Warning: contains spoilers for Thunderbolts #1!Marvel’s new Thunderbolts team has called out a common trope in superhero team books–the man of mystery. This type of character, which includes Wolverine and Deadpool, has proven popular with fans over the years and in Thunderbolts #1, this gets a call-out as Hawkeye puts together a new Thunderbolts squad–and is faced with a man of mystery of his own. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
The Thunderbolts are perhaps the best team to call out tropes, as the original flipped the script on superhero team books. In one of the most shocking moments in comic history, the first Thunderbolts were revealed to be the Masters of Evil in disguise, engaged in a scheme to gain public trust. Now, a new Thunderbolts team, one that works inside the law, is coming together. As the only superheroes currently authorized to work in the city, the Thunderbolts answer to the city’s new mayor: Luke Cage. The team, to be led by Hawkeye, also features America Chavez, a new Power Man for the 21st century as well as the mysterious Gutsen Glory, and his inclusion is a sly call-out to the man of mystery. The issue is written by Jim Zub, illustrated by Sean Izaakse, colored by Java Tartaglia and lettered by Joe Sabino.
A new day is dawning in New York City. Wilson Fisk has been deposed as mayor and Luke Cage is taking his place. Fisk has used the Thunderbolts as his personal goon squad, but Cage plans to use them to spread goodwill. Hawkeye, the team’s new leader, is attending a briefing, learning about his new teammates. Hawkeye is familiar with America Chavez; readers learn about the new Power Man as well. Hawkeye then sees Gutsen Glory’s file. Intrigued, he asks about Glory’s abilities, but is told that information is classified. Hawkeye then asks where Glory comes from, only to be told that it is classified as well. Finally, Hawkeye asks about the secrecy, before being told that too is classified. One of the team’s handlers tells Hawkeye that “men of mystery” like Glory tend to do well with the public.
The handler’s comment came across as flippant, but it points to a truth: mysterious characters tend to track well with fans. Wolverine may be the best example of this trope at work. When he was first introduced, virtually nothing was known of his backstory or origins; throughout time he was fleshed out further, but looks into his past were few and far between–and fans ate it up, making Wolverine not only the most popular X-Man, but one of comics’ greatest characters as well. This formula was duplicated with others as well, including Gambit and Deadpool, both of whom are also fan-favorites. Their dark and mysterious pasts have made these characters irresistible, and now Marvel is acknowledging this trope. Gutsen Glory may be the ultimate “man of mystery,” in which everything about him is classified. Glory was brought on to help the team’s image–a move that may backfire.
The original Thunderbolts team subverted many tropes of superhero team books, so it stands to reason there may be much more to Gutsen Glory than fans think, and it may be subverted even more. Gutsen Glory gives the Thunderbolts the perfect opportunity to poke fun at a common comic book trope.
Thunderbolts #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
