Thunderbolts: Like Lightining

Thunderbolts (2006) (Collected Editions) #15

by Jeff Parker, Kevin Walker, Declan Shalvey (Illustrator)

Still on the lam through the timestream, the Thunderbolts go medieval on King Arthur and his court! But as the Ghost gets ready to make his move, Fixer discovers a terrible secret! Meanwhile, Songbird escapes for an island vacation, where a mad scientist sets his sights on her - but he ain't the only one mad about it! Then: It had to happen - Thunderbolts vs. Thunderbolts! Years ago, the Thunderbolts were formed to protect a planet devoid of heroes - but they were villains in disguise! Now, as the modern-day 'Bolts come crashing into their earliest days, they'll make a decision that could destroy the Marvel Universe - or save it! Will Zemo's legacy of evil destroy our present, or can the Thunderbolts pull the world back from oblivion?

Collecting: Thunderbolts 169-174

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thunderbolts shows some improvement with this volume. While the time-traveling aspect continues, it's anchored by a central plot involving the original and current Thunderbolts teams clashing across timelines, which made for a pretty enjoyable read. The Songbird issue was a highlight for me; the stakes felt real as she faced the potential loss of her powers and even her life.

Overall, this volume was solid, though it didn't quite reach the heights of the series' initial issues. Still, a respectable 3 out of 5.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Arthurian story that leads things off is fun, but pretty shallow. Not a lot of note occurs in the two issues [6/10]. The Songbird one-off offers up some nice focus on a character who has been neglected in recent years, as well as potentially interesting changes for her [7+/10]. The Thunderbolts^2 story that finishes off the volume is a really nice book-end for the whole series with some fun surprises [7+/10].

[Adan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had read all the previous Thunderbolts collections from the 00s, but it seems I missed one. This is from when the T-Bolts were sort of the Raft's in-house superteam-on-parole, but a handful of them escaped and were lost in time. So here they go against King Arthur and the Knights of the Round, and then themselves from the early 90s.

However, there is a story set in the present where Songbird "gets her groove back", and the whole thing is pretty rapey (I can't think of another word, apologies). It just left me all sorts of grossed out.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another incredibly fun, consequence-free time travel adventure following the events of The Great Escape. This time we get to see the Bolts in action in the time of King Arthur, which takes great advantage of the fact that in Marvel mythology, Merlin was the original Sorcerer Supreme of earth. This levels the playing field substantially between the Thunderbolts and King Arthur's knights, and even has some interesting things to say about destiny and prophecy as they are affected by time travel. It's a great mixture of magic and science (granted, all of it completely impossible, but still), and definitely the best of these time travel stories Parker's been telling.

Following this, the Bolts manage to make it back to, I don't know, the 1990s? Marvel is always really tricky when it comes to labeling what year various things happened in its universe (for good reason, that shit is complicated). Suffice it to say the Thunderbolts meet their original iteration, and some wacky, ultra paradoxical stuff goes down. This one feels a little been-there-done-that, kind of like Back to the Future meets the Avengers or something, but Parker's light, rapid tone doesn't allow you to really dwell on it too much. It's still 100% fun, which is the general voice Parker's been building to over his long run on this series. I wish it had always read like this, but I think all the crossovers with other Marvel events really slowed things down. I'm sad that it's wrapping up!

Also, for anyone who doesn't know, this series turns into Dark Avengers following this book, so if you're hoping to continue, that's how you need to go.

[Holden Attradies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really get that this kind of ended the series until reading reviews on here and doing some online research. I guess most of the "bad" characters from here move onto the Dark Avengers series (which was great and too short), but I don't really know where the "good" Thunderbolts go. I see that recently Thunderbolts was re-launched as volume 2 starting with issue #1 with all new characters. Knowing now this was kind of the send off for this group I'm a little sad it didn't tie things up better...

All that being said it was a great volume. All the stories were worth reading and the final story of the present team meeting the original team was amazing, especially for fans of the entire Thunderbolts run. Songbirds solo story was also great, Melisa Gold ALWAYS steals the spot light and I fully think she could carry a solo title.

Speaking of Melisa Gold I really felt that this volume had perhaps the strongest sowing for female characters during the whole series run. About half the team was female, something pretty unheard of in comics, and all of them were strong characters that stand out when on the page. The women were just.. I don't know, extra kick ass it and felt like they were running the show here which is very nice to see.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember wanting to read this because of the confrontation between the new and original teams. I loved the original team and most of the later incarnations, but the original was the best. Sadly, that confrontation was too quick and convenient. Another problem with the collection was the trip back into time was pointless. The art was also a miss. Kev Walker's art was decent but he drew some very weird faces. Declan Shalvey's worked seemed very rushed. Overall, not enough substance and Parker dropped the ball when his team meets the classic team.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like what Jeff Parker did with the Thunderbolts as he started out, but around the Fear Itself crossover, he sort of lost his momentum. These time travel issues have never been as fun as they should have been. This last volume in the story, is one of the better ones, and give Fixer some real and powerful moments. It's too bad the team becomes a a corporate test tube for Marvel after this.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half was ok, the second half was awesome! I don't know how I feel about the change to Dark Avengers after this book though...I guess I'll have to see how I feel after I read on.

[Anchorpete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Jeff Parker Thunderbolts run is fantastic. Makes me wish I had more money to buy every single connected book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the previous volume the front story with the Kev Walker art is awesome. The back up story is good too but it's missing Walker's great art.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Gunna/Troll she's so great.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The team is still trapped in the past and visits King Arthur and they face themselves. Interesting ending, especially Fixers sacrifice.