Every ‘Thunderbolts’ Member, Their Powers, and How They’re Connected

2025 promises an exciting Marvel release: the action-packed thriller known as Thunderbolts. This movie brings together a diverse ensemble of anti-heroes from the franchise, including Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, John Walker, Ghost, Taskmaster, and Valentina de Fontaine. The group resembles DC’s Suicide Squad, with a new member, Sentry, joining the fray. Each character has a rich comic book history that could be delved into in this film, much of it linked to spy networks like HYDRA and the Red Room. While some characters have undergone changes from their comic book counterparts, this is typical for comic book adaptations and may result in fresh, innovative storytelling in this movie.

As per Marvel 101, it was Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley who introduced the Thunderbolts in a particular issue of The Incredible Hulk. Baron Zemo formed this team consisting of villains such as Beetle, Moonstone, and Songbird, who posed as an emerging group of heroes, managing to fool the public. However, once Zemo revealed their true identity, many members turned against him and decided to become the good guys instead. The Thunderbolts, like the Avengers, have had numerous members changes over time; at one instance, they comprised Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Luke Cage. A constant thread in this team is that it attracts reformed villains, former assassins, or heroes with a slightly skewed sense of morality compared to traditional hero groups.

Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier, White Wolf)

In the classic Captain America comics, a character named Bucky Barnes initially appeared as a young assistant to Steve Rogers, reminiscent of Batman’s Robin. Tragically, it seemed that he was lost during World War II; however, he resurfaced years later as the Winter Soldier – essentially serving as HYDRA’s ruthless enforcer. Following his encounter with HYDRA agents, Bucky’s injured arm was replaced with a mechanical one and he was given a modified version of the super-soldier serum that Steve Rogers had received. This upgrade granted him extraordinary physical prowess, speed, and recovery abilities. The programming implanted by HYDRA turned him into an unthinking assassin capable of eliminating a man in hundreds of lethal ways.

In due course, Bucky successfully breaks free from HYDRA’s mind control and recovers his lost memories. He takes a spell in Wakanda for recuperation, with Shuri affectionately calling him the White Wolf during this time. The snap by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War left him as a casualty, leading him to consult a therapist following the events of Endgame. He teamed up with Sam Wilson to bring down the Flag Smashers in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but has been gradually regaining his former self. As per Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky, his mental health will be significantly altered from what we’ve previously witnessed.

Yelena Belova (Former Widow/Red Room Assassin)

Growing up side by side with Natasha within the confines of the Red Room, I, too, honed my abilities in hand-to-hand combat, covert operations, and weaponry. Much like her, I was subjected to psychological conditioning designed to sculpt the ultimate assassin. In the comic books, I view Natasha as a formidable rival and strive to surpass her as the Black Widow. The Black Widow film, however, portrays us as sisters who were apart for only a short while before our training commenced, implying a deep bond between us. In the movie, I rejoin my former family in dismantling the Red Room and its leader, Dreykov, but ultimately choose to carve out a life of my own.

Ever since Natasha’s selfless act in Endgame, Yelena has been grappling with feelings of detachment and loneliness. In the Hawkeye series, Valentina presents her with an opportunity to take revenge on Clint Barton, alleging that he was behind Natasha’s demise. Upon discovering the truth, Yelena reconsiders Clint, but her sorrow persists. In the first teaser, she is seen leaping from a building, which actress Florence Pugh disclosed at SDCC as Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest structure. Yelena finds solace in Alexei Shostakov, who serves as her closest paternal figure, and they both join the Thunderbolts.

Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian)

Previously called the Red Guardian, Alexei was a Soviet solider who received a similar version of the Captain America serum, augmenting his strength, agility, and resilience. His attire and shield mimic Captain America’s, and they often clashed in the comic books. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alexei (portrayed by David Harbour) took care of Natasha and Yelena as kids and sent them to the Red Room for training. Later on, they rescue him from prison to aid them in taking down Dreykov. Throughout the film, he often reminisces about his past as a Russian hero and reappears in his old costume to recapture his former fame and glory.

In the movie “Black Widow,” Alexei primarily served as comic relief, yet he demonstrated deep affection for his daughters, Natasha and Yelena, offering them guidance whenever possible. This seems to continue in “Thunderbolts” as he strives to be a supportive father for a mourning Yelena. The presence of many significant characters from “Black Widow,” especially, gives the impression that this film is a continuation and addresses some unresolved matters it had left behind.

Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov)

In my opinion, I found it intriguing when Black Widow introduced Taskmaster, a character that stirred quite a bit of debate among fans. You see, the comic book version of Taskmaster is Tony Masters, a hitman who can replicate the fighting techniques of any hero or villain he encounters. He often worked for major villains, criminal organizations, and occasionally heroes willing to pay him dearly. However, in the film, Taskmaster was revealed to be Antonia Dreykov, the brainwashed daughter of the Red Room’s top honcho, a fact that Natasha believed had led to her demise. Interestingly, it was the suit she wore that saved her life and granted her the ability to mimic combat styles.

As portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, Antonia found relief from the constraints of the Red Room at the finale of Black Widow. However, the events that unfolded for her afterward remained a puzzle until recently. In the trailer, she seems to make fewer appearances compared to other Thunderbolts members, sparking theories among fans that her character might not make it through the movie’s conclusion. It’s possible that Marvel is taking a new approach due to the response to the comic book deviations.

Ghost (Ava Starr)

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ghost, whose real name is Ava Starr, makes her return following her last appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Unlike her comic book counterpart who was a nameless, male assassin with the ability to turn invisible and pass through solid objects, the movie version of Ghost (portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen) has a more compassionate backstory. Ava Starr is the daughter of Elias Starr, also known as Egghead in the comics. In a tragic event involving a particle accelerator, she gained the powers to phase through matter and become intangible. However, this power came at a cost: it left her terminally ill.

SHIELD agents devised a method to temporarily restore her health, but compelled her to undertake hazardous assignments and commit assassinations on their behalf. Over time, this character, known as Ghost, manages to break free and seeks assistance from Bill Foster in an attempt to cure herself. Eventually, Bill provides her with Pym particles taken from Hank’s lab, which might improve her overall health. The trailer hints that she has honed her ability to phase in and out at will during combat since the events of Ant-Man 2, indicating greater mastery over her powers.

John Walker (U.S. Agent)

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the poignant moment when Steve Rogers officially passed the mantle of Captain America in “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” The government then selected John Walker to carry on the legacy. Much like Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Alexei, Walker underwent the super-soldier serum treatment that bestowed upon him many of the same physical enhancements they possessed. Initially, he flourished in his role as the new super-soldier, but the weight of the mantle and the swelling pride soon became too much for him to handle. In the comics, Walker chose to relinquish the shield to preserve the noble legacy of Captain America. However, in the series, he succumbed to his darker instincts, committing a heinous act on camera that led to the revocation of his shield and title as Captain America.

In the storyline, the character portrayed by Wyatt Russell (Walker) initially forms an uneasy partnership with Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson. However, at the conclusion, Walker chooses to act independently, leaving the audience uncertain about his future intentions – whether this is a step towards redemption or a deeper slide into villainy. It’s worth noting that Walker seems to have a closer relationship with Valentina than the other characters, which could suggest he might play a crucial role in her larger scheme.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Valentina has primarily played a supporting role up until now, yet her brief appearances suggest that she could pose a significant danger in the future. She boasts a high position within both the CIA and SHIELD, possessing exceptional intelligence operative skills and an expert manipulator’s finesse. In the comics, Valentina initially served as Nick Fury’s love interest, but their relationship didn’t last due to her secretive and self-centered nature. Some comic storylines even referred to her as Madame Hydra, reflecting her frequent alliances with the HYDRA organization.

Val, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, typically operates behind the scenes, gathering characters like Yelena Belova and John Walker. The movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever provided some insights into her character as she attempted to manipulate America towards a conflict with Wakanda. Agent Everett Ross eventually uncovers her scheme and arrests her, but it appears she has enough allies within SHIELD and the government to avoid any repercussions. As the mastermind behind the Thunderbolts team, it seems she’s taken on a role similar to Baron Zemo. Her assistant, “Mel,” is also introduced in the trailer and speculation suggests that she may join the team later on.

Sentry (Bob)

The last character introduced, or possibly the adversary, goes by the name of Sentry. He introduces himself as “Bob” in the trailer and is portrayed by Lewis Pullman. In the storyline, he seems to be unaware of his own identity and the reasons behind the Thunderbolts pursuing him. However, it’s important to note that the Sentry is among the most powerful Marvel characters ever created, essentially serving as a malevolent version of Superman. His introduction into the MCU is significant for comic book enthusiasts.

The tale goes that Robert Reynolds forcefully entered a lab, consumed an enhanced edition of the Captain America serum, bestowing upon him numerous superpowers. In time, he felt compelled to erase all recollections of himself from everyone’s minds to shield them from his sinister persona, which may explain why neither he nor anyone else seems to recognize him. It remains uncertain if he will recover his memories and confront the Thunderbolts, as his character in this narrative is still developing.

2025-01-12 19:32