DOES 2+2 = ELLIS ON THUNDERBOLTS?

**MattBrady** · 10-05-2006, 02:07 PM

So, just what is going on with Marvel’s Thunderbolts?

Putting some pieces together, then.

As revealed on the final page of Civil War #4, the team has some new recruits. Along with Songbird, the new team, sanctioned by the Pro-Registration side included: Venom, Taskmaster, Bullseye, Lady Deathstrike, Jack O’Lantern and Jester.

Given December’s solicitation information, Thunderbolts fans were already abuzz, given that the information strongly suggests that issue #109 will be the “last” issue of the current direction – along with what looks to be the return of Moonstone.

Last Friday, in New Joe Fridays, Marvel Editor in Chief confirmed rumors that a new creative team was coming for the title, saying, “While I can’t say anything about T-Bolts today, you’ll hear more about it by next week and we may even have some art to go along with the announcement. Man, are the cats going to dig the Mexican wrestling action in the new T-bolts!”

Okay – the Mexican wrestling was a joke (we hope) and a reference to the “Fight Club” take the book took a while back. (Don’t remember it? Don’t worry.) The puzzle of the new Thunderbolts team may have gotten another piece today as Warren Ellis wrote in his Bad Signal e-mail newsletter:

“For the superhero fans: I believe Marvel are to announce my next project with them on Friday.”

Does, in this situation, 2+2 = a new Thunderbolts writer?

Marvel neither confirmed nor denied that Ellis would be the new writer on Thunderbolts, but reiterated to Newsarama that an announcement will be coming tomorrow. Additionally, if the information is released early enough, we’ll be asking Joe Quesada about it (as well as what will be happening with current Thunderbolts writer Fabian Nicieza if the speculation is true) as part of tomorrow’s New Joe Fridays Q&A session.

Vallick · 10-05-2006, 02:19 PM

if Ellis IS on the book, maybe I'll actually buy it.

otherwise..nope. still cant stand Marvel.

Neil64 · 10-05-2006, 02:23 PM

Thunderbolts is one of only three Marvels I buy regularly. Nicieza and Grummett have been doing a great job with a complex cast of characters.
Ah well, trust Marvel circa 2006 to screw up a good thing. If Ellis is indeed the new writer, I guess it'll save me $2.99 a month.

deathmasterj · 10-05-2006, 02:27 PM

I buy it as it is, and I'll still buy it with Ellis on (IF he is actually on the book). I love the guys work. I love Nicieza as well, so will probably follow him to whatever he moves to.

Kolimar · 10-05-2006, 02:27 PM

Hmm... interesting. Warren knows how to do twisted stuff and now he gets a bunch of criminals to do it.

At the very least, I guess this will improve Thunderbolts' sales.

J.L. · 10-05-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vall-dick

if Ellis IS on the book, maybe I'll actually buy it.

otherwise..nope. still cant stand Marvel.

That's unfortunate.

I hope it's Ellis because I'll be all over that book if it is.

J.

BillReed · 10-05-2006, 02:28 PM

Maybe I'd buy it, then.

amlah6 · 10-05-2006, 02:30 PM

I'll buy Ellis on anything.

jpweb6071 · 10-05-2006, 02:31 PM

Interesting. I'd buy a Warren Ellis penned Thunderbolts.

Why Jack O'Lantern and Jester? I certainly don't see either of these guys in the same league as Bullseye, Venom, or Taskmaster. Have either villain even been seen anywhere in the last few years? I bet they're there to be killed off a la Goliath - shows up suddenly out of nowhere just to be killed. At least Jack O'Lantern has a cool flaming head. Jester looks like a joke even when drawn by McNiven.

CodeGuy · 10-05-2006, 02:34 PM

Ellis can be good. I haven't gotten into Thunderbolts since the first couple of years, so this is worth a shot.

Ace · 10-05-2006, 02:35 PM

Ellis > Jenkins > Millar so far as the Brits in Marvel go

of course Carey > Ellis as someone I'd rather read.

But then there are a few different Warren Ellis' .. I'd rather see Authority 1-12 Warren Ellis on Tbolts than "All Warren Ellis Marvel work" Ellis on Tbolts. And even then I'd rather it be less widescreen.

Hopefully it keeps the humanity in. Ellis can do it, if he can be bothered.

Tbolts is all about humanity. It's not about evil villains. It's about people.

EyesBL7 · 10-05-2006, 02:35 PM

Secret Six anyone?

Sean Walsh · 10-05-2006, 02:35 PM

Been a THUNDERBOLTS fan since the very beginning.

Not sure if I like the change in direction, but I think Ellis would tip the scales in favor of me continuing.

