Hey, movie buffs! It’s Pari Singh from DramaWire.Studio, your go-to gal for all things cinema in our Movies section. I’m super excited to dive into the MCU’s Thunderbolts*, hitting theaters in 2025, and unpack the comic book roots of its wild antihero team. As a Noida grad who’s been geeking out over Marvel since forever, I’ve been flipping through comics to bring you a beginner’s guide to the team’s key players. Whether you’re hyped for Yelena Belova, curious about Sentry, or puzzled by Ghost, this post has you covered with essential reads to understand their vibe before the big screen. Let’s jump in!
Thunderbolts*: A Team of Misfits with Deep Roots
Marvel’s Thunderbolts, born in the ‘90s, is all about villains and antiheroes trying to go straight—or at least fake it. The comics ask: Can bad guys reform, or are they just playing the system? The MCU’s Thunderbolts** (note the asterisk—it’s a mystery!) throws together Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Sentry (Lewis Pullman), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) to save the world, maybe. Each character’s comic history is a goldmine for understanding their motives and why they fit this chaotic squad. I’ve scoured the best storylines to get you prepped.
“Movies bring these characters to life, but comics show you their soul!” – Pari Singh
Yelena Belova: From Black Widow to White Widow
Yelena Belova, played by the amazing Florence Pugh, is a Red Room-trained assassin who starts as Natasha Romanoff’s rival but grows into a fierce antihero. Black Widow #1-3 (1999) by Devin Grayson and J.G. Jones is where she struts in, bitter about Natasha’s defection and itching to prove she’s the “real” Black Widow. It’s a gritty look at Red Room brainwashing. Then, Black Widow: Pale Little Spider #1-3 (2002) by Greg Rucka gets dark, showing Yelena’s first solo gig and how Russia’s spies mess with her head. My fave? White Widow #1-5 (2023) by Sarah Gailey, where Yelena owns her new codename and wrestles with her moral gray zone—perfect for her Thunderbolts role.
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier’s Redemption
Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is the poster boy for second chances. Captain America Vol. 5 #1-14 (2005) by Ed Brubaker is a must-read, revealing how Bucky survived World War II as a brainwashed Soviet killer. It’s noir, emotional, and sets up his guilt. Winter Soldier #1-19 (2012) follows Bucky hunting down other Winter Soldiers he trained, wrestling with his past. It’s heavy and shows why he’s a Thunderbolts fit—always atoning, never fully clean.
Sentry: The Hero with a Dark Side
Sentry (Lewis Pullman) is a Superman-level wildcard with a dark alter-ego, Void. Start with The Sentry #1-5 (2000) by Paul Jenkins for his tragic origin as Bob Reynolds, a forgotten hero erased from memory. New Avengers #7-10 (2005) brings him back, showing his mental struggles. The Sentry #1-5 (2018) by Jeff Lemire is a mind-bending dive into his psyche, making him a risky but fascinating Thunderbolts addition.
Ghost: The Anti-Corporate Rebel
Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) is a tech genius turned saboteur. Iron Man #219-221 (1987) by David Michelinie introduces her hating corporate greed after being betrayed. Thunderbolts #128-136 (2009) shows Ghost joining a shady team to take down the system from within, a sneaky move that screams Thunderbolts energy. Her anti-authority vibe is so cool!
Red Guardian: Soviet Pride, Broken Dreams
Red Guardian (David Harbour) is Russia’s answer to Captain America. The Avengers #43-44 (1967) by Roy Thomas kicks off with Alexei Shostakov facing his ex, Natasha. Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova (2020) by Devin Grayson pairs him with Yelena, showing his flaws and fading glory—ideal for this misfit team.
Taskmaster: The Memory-Losing Merc
Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) copies any fighting style but loses personal memories. Avengers #195-196 (1980) by David Michelinie introduces his slick skills. Taskmaster #1-4 (2010) by Fred Van Lente reveals his tragic origin and wife, Mercedes, who keeps his memories. His mercenary heart fits Thunderbolts’ moral messiness.
U.S. Agent: The Rough-Edged Patriot
U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) is a gritty foil to Captain America. Captain America #323-332 (1986) by Mark Gruenwald introduces John Walker as the aggressive Super-Patriot. Captain America #333-350 (1987) follows his messy stint as Cap, showing why he’s a volatile Thunderbolts pick.
“These comics make you root for the underdogs, just like the Thunderbolts!” – Pari Singh
Why This Matters
As a movie nerd, I love how Thunderbolts** mixes redemption, chaos, and heart, and these comics set the stage. Grab these reads to vibe with the team before the film drops. Follow DramaWire.Studio on Instagram or YouTube for more movie magic!
