Marvel's Thunderbolts: Igniting a Revolution Beyond Suicide Squad
Marvel's Thunderbolts must carve its own path, differentiating from Suicide Squad With unique characters and a distinct storyline, Thunderbolts should stand out in its own right
Comic book fans adore their favorite stories for many reasons, one of which is the seamless integration of multiple storylines into one grand narrative. Batman and Superman, though fighting crime in different locations, unite with other DC heroes to form the formidable Justice League. In a parallel universe, Nick Fury assembles a team of superhumans from New York to Asgard to combat otherworldly supervillains as The Avengers. However, as the natural order dictates, equilibrium must be maintained.
Where there exists a league of righteous heroes dedicated to justly fighting crime, there inevitably arises a league of antiheroes who, though also combating crime, do so on their own terms, often resorting to violence. Representing these antiheroes in the DC universe is the Suicide Squad, while Marvel's counterpart is the Thunderbolts. With the DCEU having already incorporated two Suicide Squad films into its overarching storyline, the MCU is now preparing to introduce its own antihero team with the highly anticipated Thunderbolts film slated for release in 2024.
DC and Marvel are undoubtedly the leading comic book brands and CBM industries, boasting a staggering total of 46 films within their respective universes. This count does not even take into account the animated films and numerous TV shows associated with these franchises. Consequently, it is only natural for these two powerhouses to introduce characters with strikingly similar traits. For instance, we have the childhood billionaire turned vigilante crime fighter (Iron Man and Batman), as well as the super-powered alien who defended Earth against its extraterrestrial foes (Thor and Superman). While fans have wholeheartedly embraced these resemblances and managed to distinguish each character, the relationship between Suicide Squad and Thunderbolts is even more intertwined. Therefore, it is imperative for the MCU to ensure that their upcoming antihero team film does not unintentionally imitate the DCEU's antihero team.
Thunderbolts and Suicide Squad Have Similar Premises
The obvious similarity between Thunderbolts and Suicide Squad lies in the fact that they are both teams comprised of antiheroes. In the case of the Suicide Squad (referring to the 2016 film), the team consists of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Rick Flag, Captain Boomerang, El Diablo, Killer Croc, and Slipknot - all of whom are criminals and have, at some point, been adversaries of various members of the Justice League. Similarly, the Thunderbolts include Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (also known as the Winter Soldier), John Walker (known as US Agent), Red Guardian, Ghost, and Taskmaster, along with other former criminals who are seeking redemption. However, the specific members of the Thunderbolts team that will appear in the film are yet to be confirmed.
In addition to being a band of antiheroes, each group was enlisted by a government agency. The Thunderbolts were recruited by the CIA, while the Suicide Squad was brought together by US intelligence officer Amanda Waller. Both recruitments were shrouded in dubious circumstances, as the DC villains were essentially used to conceal the government's errors, and the formation of the Thunderbolts remained a mystery to fans and viewers alike.
Thunderbolts Is Using More Established (But Less Popular) Characters
Between the numerous DC animated shows and video games, the characters of the Suicide Squad had already become well-known among fans. However, when it came to the two films released as part of the DCEU, it was the first time any of these characters made their debut on the big screen. It is worth mentioning that there was a post-credit scene in the Suicide Squad movie featuring a cameo by Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne, which hinted at the formation of the Justice League.
The Thunderbolts team has an advantage in the fact that all of its members have already been introduced in previous MCU films. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, has been actively recruiting these characters, starting with John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. She then recruits Yelena Belova in Black Widow and makes another appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
While the MCU has successfully introduced these characters, casual fans may not have been familiar with them until their appearances in the MCU. However, the dedicated Marvel comic book readers may already be aware of these characters and the potential of the Thunderbolts team. It's important to note that even casual fans can still get to know these characters, as the MCU is currently developing their individual character arcs.
Thunderbolts Has To Be Its Own Thing
In contrast, the characters in Thunderbolts are driven by a desire for redemption, particularly individuals like Yelena and Bucky. These antiheroes were victims of brainwashing by enemy forces, leading them to unknowingly engage in terrorist activities.
Thunderbolts is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 26, 2024, further establishing the MCU's distinctiveness from Suicide Squad. However, the reason behind the formation of the Thunderbolts remains shrouded in mystery.
