Note: This cover was originally solicited as the cover of issue #137.

Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Pop Mahn and Carlos Rodriguez

Warning! Contains spoilers!

First, I must say that to this day I’ve yet to catch up on Secret Warriors. The premise intrigued me when it was just promoted, and I planned on reading Jonathan Hickman’s first big project for Marvel. Somehow, it has yet to happen and so I didn’t read any of the issues this story arc of Thunderbolts was crossed over with, namely the most recent issue #8. Yet, the story didn’t confuse me, so I guess I can live with my misdeed for the time being.

This issue not only wraps up the latest story arc, but also serves as Diggle’s last issue. His run was shorter than expected, and thanks to his move to greater pastures (becoming the new scribe of Daredevil), Diggle had to give up this smaller book for a new writer. Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Punisher) will take over next issue and will be joined by Mahmud Asrar (Dynamo 5) on art.

Many fans of the Thunderbolts didn’t like the changes the book has been through post-Civil War. Warren Ellis took over as the new writer, and instead of nice little team book consisting of former villains playing as secret superheroes, Ellis made it into A-list psychopaths pretending to be heroes. While many old fans dismayed, the title became the most popular it ever was. After many late issues and a another big change both for the MU and the book, Andy Diggle was given a C-list cast of mercenaries playing black-ops for Norman Osborn. Espionage and treachery were the main event.

Now, the new lineup started a bit rocky and suffered mostly due to a failed (in my opinion) crossover with Deadpool. When it ended, we were back in business, and after a surprising recruitment (Mr. X was always cool and full of unrealized potential for me, but not a team player), all the secrets started to unfold. The Black Widow was revealed to be, well, the Black Widow. I mean, the original Natasha instead of that blond bitch Yelena. She risked her life and blew her cover only to save Songbird from Norman’s clutches. Hunted by her teammates now led by the mysterious Scourge (another new recruit), eventually the pair fell to Osborn’s grasp and Natasha - once considered the best spook in the world - was tricked so easily by Norman and gave him what he wanted: Nick Fury.

Last issue ended with Fury shot to death point-blank in the head. Even he couldn’t get out of that situation, and nothing in the story implied it was an LMD. Well, turns out it was. I know surprises and shocks are the bread and meat of these kinds of stories, but come on… Maybe I just need to reread last issue or perhaps the clues were in Secret Warriors, yet I can’t escape from the feeling that this was sloppy writing.

Other big things happened in this arc and this issue, like Songbird being reunited with her old teammates Mach IV (or whatever digit he’s now) and Fixer. I hope Remender will do something with this, since apparently he won’t change much of Diggle’s lineup and general plot. As for Osborn’s T-Bolts, while Norman pulled his strings and Mr. X took on Natasha and Melissa, it seemed as though his teammates were clueless. That, until Ant-Man followed them to Fury’s hideout and Widow’s supposed new friends decided to follow the boss’ orders instead of helping her take him down.

In this issue, however, something caused Headsman and Paladin to regret their move, and they turned on Scourge and Mr. X. It seemed as though Mr. X would be unbeatable, but thankfully the Ghost showed out of nowhere (literally) and revealed a new ace card, proving that Mr. X is not all that perfect. Personally, he is my favorite T-Bolt of the current team, and I’m glad to know he’ll stay around. Which brings me to another point: I’m not sure what made the “traitors” stay. While Ghost destroyed any evidence of what he and his friends did (not exactly, but I’ll get to that soon), they still want to see Osborn being taken down. I hope staying around means they’ll try doing it from the inside instead of running away and become outlaws.

As for “destroying any evidence,” seems like no one counted Ant-Man. I know he’s mostly a jerk and a coward, but no one thought he might be hiding in the air vents? He’s the only witness to his teammates’ treacherous act, and who knows what he’s going to do now? Obviously Eric’s in for the money, and he participates in missions more than he ever did with other teams or acts (from the few things I know about him), yet he’s very unpredictable. I really expected him to help Black Widow and Songbird when he followed them to Nick Fury. Oh, well. I hope Remender will do him a better justice and looks like Eric will have to deal with a new conflict.

Finally, in the end we get to see Scourge’s real face as he wants to embrace his true self - Nuke. Osborn seems fine with that, but for his failures also demotes him and brings in the real Yelena Belova aka Black Widow II to take over leadership. Feels like getting back to square one…

I was not impressed by the art for the most part of this run, and this issue showed no improvement. It’s not consistent and suffers from lots of problems. Generally, it adds to the environment of the story, but it’s just not that good. Even black-ops/espionage stories need good artwork.

I give this issue 3 out of 5 electro-convulsive shocks.

To contact Tomer Soiker: tsoiker@panelsonpages.com