With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is set to conclude one era of the franchise and usher in a fresh chapter for this enduring super-team. In an unexpected twist, mirroring the MCU's move to retitle Thunderbolts as "The New Avengers" after its debut weekend, the upcoming comic series will also adopt this new name. Heroes such as Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine now face the daunting task of embodying the legacy of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The question on everyone's mind: do they have what it takes?

The journey to becoming a cohesive Avengers team won't be easy for these characters. This was a key point highlighted in our recent discussion with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper to uncover more about the transformation of Thunderbolts into the New Avengers, Humphries' unique character selections, and the formidable new threat necessitating such a powerful team.

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Who Are the New Avengers?

Given Marvel Studios' renowned secrecy regarding future projects, we were eager to understand when Humphries learned about the title change during the development of his Thunderbolts pitch. Was the New Avengers concept always in the works, or was it a later pivot? Humphries clarified that this wasn't a sudden change but a plan established from the outset.

"It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith]," Humphries told IGN. "It's been both thrilling and challenging to keep this secret for months. It's like planning a surprise for thousands. I don't even have a file on my hard drive labeled 'New Avengers.' You just never know."

He added, "There were logistical details to sort out initially, so I was ready to adapt quickly. But the plan was set by the time I started the first issue. The lineup reflects the spirit of previous New Avengers teams by Bendis and Hickman. Jed [MacKay] has assembled a formidable group of heroes for the Avengers book, and I wanted our series to stand out with its own unique, rogue ensemble."

Humphries enjoyed considerable creative freedom in assembling the Thunderbolts/New Avengers lineup, aiming to represent various facets of the Marvel Universe.

"This was incredibly enjoyable," Humphries said. "My concept was to mirror the Illuminati, featuring key figures from different realms of the Marvel Universe. I'm thankful to our editor Alanna Smith for backing this vision from the start, even though it required coordination across numerous Marvel offices. That's the sound of her Microsoft Teams pleading for a break. And a huge shoutout to the editors and creators who trusted us with their beloved characters! They might come to regret it."

As Humphries hinted, the New Avengers members aren't the typical beacons of morality and heroism. This team comprises hardened killers, monsters, and a cantankerous underwater king, brought together by fate and circumstance, much like the original New Avengers from 2004.

"I described it in my pitch as 'interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,'" Humphries said. "These aren't your standard guardians of humanity; they're volatile characters trying to channel their darker instincts for good, often with unpredictable results. They shouldn't even be in the same room together. The big question is, who despises each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage, or Namor and Laura, or..."

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati

While the new series adopts the MCU's title change, the roster differs significantly. The one consistent element is Bucky Barnes, who remains after the current Thunderbolts team concludes its journey in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. Bucky will be tasked with unifying this diverse group into an effective team.

"I have immense respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] extensive work with Bucky," Humphries said. "Following their legacy is an honor. Bucky will draw upon the wisdom and experience from his previous trials. The world is in chaos, and someone must take action."

The threat necessitating the formation of the New Avengers, including Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk, stems from a sinister offshoot of the Illuminati. Humphries dubs them the "Killuminati."

Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)

"Someone attempted to create duplicates of the Illuminati, but things went terribly wrong," Humphries teased. "Now, there are seven deranged and distorted versions causing havoc. Bucky will face significant challenges in keeping his team cohesive. The same applies to the Killuminati and their 'leader' — Iron Apex."

The New Avengers series brings together Humphries and artist Ton Lima, whose previous work includes New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries noted that the art style draws inspiration not from the MCU, but from another action-packed movie franchise.

"Ton is phenomenal," Humphries said. "He portrays the heroes as fierce and charismatic, and the villains as menacing and repulsive. I suggested he marathon every Fast and the Furious movie consecutively, and judging by his artwork, I believe he did just that."

The New Avengers #1 will hit the shelves on June 11, 2025.

For more insights into the MCU's recent title shift, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers, and delve into why the MCU faces challenges with Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Bucky.