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Thunderbolts (2006) (Collected Editions) #5
Thunderbolts, Volume 3: Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion strikes Thunderbolts Mountain as Captain Marvel attacks. But when you're dealing with the Thunderbolts, it's never quite clear who's the villain and who's the hero. Also, another unexpected visitor shows up, threatening to tear the T-Bolts apart from within Can Norman Osborn hold his team of damaged psyches and tortured souls together, or is this the end of the Thunderbolts as we know them? Plus, Songbird and Moonstone collide Radioactive Man and Swordsman must choose between their team, their homeland, and themselves. Also, find out who's crazier - Venom or Norman Osborn.
Collecting: Thunderbolts 122-125, Breaking Point, International Incident, and Reason in Madness
Collecting: Thunderbolts 122-125, Breaking Point, International Incident, and Reason in Madness
168 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2009
6 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Christos Gage
1,532 books128 followersChris N. Gage is a writer for comic books and television.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 16, 2021
This was a okay followup.
You had the team of idiots known as the Thunderbolts working together to take down the skrulls. Everything felt like it was moving at a super hyper speed paced. This seems to always happen when a event comes in the middle of someone's run. Saying that, the character interactions were still pretty fun, especially Norman and Bullseye. But the rest was just decent with a plot that never really went too far or did anything special other than putting Thunderbolts and Norman in a better spotlight saving the world.
A 3 out of 5.
You had the team of idiots known as the Thunderbolts working together to take down the skrulls. Everything felt like it was moving at a super hyper speed paced. This seems to always happen when a event comes in the middle of someone's run. Saying that, the character interactions were still pretty fun, especially Norman and Bullseye. But the rest was just decent with a plot that never really went too far or did anything special other than putting Thunderbolts and Norman in a better spotlight saving the world.
A 3 out of 5.
February 6, 2021
It was an entertaining read, a few stand-alone stories, and then the Secret Invasion (Skrull war) tie-in, of which Gargan's story was the best-balanced one. The tie-in does however work organically, which is an issue in a lot of major events where the various runs feel crammed in. It becomes then the stepping stone for the Dark Reign event.
The shift of writer does however feel somewhat jarring, Ellis had a very specific style, and the four writers/artists on the book feel like a jump from the previous volumes. The fun of this run of the Thunderbolts is the internal strife, manipulations, and betrayal in the malfunctioning team, and here it's uneven and less entertaining than earlier. However, it still falls on the side of a decent read and fun enough.
The shift of writer does however feel somewhat jarring, Ellis had a very specific style, and the four writers/artists on the book feel like a jump from the previous volumes. The fun of this run of the Thunderbolts is the internal strife, manipulations, and betrayal in the malfunctioning team, and here it's uneven and less entertaining than earlier. However, it still falls on the side of a decent read and fun enough.
September 25, 2022
Puntaje: 3.8 Estrellas.
Ahora que por fin he terminado la Invasión Secreta, me estoy dedicando a terminar algunos volúmenes de cómics que me llamaron la atención de este evento. En el caso de Thunderbolts, este es un cómic muy esencial para lo que se viene en el Universo Marvel: El Reinado Oscuro.
Este es, tal vez, uno de los Tie-Ins más importantes de Secret Invasion, pues nos muestra como Norman Osborne planifica minuciosamente su redención a nivel nacional y global.
Que ganas tengo de leer “Dark Reign” pronto!
Ahora que por fin he terminado la Invasión Secreta, me estoy dedicando a terminar algunos volúmenes de cómics que me llamaron la atención de este evento. En el caso de Thunderbolts, este es un cómic muy esencial para lo que se viene en el Universo Marvel: El Reinado Oscuro.
Este es, tal vez, uno de los Tie-Ins más importantes de Secret Invasion, pues nos muestra como Norman Osborne planifica minuciosamente su redención a nivel nacional y global.
Que ganas tengo de leer “Dark Reign” pronto!
