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Thunderbolts (2006) (Collected Editions) #10
Thunderbolts: Cage
It's a new era for Marvel's always-evolving, always controversial team. The most dangerous people on Earth are now all in one hellish prison, and the only way out is through rehabilitation and contribution to society via The Thunderbolts...under the leadership of the steel-hard-skinned Avenger named Luke Cage! So bring on the first participants: Juggernaut! Crossbones! Ghost! Moonstone! And...Man-Thing? Against the sordid recent history of the group as a black-ops kill squad, can Power Man restore the Thunderbolts to their rightful potential? Find out and discover why ComicsBulletin.com says: "Jeff Parker writes villains with his typical panache...this is why I read comic books."
Collecting: Thunderbolts 144-147 & material from Enter the Heroic Age
Collecting: Thunderbolts 144-147 & material from Enter the Heroic Age
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2010
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Parker
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 31, 2018
Marvel's version of Suicide Squad. It takes place on the Raft with Luke Cage as the leader.
The story is disjointed and it does not present a narrative really. You don't really get to know the characters and it's silly. Not my favorite.
Nope.
The story is disjointed and it does not present a narrative really. You don't really get to know the characters and it's silly. Not my favorite.
Nope.
May 5, 2025
With the Thunderbolts movie fresh in my mind (and let me just say, go see it. It's a ton of fun with a surprising amount of heart.), I decided to dive into the comics. Having read the first three Thunderbolts Omnibus collections, I was eager for a new direction. I'd enjoyed the Dark Reign era years ago, and this first volume picks up right after that, with Luke Cage stepping in to assemble a rather unconventional team of former baddies to combat crime.
And what a team it is! Seeing characters like Crossbones alongside the others definitely makes for an "out there" dynamic, but honestly, it was a blast. Luke Cage as a leader is always a win in my book, and watching him navigate the personalities of Man-Thing, Songbird, Juggernaut, and the rest of the crew is just a genuinely entertaining concept. The artwork throughout this volume is solid, and there's some great back-and-forth humor that keeps things light.
If I had one minor gripe, it would be that this volume feels like it's doing a fair bit of groundwork and setup for what's to come. However, I'm thoroughly enjoying this new take on the Thunderbolts so far. Definitely a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
And what a team it is! Seeing characters like Crossbones alongside the others definitely makes for an "out there" dynamic, but honestly, it was a blast. Luke Cage as a leader is always a win in my book, and watching him navigate the personalities of Man-Thing, Songbird, Juggernaut, and the rest of the crew is just a genuinely entertaining concept. The artwork throughout this volume is solid, and there's some great back-and-forth humor that keeps things light.
If I had one minor gripe, it would be that this volume feels like it's doing a fair bit of groundwork and setup for what's to come. However, I'm thoroughly enjoying this new take on the Thunderbolts so far. Definitely a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
October 19, 2015
Now this felt as it should have felt - a fresh and new start! New team, new leader, New Thunderbolts ( but with a vibe of well-known )!
During my time spent with the Thunderbolts in its different iterations - 14 volumes long, beginning with New Thunderbolts, 2004 -I've seen some ups and some downs, but prior to this volume things got stale. That whole really-evil-Thunderbolts under Osborn-the-Hero-Skrull-Killer-Iron-Patriot just felt mediocre (mainly due to the fact that there was the overabundance of tie-ins into the other Marvel Events - as it did no good to the series, and made it look like it couldn't stand on its own, but thankfully, it was proven wrong with this volume!) and the biggest gripe was that you couldn't really resonate well with those team-members, nor the leader, as none of them felt particularly interesting, maybe besides Ghost. But voila, comes the 7th volume (in this particular run) and we have a long deserved change for the better - a long overdue proper leader, who is an epitome of hero-born-by-life-and-injustice - Luke Cage aka Power Man, which is a complete opposite of what was Norman Osborn. And most importantly - a rooster of a team that blends old with new. We have some returning faces on-and-outside the team - like Mach IV (V...), Fixer, all-favorite Songbird, and her arch-nemesis-who-knows-where-the-profits-lie Moonstone, and from the last team - Ghost, my personal favorite of non-favorites. New members being : toned-down Juggernaut, though who still is headstrong (in all possible meanings), Crossbones aka The Man Who Shot Cpt.America, and the most interesting addition - this-certainly-is-not-a-Swamp-Thing-rip-off Man-Thing who is...their personal transporter!
