| For the weapon of Zeus, see Thunderbolt |
| For other uses, see Avengers (disambiguation) |
| For other uses, see Thunderbolts (disambiguation) |
- "For years I have been working secretly to develop a new age of protection. Today, the citizens of the United States needed that protection, and thanks to my hard work they got it. Ladies and gentlemen... meet the New Avengers."
- ―Valentina Allegra de Fontaine[src]
The New Avengers, previously named the Thunderbolts by Alexei Shostakov, are a team of extraordinary individuals, with either superpowers or other special characteristics. They were assembled in 2027 as a result of being targeted by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and working together to stop the Void from taking over New York City. Following their victory, de Fontaine manipulated the situation to declare the team as the newly formed iteration of the Avengers, which was met with a mixed reception from the public.
History[]
Thunderbolts[]
O.X.E.'s Shadow Ops[]
- "It's clear we have all worked for Valentina in some sort of shadow ops capacity."
- ―Yelena Belova to U.S. Agent and Ghost[src]
Following the destruction of the Red Room, Antonia Dreykov, also known as Taskmaster, was freed from control and able to live her own life.[3] Knowing only how to be a highly-trained killer, Dreykov encountered Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who recruited her to work for O.X.E. as an assassin, supplying her with a new suit.[4]
De Fontaine recruits John Walker
Upon being cured of her disease but retaining her powers, Ava Starr, dubbed Ghost, went on the run for her crimes committed while trying to save her life.[5] Starr was later found by de Fontaine and recruited to complete various missions for her, utilizing her unique abilities with the support of a new suit.[4] When John Walker was stripped of his title of "Captain America" after a public incident, he was approached by de Fontaine, who was aware that he had received the Super Soldier Serum and told him that they would be in contact.[6] Walker took up de Fontaine's offer and was provided with a new suit and given the moniker "U.S. Agent."[7]
De Fontaine gives Yelena Belova her target
Once Yelena Belova, a former Black Widow operative from the Red Room, returned during the Blip, she sought work that made the most of her skills,[8] and came into connection with de Fontaine. One of the missions de Fontaine assigned Belova was to kill Clint Barton, telling her that Barton was responsible for Natasha Romanoff's death.[3] Following the shut down of Project Sentry, de Fontaine tasked U.S. Agent and Belova seperate missions to destroy evidence towards its existence.[4]
Sent to Die[]
The operatives all attempt to kill each other
- "So all of this stuff is O.X.E.'s secrets, but so are we."
"Which makes us liabilities that no one would miss." - ―Yelena Belova and Ghost[src]
To erase all evidence towards her illegal activities, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine orchestrated to have all of her shadow operatives kill each other. De Fontaine instructed Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster to enter an O.X.E. Vault in Utah and assigned each of them an operative to eliminate. The four arrived at the vault, where U.S. Agent shot at Belova, but was stopped by Taskmaster who attacked him. Ghost joined the fight and attempted to kill Taskmaster, but Belova stepped in and fought Ghost.
The mercenaries discover Bob Reynolds
The fight was brought to a stop when Ghost shot Taskmaster in the head, and the remaining three held each other at gunpoint as the vault closed around them. They were interrupted when Bob Reynolds revealed himself, so they all questioned who he was and whether he had been sent. The three mercenaries argued over their mission until Belova figured out that de Fontaine had sent them all to kill each other as a cover up. Ghost went to leave, but her powers were disabled by a high frequency sound barrier.
The group escape from being incinerated
An alarm went off, and they discovered that the room they were in was an incinerator, which would burn them and everything within two minutes, so they rushed to figure a way out. Belova found the power source for the sound barrier, which U.S. Agent destroyed, allowing Ghost to phase out of the room. With only a few seconds left, Ghost opened the vault doors, and Belova, U.S. Agent, and Reynolds quickly escaped before being burned alive and killed.[4]
Escape from the O.X.E. Vault[]
- "How about this, you are team of scrappy anti-heroes."
"Go Thunderbolts." - ―Red Guardian and U.S. Agent[src]
Ghost revealed that the power had been cut to the elevators, so the group entered the elevator shaft and discussed how to get up. Bob Reynolds came up with the idea for them to lock arms and walk up against the walls. As they ascended, Yelena Belova and Ghost compared their tragic pasts, which U.S. Agent felt was not that bad.