May 27, 2012
It's the first Thunderboltscomic I've read before they became the Dark Avengers and I enjoyed it (maybe more 3,5 stars than 4), mainly because the Thunderbolts are the ultimate "anti-team": there is no clear leadership, there is no teamspirit, they are all losers who try/want to be heroes (but are a bit to psychotic to really become heroes) , nobody thrusts each other (one way or the other they all betray each other) - but strange enough, that's how they beat the Skrulls ! There are 3 one-shots that focus on individual team members (Songbird, Radioactive Man and Venom) but the most interesting story-line of course is the tie-in with the main Secret Invasion-story and how Norman Osborn saves the day and takes over everything Tony Starks loses. For a while.
June 27, 2021
I'm reading this as part of my Venom/Carnage/Toxin/Anti-Venom & other symbiotes read through the Spider-Man universe.
This book is a massive dip in quality from the Warren Ellis volumes.
1.) The artists change a few times during the volume, and they have massively different styles. Venom's posture and his size compared to the other team members is so inconsistent that, visually, it seems like two different symbiotes.
2.) The whole Secret Invasion event was set up beautifully by Brian Michael Bendis but the event itself was a mess of poor pacing and reveals of diminishing returns. Thunderbolts seems mostly jammed into the event for this run, even though their incusion makes sense as art of the larger storyline, and is used expertly in the Deadpool Secret Invasion run.
3.) Gage's dialogue skills aren't as natural as Ellis', so his characters mostly stand around and explain the plot to one another.
4.) Each issue has a silver-agey feel, in that they immediately introduce a problem, confront the character with it, and sole it in the most expedient manner possible in order to get to the next problem. The Songbird's Mother storyarc is the most glaring example where this doesn't work, even as it follows Songbird's solution to defeating an environmentally themed superhero which happens expediently but works really well.
It's sort of a Linkin Park scenario if you're reading this for Venom, though, as he doesn't have an important role in this collection, so you can completely skip it and not miss any character development.
This book is a massive dip in quality from the Warren Ellis volumes.
1.) The artists change a few times during the volume, and they have massively different styles. Venom's posture and his size compared to the other team members is so inconsistent that, visually, it seems like two different symbiotes.
2.) The whole Secret Invasion event was set up beautifully by Brian Michael Bendis but the event itself was a mess of poor pacing and reveals of diminishing returns. Thunderbolts seems mostly jammed into the event for this run, even though their incusion makes sense as art of the larger storyline, and is used expertly in the Deadpool Secret Invasion run.
3.) Gage's dialogue skills aren't as natural as Ellis', so his characters mostly stand around and explain the plot to one another.
4.) Each issue has a silver-agey feel, in that they immediately introduce a problem, confront the character with it, and sole it in the most expedient manner possible in order to get to the next problem. The Songbird's Mother storyarc is the most glaring example where this doesn't work, even as it follows Songbird's solution to defeating an environmentally themed superhero which happens expediently but works really well.
It's sort of a Linkin Park scenario if you're reading this for Venom, though, as he doesn't have an important role in this collection, so you can completely skip it and not miss any character development.
December 8, 2023
I was reading New Avengers for some reason and got up to the Secret Invasion storyline and said, “Hey, I have the Mavel Unlimited app, why don’t I just read the entire Secret Invasion storyline? I’d be really interested because I know that the MCU is going to come out with a movie pretty soon.” Great idea, right?
Ugh, that thing is 99 issues long and just starts to d r a g in the middle as Marvel tried to cash in by incorporating as many titles as possible. But I was committed, and I read every single issue. Was it worth it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I read it? I’m not sad, but I wish that Marvel had done a better job writing with concise storytelling. Or that I had not made the decision to read the whole blamed thing.
But, you know, in for a penny, and for a pound. And it’s red and I will never have to read it again and I can enjoy the movie when it comes out. So I’m just going to copy and paste this review in every single trade paperback that contains the secret invasion, storyline and call it a day.
if anyone reads this review, I recommend you just read the essential story itself without all of the side issues.
