THE Rays return to Marvel Comics ahead of his MCU debut in 2025, putting Bucky Barnes‘ current lineup against some of the team’s classic members and another iconic supervillain. As Doctor Doom is set to take control of the Marvel Universe in a massive crossover that will see him reign supreme over multiple series and tie-ins. The latest addition to Doom’s overarching story of domination is an adventure that celebrates the history of the Thunderbolts team.
In a Marvel adthe publisher revealed the first details about the new limited series; Lightning: Doomstrike #1 (of 5) – written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, with art by Tommaso Bianchi – which brings the Thunderbolts back in a big way as part of the upcoming supervillain-centric crossover event, A world under destruction.
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THUNDERBOLTS: DOOMSTRIKE #1 (OF 5) (2025) |
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Release date: |
February 19, 2025 |
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Writers: |
Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing |
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Artist: |
Tomás Bianchi |
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Cover artist: |
Leinil Francisco Yu |
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Misfortune has taken over the world. And Bucky Barnes helped him do it. To make up for his unwitting role in Doom’s triumph, Bucky assembles a team with one goal: burn everything down. But when Bucky’s saboteurs—including Black Widow, Songbird, U.S. Agent, Sharon Carter, and some surprise wildcards—launch an unbridled campaign to destroy Doom’s Empire, Doom sets out to prove that revolution ends in blood… |
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In cover art by Leinil Francis Yu, Bucky’s Winter Soldier takes on the Sorcerer Supreme Doom, with Black Widow, Songbird and a seemingly new Citizen V joining the fight, while current and reformed villains face off in an all-out war against authority from Doom.
The original Thunderbolts return to take on the team’s latest incarnation in Marvel’s “One World Under Doom”
Is the supervillain leading the classic team?
After Marvel’s Last Rays comic book series ended earlier this year, Bucky Barnes considered Doctor Doom himself a Thunderbolt, and it looks like those words may come true again as the villain rallies classic team members against Bucky’s line of heroes. When the team debuted in the ’90s, they were revealed to be the Masters of Evil under superhero aliases, led by Baron Zemo to trick the public and government into letting them operate as a legitimate superteam. Under Doom’s leadership as he takes over the world, original members Atlas, Fixer, Moonstone and others will face off against Bucky and his squad.
Writers Kelly and Lanzing have clarified that this limited series will feature characters and stories dating back to Captain America: Sentinel of Libertyand it seems to come directly from its four numbers Rays (2024). Along with the Winter Soldier, this version saw members confirmed to return, including Black Widow, Sharon Carter, US Agent, and more; Bucky’s roster will include another fan-favorite member from the original RaysSongbird, known for being rescued as a hero during her tenure on the team. It appears that any former member is an option to join the fight for or against Doom’s Thunderbolts.
MCU Summer 2025 Blockbusters Collide in Incredible Comic Book Crossover
Get more destruction and more lightning before it hits the screen
As the Thunderbolts’ new adventure revolves heavily around one of the Fantastic Four’s main villains, the comic crossover works as a stylish mash-up of the MCU’s summer 2025 offerings. Rays and The Fantastic Four: Getting Started hit theaters, Marvel Comics’ A world under destruction features legendary antagonist Doom trying to extend his takeover to Bucky’s team, with the help of some of the original Masters of Evil. The big event will also make room for another “Thunderbolt”, with General Thaddeus Ross’ Red Hulk returning to the pages of Marvel Comics in the war against Doom.
As a team that was designed to be corrupt, Bucky and his squad of reformed villains-turned-heroes will attempt to overthrow the system of Doom. Described by the writers of the upcoming limited series as “Marvel’s baddest, messiest superteam”, is sure to be action-packed as the Thunderbolts fight each other, with promised surprise appearances from several former members along the way. With many of the original villains Rays mounting under Doctor Doom rule to overthrow Bucky Barnes and his team, it will be an all-out war with the team’s heavyweights pulling no punches.
Source: Wonder
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 (of 5) will be available on February 19, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is a superhero film based on the comic book team of the same name. The film is part of the fifth phase of MCU films. The film sees the likes of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian and others as an unlikely group of heroes and villains coming together to fight for good.