Thunderbolts Week: The Comic Origins Of The Movie Cast

One thing many fans were surprised about with the announcement of Marvel’s Thunderbolts* was that the MCU didn’t really have the deep villain bench that the incognito villain concept required. Well, that did mean a big alteration of the concept, and we wanted to take a look at the comic origins of the anti-heroes that are the film’s heart.

The Winter Soldier

Creators (as Bucky): Joe Simon, Jack Kirby

Creators (as the Winter Soldier): Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting

First Appearance (as Bucky): Captain America Comics #1

First Appearance (as the Winter Soldier): Captain America Vol. 5 #1

James Buchanan Barnes was Captain America’s sidekick through all of World War II, as well as the leader of the Young Allies. After the war ended Captain America and Bucky continued on, fighting other types of fascists, such as Soviet spies and villains.

When Marvel Comics was established, and Steve Rogers was found under glacial ice, the duo’s post-WWII history was retconned. Now, near the end of the war, Steve was frozen and Bucky was killed trying to stop Baron Zemo’s latest plot. The Caps and Bucky’s of the 1950s were other super soldiers taking Steve and Bucky’s place. For decades, Bucky became Steve’s greatest tragedy and a cautionary tale for young inexperienced heroes.

In 2004, Marvel relaunched Captain America in the wake of the Avengers Disassembled event, and writer Ed Brubaker revealed the impossible- Bucky Barnes had survived, brainwashed as a Hydra assassin. Since then, Bucky has become one of the most interesting and morally complex heroes in the Marvel Universe.

Yelena Belova

Creators: Devin Grayson, JG Jones

First Appearance: Inhumans Vol. 2 #5

Yelena Belova was a hand-picked successor to the Black Widow mantle, intended to replace Natasha Romanova after her betrayal of the Red Room. Ever since, she’s been a thorn in the side of various heroes, Nat especially. 

Until relatively recently, she was generally in an antagonistic role, if not outright a villain, working for the Red Room, A.I.M., and Norman Osborn. Since her prominence after the character’s film debut, she’s softened somewhat, becoming a more heroic, yet still morally grey presence in the Marvel Universe.

Red Guardian

First Appearance: Avengers #43

Creators: Roy Thomas, John Buscema

The Red Guardian mantle has been worn by numerous Soviet and Russian heroes. Most notable of the group is Alexei Shostakov. Alexei was one the Soviet Union’s most talented test pilots and that notoriety led to him marrying Natalia Romanova (yep, that’s who you think it is). He was recruited some time later to become the Red Guardian, hero of the Soviet Union, and faked his death on orders from his superiors. This directly led to Nat volunteering to become a spy for the Red Room.

He was usually a very antagonistic presence against the Avengers and Black Widow. Just like Yelena, it wasn’t until more recently that he started becoming more of an ally.

USAgent

First Appearance: Captain America #323

Creators: Mark Gruenwald, Tom Morgan

John Walker is a super-soldier and veteran, who first gained powers to honor his brother. He later became a patriotic hero, and eventually replaced Steve Rogers himself as Captain America when Steve briefly retired from the role. He then took up the mantle of USAgent, and served with the Avengers and other teams.

John is very much a product of his time — a Reagan era right-wing conservative. The character has grown quite a bit, but still shifts back and forth between being a noble but flawed hero and an antagonistic asshole. Regardless, he’s proven himself to be a hero that others can rely on.

Ghost

First Appearance: Iron Man #219

Creators: David Michelinie, Bob Layton

Perhaps the most different from their movie counterpart (though Taskmaster is still to come), the Ghost is a nameless spy and saboteur. The character has been a thorn in Iron Man’s side for much of his existence, and has also faced down everyone from Spider-Man to the Avengers. He’s often described as creepy and unsettling just like his namesake…

Taskmaster

First Appearance: Avengers #195

Creators: David Michelinie, George Perez

The Marvel Universe’s greatest mercenary, Tony Masters has the ability to mimic any movement of others through simple observation. That means he could easily become a stilled dancer or diver, but obviously found this skill most useful as a fighter.

Masters eventually became muscle for hire, and also founded a school for wannabe mercs. He has since bounced around the entire Marvel Universe, literally fighting everyone. He most recently has been a thorn in the side of the Spider-heroes, particularly Miles Morales.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Creator: Jim Steranko

First Appearance: Strange Tales #159

Valentina is one of the oldest characters of the cast. She first appeared in the midst of the classic Jim Steranko Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. run. One part love interest, six parts superspy, Val is one of the most capable heroes of the Marvel espionage set. She could go blow for blow with her longtime love Nick Fury, and has gone as far as leading S.H.I.E.L.D.

In more recent years, she gained a little more of an edge, with some more grey morality. She’s definitely shifted into more of an antagonistic role, as a double agent and Hydra sleeper, but maybe not… She’s still one of the more fascinating characters in Marvel’s spy world.

The Sentry

Creators: Paul Jenkins, Jae Lee

First Appearance: The Sentry #1

Robert Reynolds is the world’s greatest superhero. He’s also the world’s greatest threat. No one remembers him. With that hook, Marvel introduced Robert Reynolds as the Sentry tried to remember his heroic past. It turns out, his incredible power also had a dark half, the Void, which was equally powerful as the god-like Sentry.

The Sentry eventually became an Avengers mainstay despite his mental instability. He served on the team through most of the early 2000s and proved himself largely as one of the world’s greatest heroes … even if the Void is always just around the corner.