And thanks to the witty and fun writing, done by Jeff Parker, this volume has become the best since the "Caged Angels" by Warren Ellis, but being good in completely opposite way - latter one being dark and gritty, but this being light ( as light as stories of convicts-murderers and resolving murdering can be ) and fun! And I can't stop praising how fun it was - as I had more than few good laughs while reading it - be it in depicted situations, good dialogues or one-liners! And it wouldn't have been that good without perfectly fitted artwork for this volume - done by Kev Walker (pencils) n Frank Martin (colors) - which was top notch and had the right style for this new less-dark-n-desperate to more-lighter-and-full-of-hope approach to the series.
Looking forward to reading the next volume as I had genuinely enjoyed this one so I can say that I "really liked" it! ( 4/5 stars!)
During my time spent with the Thunderbolts in its different iterations - 14 volumes long, beginning with New Thunderbolts, 2004 -I've seen some ups and some downs, but prior to this volume things got stale. That whole really-evil-Thunderbolts under Osborn-the-Hero-Skrull-Killer-Iron-Patriot just felt mediocre (mainly due to the fact that there was the overabundance of tie-ins into the other Marvel Events - as it did no good to the series, and made it look like it couldn't stand on its own, but thankfully, it was proven wrong with this volume!) and the biggest gripe was that you couldn't really resonate well with those team-members, nor the leader, as none of them felt particularly interesting, maybe besides Ghost. But voila, comes the 7th volume (in this particular run) and we have a long deserved change for the better - a long overdue proper leader, who is an epitome of hero-born-by-life-and-injustice - Luke Cage aka Power Man, which is a complete opposite of what was Norman Osborn. And most importantly - a rooster of a team that blends old with new. We have some returning faces on-and-outside the team - like Mach IV (V...), Fixer, all-favorite Songbird, and her arch-nemesis-who-knows-where-the-profits-lie Moonstone, and from the last team - Ghost, my personal favorite of non-favorites. New members being : toned-down Juggernaut, though who still is headstrong (in all possible meanings), Crossbones aka The Man Who Shot Cpt.America, and the most interesting addition - this-certainly-is-not-a-Swamp-Thing-rip-off Man-Thing who is...their personal transporter!
And thanks to the witty and fun writing, done by Jeff Parker, this volume has become the best since the "Caged Angels" by Warren Ellis, but being good in completely opposite way - latter one being dark and gritty, but this being light ( as light as stories of convicts-murderers and resolving murdering can be ) and fun! And I can't stop praising how fun it was - as I had more than few good laughs while reading it - be it in depicted situations, good dialogues or one-liners! And it wouldn't have been that good without perfectly fitted artwork for this volume - done by Kev Walker (pencils) n Frank Martin (colors) - which was top notch and had the right style for this new less-dark-n-desperate to more-lighter-and-full-of-hope approach to the series.
Looking forward to reading the next volume as I had genuinely enjoyed this one so I can say that I "really liked" it! ( 4/5 stars!)
May 21, 2012
This is the introduction to the 4th version of the Thunderbolts (5th if you count the oft ignored Fightbolts version). Well, prejudices on the table; I was a fan for most of the 1st version (mostly led by Baron Zemo, written by Kurt Busiek and followed by Fabian Nicieza) although it did lose me right at the end around "Civil War". The 2nd version under Warren Ellis I didn't enjoy despite the fact it had a strong concept flipping the 'villains trying to find redemption' angle into 'villains pretending to be heroes'. The 3rd version, mostly under Andy Diggle was ok (although I've not read all of it) but seems to have struggled to find a niche.
So version 4; this time we're pretty much looking at Marvel's answer to DC's Suicide Squad (I'm referring to the late 80s version under John Ostrander). Steve Rogers is convinced that there is something to this search for redemption idea (and also that idle hands are the devil's playthings) and is looking for someone to head up the Thunderbolts initiative. The man he wants is Luke Cage (formerly Power Man), someone who spent the early part of his career on the wrong side of the law for various reasons. This collection deals with Cage's decision to accept and the recruitment of the initial team. The team mix is split between former-villain-former-hero-now-what Juggernaut, outright-villain Crossbones, manipulative-former-T-bolt Moonstone, dangerous-Asgardian-refugee Troll, deeply-deeply-strange-and-damaged Ghost and errrr...Man-Thing (?). Cage is supported by former (and successfully rehabilitated) T-bolts Songbird, Mach V & Fixer and the former USAgent, John Walker, (now confined to a wheelchair after injuries sustained in the 'Siege' crossover/event).
There is a lot to like about this. Kev Walker has an interesting art style that goes well with a lot of the strangeness they come across and in dealing with the day-to-day of a giant prison filled with super-loons (love the guardian jellyfish to stop them swimming across the bay - which play into a lovely moment with Juggernaut during a prison break). Unfortunately I'm not that fond of his redesigns for Songbird and Mach V.
Jeff Parker mostly impresses with the story here. I'm not sold on Troll as a worthwhile new character but the line-up is interesting in the personality mix. Parker also does what I consider to be a brilliant job in explaining why John Walker is in wheelchair with a 'hook' for a hand when there is so much cyber tech in the Marvel universe. The reason comes totally from character. Later on we're reminded that although he may now be short a leg and arm, the remaining limbs are still enhanced and he is not as vulnerable as he looks. That's one example of a lot of nice character touches that just about everyone gets. My only problem with the plots/missions is that they felt a little light. In neither the first or second missions are we fighting anything a)known and b)with a meaningful agenda. Whilst that gives Parker lots of space in establishing the cast, it does feel like the training levels on a computer game.
But it's good and I'm interested to read more.
So version 4; this time we're pretty much looking at Marvel's answer to DC's Suicide Squad (I'm referring to the late 80s version under John Ostrander). Steve Rogers is convinced that there is something to this search for redemption idea (and also that idle hands are the devil's playthings) and is looking for someone to head up the Thunderbolts initiative. The man he wants is Luke Cage (formerly Power Man), someone who spent the early part of his career on the wrong side of the law for various reasons. This collection deals with Cage's decision to accept and the recruitment of the initial team. The team mix is split between former-villain-former-hero-now-what Juggernaut, outright-villain Crossbones, manipulative-former-T-bolt Moonstone, dangerous-Asgardian-refugee Troll, deeply-deeply-strange-and-damaged Ghost and errrr...Man-Thing (?). Cage is supported by former (and successfully rehabilitated) T-bolts Songbird, Mach V & Fixer and the former USAgent, John Walker, (now confined to a wheelchair after injuries sustained in the 'Siege' crossover/event).
There is a lot to like about this. Kev Walker has an interesting art style that goes well with a lot of the strangeness they come across and in dealing with the day-to-day of a giant prison filled with super-loons (love the guardian jellyfish to stop them swimming across the bay - which play into a lovely moment with Juggernaut during a prison break). Unfortunately I'm not that fond of his redesigns for Songbird and Mach V.
Jeff Parker mostly impresses with the story here. I'm not sold on Troll as a worthwhile new character but the line-up is interesting in the personality mix. Parker also does what I consider to be a brilliant job in explaining why John Walker is in wheelchair with a 'hook' for a hand when there is so much cyber tech in the Marvel universe. The reason comes totally from character. Later on we're reminded that although he may now be short a leg and arm, the remaining limbs are still enhanced and he is not as vulnerable as he looks. That's one example of a lot of nice character touches that just about everyone gets. My only problem with the plots/missions is that they felt a little light. In neither the first or second missions are we fighting anything a)known and b)with a meaningful agenda. Whilst that gives Parker lots of space in establishing the cast, it does feel like the training levels on a computer game.
But it's good and I'm interested to read more.
March 3, 2015
Really solid start to what Jeff Parker clearly actually wants to do with the Thunderbolts. He didn't want that team of irredeemable psychopaths that he mostly killed off or put out of commission in the previous book. He wants a rough team that can be molded with the help of a strong leader, and Luke Cage is a perfect fit.
Parker's also working with a pretty strange team, and I'm really excited to see what he does with it. I mean, yes, we have Songbird and Moonstone who are basically Professional Thunderbolts, plus Ghost who has been a member for a while, but also we've got Juggernaut, who tends to get a little out of control, Crossbones (the man who killed Captain America), and MAN-THING. Man-Thing. The Swamp Thing rip off that can't communicate with people but can teleport anywhere it wants and just kind of exists moment to moment. Man-Thing is by far my favorite addition to this team, just because it's such a bold move to include such a weirdo character. So far he only really functions as the team's transportation, but I'm sure more will build out of this.
