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A review by kamaria
Hawkeye & The Thunderbolts, Vol. 1 by Kurt Busiek
2.0
I started enjoying Busiek's Thunderbolts a lot but the last two trades I've read have been retreading ground for some of the characters, like Songbird and Atlas, and been a bit dull as well, with too much exposition and explaining of the action. If we can see what is happening, is it really necessary to describe it as well? Then Busiek bows out and Nicieza comes in near the end of the run, and subplots pile upon subplots with no clear aim in mind. And this is why I don't normally like team ups. Saying that, there are some very good issues mixed in, with the redemption arc bringing up interesting moral dilemmas, especially for Moonstone.
What happens in this trade?
* The Thunderbolts try to clean their image by defeating the Crimson Cowl (Dallas Riordan what? This was unexpected ) and the Masters of Evil, Graviton, and the Imperial Forces. They also tackle the Hulk. Best plot was Masters of Evil, the rest felt like it could have been more. I did like the Imperial Forces rally, though, eerily reminiscent of Trump's campaign.
* Cordco's owner Edwin Cord hires USAgent and the Jury to bring the Thunderbolts to jail for their past crimes.
* Archangel and Citizen V have to decide whether the Thunderbolts can be trusted. Citizen V has her own subplot going on about the V force, but not much is clear about her except that she is there to help when the T-bolts are in a pickle.
* Abe Jenkins gets his own subplot in jail and dealing with the CSA and Roxxon. My absolute favorite issue involves a prison riot in which Abe is involved. Drawn by Leonardo Manco and far better than other issues (*chef's kiss*)
* Jolt isassassinated! By a sniper. And this is barely touched upon. No one cares! Except for Charcoal . I didn't think this plot was believable or well handled, and it drives me mad.
*Techno is back! Is he good? Is he bad? Does he know?
* The internal moral debate of Moonstone. My favorite character struggling with becoming a hero for real. Sometimes handled clumsily, seelove story with Hawkeye .
* They all go to Hell in the Annual special because Hawkeye gets word that his deceased wife, Mockingbird, is there. Character development ensues.
Honestly, there were some good ideas, but the execution wasn't good. The art was solid superhero fare, pencilled mostly by Bagley, with the magnificent issue drawn by Manco elevating the quality of the trade up a notch.
What happens in this trade?
* The Thunderbolts try to clean their image by defeating the Crimson Cowl (
* Cordco's owner Edwin Cord hires USAgent and the Jury to bring the Thunderbolts to jail for their past crimes.
* Archangel and Citizen V have to decide whether the Thunderbolts can be trusted. Citizen V has her own subplot going on about the V force, but not much is clear about her except that she is there to help when the T-bolts are in a pickle.
* Abe Jenkins gets his own subplot in jail and dealing with the CSA and Roxxon. My absolute favorite issue involves a prison riot in which Abe is involved. Drawn by Leonardo Manco and far better than other issues (*chef's kiss*)
* Jolt is
*
* The internal moral debate of Moonstone. My favorite character struggling with becoming a hero for real. Sometimes handled clumsily, see
* They all go to Hell in the Annual special because Hawkeye gets word that his deceased wife, Mockingbird, is there. Character development ensues.
Honestly, there were some good ideas, but the execution wasn't good. The art was solid superhero fare, pencilled mostly by Bagley, with the magnificent issue drawn by Manco elevating the quality of the trade up a notch.