From which issue should I start with Thunderbolts?

[The Isolationist]

As you may know, recently I opened a thread asking for new titles, and I decided to pick up on the Incredible Hercules and Captain America. Since I only have a few issues of Captain America left and have read Incredible Hercules, I decided to check out Thunderbolts next.

But from my understanding, there are several teams and the first issues are old drawing(90s). I know of 2 teams, the one including Songbird, and the latest one, with the Black Widow. But I'm not sure which team and issue to start with.

So I need someone who knows the book to tell me what would be a good starting point, because checking it online would probably spoil something. And don't say #1, because I usually don't like reading older comics. :evilsmile:

[Gemini no Saga]

Start from the begining. TB has always been a great title

[rolacka]

Warren Ellis started on issue 110 and went to 121 (the trades are 'faith in monsters' and 'caged angels'). Then there was a secret invasion tie-in. Then Andy Diggle started on 126 and is finishing soon.

I have only read the first four Warren Ellis (back issue bin) and enjoyed them but was unwillling to buy a trade for two issues. However I am thinking about getting them and following through Secret Invasion onto Diggle's run because it sounds like they all blend into one pretty exciting story.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Start with #110 and work your way up.:biggrin:

[Gitaroo_Dude]

Start with Ellis' run by picking up the trades of Faith in Monsters and Caged Angels. Skip the Secret Invasion tie-in and just begin with where Diggle's run begins. I think it's #126.

[adornedatom]

Had the same problem after I read the T-Bolts civil war tie in and the concept intrigued me. Personally I did decide to start from the very begginning and I'm really enjoying the ride. The first story arch was great. Not saying that's the option for everyone though, just sharing my experience.

[Kareem]

Ellis' run was phenomenal, start with that.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Ellis' run was phenomenal, start with that.

Indeed. Caged Angels is the best take on Norman Osborn ever.

[sabongero]

Start with Warren Ellis's run from isse #110. You can purchase his two storyarc run on the two TPBs. Or you can borrow them from your local public library and request them for a hold from your local branch's librarian.

[The Isolationist]

Just to let you guys know I've read everything from #110 to the current one, and it's great. The second team is more along the lines of what I wanted, but #110 was indeed the starting point. I would have read it from the start if the art was a little newer. Thanks all.

[Taskmaster]

Just to let you guys know I've read everything from #110 to the current one, and it's great. The second team is more along the lines of what I wanted, but #110 was indeed the starting point. I would have read it from the start if the art was a little newer. Thanks all.

Hopefully you'll pick up the original run on T-Bolts, because IMO it's much more interesting and exciting than it has been since Osborn's teams took over

[Assemble]

Start from the beginning... issue one wasn't THAT long ago... 1996. It's a great title, always has been... but like everyone else said... Start with Faith In Monsters... but eventually give the older a try.

[LungerTony]

Unless you want to blow money on 100+ worth of issues of Tbolts, I totally suggest starting at issue #110.

At 110, the current version of the Tbolts grew from and everything you need to understand all the characters in the current title are essentially derived from Ellis' run beginning at 110.

And not to mention, at 110, the Tbolts issued some of the best stories of all Tbolts.

[paulski]

Start with #110 and work your way up.:biggrin:

Yeah, I'm going to try to pick up Ellis' first 2 trades myself and go from there. I've wanted to check out the current issues with the new crowd but haven't quite gotten over the line yet.

[areacode212]

Just to let you guys know I've read everything from #110 to the current one, and it's great. The second team is more along the lines of what I wanted, but #110 was indeed the starting point. I would have read it from the start if the art was a little newer. Thanks all.

The first 12-18 issues or so are pretty good, if you wanted to get a taste of the original version of the series. I was never all that taken with the rest of Busiek's run and I thought that it went downhill fast when Nicieza took over. But the first year was pretty cool, especially if you like the Dark Avengers concept of villains masquerading as heroes.

[bebopeva88]

Just to let you guys know I've read everything from #110 to the current one, and it's great. The second team is more along the lines of what I wanted, but #110 was indeed the starting point. I would have read it from the start if the art was a little newer. Thanks all.

