What do you think?
Rate this book
Thunderbolts Epic Collection
Thunderbolts Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Wanted Dead or alive
The twists and turns keep on coming as Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley continue the redemption arc of the Thunderbolts!
Lighting strikes twice! Baron Zemo’s plan has failed, and the Thunderbolts have been exposed as villains in disguise. Worse, they’ve been kidnapped to the realm of Kosmos. How far will Moonstone go to get them home? Back on Earth, the T-Bolts are pursued by S.H.I.E.L.D. — as well as Zemo, who’s out for blood! Have the Thunderbolts truly reformed? And who will give them a chance to prove it? One surprising figure from the Avengers’ ranks just Hawkeye the Marksman! But his offer of redemption comes with a high price… Captain America faces the new Citizen V! Hercules targets Atlas for vengeance! The T-Bolts battle alongside the Avengers! And can the team triumph over the Crimson Cowl’s massive new Masters of Evil?
Thunderbolts (1997) 13-25, 0; Captain America & Citizen V Annual 1998; Avengers (1998) 12
Lighting strikes twice! Baron Zemo’s plan has failed, and the Thunderbolts have been exposed as villains in disguise. Worse, they’ve been kidnapped to the realm of Kosmos. How far will Moonstone go to get them home? Back on Earth, the T-Bolts are pursued by S.H.I.E.L.D. — as well as Zemo, who’s out for blood! Have the Thunderbolts truly reformed? And who will give them a chance to prove it? One surprising figure from the Avengers’ ranks just Hawkeye the Marksman! But his offer of redemption comes with a high price… Captain America faces the new Citizen V! Hercules targets Atlas for vengeance! The T-Bolts battle alongside the Avengers! And can the team triumph over the Crimson Cowl’s massive new Masters of Evil?
Thunderbolts (1997) 13-25, 0; Captain America & Citizen V Annual 1998; Avengers (1998) 12
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2024
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,864 books635 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 15, 2025
This Thunderbolts collection was almost as good as the first one. The team struggles to clear their names and establish themselves as heroes. Hawkeye shows up to lead them and one member winds up in jail. Busiek and Bagley continue putting out what had to be the best Marvel book of the late 1990s.
December 8, 2024
I felt this volume was more uneven than the previous one. The first half was kind of a chore to read, a lot of action and not much plot moving forward. Things improve a lot in the second half, when the team gets their new leader and everything shifts. I still have issues with Bagley's art, the page design is messy and too confusing at times. This is especially noticeable when you read the Avengers issue illustrated by Pérez. Anyway, still a good series, looking forward to volume 3 next year.
June 13, 2024
Thunderbolts #13-14 - The second year of this surprisingly good series kicks off with a trip to a different dimension as the T-Bolts get pulled into the politics of an alien species.
Thunderbolts #15-19 - Band on the run. Back on earth our team deals with a series of confrontations that test their convictions of trying to turn these wannabes into bonafide heroes. SHIELD, The Great Lakes Avengers (now the Lightning Rods), Baron Zemo, Citizen V, Graviton, Crimson Cowl & the New Masters of Evil, Charcoal, and the Imperial Forces of America.
Thunderbolts #20-22 - Decisions. A three-part little epic where all the story threads (well most of them) come together and a new team leader to replace Baron Zemo/Citizen V finally arrives: Hawkeye. And the grudge match between Atlas and Hercules!
Captain America & Citizen V Annual 1998 - There’s yet another new Citizen V and we get the exclusive backstory here as the new version of an old hero and Captain America confront Baron Zemo and Techno (aka The Fixer) in the jungles of the Amazon. Lot of fun and perfectly fitting to be included in this volume.
Thunderbolts #0 - Published as a bonus supplement to Wizard Magazine, this is a little breather, sort of, for the team and it helps get readers up to date on this wild and crazy book.
Avengers #12 - Avengers vs Thunderbolts. Really. Isn’t that enough?
Thunderbolts #23-25 - The big finale as the Thunderbolts really come into their own. It all culminates in the epic battle between the T-bolts and Crimson Cowl’s Masters of Evil.
And I’ve got to say, I’m really surprised that I didn’t read this title when it first came out. This is all some really good neo-classic Marvel stuff.
Thunderbolts #15-19 - Band on the run. Back on earth our team deals with a series of confrontations that test their convictions of trying to turn these wannabes into bonafide heroes. SHIELD, The Great Lakes Avengers (now the Lightning Rods), Baron Zemo, Citizen V, Graviton, Crimson Cowl & the New Masters of Evil, Charcoal, and the Imperial Forces of America.
Thunderbolts #20-22 - Decisions. A three-part little epic where all the story threads (well most of them) come together and a new team leader to replace Baron Zemo/Citizen V finally arrives: Hawkeye. And the grudge match between Atlas and Hercules!
Captain America & Citizen V Annual 1998 - There’s yet another new Citizen V and we get the exclusive backstory here as the new version of an old hero and Captain America confront Baron Zemo and Techno (aka The Fixer) in the jungles of the Amazon. Lot of fun and perfectly fitting to be included in this volume.
Thunderbolts #0 - Published as a bonus supplement to Wizard Magazine, this is a little breather, sort of, for the team and it helps get readers up to date on this wild and crazy book.
Avengers #12 - Avengers vs Thunderbolts. Really. Isn’t that enough?
Thunderbolts #23-25 - The big finale as the Thunderbolts really come into their own. It all culminates in the epic battle between the T-bolts and Crimson Cowl’s Masters of Evil.
And I’ve got to say, I’m really surprised that I didn’t read this title when it first came out. This is all some really good neo-classic Marvel stuff.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews