Much like the film of the same name that debuted last week, Marvel has revealed that it’s upcoming New Thunderbolts* title won’t actually be called New Thunderbolts.
In a synergistic move, the new title is actually called New Avengers.
“Plot twist, it’s been New Avengers all along,” said writer Sam Humphries. “I promised surprises, and this is the first of many. It’s a thrill and an honor to continue the grand New Avengers tradition of team dynamics that are as explosive as the threats. And this era has two combustible teams: the New Avengers and the Killuminati!”
The team will face off with corrupt clones of the Illuminati, which was the secret society of several Marvel geniuses and leaders, including Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Black Bolt and Namor, among others. Which seems appropriate, given that the group was formed in New Avengers back when Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven helmed the title.
Also, let’s not forget that the first issue of Thunderbolts back in 1997 had a bit of a twist itself, as Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley revealed the brand new heroes starring in it were really villains. And hey, if this means we still have a chance of a new Thunderbolts title featuring the original crew somewhere down the line, I’m all for it.
Here’s the revised cover for the first issue by Stephen Segovia, with the new logo:
And here are the first issue’s variant covers by Bagley, Josemaria Casanovas, two by Derrick Chew, Ejikure, Stephanie Hans, Woo-Chul Lee, Whilce Portacio and Andy Park:
New Avengers #1 by Humphries and Ton Lima comes out June 11.