Once they reached the top, U.S. Agent broke the hold to save himself, and the others managed to prevent themselves from falling. On the surface, the group went to leave the facility, but discovered that they were surrounded by O.X.E.. U.S. Agent attempted to make a plan, but the others rejected him taking the lead. Briefly discussing their pasts again, with Belova mentioning her little league soccer team, the West Chesapeake Valley Thunderbolts, she then made a plan for them to set off an explosion, have the soldiers enter using night-vision, which would allow her to blind them so that U.S. Agent could defeat them, all while Ghost acquired them a getaway vehicle.
Belova and Bob Reynolds find the first wave
Ghost disappeared, but Belova, U.S. Agent, and Reynolds proceeded with the plan. Belova set off an explosion at the entrance, which drew the soldiers inside. As she and Reynolds went to switch on the lights, U.S. Agent waited to attack. However, the power did not come back on, so U.S. Agent was forced to fight the first wave, successfully eliminating them all. Belova and Reynolds regrouped with Walker, disguised themselves in the soldiers' uniforms, and made their way outside, where Ghost was waiting inside a truck.
They all got inside and drove away, but without Reynolds, who decided to sacrifice himself to ensure their escape. As they drove away, they witnessed Reynolds, who had been gunned down by O.X.E., fly into the sky. Reynolds then came crashing down, which caused a powerful shockwave to knock the vehicle off the road. Belova, U.S. Agent, and Ghost continued on foot and discussed Reynolds, learning that he was a part of Project Sentry from the files Belova stole from the vault.
Belova, Ghost, and Walker see Red Guardian
The trio talked about the condition of the lives that they all lived, with Ghost reflecting on Taskmaster with Belova, and U.S. Agent commenting on being having a family. By morning, the three were still walking through the desert until they spotted a limousine approaching them. They discovered that the driver was Belova's father, Red Guardian, who had arrived to save them from being killed in the vault by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Red Guardian declares the group as a team
As they drove away, Red Guardian expressed his approval of Belova's new allies, believing that they were a team, leading U.S. Agent to sarcastically cheer for the Thunderbolts. Red Guardian misunderstood this as Belova dubbing her new team after her soccer team. Belova and U.S. Agent stated that they needed to get as far away as possible and split up, but Red Guardian was determined for them to band together to become a team of heroes that would put a stop to de Fontaine's plans.
The team witnesses Winter Soldier's arrival
The limo was attacked by an approaching convoy, so U.S. Agent used his shield to block the bullets from hitting them. Red Guardian and Ghost both made attempts to fight back, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Belova went to fire back at the convoy, but they were saved when Winter Soldier arrived and swiftly destroyed O.X.E. vehicles. The team celebrated their escape, but it was cut short when Winter Soldier shot a Disc Grenade at the limo, causing it to crash.[4]
Captured by Winter Soldier[]
The Thunderbolts inform Winter Soldier
- "Well, you know Valentina. She's got this thing out there, people are gonna get hurt and we gotta stop her, and you are gonna help me."
"Wait, us?" - ―Winter Soldier and Yelena Belova[src]
Winter Soldier restrained the Thunderbolts and brought them to an abandoned garage, planning to use them as evidence against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in her impeachment trial. The Thunderbolts explained the situation to Winter Soldier, including Bob Reynolds, but he did not believe them. However, after Winter Soldier was called by Mel Gold, who confirmed the dangers of Project Sentry, he freed the Thunderbolts, telling them that they were all going to stop de Fontaine. Yelena Belova felt that they were not the right people to help, but Winter Soldier motivated them to face their pasts and do the right thing.[4]
Battle at the Watchtower[]
The Thunderbolts drive to the Watchtower
- "Stop Val and save Bob."
- ―Yelena Belova to the Thunderbolts[src]
The Thunderbolts departed for New York City, acquiring a moving truck as they headed for the Watchtower. During the drive, Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, and Ghost sat in the back and discussed their equipment, while Winter Soldier and Red Guardian talked about the Super Soldier Serum they received.
The Thunderbolts assault the Watchtower
As they were approaching the Watchtower, Red Guardian asked about the plan, which was just for Winter Soldier to crash through the entrance. The Thunderbolts rushed out of the truck and fought against the group of O.X.E. agents gathered in the area. Being significantly more skilled, the Thunderbolts quickly defeated the agents. However, they then heard Valentina Allegra de Fontaine over the intercom, who claimed that she left the door unlocked, and invited them up to confront her.