Ugh, that thing is 99 issues long and just starts to d r a g in the middle as Marvel tried to cash in by incorporating as many titles as possible. But I was committed, and I read every single issue. Was it worth it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I read it? I’m not sad, but I wish that Marvel had done a better job writing with concise storytelling. Or that I had not made the decision to read the whole blamed thing.
But, you know, in for a penny, and for a pound. And it’s red and I will never have to read it again and I can enjoy the movie when it comes out. So I’m just going to copy and paste this review in every single trade paperback that contains the secret invasion, storyline and call it a day.
if anyone reads this review, I recommend you just read the essential story itself without all of the side issues.
August 16, 2018
Christos Gage hat mich hier positiv überrascht, da ich nicht gedacht hätte, dass sein typischer Humor in die Thunderbolts passt. Moonstone und Osborn im Dialog haben mich überzeugt, auch einige Plot Devices (Venom gegen Swarm, Stark Tech nutrzlos gegen Skrulls, Publicity für die Thunderbolts in Washington etc) sind ihm sehr gut gelungen. Blancos Bilder halten nicht mit denen Deodatos mit, trotzdem prägt er mit Penance' Vision von brennenden, anklagenden Zombies das Stamford-Bild besser und schmerzhafter als es Gulacy in Penance: Relentless schafft. Den sexistischen Obermist mit Moonstones Kostüm, das als einziges im Kampf Stück für Stück zerfetzt wird, hätte man sich dagegen sehr gut sparen können.
January 12, 2019
"After being appointed the head of H.A.M.M.E.R. - S.H.I.E.LD.'s replacement organization - Norman Osborn, the reformed villain once known as the Green Goblin, publicly disbands his hero-hunting Thunderbolts. Unbeknownst to the worlds at large, Osborn has replaced them with a team of covert operatives answerable only to himself>"
Nothing that stands out to me in the art work, it was ok... 2 🌟
I loved this, and it really wove itself through other comics and the whole Secret Invasion event nicely, and fluidly, I enjoyed how the 'Villains' are still villains and it takes all their might to do the right thing, and Norman Osborn was born to lead this band of killers...3 1/2 🌟
Relevance to SI, 2 1/2 🌟 So overall for this TPB 3 🌟
Nothing that stands out to me in the art work, it was ok... 2 🌟
I loved this, and it really wove itself through other comics and the whole Secret Invasion event nicely, and fluidly, I enjoyed how the 'Villains' are still villains and it takes all their might to do the right thing, and Norman Osborn was born to lead this band of killers...3 1/2 🌟
Relevance to SI, 2 1/2 🌟 So overall for this TPB 3 🌟
January 25, 2023
Given the way the Secret Invasion ends - and subsequent changes to the wider Marvel narrative - the four issue Thunderbolts story arc (issues 122 to 125) is one of the most significant of the Secret Invasion tie-ins. It's also one of the wildest and, along with the three standalone issues also included in this volume, serves as a great introduction to Norman Osborn's team of murderous, mistrustful gang of criminals and villains. There's some great action during the Secret Invasion story, some hilarious stuff about Osborn's manipulation of the media and public opinion and, in the three standalone stories, the mistrust and the repressed hatreds that make the Thunderbolts such an intriguing, volatile concept.
Read
September 13, 2024Don't want to give this a proper rating since I only read the Secret Invasion bits and none of the extra stories included in this PB, but I wanted to document it that I read it regardless.
It's a nice tie-in to the main event, seeing the twisted way Osborn leads the Thunderbolts while fighting the Skrulls. The ending of the mainline makes a little more sense now seeing it from this perspective. Other than that I can't judge it too much since I'm pretty unfamiliar with the team and previous events they went through.
It's a nice tie-in to the main event, seeing the twisted way Osborn leads the Thunderbolts while fighting the Skrulls. The ending of the mainline makes a little more sense now seeing it from this perspective. Other than that I can't judge it too much since I'm pretty unfamiliar with the team and previous events they went through.