Now, all that positivity out of the way, I'll speak to my main problem with this book that prevents it from getting a higher rating. Basically, this is the setup book. There's loads of character maneuvering, exposition, and emotional groundwork being laid. I mean, I guess that stuff has to be done, but I would've liked it to be done a little more actively. The Thunderbolts do end up going on a couple of short missions in this book, but they feel very vague and ill-defined, basically just excuses to throw the Bolts into a pot and see what comes out. I'm hoping there's a little more of an arc in future volumes, now that all this setup is out of the way.
Parker's also working with a pretty strange team, and I'm really excited to see what he does with it. I mean, yes, we have Songbird and Moonstone who are basically Professional Thunderbolts, plus Ghost who has been a member for a while, but also we've got Juggernaut, who tends to get a little out of control, Crossbones (the man who killed Captain America), and MAN-THING. Man-Thing. The Swamp Thing rip off that can't communicate with people but can teleport anywhere it wants and just kind of exists moment to moment. Man-Thing is by far my favorite addition to this team, just because it's such a bold move to include such a weirdo character. So far he only really functions as the team's transportation, but I'm sure more will build out of this.
Now, all that positivity out of the way, I'll speak to my main problem with this book that prevents it from getting a higher rating. Basically, this is the setup book. There's loads of character maneuvering, exposition, and emotional groundwork being laid. I mean, I guess that stuff has to be done, but I would've liked it to be done a little more actively. The Thunderbolts do end up going on a couple of short missions in this book, but they feel very vague and ill-defined, basically just excuses to throw the Bolts into a pot and see what comes out. I'm hoping there's a little more of an arc in future volumes, now that all this setup is out of the way.
August 10, 2014
"Siege" felt reigned in, like Parker was sort of held back by previous continuity and characters not of his choosing. With the beginning of the Heroic Age and the new Thunderbolts team feels very much like an introduction and a chance for the creative team to stretch their wings and see what they can do. The character dynamics of the new team are interesting and have the potential to go just about anywhere. The weirdest addition to the team is also my favourite. I absolutely loved the addition of Man-Thing as their transportation system. The idea itself is brilliant, Kev Walker does a top-notch job with the character (all the characters, really, but I really love his muck monster), and it's such an open-ended smorgasbord of possibility just having him be there.
A vacuum was left for me in the category of favourite super-hero comics of all-time when the Agents of Atlas hung up their shingle, but if the new Thunderbolts continues on this trajectory, I think I just may be able to live with it.
A vacuum was left for me in the category of favourite super-hero comics of all-time when the Agents of Atlas hung up their shingle, but if the new Thunderbolts continues on this trajectory, I think I just may be able to live with it.
March 25, 2012
Thunderbolts is Marvel's version of "Suicide Squad", a Dirty Dozen concept that takes super-villains under the leadership of Luke Cage and pits them against various threats. This is the best version of this team in years. My favorite member is the swamp monster Man-Thing, who lives in a simulated Florida swamp in the basement of the Raft. The team uses Man-Thing to hop around to different locales as an instant transporter. It is great to see this long neglected character finally become a supporting cast member.
February 5, 2019
This is a good read if you’re looking for a lot of action. The team comes together fast and faces challenges almost immediately in the form of trolls (not the internet kind) and Terrigen-mutated humans. There are some interesting aspects to the team itself, especially involving Man-Thing, who is their source of transportation (it makes sense when you read it!).
August 16, 2012
Very surprised at how much I enjoyed this one since I've always hated Luke Cage. But, I have to admit, I'm coming around. He's pretty B.A. in this one and I love the new Thunderbolt line up! My hopesfor the series have been restored! Oh yeah...MAN-THING!
August 1, 2012
A fun start to a new team led by Luke Cage. This one has the best bits of the old team plus Juggarnaut and ManThing. They have to stop trolls and get on well with each other. some great character action. A fun, lighthearted, good read.
June 1, 2015
This is such a better team than the Andy Diggle era. Luke Cage to lead is awesome. The fact that Fixer, Mach-#, Songbird and Moonstone are all around/on the team is perfect.
I really am not a fan of the art, but I love the story so much I'm willing to forgive.
I really am not a fan of the art, but I love the story so much I'm willing to forgive.
October 14, 2012
This book starts off a little slow, but going forward the new team seems to have interesting dynamics and the last issue is actually quite strong.
May 26, 2016
This wasn't a very eventful story arc, but it was interesting to see Luke Cage leading a few different villains that I mostly just knew by name.
December 3, 2023
Loved this collection. So much so I might be buying the Thunderbolt omnibus that has this and the other volumes that follow.
