The Thunderbolts Reborn: How The New Avengers Will Shape the MCU’s Future

Marvel’s rebranding of Thunderbolts to The New Avengers sets the stage for Avengers: Doomsday but how does this bold move compare with the comics?

Marvel Studios has officially rebranded Thunderbolts as The New Avengers, and fans are buzzing with speculation. Comics Byte has been quick to note this seismic shift in our early reviews, especially with the movie slated to directly tie into Avengers: Doomsday. But how does this new team stack up against the comic book origins of the Thunderbolts? And what does this transformation mean for the next era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

The original Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics were a group of reformed villains masquerading as heroes led by Baron Zemo (Civil War Villain for Marvel Cinematic Universe Fans). In contrast, the MCU version has always leaned toward anti-heroes: Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian and Ghost.

Now, under the New Avengers title, the team is being positioned less as a morally gray strike squad and more as Earth’s provisional defenders post “Avengers Endgame”. Marvel is signaling a tonal shift less covert ops, more front line heroics. Basically more grounded jobs with superhero signatures.

• Comics Thunderbolts: Baron Zemo, Songbird, Mach V, Fixer, Atlas, Moonstone.
• MCU New Avengers: Yelena, Bucky, U.S. Agent, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster (rumored/dead), possibly Sentry (teased).

The biggest contrast? Morality and motivation. In the comics, deception defined the Thunderbolts. In the MCU, redemption arcs and fractured loyalties drive the story.

Setting the Stage for Avengers: Doomsday

This rebrand is not just cosmetic. By naming the team The New Avengers, Marvel is preparing audiences for a new central force before Avengers: Doomsday arrives. With the original Avengers disbanded, this team could serve as the next anchor for Phase 6 and beyond.

Expect themes of mistrust, inner conflict, and eventual unity, hallmarks of past Avengers films but with a darker, more unpredictable flavor.

Marvel’s strategic pivot from Thunderbolts to The New Avengers signals more than a title change, it’s a statement. The MCU is building its next Avengers lineup, not from shining paragons, but from tarnished heroes seeking purpose. As Avengers: Doomsday looms, the question isn’t just whether they’ll survive or it’s whether they’ll unite. Stay tuned with Comics Byte for more sharp takes and fun insights, Cheers – Comics Byte!!

Image Credits: Marvel

Read More: When the world doesn’t need heroes, it gets the Thunderbolts*.

NEW AVENGERS MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION: ASSEMBLED