February 18, 2018
Very much carries the torch of the Warren Ellis run, but the writing itself just doesn't pop the same way - the cynical, chaotic joy is missing.
June 26, 2021
definitely a step down from the ellis volumes but still good. solid secret invasion tie-in that doesn’t feel forced
April 4, 2022
Action packed with tales of action and adventure from these unusual heroes!
January 2, 2019
A fine story with little to no ambition. And while that isn't necessarily a bad thing, it doesn't make this anything landmark either.
Gage understands that his readers want something light and accessible, and delivers. And while he certainly keeps this from dipping below three stars, it very certainly isn't worth anything more than that either.
Gage understands that his readers want something light and accessible, and delivers. And while he certainly keeps this from dipping below three stars, it very certainly isn't worth anything more than that either.
March 15, 2015
V Marvelu zuří event Secret Invasion. Mimozemská rasa Skrullů, která žila nenápadně skryta na klíčových pozicích se rozhodla odmaskovat, což vedlo k velkému zděšení mezi superhrdinskou komunitou. Ti kteřím věřili se ukazují jakopřevlečení Skrullové. Ti se kterými sdíleli intimní život jsou najednou mimozemští nepřátelé.Komu lze věřit a kdo je vlastně záporák? A jak to vlastně dopadne? To všechno najdete v eventu Secret Invasion, který vyšel i u nás v UKK. Nicméně tenhle event (jak bylo zvykem) doplňují i suveréní řady, které příběh doplňují.
Po Warrenu Ellisovi převzal Thunderbolts Christos Cage. A neměl příliš moc práce. Ellis mu totiž nechal nádherně rozehranou partii, kterou musel Cage pouze dotáhnout a dohrát. A asi i proto tenhle book stojí za pozornost.
Norman Osborn totiž dobře věděl že Skrullové něco chystají. A proto byl připraven a všechny drobné krůčky vedly k výstřelu, který odstartoval další event a to Dark Reign. Nicméně cesta k tomuhle vede přes hromadu zmasakrovaných Skrullů, několik výtečných podrazů a několik parádních odhalení.
Jsou to Thunderbolts, přátelé. Hrdinové pro každého.
Nebo ne?
Po Warrenu Ellisovi převzal Thunderbolts Christos Cage. A neměl příliš moc práce. Ellis mu totiž nechal nádherně rozehranou partii, kterou musel Cage pouze dotáhnout a dohrát. A asi i proto tenhle book stojí za pozornost.
Norman Osborn totiž dobře věděl že Skrullové něco chystají. A proto byl připraven a všechny drobné krůčky vedly k výstřelu, který odstartoval další event a to Dark Reign. Nicméně cesta k tomuhle vede přes hromadu zmasakrovaných Skrullů, několik výtečných podrazů a několik parádních odhalení.
Jsou to Thunderbolts, přátelé. Hrdinové pro každého.
Nebo ne?
April 8, 2015
I like that one reviewer says that after Ellis left the series "floundered" through a series of one shots. That's funny mostly because the one shots may be collected in the volume after the Ellis run but all were written and released during Ellis' run because hpthere were months between issues and Marvel didn't want the T-bolts to go away. This is also why we got a Penance mini-series.
I actually really like the one-shots. I think that Gage does a good job with the team. I'm particularly fond of the Songbird and Moonstone issue, because those characters have a strange history. The International Incident issue is a nice look at Radioactive Man.
The Secret Invasion tie-in is pretty awesome for a tie-in to a major cross-over. It feels like a solid story in its own right. I don't feel like large chunks of the story are missing in other issues. Now going from the end of this issue to the next would probably be useful to have read Secret Invasion main line.
I actually really like the one-shots. I think that Gage does a good job with the team. I'm particularly fond of the Songbird and Moonstone issue, because those characters have a strange history. The International Incident issue is a nice look at Radioactive Man.
