Released on April 30, 2025, the film Thunderbolts*, has enjoyed limited success so far, although critics are generally very positive. While the team is made up of endearing misfits, fans of the comics know that the paper version of the group is full of members with far more impressive powers. Here's a look at 12 super-powered Thunderbolts from Marvel comics.
#12 Songbird (Melissa Gold)
Created in 1979, Songbird is a former criminal previously known as Screaming Mimi. Following experiments conducted by Baron Zemo and Fixer, she possesses extraordinary sonic abilities. Using them, she can create solid constructs, fly, and generate sonic attacks capable of blowing up her enemies. Furthermore, Melissa Gold was given a variant of the super-soldier serum by the Power Broker, making her a formidable fighter. She plays a central role in the original team. In the MCU, several theories suggest that Mel, Valentina's assistant in Thunderbolts*, would actually be the franchise's future Songbird.
#11 Radioactive Man (Chen Lu)
A former Chinese physicist, Dr. Chen Lu was commissioned by the Chinese government to find a way to eliminate Thor. During his experiments, Chen Lu exposed himself to massive doses of radiation, transforming him into a veritable living nuclear reactor. Having become Radioactive Man, he eventually joined Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts. His body emits radiation that he can manipulate at will, to project heat or dazzling light. Capable of razing a city block in the blink of an eye, he also possesses the talents of a hypnotist.
#10 The Juggernaut
Half-brother of Charles Xavier, Cain Marko becomes the Juggernaut after being transformed by the jewel of a demonic entity called Cyttorak. Gifted with superhuman strength and near-total invincibility, he is literally unstoppable once in motion. He made his first appearance in X-Men #12 (1965), becoming one of the mutants' regular villains. In 2006, he joined Luke Cage's Thunderbolts and became Kuurth, the Stonebreaker. In live action, the character appears in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Deadpool 2 (2018), and Deadpool & Wolverine(2024).
#9 Kara Killgrave (Persuasion)
Daughter of the infamous Purple Man, Kara inherits her father's abilities, namely controlling human minds using pheromones. She can force anyone to do anything, altering their thoughts and emotional states at will. First appearing in Alpha Flight #41 (1986), she chose the name Persuasion. In 2021, she joins Hawkeye's Thunderbolts. The character has never been adapted into live action, unlike his father, brilliantly played by David Tennant in the first season of Jessica Jones.
#8 Red Hulk (Thaddeus Ross)
You're bound to know this one if you've watched Captain America: Brave New World. His human version has existed in the MCU since The Incredible Hulk, in the guise of Thaddeus Ross. The originator of the Sokovia Accords, which strictly regulated the superheroes' rights to act, he cordially hates the Avengers. In the latest Captain America film, he becomes the Red Hulk, infected by the Leader. Blessed with Hulk-like strength, his temperature rises along with his anger. In the comics, he assembles his own team of Thunderbolts in 2012, battling foes such as Madman, Crimson Dynamo, and Mephisto.
#7 Venom (Mac Gargan)
This version of Venom differs from the one in the films, which feature Eddie Broke (Tom Hardy). Behind this Venom is Mac Gargan, aka the Scorpion, Spider-Man's main villain. He joined the Thunderbolts during the Norman Osborn era, just after the events of Civil War (2006). Capable of transforming certain parts of his body into weapons, he is one of the most violent iterations of the team.
#6 Monica Rambeau (Photon)
Monica can transform her body into any form of electromagnetic energy, allowing her to move at the speed of light and project bursts of energy. First appearing in 1982's Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, she led the Avengers for a time, before joining Hawkeye's Thunderbolts (2021). In the MCU, she is played by Teyonah Parris in WandaVision and then The Marvels. He can emit explosive discharges and create energy fields around himself that allow him to levitate. He joins Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts in the hope of atoning for his sins.
#4 Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)
Possessed by the vengeful spirit Zarathos, Johnny Blaze becomes Ghost Rider, a supernatural being capable of manipulating hellfire and judging souls with a single glance. Created in 1972, he joined the Thunderbolts in 2012 alongside Red Hulk, Deadpool, The Punisher, and Elektra. Johnny Blaze has yet to appear in the MCU, although regular rumors announce his arrival, in the guise of Ryan Gosling. Nicolas Cage played him in two independent films in the late 2000s.
#3 Man-Thing (Ted Sallis)
Ted Sallis is a scientist working on replicating a super-soldier formula. Chased by a criminal syndicate, he prefers to inject himself with the only sample of his serum. While fleeing, his car falls into a swamp. He then transforms into a swamp creature and becomes the guardian of the Nexus of Realities. Indestructible, he possesses superhuman strength. Fear hurts him and affects the chemical composition of his body, so much so that those who know this feeling burn at his touch. He joined the Thunderbolts in 2006, as part of Luke Cage's team.
#2 Hyperion (Marcus Milton)
Hyperion looks, more or less, like an evil version of Superman from Marvel. Originally, he is an Eternal who comes from Earth-712 of the multiverse, where everything is a parody of... DC. Possessing unique strength, superhuman speed and invulnerability, he is capable of flight and energy projection. His energy powers can even kill the Hulk. He made his debut in 1969 in Avengers #69 and joined Luke Cage's Thunderbolts in 2006.
#1 Kobik
A cosmic entity born from the fragments of the Cosmic Cub, Kobik takes the form of a kind little girl. However, she possesses the power to rewrite reality. Moreover, she remains known in the comics for having rewritten Captain America's past - although manipulated by Red Skull, transforming him into Captain Hydra. Later, she befriends Bucky Barnes and briefly joins the Thunderbolts when he becomes their leader (2016).
Who do you think is the most powerful superhero of the Thunderbolts? We're waiting for your answers in the comments!
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