Thunderbolts: My favorite characters from Marvel's super team

The Thunderbolts are Marvel Comics' version of the Suicide Squad. Like DC's super team, they were villains on the path to redemption; the difference is they didn’t have bombs in their bodies to kill them and they weren't forced on the team (at first at least). It was a good idea that led to some interesting characters. Some were ridiculous and rarely used; others, like Atlas and Radioactive Man, pop up when the heroes need someone with destructive powers to fight.

This list won’t highlight the best Thunderbolts or the team’s the longest-standing members. This is all about my favorites. Some of them deserved to be on here. Others may leave you shaking your head. Either way, the reasons will make sense.

Let’s start with someone who may be the best.

Songbird

Songbird was one of the original and best Thunderbolts. Melissa Gold used to be a villain and knows that everyone deserves a second chance. That's why she believes in the project of the Thunderbolts. At times, the Thunderbolts were done a disservice by bad leadership or exploited for money, but she kept faith that, even then, things would work out. It’s an admirable quality of a great hero.

Moonstone

Dr. Karla Sofen is the worst. She was a psychologist who tricked people into self-harm and worse. She’s manipulative and doesn’t care who she hurts when she’s going after power. That being said, it’s why she’s the best kind of villain.

Moonstone is the perfect antagonist. She’s powerful and smart enough to take on any Captain Marvels (whether that be Carol Danvers, Mar-Vell, etc). Karla Sofen knows what she does is wrong and sometimes tries to change. But, she eventually goes back to not caring. It’s all about what she wants and get away with.

Moonstone is a top-tier villain that needs to debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Who knows, maybe it'll happen during Thunderbolts*.

Mac Gargan (Venom)

And now we have the worst Venom to wear the suit long-term. Mac Gargan was incompetent, clumsy, and easily manipulated. However, he’s one of the only Venoms that ate people. And his very Looney Tunes behavior made him entertaining.

No, he’s not a good member of the Thunderbolts. He may be one of the worst. But he’s good for a laugh and for whenever the Thunderbolts needed some violence.

Bullseye 

Bullseye kept the Thunderbolts alive throughout his time on the team. It felt like they were always losing until he showed up at the end. It makes sense that he ends up on Norman Osborn’s Avengers. When Bullseye is in control, he’s one of the deadliest people on the planet. Plus, he’s hilarious and creative.

U.S. Agent

John Walker is the perfect person to lead a Thunderbolts team or run their facility because he follows orders like a machine. Sometimes the villains don’t understand that their actions have consequences. That’s where Walker comes in to remind them that there are and he’ll be the one to knock sense into them. Sometimes he goes overboard, but that’s part of his “charm.”

The entire H.A.M.M.E.R. Squad

This was the most dysfunctional Thunderbolts team. That says a lot considering Norman’s first team. Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady) Paladin, Ghost, Headsman, Mister X, Scourge, and Grizzly shouldn't have been on a team. They rarely succeeded in their missions. When they did, it was accidental. 

This comic book is worth reading for the comedy (Thunderbolts No. 128-143). Norman didn’t want a team. He wanted people he could throw at a no-win situation. If they succeed, HURRAY! Everyone gets cake. If they don’t? Eh, who cares? There are always more dispensable super people who are looking for work.

Ghost

Ghost wasn’t intentionally funny, a good fighter, or particularly interesting in the comics but somehow he stood out. Maybe it was how he interacted with his teammates or his obsession with taking down corporations. It could be that he was the smartest and most powerful Thunderbolt without trying. Regardless of the reason, I loved him.

Norman Osborn

Lastly, we come to the guy who has all of the qualities of a leader but none of the sanity. This is the great and terrible, Norman Osborn.

When Norman took his medication correctly, he was an amazing leader who helped save the world (this happened in Secret Invasion). When he didn’t, he was unreliable and turned into the Green Goblin. Thankfully, he kept it together while leading the Thunderbolts.

The only Green Goblin moment during his Thunderbolts run was due to mind control (Thunderbolts: Caged Angels). Other than that, he rates a 10-out-of-10 on the leadership scale. Sure, he was a bit cynical, but he was managing Swordsman, Moonstone, Bullseye, and Venom. It was justified.

Who are your favorite members of the Thunderbolts? Are you going to see the MCU movie next year? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Instagram and Twitter.