The Secret Invasion tie-in is pretty awesome for a tie-in to a major cross-over. It feels like a solid story in its own right. I don't feel like large chunks of the story are missing in other issues. Now going from the end of this issue to the next would probably be useful to have read Secret Invasion main line.
December 13, 2016
The villains were some of the first people to sign up to the superhuman registration. Not only did they get to hunt down the superhuman resistors, mostly the heroes, but they were paid for the pleasure.
I always enjoy the antihero or hero with dubious intentions, so a team full of super villains trying to be heroes, kind of, is bound to be good fun. Through in Moonstone, an evil version of Ms. Marvel, and you’re bound to have a good time.
The artwork is overall average, although there are some very good panels mixed in. The quality seemed to get much stronger the further into the book you go.
Seeing the villains go up against the Skrull in a no holds barred battle is excellent. They really are prepared to do anything to get the job done. Plus the scheming Norman Osborn is quick to sniff out an opportunity.
It’s bad guys being bad for a bad reason that is perceived as good. Get your head around that.
I always enjoy the antihero or hero with dubious intentions, so a team full of super villains trying to be heroes, kind of, is bound to be good fun. Through in Moonstone, an evil version of Ms. Marvel, and you’re bound to have a good time.
The artwork is overall average, although there are some very good panels mixed in. The quality seemed to get much stronger the further into the book you go.
Seeing the villains go up against the Skrull in a no holds barred battle is excellent. They really are prepared to do anything to get the job done. Plus the scheming Norman Osborn is quick to sniff out an opportunity.
It’s bad guys being bad for a bad reason that is perceived as good. Get your head around that.
December 5, 2011
I enjoyed this much more than I did the main Secret Invasion storyline. Because of the outcome of that tale, the story of Norman Osborn and his team fighting the Skrull invasion is an important one. On top of that, we have the already unstabble team of the Thunderbolts in a war and the stakes are high. I feel guilty enjoying watching these villains win the fight and beating each other down, but it becomes to much fun. The art leaves something to be desired especially after the last 2 volumes, but it works. Overall, I enjoyed this and will looking forward to the next book and Dark Avengers volume.
May 29, 2017
After two amazing trades by Warren Ellis, the reins of the Thunderbolts was handed over to Christos Gage. The first few issues collected in this trade were a bit shaky, but by the last story arc collected here (Running the Asylum), I was really enjoying the book.
The only thing I didn't like was that the book essentially leaves you without a real ending. In order to find out what happens, the reader really needs to pick up the Secret Invasion main event trade.
But other than that, I found this to be an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so. It was definitely better than the actual Secret Invasion main event in the first place.
The only thing I didn't like was that the book essentially leaves you without a real ending. In order to find out what happens, the reader really needs to pick up the Secret Invasion main event trade.
But other than that, I found this to be an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so. It was definitely better than the actual Secret Invasion main event in the first place.
February 5, 2010
I loved Warren Ellis's run writing for this series, and after he left all the magic got sucked out. This volume reprints the issues that dealt with Secret Invasion, as well as a bunch of one-shots that were published during Ellis's run but that were written by different people. None of them adds much to the series.
December 1, 2017
This was a REALLY solid Thunderbolts volume. all of the characters get plenty of page time, they all get decent chance at character or plot development AND their story's all tie in with the Marvel universe at large.
October 13, 2012
Hard to live up to Ellis' standard, especially when the book floundered through a series of one-offs. However, the Secret Invasion story is fun and nicely sets up the next chapter in the Marvel Universe.
July 19, 2016
It's a bit of a mess with the characters but nonetheless, the team led by Norman Osborn prove to be quite intriguing as the team battle against the friends and foes alike. Definitely one of the better stories in this event arc.
July 29, 2012
The Thunderbolts get involved in the Secret Invasion. It's more a case of self presevation for them than anything else. A decent read.
April 25, 2016
Osborn is actually a natural born leader. It's very hard to keep chaotic evil villains in line and he does a very good job of it.
September 6, 2014
Čteno po Xté a stále perfektní.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews