The Alpha Review
By Andrew Uys
I’ve heard that trade paperbacks — a run of comic issues collected into a graphic novel — are all the rage today. But which ones are worth your time? This column aims to put the spotlight on the spectacular trades — at least according to this writer. And just for fun, we will start with the letter “A,” and each subsequent review will follow with the next letter of the alphabet. While you might object to my taste or my opinion, I hope that this column will help save you time and money when you are next buying a trade paperback, as well as effort in alphabetizing.
T is for Thunderbolts Vol. 1: Faith in Monsters
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
Marvel Comics, 2008
The Civil War has just ended; Iron Man runs S.H.I.E.L.D; and supervillains now police America, hunting heroes who refuse to register with the government.
During the course of Marvel’s Civil War, a number of super-powered villains are offered the chance of reduced prison terms if they join the already existing, government-run, Thunderbolts team. With a new creative team involved — the esteemed Warren Ellis, and renowned Mike Deodato Jr. — the comic ratchets up the action and intensity by overhauling the Thunderbolts. And it works! The Thunderbolts series has gone from a decent but B-list (maybe even C-list) title, to being one of the hottest books produced by Marvel.
It’s hard to root for these villains as they take down heroes, but one cannot deny the attraction of watching these characters stay just one step ahead of self-created disaster. The first volume of Ellis’ run, Faith in Monsters, is the perfect jumping-on point for this title, and if you keep reading there are even bigger surprises are in store during Secret Invasion, Marvel’s big event comic after Civil War.
Before introducing the team roster, let me mention the big draw of this TPB for me — and this will either have you running to buy the book, or not reading this review any further. During Civil War, Norman Osborn, best known for putting on a mask and throwing pumpkin-themed bombs at Spider-Man as the Green Goblin, is given the task of creating a new Thunderbolts team, and it is his character that truly propels the story. Osborn plays the repentant, “paid-his-debt-to-society,” self-made man role — or rather, that is the image that he wants the American public to believe. Always teetering on the edge of self-destruction, Osborn is ruthless, determined, and loving the irony of hunting heroes. The Green Goblin is hidden just below the surface, always threatening to reemerge. It’s this character tension that drew me to the title. Osborn hasn’t reformed, and as the reader, you can’t wait for him to cut loose, and rain destruction on those foolish enough to have trusted him.
The rest of the Thunderbolts team is far from boring though. The big attractions are Venom, Bullseye, and Penance. Don’t recognize that last name? Don’t worry. It’s a former hero who feels the need to atone for his role in Civil War, and you’ll know his identity after the first issue. Other team members are Swordsman, Songbird, Radioactive Man, and Moonstone.
Watching Venom and Bullseye hunt heroes — with the authority of the American government no less — is both entertaining and alarming. They are monsters, and they do not deny their nature. Most of the characters have private reasons/goals for being on the team, and one of the best aspects of the book is watching the characters interact. This TPB is like reading the ultimate villain team-up story, with all the usual backstabbing and intrigue, but instead of them being defeated at the end (like they usually are), they win. And the public loves them for it!
Warren Ellis is a master of all genres. He crafts stories with depth and complexity, making you care for characters that you would normally ignore, and bringing it all alive with his superb dialogue. He has written a wealth of material, but one of my favourites is Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E., a bizarre, humorous send-up of the Marvel Universe, using only the most minor of heroes as characters. Thunderbolts is worlds away from this book in terms of “feel,” “style,” and “impact,” but this is a man who can write anything — and write it all superbly.
Mike Deodato Jr. brings a key element to the title with his dark, shadowy, and realistic art. If Ellis can get you invested in these characters, it is Deodato Jr. who reminds you that they are still the bad guys. His art captures every detail of the story, from Osborn struggling to maintain his façade, to Bullseye’s spine-shattering blows, and Venom’s sadistic grin as he eats his opponents. This creative team recharges a title that had a great premise, but wasn’t delivering. And while Ellis and Deodato Jr. have both moved on, it is a testament to their efforts that Thunderbolts just keeps getting better and better.
So, go and check out this TPB, and then enjoy the continuation of their run in Volume 2. If you are thinking of picking up any of the current “Dark Reign” titles — may I suggest Dark Avengers — you should read Thunderbolts Vol. 1: Faith in Monsters, as the rise of Norman Osborn begins here!