The Thunderbolts confront de Fontaine
The Thunderbolts entered the elevator and went up to the top floor, where de Fontaine was waiting for them by the bar. The Thunderbolts surrounded de Fontaine, telling her that they were putting a stop to her plans and would have her impeached. De Fontaine addressed each of the Thunderbolts individually and dismissed their efforts to bring her down. De Fontaine then remarked on them becoming a team after she had sent them to kill each other. Winter Soldier went to grab de Fontaine, but his hand was stopped, so de Fontaine revealed that she was not alone and called out for Bob Reynolds.
The Thunderbolts are defeated by Sentry
The Thunderbolts witnessed Reynolds join them, now wearing a gold suit, and de Fontaine introduced him as Sentry. De Fontaine explained that Sentry was more powerful than all of the Avengers combined, and that she planned to unveil him as Earth's mightiest hero after defeating the Thunderbolts. Red Guardian announced the team as the Thunderbolts and they all attacked Sentry, only to be incredibly overwhelmed and shortly defeated, forcing them all to retreat from the Watchtower.[4]
Stopping the Void[]
The Thunderbolts argue about being a team
- "This isn't even a team."
"Course we're a team. We are the Thunderbolts!" - ―U.S. Agent and Red Guardian[src]
The Thunderbolts exited the Watchtower, defeated, but Red Guardian attempted to convince them to keep fighting. U.S. Agent stated that Sentry was too powerful and that they were not a real team, but Red Guardian did not accept that, declaring their name again, which Winter Soldier did not understand, so Ghost explained it. Amidst the arguing, Yelena Belova snapped and insulted the group before walking away.
The Thunderbolts unite to protect civilians
The Thunderbolts split off, with Red Guardian following Belova and comforting her. They all noticed Sentry in the sky, although he had now been taken over by the Void and caused a crane to collapse, resulting in debris to fall. Red Guardian, Belova, Winter Soldier, Ghost, and U.S. Agent all rushed to save civilians from the chaos. U.S. Agent stopped a giant piece of debris from crushing a woman by holding it up, but it was too heavy, so the rest of the Thunderbolts helped him push it over.
The Thunderbolts were applauded for their efforts saving the people of New York City, only for it to be short-lived when the Void started sending several people around them into his dimension. Void started to spread his darkness across the city, so the Thunderbolts helped whoever they could evacuate to safety. The Thunderbolts noticed that Belova had not come with them, but instead approached the Void and intentionally walked into the darkness, which consumed her as another victim.
The remaining Thunderbolts debated their next course of actions, with Red Guardian and Ghost wanting to go after Belova, but Winter Soldier tried to stop them. U.S. Agent shared that he experienced Reynolds' powers before, and thought that Belova knew what she was doing, so they rest of the Thunderbolts followed into the darkness. Inside the Void, Belova found Reynolds, but they were both attacked. The other Thunderbolts found the two and saved them, and they decided to find the worst room in order to escape.
The Thunderbolts confront the Void
The Thunderbolts found themselves at the facility, where Reynolds was experimented on, and they were confronted by the Void. All of the Thunderbolts were pinned against the walls, leaving only Reynolds. As Reynolds faced the Void and began attacking it, he started to become consumed by the Void, which was what it wanted. Belova was able to break free and rushed to Reynolds, followed by the rest of the Thunderbolts, who all comforted him, freeing him from the Void's grip and restoring the city.[4]
New Avengers[]
Public Announcement[]
The Thunderbolts go to arrest de Fontaine
- "We own you now."
- ―Yelena Belova to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine[src]
With New York City and Bob Reynolds saved, the Thunderbolts went to apprehend Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. However, de Fontaine tricked them into walking to the press conference she had prepared for Sentry, where she instead presented the Thunderbolts as a team she had been assembling to protect the city, announcing them as the New Avengers. The group was perplexed, but Yelena Belova decided to go with the ruse, whispering to de Fontaine that they owned her.
Embracing their opportunity as the New Avengers to be the heroes they aspired to be, the team established their headquarters in the Watchtower and were supplied new uniforms with matching logos. Reynolds continued to stay with the team, although he did not operate as Sentry at risk of unleashing the Void. Despite the government approving the team's activity, the public's response was mixed, with many not accepting the team in comparison to the original Avengers.[4]
Dispute with Captain America[]
- "But we are the Avengers, the government said so. How does Sam Wilson not understand that?"