Why do you keep acting like mid-late 90's art is so drastically different than what you'd see today? Mark Bagley was the title's 1st artist, and his work looks largely the same as it does today/the last few years on Ultimate Spidey, Batman, etc. Heck, if anything, Bagley's Thunderbolts art is better than his current work.

Additionally, the Thunderbolts 1st appeared in Incredible Hulk #449 back when Deodato was on the book (the 1st time), and now he's on DA...lots of guys from the 90's are still doing high profile stuff today, and very few of them changed their styles all that much.

Thunderbolts #1-12 is pretty awesome, and the ending to #1 makes the issue a modern classic, though if you're newer to Marvel it won't have as much impact.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Yeah, I'm going to try to pick up Ellis' first 2 trades myself and go from there. I've wanted to check out the current issues with the new crowd but haven't quite gotten over the line yet.

Trades are a good way to go too. I hope you enjoy them.

[marvell2100]

As you may know, recently I opened a thread asking for new titles, and I decided to pick up on the Incredible Hercules and Captain America. Since I only have a few issues of Captain America left and have read Incredible Hercules, I decided to check out Thunderbolts next.

But from my understanding, there are several teams and the first issues are old drawing(90s). I know of 2 teams, the one including Songbird, and the latest one, with the Black Widow. But I'm not sure which team and issue to start with.

So I need someone who knows the book to tell me what would be a good starting point, because checking it online would probably spoil something. And don't say #1, because I usually don't like reading older comics. :evilsmile:

Go to the very beginning and start with the first issue. See how the team transformed. Niciezca and Bagley did some great stuff. Also, see how Hawkeye(Clint) became a Thunderbolt. I know you don't want to go back but trust me, you'll be missing some good stuff.

[Talisman]

Kurt Busiek's run was awesome. Even when he turned them into the West Coast Thunderbolts.

[Don't pee in the (Dead)pool]

Kurt Busiek's run was awesome. Even when he turned them into the West Coast Thunderbolts.

I agree. The whole series has been great and has had some fantastic writers and artists at the helm.

[ShadowDemon]

Unless you want to blow money on 100+ worth of issues of Tbolts, I totally suggest starting at issue #110.

At 110, the current version of the Tbolts grew from and everything you need to understand all the characters in the current title are essentially derived from Ellis' run beginning at 110.

And not to mention, at 110, the Tbolts issued some of the best stories of all Tbolts.

Ignore this man...start at Issue 1 and STOP when you get to the "fight club" era (around #75, IIRC). Do NOT under any circumstances pick up any Thunderbolts from the Civil War era...or any other Civil War era comic for that matter...they're sick, cynical clones of the Ultimate Universe, and unworthy of being called Marvel Comics.

[ShadowDemon]

The first 12-18 issues or so are pretty good, if you wanted to get a taste of the original version of the series. I was never all that taken with the rest of Busiek's run and I thought that it went downhill fast when Nicieza took over. But the first year was pretty cool, especially if you like the Dark Avengers concept of villains masquerading as heroes.

But never finding the redemption that T-Bolts became to be about...they just about had Moonstone straightened out too...

I know you don't want to go back but trust me, you'll be missing some good stuff.

As in the ONLY good stuff...I wouldn't use the current book to wipe on the toilet for fear of offending what I was wiping off...

[ShadowDemon]

double post

[The Isolationist]

Why do you keep acting like mid-late 90's art is so drastically different than what you'd see today?


Maybe it's not just the art itself, but coloring and everything else. Surely you can see what I mean if you compare this:

http://i31.tinypic.com/1z30zd5.jpg

and this, from 1994:

http://i28.tinypic.com/2ldk6za.jpg

[Zomling]

Hopefully you'll pick up the original run on T-Bolts, because IMO it's much more interesting and exciting than it has been since Osborn's teams took over

I agree, the original with Zemo, Beetle, Songbird, Moonstone and the rest was better than the current arc, mainly due to the redemptive nature of the stories, there is no sense that the current Thunderbolts even want a shot at redemption.

Also pick up the Zemo - Born Better tpb, it's a great read and can be read as a stand alone story.

I'm only sticking with TB at present because the originals are meant to return as part of Dark Reign.