The main reason is the writer Jeff Parker. I think he is one of the most underrated writers in comics. He has never done a run that was on a hit series or was an "event" (that I know of) but I love that about him. He writes these lesser known titles and he does it well. He knows how to develop characters, develop a story, have an interesting twist and have his heroes (or protagonists in this case) act like heroes. His stories are always enjoyable. He doesn't have to kill a main character or have an earth destroying event to grab your attention he just crafts excellent stories and shows his love of the medium.
Second is the artist Kev Walker. I don't think I have seen his art before but he is amazing. Kind of reminds me of Declan Shavey with a touch of Mignola. But it is a style all his own. Loved it and it worked well for this book. He was at home drawing Swamp thing, Luke Cage, action and slower moments. If I had one nit pick he wasn't as great at drawing the energy based powers like Songbird.
Overall some solid stories of Luke reforming Thunderbolts which is a Suicide squad rip off for Marvel but I don't mind. It is a good idea and works here. Their two missions are pretty basic but just fun and entertaining reads. Looking forward to reading more of Jeff Parker on this series.
The main reason is the writer Jeff Parker. I think he is one of the most underrated writers in comics. He has never done a run that was on a hit series or was an "event" (that I know of) but I love that about him. He writes these lesser known titles and he does it well. He knows how to develop characters, develop a story, have an interesting twist and have his heroes (or protagonists in this case) act like heroes. His stories are always enjoyable. He doesn't have to kill a main character or have an earth destroying event to grab your attention he just crafts excellent stories and shows his love of the medium.
Second is the artist Kev Walker. I don't think I have seen his art before but he is amazing. Kind of reminds me of Declan Shavey with a touch of Mignola. But it is a style all his own. Loved it and it worked well for this book. He was at home drawing Swamp thing, Luke Cage, action and slower moments. If I had one nit pick he wasn't as great at drawing the energy based powers like Songbird.
Overall some solid stories of Luke reforming Thunderbolts which is a Suicide squad rip off for Marvel but I don't mind. It is a good idea and works here. Their two missions are pretty basic but just fun and entertaining reads. Looking forward to reading more of Jeff Parker on this series.
January 1, 2022
This was a really fun read! An interesting team with some fast paced action and funny interactions between them! I'm very pleasantly surprised with it considering i basically picked it up solely because man-thing was in it. This would be a cool book to see adapted in the mcu in my opinion.
June 6, 2023
A promising start to a new incarnation of Thunderbolts. It still has a Suicide Squad setup, but it's no longer being run by bad guys and there's a suggestion of possible rehabilitation with much of the cast.
October 24, 2023
Walker’s art is amazing, and the cast is large enough that it gives him a lot of opportunities to show off his range.
January 14, 2025
Thunderbolts:Cage - non stop action.
I enjoyed the non stop action in this issue of the Thunderbolts. This issue
was the first of many that I look forward to reading.
I enjoyed the non stop action in this issue of the Thunderbolts. This issue
was the first of many that I look forward to reading.
September 19, 2023
This is a new start within the ongoing Thunderbolts series.
After the end of Dark Reign and the Siege of Asgard Luke Cage (who even calls himself Powerman here!) puts together a new team of Thunderbolts consisting of some of the original crew and some new members.
Jeff Parker as the writer incorporates a number of status quo changes like the fallout from the aforementioned events, or Juggernaut's (then) decreased power levels into the book.
I think Parker is very good at writing team books. He gives the different characters pretty distinct voices and excels at portraying their interpersonal relationships (conflicts mostly...) without turning the book into pages upon pages of talking heads (Bendis, I'm looking at you here...) and he understands narrative structure, both within the individual issues and in the larger story arc(s).
I've also always been a pretty big fan of Kevin Walker's artwork, so no complains here, either.
After the end of Dark Reign and the Siege of Asgard Luke Cage (who even calls himself Powerman here!) puts together a new team of Thunderbolts consisting of some of the original crew and some new members.
Jeff Parker as the writer incorporates a number of status quo changes like the fallout from the aforementioned events, or Juggernaut's (then) decreased power levels into the book.
I think Parker is very good at writing team books. He gives the different characters pretty distinct voices and excels at portraying their interpersonal relationships (conflicts mostly...) without turning the book into pages upon pages of talking heads (Bendis, I'm looking at you here...) and he understands narrative structure, both within the individual issues and in the larger story arc(s).
I've also always been a pretty big fan of Kevin Walker's artwork, so no complains here, either.
April 1, 2023
Great Marvel Readthrough, pt 117
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