The cover of Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 promises a matchup between the hidden team of Bucky Burns’ Thunderbolt and the original Thunderbolt formed under Baron Zemo. Jackson Lantz’s creative team Colin Kelly and Tonmaso Bianchi offer that matchup, but bring some surprises along the way. There are also very high stakes. Discovering that Doctor Doom is using vibranium in his weapon, Bucky travels to Wakanda to cut off the source of Doom, seeking the help of a midnight angel in the process.
This leads to a battle with the original Thunderbolts led by Citizen V, aka Valentina de Fontaine. Also, this new team has Mach Dome. Mach Dome may be recognized by fans as Abner Jenkins, a love interest in Sombard. It’s here that Lanzing and Kelly bring about emotional upset, and I’m not just talking about the fact that Abner was willing tossed over Doom. In fact, Doomstrike #3 ends with a down note as Bucky’s Thunderbolt has to make some difficult choices. It is what destined Doomstrike to make this approach one of the more interesting worlds under the bonds of Doom. Jackson and Lantz are not afraid to lose their characters.
That doesn’t mean Bucky’s team just rolls over and suffers a loss. They fight to the bitter end, which brings out several action pack moments under Bianchi’s pen. Is Atlas overwhelmed by its raw strength and size? The midnight angels attacked him violently and quickly. Will Moonstone overtake Sharon Carter with Raw Power? Sharon puts her on the rope. Will the songbird be pushed into her emotional limits? She produces waves of sound energy that will blow everyone away.
Amazing
Bucky takes the worst. Through this issue, his arm is destroyed, he is stabbed, and he undergoes a massive fall. Bianchi draws this in a glorious two-page spread, jumping between Bucky’s battle with Valentina and the other Thunderbolt struggles. It’s only covered by the arrival of the original Thunderbolts, which literally has an impressive effect from Yen Nitro’s coloured pieces. Emerald Green Lightning slams it into the ground, making a big reveal. Bianchi’s artwork conveys emotions through Bucky’s eyes. Bucky’s eyes widen in shock when he learns that a potential catastrophe is covered in shadow when faced with difficult choices.
But Thunderbolts:Doomstrike #3 ends with a dark note, but Lanzing and Kelly offer a faint hope at the end. Becoming two themes is growing. Almost every manga they wrote to the harshly underrated outsiders from Star Trek’s run pushed its cast to the brink. But it also led to some good character works from the pair, and I feel that Doom Strike brings the same energy.
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 not only pits Thunderbolt against Thunderbolt, but also attacks the darkest point of the series as Bucky Barnes is pushed back to the limit again. In the next issue, he will come face to face with Doom again and hopes that the creative team will hold his salvation in his hand.
“Thunderbolts: Doomstrike” #3 is the long-awaited matchup against catastrophic fallout
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 not only pits Thunderbolt against Thunderbolt, but also attacks the darkest point of the series as Bucky Barnes is pushed back to the limit again.
Bianchi’s artwork offers some great spreads, not to mention a lot of action.
A fight to pit Thunderbolt against Thunderbolt, with surprisingly emotional moments.
Lanzing and Kelly take Bucky Burns to his darkest hours.
The work of the characters in this book will become one of the better worlds under Doom Tie-Ins.
