because, as I’ve noted on a few previous occasions, we know thanks to this ‘magical clone’ or ‘Zombie’ that Cage was formerly a member of the Avengers, though it’s unclear exactly when he joined the team. We also know that Luke is still alive thanks to a comment made by American Dream in this story.

 

The Scarlet Witch is first seen in the MC2 in A-Next #7 in flashback where we learn that upon her return from the original Avengers final mission, she and Iron Man set to work to close the breach between worlds to ensure there would be no incursions from the alternate universe. We also get a hint of Wanda in the same issue with a single panel showing her energy signature. A-Next #8 reveals that in order to seal the gateway between worlds the Scarlet Witch was placed in a coma-like stasis to hold it closed with her powers, protecting herself by generating several physical manifestations of Wonder Man. Wanda remains in this state (as seen A-Next #10) until kidnapped and awakened by Loki’s spell in Last Hero Standing #1-#5 after which she briefly returns to active duty as an Avenger in Spider-Girl #93-#95. She remains with the team during Last Planet Standing and is seen as an energy duplicate of Sylene in Avengers Next #4.

 

The Black Panther, much like Luke Cage, isn’t actually seen on-panel in the MC2. Apart from his ‘Zombie’ counterpart seen here in Avengers Next #1, the only mentions of T’Challa are in A-Next #4 where his son T’Chaka aka Coal Tiger mentions the Ruler of Wakanda in the present tense. See here for the Wakandan Royal Family.

 

List of ‘Zombie’ Avengers whose counterpart’s status is unknown in the present day MC2:

 

1.       Wonder Man *

2.       Quicksilver

3.       Black Widow

 

Wonder Man is a point of contention within the MC2. In the Main Marvel Universe, Simon Williams died in Force Works #1, an event that greatly affected Force Works team mate, fellow Avenger and lover the Scarlet Witch. However, Wonder Man was revealed to remain lingering in some form in Avengers (vol. 3) #2 and was eventually restored by Wanda’s powers in Avengers (vol. 3) #11. As the History of the MC2’s Avengers mostly diverges prior to this point, Wonder Man may have simply remained deceased. Either he was already dead long ago, thanks to the shared history of the MC2 and the Main Marvel Universe diverging, or he was restored under similar circumstances. To further confuse the matter, when I asked A-Next co-creator and artist Ron Frenz about Wonder Man’s status in relation to his resurrection in Avengers (vol. 3) he had this to say:

‘As we’ve discussed, anything we could use, we’d use. Anything else we’d ignore. We wanted to acknowledge current continuity but, as you remember, Jarvis says everyone who was EVER an Avenger was gathered for that meeting and assault so we didn’t really feel we were committing to any single moment in specific continuity.’

Then, when asked if Wonder Man was still dead:

‘Dead or “Missing in Action,” I guess’

 I will one day have to dedicate an entire post to Wonder Man, so keep an eye out!

 

The ‘Zombie’ counterpart of Quicksilver is the only acknowledgment of Pietro Maximoff’s existence within the MC2 and as such, his status remains unknown. The blood and tissue sample later stolen and used to create this double could have been obtained at any point.

 

The Black Widow doesn’t make a physical appearance in the MC2 outside her ‘Zombie’ counterpart’s decaying visage in Avengers Next #1. However, Natasha Romanoff is seen in Spider-Girl #60 on both the cover and within the thoughts of May ‘Mayday’ Parker as she reflects on her place amongst the other superheroines who came before her. No specifics are given, and as such her status remains unknown. Expect a dedicated post on the Black Widow at some point.

 

And finally, a list of Avengers who are confirmed as deceased in the MC2 among those represented by their counterparts in the zombie horde:

 

1.       Falcon

2.       Yellowjacket

 

The Falcon aka Sam Wilson is one of the few confirmed cases of a deceased Avenger who didn’t die on the original team’s final mission. We learn in Spider-Girl #60 that the Ladyhawks’ father ‘Boss’ Morgan was revealed to be responsible for the Falcon’s murder. This information is only brought to light during a police investigation after Morgan’s supposed death, which occurred while both Ladyhawks’ were still in high school. There are no specifics given for when Sam Wilson’s death occurred, though when Morgan is revealed to be still alive, he remarks that the Falcon ‘died quite some time ago’ (Amazing Spider-Girl #7).

 

I nearly neglected to include this one on the list, but upon a quick re-read of Avengers Next #1, I realized Yellowjacket is also among the shambling ‘zombie’ Avengers; though not seen in the splash page he appears in a single panel later. Of course, Hank Pym as Giant-Man is seen in the flashbacks within A-Next #7 when the original Avengers agree to travel to the alternate universe to confront the threat to the multiverse. Later in the same flashback sequence, we see the few returning Avengers including a heartbroken Janet Pym aka Wasp make it back to their world. When Jarvis asks Iron Man where the others are, Stark states ‘There are no others.’ Shocked, Jarvis continues ‘Y-you mean Captain America… Giant-Man…. Justice…’ to which Iron Man confirms ‘And all the rest!’

 

As I noted above, obviously not all of the Avengers are represented by a doppleganger. It’s rather interesting to note which characters aren’t seen amongst Sylene’s army of horrors: the aforementioned Crimson Curse or the recently deceased Captain America, along with many of those who died on the final mission and other members of both the ‘interim’ Avengers era and the A-Next era of the team. It’s more than likely that when swiping these samples for Sylene, Warp didn’t grab them all. It’s also possible some members didn’t give permission for samples of their blood and tissue to be collected.

When I started working on this it was only intended to be a brief look at where the various Avengers represented by these replicated off-brand ‘magical clone’ Zombies are now in the MC2. I think I may have gone a little beyond that, but hopefully the post is informative and clarifies some things for readers.

 

Until I stop wondering how they obtained a sample from the super thick-skinned Luke Cage, I remain

 

frogoat