If you’ve read my site you know that T-Bolts has been relatively low in my estimation for the vast majority of its 100+ issue history. But now that changes, thanks to Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato Jr. And the difference between this run and everything that came before starts in the first five pages, which feature nothing more than a conversation…
Okay, here we are. Norman Osborn replaces Baron Zemo as the architect of the team of “reformed” supervillains. The task is simple: Go find and capture or kill unregistered superhumans.
And it’s a for-profit venture.
Ellis then sets up T-Bolts as controversial figures in the news (Are they heroes? Are they villains?) and establishes Moonstone as field leader (which causes some issues with former team leader Songbird).
Interestingly, he picks her because of her degree in psychiatry and not her powers. It seems odd that Osborn, who is batshit crazy, would believe in psychiatry but then again that’s part of his self-centered psychosis.
As I indicated, Songbird wants her leadership role back but instead accepts a pardon in exchange for working for Osborn. All the characters get deals and it’s interesting to see how completely unbalanced they are. Songbird gets a pardon. Moonstone gets half-a-billion dollars and a hefty pension. Does Osborn not think they will all talk and figure out he’s screwing some of them?
I hope that causes some problems later.
We then move on to see Jack Flag (remember him?), as his girlfriend leaves him for being a vigilante. He’s now a target of the Thunderbolts.
You’d think they’d completely overpower him, but they’re disorganized.
Flag is able to do some real damage to the team.
I think this is the first time we see in action Speedball, who now goes by Penance and is much, much, MUCH more interesting as a character.
Flag is able to get by Penance. He’s even able to shatter Andreas Strucker’s sword.
But Bullseye gets the drop on him
Jack’s not dead, but he is paralyzed. Just like Osborn threatened to do to Bullseye.
At the end of this first story, Osborn is told the next target is Scarlet Spider, and we the readers see how unhinged he is…
Osborn begins to sweat and was certain she said “Spider-Man” instead of Scarlet Spider. He then retires to his desk to take some medication.
These first two issues are technically included as part of the “Faith in Monsters” arc that goes through #115, but these two issues don’t have a “The Initiative” banner on them and really can stand alone, so I’m breaking here. Besides, these are such good issues that I don’t want to jam a whole bunch into a single write-up.
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