- ―Yelena Belova to the New Avengers[src]
Fourteen months later, the New Avengers came into conflict with Captain America over the legitimacy of their team, as he was also in the process of assembling his own Avengers. The New Avengers discussed this dispute, with Yelena Belova wondering which team would be the real Avengers, and U.S. Agent answered that according to online discourse, it was not them. Winter Soldier revealed that he spoke with Captain America, but it went poorly.
Belova added that Captain America had also filed for copyright over the Avengers name, which was making them lose credibility, although Ghost noted that they barely had any to begin with. Red Guardian suggested that they rebrand as the "Avengerz" to solve their problem, but he was ignored. They were then alerted of an unidentified craft entering Earth's orbit, so they checked the satellite footage, and discovered an extra-dimensional ship with a "4" on it approaching.[4]
Members[]
Yelena Belova[]
- Name: Yelena Belova
- Activity: 2027 - present
- Status: Alive
- Description: Yelena Belova is a former member of the Black Widows, under the control of Dreykov. In 1992 she was stationed in Mount Vernon, Ohio, posing as the daughter of Melina Vostokoff and Alexei Shostakov, after their mission was a success, Belova was taken to the Red Room and was subjected to mind control until 2016 when she was freed using Red Dust. She reconnected with her adoptive sister Natasha Romanoff and along with their adoptive parents, worked to kill Dreykov and destroy the Red Room Academy. Belova from that point on traveled the world to free the remaining Black Widows, until she was killed by the Snap. Upon her resurrection in 2023, she discovered that Romanoff had died, which devastated her, she eventually met Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who assigned Belova to kill Clint Barton under the orders of Eleanor Bishop. Belova, convinced that Barton had killed her sister, agreed, but eventually she and Barton reconciled and went their separate ways. Without a purpose, Belova continued to work for de Fontaine.
U.S. Agent[]
- Name: Jonathan F. "John" Walker
- Activity: 2027 - present
- Status: Alive
- Description: John Walker is a highly decorated former Captain of the United States Army's 75th Rangers Regiment who served in Afghanistan. In 2024, he was chosen to succeed Steve Rogers as the second Captain America. During the Flag Smashers' Political Ultimatum, Walker came into conflict with Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson after the duo freed Helmut Zemo from prison. After a failed attempt to capture the Flag Smashers' leader, Karli Morgenthau, Walker got his hands on a vial of the Super Soldier Serum, which amplified his already struggling mental stability. This all came to a head when a conflict with the Flag Smashers got Walker's partner Lemar Hoskins killed, leading to Walker brutally murdering a Flag Smasher in public before battling Barnes and Wilson over Captain America's Shield. Following this, Walker was stripped of his title and he vowed revenge against Morgenthau. However, Walker was ultimately able to make the right choice when he stopped his quest for revenge to save the members of the GRC during the Attack on the GRC. Afterwards, Walker met Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who rebranded him as U.S. Agent. Despite his new employment, Walker was unable to move on from his public disgrace, leading to his wife Olivia leaving him and taking their son, leaving Walker to focus on his work, alone.
Ghost[]
- Name: Ava Starr
- Activity: 2027 - present
- Status: Alive
- Description: The daughter of Quantum Realm researchers Catherine and Elihas Starr, Ava Starr was exposed to extreme amounts of molecular energy following an accident with her father's Quantum Tunnel prototype that he created after his falling out with Hank Pym. The accident would kill both of Starr's parents and leave her with a condition called molecular disequilibrium, which causes her immense pain as her body switches between states of tangibility. Learning of the accident, S.H.I.E.L.D. sent scientist Bill Foster to investigate, and over time, Foster adopted her. S.H.I.E.L.D. would engineer a suit that allowed Starr to control her abilities, and with the promise of a cure for her condition, Starr would carry out special ops missions for S.H.I.E.L.D., under the name Ghost. In 2018 Starr came into conflict with Ant-Man and Wasp when she attempted to hijack Hank Pym's Mobile Laboratory to extract energy from the Quantum Realm to cure herself at the cost of Janet van Dyne's life; however, upon van Dyne's rescue, she was able to stabilize Starr's condition by using Quantum Healing Particles. Afterwards, she and Foster went into hiding. While on the run, Starr met Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and began doing shadow ops missions for her.
