Thunderbolts #1
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Steve Dillon
Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco
A new team composed of some of the deadliest anti-heroes the Marvel Universe has to offer takes center stage in Thunderbolts #1. When you see the line up of Punisher, Elektra, Venom, Deadpool, and Red Hulk, you expect to see quite the amount of violence and over the top action. This issue does have a bit of action, but we’ll have to be patient for the over the top part. Most of this issue has General Ross recruiting the people needed to form the team that will carry out his plans. The details of which we don’t know yet, however, we are treated to a pretty good story overall. Though a bit formulaic at times, but it’s only the set up issue, and Way at least makes it interesting enough to grab interest for future issues.
Each member joins for their own reasons, but Venom and Punisher are the two that have a certain connection due to their military service. Way shows from the start that Venom, aka Corporal Flash Thompson, has a lot of respect for General Ross and his legendary status. Punisher is a Vet, and while his methods are extreme and controversial, Ross sees a place and a need for those skills. It’s going to be interesting to see how or even if Way plays off of the dynamic between these three characters.
When it comes to the artwork, Dillon delivers his sharp and clean style that makes for a good looking issue. The action is handled well as usual, and his characters have a nice range of detail. The only scene that wasn’t too explosive was that last page. Most of the issue had been spent towards that build up, and it just didn’t hit with enough force. Though that is just my opinion.
A nice introduction to the new line up in Thunderbolts, and the team is aptly named considering the man who put them together. Now we just have to wait and see what the creative team does with them in this age of Marvel NOW!
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
I picked this one off the shelf at my LCS and promplty placed it back after noticing that the vomit inducing pencils were handled by Steve Dillon.
I liked his stuff on Wolverine Origins but the only issue I have w/ some of his work is that the fight scenes are stiff when it comes to the hand to hand stuff and choreagrophy
My only two experiences with Dillon were on Avenging Spider-Man and Incredible Hulk (that Punisher team-up one against the Dog headed thug.. Da Fuq was that?)