Old Thunderbolt Stories

[Adem]

A comic book store near me is having a sale and I plan on getting some old issues of Thunderbolts. I was just wondering which arcs were the best. Thanks in advance for any help.

[tangentman]

I recommend a TPB or purchase of the first 12 issues for starters; the issues featuring the "Lightning Rods" and Hawkeye's assumption of leadership, building up to #25, are also good reads; the Scourge issues up to #50; and the Redeemers plot are decent reading, too.

[Dermie]

All of them!!! :D

However, I'd especially recommend the first year of the series, including the '97 Annual. It really lays the groundwork for everything that follows.

#20-23 is another good bunch of issues, and is a turning point for the series since it has a few cast shake-ups (including the addition of Hawkeye as a series regular)

#35 really kicks of the Scourge storyline, which starts at the very end of #34 and lasts until #50. #35 in particular is a strong issue, with the team dealing with an unexpected death.

#39 is another great issue: Zemo vs Scourge! It is also a 100 Page Monster, so it has several reprint stories as well, featuring Hawkeye's entire career as a supervillain in the old IRON MAN issues, and the issue where Erik Josten fights Luke Cage for the name "Power Man"

#42-44 are part of a crossover with the Avengers

#46-50 are a really intense bunch of issues, resolving the Scourge storyline, as well as a bunch of other ongoing arcs.

#56-58 are another good arc, with the return of the original T-Bolts in a major battle against Graviton

#60-75 has the series split off into two arcs, alternating from one issue to the next. One arc deals with the adventures of one group of T-Bolts on Counter-Earth, and the other with the remaining T-Bolts on regular Earth.
#75 is the end of the series for the original Thunderbolts (#76-81 are an entirely different cast of characters, storyline and creative team--no connection to the T-Bolts, so I never understood why they kept that name)

Then we've got the Avengers/Thunderbolts miniseries which wraps up the storylines of the original group, and sets things up for the New T-Bolts book!

[Adem]

Thanks everyone this helps alot :) .

[Kirk G]

I just picked up issues #18-33 with a few significant holes in the run, on the recommendation of coworkers and those here. I'm still looking for the lightning rods tie-ins, and after I determine how many of those #19-23 are necessary for the Hawkeye taking over storyline, I'll be turning the rest around on ebay. (Hey Wane, do you want me to PM you and offer you my excess at cost?)

[Kirk G]

A comic book store near me is having a sale and I plan on getting some old issues of Thunderbolts. I was just wondering which arcs were the best. Thanks in advance for any help.

If I ask you to pick up some specific issues to fill my holes, will you help me out? I'm only looking for the Lightning rods and the arc where Hawkeye takes over command of the t-bolts.... :cool:

[tricksterpup]

If I ask you to pick up some specific issues to fill my holes, will you help me out? I'm only looking for the Lightning rods and the arc where Hawkeye takes over command of the t-bolts.... :cool:
Kirk, you still gotta read the first story arc!!! pick up the TPB!!

[Kirk G]

Kirk, you still gotta read the first story arc!!! pick up the TPB!!

Oh, gosh mom, do I have to?
(I don't like the taste of Lima beans....)

[tricksterpup]

Oh, gosh mom, do I have to?
(I don't like the taste of Lima beans....)
YES or we shall DUCT TAPE you to your bed in the middle of the night and then take you outside and sit you on a raft on the middle of the lake!!

Its actually one of the best superhero stories I have ever read.

[Baron Bawookles]

The first 30 or so written by Busiek are really good, after he leaves the quality drops off a bit. I got practically the entire run off of e-bay for just $30, that's the way to go!

[Faust451]

Issues 1-50 and practically ever one of those issues is a winner. That's something you can't say about ever series. It was most def. a jem of it's time.

[Kirk G]

Kirk, you still gotta read the first story arc!!! pick up the TPB!!
Okay Tricksterpup, I'm considering the first story arc. Is it completely reprinted in a TradePaperback? If so, which one?
Or, is the Trade simply a collection of the first four issues and a smattering of other issues that they gueststar in?
Please advise!!!! :confused:

[PanzerMega]

Thunderbolts had so many continuing plot threads, that individual arcs don't stand out as much as the series as a whole does.

Really, if it's within your means, get the first 50 issues. After that, the quality went downhill and it isn't as essential reading.

[The Shadow]

I loved issues 1-50... after that I found it got stale.

[UniqueFrequency]

definitely until busiek left the book, at the very least