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With the *Thunderbolts* movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is set to conclude the current saga of this iconic super-team and usher in a thrilling new era. However, there's an unexpected twist: just as Marvel stunned MCU fans by renaming *Thunderbolts* to "The New Avengers" after its debut weekend, the upcoming *Thunderbolts* comic is also undergoing this surprising title change. Heroes like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine now face the daunting task of embodying the spirit of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Can they rise to the occasion?
It will be a challenging journey for these characters to gel into a cohesive and effective Avengers team. This was a key insight from our recent conversation with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper to discover more about the transformation of Thunderbolts into New Avengers, Humphries' strategy in assembling this unique lineup, and the formidable threat that necessitates such a powerhouse team.
The New Avengers #1: Exclusive Preview Gallery
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Who Are the New Avengers?
Given Marvel Studios' reputation for secrecy around upcoming projects, we were intrigued to learn when Humphries was informed about the title change during his development of the *Thunderbolts* pitch. Was the concept of a New Avengers comic always in the works, or was it a recent pivot? Fortunately, Humphries reveals that this wasn't a last-minute decision but part of the initial plan.
"It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith]," Humphries shared with IGN. "It's been both exhilarating and maddening to keep this top secret for months. It felt like planning a surprise party for thousands. I don't even have a document on my hard drive labeled 'New Avengers.' You never know."
Humphries further elaborated, "There were some logistical details to sort out behind the scenes, so I had to be ready to adapt quickly. But by the time I began working on the first issue, the plan was set. You can see the influence of [Brian] Bendis' and [Jonathan] Hickman's New Avengers teams in our lineup. Jed [MacKay] has a stellar group of heroes in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to stand out with its roster of 'bastards.'"
When it comes to selecting the team, Humphries had significant creative freedom. His aim was to represent various key sectors of the Marvel Universe with this new lineup.
"This was incredibly fun," Humphries exclaimed. "My concept was to mirror the Illuminati's composition—seven leaders from different parts of the Marvel Universe—but with some of the most formidable characters representing mutants, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and so on. I'm immensely grateful to our editor Alanna Smith for supporting this vision from the start, despite having to coordinate with almost every Marvel editorial office. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams app crying for mercy. And a huge thanks to all the editors and creators who entrusted us with their beloved characters! Love you all! (They're gonna regret it.)"
As Humphries hints, the New Avengers aren't your typical paragons of virtue. This team consists of hardened killers, monsters, and even a grumpy underwater monarch. Similar to the original 2004 New Avengers, these characters are thrown together by fate and circumstance, and their initial interactions may be anything but harmonious.
"I described it in my pitch as 'interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,'" Humphries said. "These aren't your typical guardians of humanity; they're a bunch of hotheads trying to channel their darker instincts for good, with varied success. They shouldn't be in the same room together. The big question is, who hates each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage. Or perhaps Namor and Laura. Or it could be..."
Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati
While the new series echoes the MCU's title change, the actual roster of the New Avengers differs significantly from its cinematic counterpart. The one familiar face is Bucky Barnes, who remains after the current Thunderbolts team concludes in *Thunderbolts: Doomstrike*. Bucky will be tasked with managing this diverse group of strong personalities and even stronger powers to form a functional team.
"I have so much respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] long, brilliant run with Bucky," Humphries remarked. "I'm honored to continue their legacy with the character. Bucky's going to need every bit of the wisdom and experience they've given him. The world is chaotic, and someone needs to step up and do something about it, damn it."
What threat could possibly demand the combined might of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Inspired by the classic Illuminati, their adversaries in the series are an offshoot known as the "Killuminati."
"Someone attempted to replicate the Illuminati, but it went horribly wrong," Humphries teased. "Now there are seven twisted, deformed versions causing havoc. Bucky's going to struggle to keep his team intact. And the same goes for the Killuminati and their 'leader'—Iron Apex."
*The New Avengers* pairs Humphries with artist Ton Lima, who previously contributed to titles like *New Thunderbolts* and *West Coast Avengers*. Humphries shares that the art style in this series draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another popular action movie franchise.
"Ton is a BEAST," Humphries praised. "He makes the heroes look brutal and sexy, and the villains look brutal and repulsive. I told him to watch every *Fast and the Furious* movie consecutively ten times without breaks. Judging by his work, I think he actually did it, the madman!"
*The New Avengers #1* is slated for release on June 11, 2025.
For more insights into the MCU's recent changes, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Bucky.
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