If you're a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, chances are you've already heard about the highly anticipated Thunderbolts movie now showing in theaters. Marvel Comics is set to conclude one iteration of this iconic team and introduce a new era for the storied supergroup. Interestingly, just like the film's unexpected retitling to "The New Avengers," the comic series is also adopting the same moniker. This means characters such as Carnage, Clea, and Wolverine are stepping into the shoes of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Can they rise to the occasion?

It’s no easy feat for these complex characters to form a unified and effective Avengers squad. According to our recent discussion with writer Sam Humphries, this presents a significant challenge. Read on to delve deeper into the Thunderbolts/New Avengers transformation, discover how Humphries crafted this diverse roster, and explore the looming threat that necessitates such a formidable team.

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Who Are the New Avengers?

Marvel Studios is notoriously tight-lipped about future projects, so we were curious about Humphries' awareness of the title change during the development of his Thunderbolts pitch. Did he envision a New Avengers comic from the start, or was this a sudden shift? Thankfully, it turns out this wasn’t a late-game curveball but rather part of the original plan.

“It was part of the very first conversation I had with Alanna [Smith],” Humphries shares with IGN.
“It’s been thrilling and frustrating to keep this under wraps for months. Like throwing a surprise party, but for thousands of people. I don’t even have a file labeled ‘New Avengers’ on my computer. It’s all mental.”

Humphries adds, “There were some logistical details to work out behind the scenes initially, so I had to stay flexible. By the time I began Issue #1, everything was solidified. You can see it in the lineup—the New Avengers and the Killuminati echo Brian Bendis’ and Jonathan Hickman’s New Avengers teams. Jed’s [MacKay] assembled an impressive lineup of do-gooders in the Avengers book, and I wanted ours to stand out with a group of rogues.”

“As for the lineup,” Humphries explains, “I had complete freedom to select my Thunderbolts/New Avengers. My aim was to choose characters representing the major superhuman factions within the Marvel Universe.”

“Oh, this was such a blast,” Humphries recalls. “My basic concept was—what if we mirrored the Illuminati’s seven leaders from different corners of the Marvel Universe but with some of the biggest badasses from mutants, the mystical realm, the Spider family, the gamma family, and beyond? I’m incredibly grateful to our fantastic editor Alanna Smith, who backed this idea from day one, despite having to coordinate with nearly every Marvel editorial division. Poor Microsoft Teams must be begging for mercy. And massive thanks to all the editors and creators who trusted us with their beloved characters!”

As Humphries hints, the New Avengers aren’t paragons of virtue—they’re a team of ruthless fighters, monsters, and one surly underwater ruler. Similar to the original New Avengers from 2004, this group is united by circumstances, and harmony isn’t guaranteed.

“I think the phrase I used in my pitch was ‘interpersonal dynamics go BOOM,’” Humphries jokes. “These aren’t calm, collected protectors of humanity; they’re a collection of fiery misfits trying to channel their flaws for good, with mixed results. They shouldn’t even be in the same room. The big question is, who dislikes whom the most? Could it be Clea and Carnage? Or Namor and Laura? Or…”

Bucky Barnes and the Killuminati

While the new series mirrors the MCU in its name change, the New Avengers roster differs significantly from its cinematic counterpart. Bucky Barnes remains a constant, sticking around after the current Thunderbolts team concludes in Thunderbolts: Doomstrike. It’s up to the former Winter Soldier to manage this volatile mix of personalities and powers into a cohesive unit.

“I hold immense respect for Jackson [Lanzing] and Collin's [Kelly] extensive work with Bucky,” Humphries notes. “I feel honored and fortunate to continue their legacy. Bucky’s going to need every ounce of wisdom gained from their wild adventures. The world’s turned upside down, and someone’s got to do something about it, damn it.”

What threat could require the combined strength of Wolverine, Namor, Carnage, Clea, and Hulk? Just as the New Avengers draw inspiration from the classic Illuminati lineup, their adversaries are a twisted offshoot of the Illuminati. Humphries dubs them the “Killuminati.”

Art by Josemaria Casnanovas. (Image Credit: Marvel)“Someone attempted to replicate the Illuminati, and things went sideways,” Humphries reveals. “Now there are seven warped and deranged worst-case scenarios running loose. Bucky’s going to face major challenges keeping his team intact. The same applies to the Killuminati and their leader—Iron Apex.”

The New Avengers pairs Humphries with artist Ton Lima, known for his work on titles like New Thunderbolts and West Coast Avengers. Humphries mentions the artwork draws inspiration from another globally successful action franchise.

“Ton is a genius,” Humphries praises. “He makes heroes look brutal yet attractive, while villains appear menacing and grotesque. I told him to watch every Fast & Furious movie consecutively without breaks. Judging by his pages, I think he actually did it, the madman!”

The New Avengers #1 releases on June 11, 2025.

For more insights into the MCU’s latest twist, read why Thunderbolts became The New Avengers, and uncover the MCU’s issues with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky.