Thunderbolts #146 – Review

By Jeff Parker (writer), Kev Walker (artist), Frank Martin (colorist)

The Story: Luke Cage and the team are scrambled to New Guinea to investigate the disappearance of U.N. and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents near a hidden vein of Terrigen Crystals.

The Good: This new assembly of Thunderbolts continues to be one of the titles I look forward to most every month. On all levels, from writing, to art, to colors, this is a book that thoroughly delivers entertainment value, and I haven’t been finding many comics lately that can do that for me. I think part of the appeal with this book, despite having been a fan of the title since Warren Ellis began his infamous run on it, is that the cast this time around is just so fucking bizarre, so absurdly surreal, that it makes you wonder how the hell Parker was able to get editorial approval for his vision. But he did, and holy crap has he pulled off one hell of a hat trick with this book!

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Daytripper #8 – It is so hard to make a comic that can cause an emotional reaction in someone who consumes tons of media, but Ba and Moon pulled it off yet again in this issue that shows the death of Bras through the eyes of his wife and child.

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #75 – Kirkman really started to stir the drink last issue and something tells me that the slow-burn of the survivors’ stay in the enclave outside of D.C. is about to get exciting (in a bad way).

Other Top Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #638, Neonomicon #1, New Mutants #15, Avengers #3, Thunderbolts #146

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Invincible Iron Man #28 – While nothing awe-inspiring or groundbreaking, this was the sort of quieter issue that made realize how much I love Fraction’s cast of characters and the corner he’s carved out for himself.  Great dialogue and a good build-up make this my pick.

Most Anticipated: New Avengers #2 – Last month’s debut totally took me by surprise with its general awesomeness and I’ve been hankering for more ever since.  Will New Avengers #2 once again make Bendis’ main Avengers series look like fodder in comparison?  We shall see, particularly since both are coming out in the same week.

Other Picks: Zatanna #3, Avengers #3, Legion of Super-Heroes #3, Brightest Day #6

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: X-Force: Sex+Violence #1 – Like I’d pick anything else?  My unabashed love of all things X-Force has been well-documented on this site, but this first issue would be deserving of my praise despite that.  Del’Otto’s painted artwork makes this a beautiful rollercoaster ride, and what a ride it is thanks to the fun, blockbuster-styled plot from scribes Kyle and Yost.

Most Anticipated: Scott Pilgrim Volume 6: Scott Pigrim’s Finest Hour – Really, is there any other choice this week?!  Bryan Lee O’Malley’s magnum opus has scratched every itch in my entertainment-loving brain, from romance to music to action to comedy to Ninja Gaiden and Super Mario Bros. homages.  The most magnificent treat from these annual visits with Mr. Pilgrim?  They keep getting better every time!  Alas, this is the end of the journey and it looks to be a blast.  I, for one, cannot wait.

Other Top Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #638, Darkwing Duck #2, Pale Horse #2, Brightest Day #6, Supergirl #54, The Walking Dead #75, Avengers #3, Marvelous Land of Oz #8, New Avengers #2, New Mutants #15, Thunderbolts #146