Red Guardian[]
- Name: Alexei Andreovitch Shostakov
- Activity: 2027 - present
- Status: Alive
- Description: Alexei Shostakov was born in the Soviet Union, and eventually enlisted into the Soviet Armed Forces, where he was chosen to be the first recipient of the Soviet's recreation of the Super Soldier Serum, becoming a super soldier known as Red Guardian. Shostakov became acquainted with Dreykov, and in 1992 he was tasked with infiltrating the North Institute and stationed in Mount Vernon, Ohio, with the Black Widows Melina Vostokoff, Yelena Belova and Natasha Romanoff posing as his family. After three years, the mission was a success, however, instead of being toted as a hero like he expected, Dreykov had Shostakov incarcerated in the Seventh Circle Prison, where he remained until 2016, when his adopted daughters freed him to aid them in the Termination of the Red Room. By the 2020s, Shostakov had moved to Washington, D.C. and began his own business, the Red Guardian Limo Service, but longed to relive his glory days.
Winter Soldier[]
- Name: James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes
- Activity: 2027 - present
- Status: Alive
- Description: A childhood friend of Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes enlisted into the United States Army during World War II, eventually being captured by Arnim Zola and experimented on, gaining super soldier abilities. Barnes was freed by Rogers, who was now the super soldier Captain America, together, the pair formed the Howling Commandos and became living legends during the war, until 1945 when Barnes fell from a train during the Capture of Arnim Zola, and was thought dead. However, Barnes survived and was captured by HYDRA, and after years of mental conditioning and torture, they turned Barnes into an elite assassin known as Winter Soldier. For decades, Barnes was forced to do HYDRA's bidding, until 2014, when Nick Fury and Rogers uncovered a conspiracy within the ranks of S.H.I.E.L.D., leading Rogers to discover Barnes' identity. With HYDRA destroyed, Barnes went into hiding for the next two years, until Helmut Zemo framed him for the Bombing of the Vienna International Centre, sparking the Avengers Civil War. Rogers, Barnes, and their allies brawled against Iron Man and his faction of the Avengers before managing to escape to Wakanda. There, Barnes finally found some semblance of peace, and with help from Shuri and Ayo, he overcame his mental conditioning. His peace was interrupted by the Infinity War, which ended with Barnes dying in the Snap, upon his resurrection in 2023, he aided the Avengers during the Battle of Earth. Months later, while attempting to make amends for his actions as Winter Soldier, he begrudgingly partnered with Sam Wilson to apprehend the Flag Smashers and bring their political violence to an end, ultimately helping Wilson accept the mantle of Captain America and save the day. In 2027, Barnes ran for United States Congress, soon becoming a participant in Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's impeachment trial.
Logos[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, the first Thunderbolts team was formed by Baron Zemo as a fake superhero team to "replace" the Avengers after they were "killed" by Onslaught, only to be defeated when they came back from the dead. They eventually expelled Zemo and became a genuine team of heroes under Clint Barton. Later iterations of the team were composed of conscripted criminals, anti-heroes, and vigilantes, which eventually became the most well-known versions of the Thunderbolts.
- To coincide with the Thunderbolts* film, a new team of Thunderbolts was introduced in the comics.
- In the comics, the New Avengers was a team formed by Captain America, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Spider-Woman (who was actually the Skrull Queen Veranke) after the original team separated due to Scarlet Witch's madness overtaking her, resulting in too much collateral damage to continue. The team formed to contain a prison breakout at the Raft, caused by Electro, who had been working on the Skrulls' orders. Daredevil and Sentry were also present at the Raft during the prison break, but Daredevil declined membership and Sentry disappeared.
- According to Sebastian Stan, the New Avengers will not be saying the Avengers' catchphrase, "Avengers Assemble."[9]
References[]
- ↑ Marvel unveils the first Avengers: Doomsday cast members – including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
- ↑ SDCC via Cosmic Circus on X - July 27, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Black Widow
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 Thunderbolts*
- ↑ Ant-Man and the Wasp
- ↑ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.05: Truth
- ↑ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: 1.06: One World, One People
- ↑ Hawkeye: 1.05: Ronin
- ↑ BuzzFeedOz on TikTok - May 5, 2025
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
