With the Thunderbolts movie now captivating audiences in theaters, Marvel Comics is set to conclude one chapter of the franchise while embarking on a thrilling new journey for this iconic team. In an unexpected twist, Marvel has decided to rename the Thunderbolts comic to "The New Avengers," mirroring the MCU's bold move after the film's opening weekend. This transformation challenges heroes like Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine to step into the legendary shoes of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Can they rise to the occasion?

The path to becoming a cohesive and effective Avengers team will be fraught with challenges for these characters. This was a key insight from our recent conversation with writer Sam Humphries. Dive deeper into the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transition, discover how Humphries crafted this eclectic yet formidable lineup, and uncover the formidable new threat that necessitates such a powerful assembly of heroes.

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View 19 ImagesWho Are the New Avengers?

Given Marvel Studios' reputation for secrecy, we were intrigued to learn when Humphries was informed of the title change during his Thunderbolts pitch development. Was this always part of the plan, or a recent shift? Fortunately, Humphries clarified that this wasn't a last-minute change but a strategic decision from the outset.

“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries shared with IGN. "Keeping this under wraps has been both exhilarating and maddening. It's like organizing a surprise party for thousands. I don't even have a single document on my hard drive labeled 'New Avengers.' You just never know."

Humphries added, “Initially, there were some logistical challenges to navigate, so I had to be ready to pivot quickly. But by the time I started the first issue, the plan was solid. You can see it reflected in the team lineup — the New Avengers and the Killuminati both echo the New Avengers teams crafted by Brian Bendis and Jonathan Hickman. Jed MacKay has assembled a stellar group of do-gooders in the Avengers book, and I wanted our book to stand out with a roster of rogues.”

"As for that lineup, Humphries enjoyed the creative freedom to select the Thunderbolts/New Avengers. His goal was to represent diverse sectors of the Marvel Universe with this team.

“Oh, this was such a blast,” Humphries enthused. “My concept was inspired by the Illuminati, featuring seven kings and heroes from different corners of the Marvel Universe. We wanted to do something similar with some of the most formidable characters representing mutants, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and more. I'm incredibly grateful to our editor Alanna Smith, who championed this idea from the start, even though she had to coordinate with nearly every Marvel editorial office to make it happen. That scream you hear is her Microsoft Teams app begging for mercy. And a huge thank you to all the editors and creators who trusted us with their beloved characters! Love you all! (They're going to regret it.)”

As Humphries hinted, the New Avengers aren't your typical paragons of virtue and heroism. This team comprises hardened killers, monsters, and even a surly underwater monarch. Similar to the original New Avengers from 2004, this group is thrown together by fate, and harmony won't come easily.

“I think the phrase I used in my pitch was ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’" Humphries remarked. “These aren't calm guardians of humanity; they're a group of fiery troublemakers trying to channel their darker instincts for good, with varying success. They shouldn't be in the same room together. The burning question is, who dislikes each other the most? It might be Clea and Carnage. Or perhaps Namor and Laura. Or maybe…”

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati

While the new series echoes the MCU's title change, the New Avengers roster diverges significantly from its cinematic counterpart. The one constant is Bucky Barnes, who remains after the Thunderbolts team takes its final bow in "Thunderbolts: Doomstrike." It's up to the former Winter Soldier to unite this group of strong-willed, powerful individuals into a cohesive unit.

“I have so much respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] incredible run with Bucky,” Humphries expressed. “I'm honored to build on what they've accomplished with the character. Bucky will need all the wisdom and experience from the wild adventures they put him through. The world is in chaos, and someone needs to take action, damn it.”

What threat could possibly necessitate the combined forces of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Just as the New Avengers draw inspiration from the classic Illuminati lineup, their adversaries in the series are a direct descendant of the Illuminati. Humphries dubs them the “Killuminati.”

Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)“Someone tried to replicate the Illuminati, but things went horribly wrong,” Humphries teased. “Now, there are seven twisted and monstrous versions on the loose. Bucky's going to have his hands full keeping his team together, and the same goes for the Killuminati and their ‘leader’ — Iron Apex.”

The New Avengers series pairs Humphries with artist Ton Lima, who previously contributed to titles like New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries revealed that the art style in this series is inspired not by the MCU, but by another blockbuster action movie franchise.

“Ton is a powerhouse,” Humphries praised. “He makes the heroes look fierce and alluring, and the villains look fierce and repulsive. I told him to binge-watch every Fast and the Furious movie back-to-back ten times without breaks. Judging by his artwork, I think he actually did it, the madman!”

The New Avengers #1 is slated for release on June 11, 2025.

For more insights into the MCU's latest twist, explore why Thunderbolts was renamed The New Avengers and delve into the MCU's challenges with Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Bucky.