And I'm not caring for CIVIL WAR at all and still saying this...

And yeah, it's gonna be nice seeing TBOLTS sales go way up from now on.

SpyGuy · 10-05-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil64

Thunderbolts is one of only three Marvels I buy regularly. Nicieza and Grummett have been doing a great job with a complex cast of characters.
Ah well, trust Marvel circa 2006 to screw up a good thing. If Ellis is indeed the new writer, I guess it'll save me $2.99 a month.

I like Nicieza and Grummett's work on THUNDERBOLTS, but in my opinion, it certainly doesn't stand out enough for me to justify my $2.99 per month. There are plenty of other titles like CAPTAIN AMERICA, SHE-HULK, DAREDEVIL, EX MACHINA, THE BOYS, and X-FACTOR that have something more to offer than THUNDERBOLTS does currently. If Ellis takes on the title, however, that could change quickly.

I hope this doesn't mean a new #1, though. You see how well the NEW THUNDERBOLTS relaunch idea worked out after a while...

dchart1 · 10-05-2006, 02:44 PM

Why do they want to screw up a good book again? It was going great the way it was. Just like Civil War totally interrupts a great Captain America run.

I liked Ellis on Stormwatch and Authority, but his Marvel work has been far from stellar other than Punisher.

BubbaKanoosh · 10-05-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Walsh

Been a THUNDERBOLTS fan since the very beginning.

Not sure if I like the change in direction, but I think Ellis would tip the scales in favor of me continuing.

And I'm not caring for CIVIL WAR at all and still saying this...

And yeah, it's gonna be nice seeing TBOLTS sales go way up from now on.

Its a shame it took this to do it though..
TBolts to me is one of the most consistantly entertaining comics coming from Marvel....

Under Fabien, you never knew what was gonna happen next..

I'd still buy it, not sure if I like this lineup though..
seems like hokey to me..

chap22 · 10-05-2006, 02:47 PM

new direction, wherein we abandon the villains-seeking-redemption theme and instead put together some of the most evil sickos we can find for no real apparent reason? AND Ellis may be the writer?

yep, Marvel has officially speared my favorite book right through the heart. bah. a pox on your house, Quesadilla. that's 3 more bucks i can afford to buy food with now every month.

Snowspinner · 10-05-2006, 02:48 PM

I love Ellis on Transmet, loved Jack Cross, love Fell, Nextwave makes me laugh, and I'm very much excited for newUniversal.

I, however, have no interest in seeing him do in-continuity superheroes. Iron Man was a trainwreck, even his Ultimates stuff has been weak. I'll pass.

Sean Walsh · 10-05-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaKanoosh

I'd still buy it, not sure if I like this lineup though..
seems like hokey to me..

Years ago, I'm sure people were saying the same thing about Screaming Mimi and the Fixer and Moonstone II...

pmpknface · 10-05-2006, 03:01 PM

Don't care who's writing it, T-bolts has been kick@$$ for a while now. Ellis would certainly work for me!

bossofbam · 10-05-2006, 03:02 PM

I'd rather they just leave the book the way it is. If they want to make these chages, with a totally different writer, cast, and direction....well, then make a totally different book.

There aren't many books with that old school feeling, and I was hoping Thunderbolts was going to stick around in its current form

Wyldemusick · 10-05-2006, 03:04 PM

All The Rage had a piece about a top-flight British creator taking over T-Bolts; I figured this was Ellis (alternatively it could be Jenkins,) Nicieza is mooted to be moving to something else high-profile.

StevieCool · 10-05-2006, 03:05 PM

I had every issue of the first series, excluding Fight Club run.

I couldn't get into the second series for some reason - maybe because the villains were... wait, what's below a d-lister? Seriously, "Joysitck"?

Sounds like a good starting on point, with A and B listers, now.

TheCatalyst · 10-05-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchart1

Why do they want to screw up a good book again? It was going great the way it was. Just like Civil War totally interrupts a great Captain America run.

I liked Ellis on Stormwatch and Authority, but his Marvel work has been far from stellar other than Punisher.

FYI: That's Garth Ennis who does The Punisher... not Warren Ellis.
-r-

MShivers · 10-05-2006, 03:07 PM

I'm trying to remember what happened the last time we saw "Jack O'Lantern."

I think it was in some of J.M. DeMatties' final issues of Spectacular Spider-Man and that the new "Mad Jack" was a pretty darn powerful illutionist. Can't quite recall... but I'm thinking he was somehow related to Mysterio.

I wonder if the new Thunderbolts will use this version of Jack or go back to the original "Jason Macendale" / mercenary version....?

- Michael