Thunderbolts #1

Well, first and most obvious, this was the first issue of a new ongoing series, and a double-size issue.  The issue opens soon after the end of Onslaught, with fires still burning in parts of New York, and destruction everywhere.  A girl named Hallie Takahama is captured by the Rat Pack, who are scavenging the destruction for an unknown employer.  The Thunderbolts first battle with the Rat Pack demonstrates their various personalities and styles again, for those who missed Tales of the Marvel Universe.  It is also obvious at this point that some members, noticeably Techno, don't work too well as members of a team.

    We see the Thunderbolts HQ (an abandoned pizza shop) for the first time.  A relationship between M.A.C.H.-1 and Songbird starts to take shape. Dallas Riordan is appointed as mayoral liaison to the team.  The Thunderbolts second battle is with an old and established group of Super-Villains, The Wrecking Crew, who according to Bulldozer, were spcifically hired to take out the Thunderbolts.  The Thunderbolts manage to take down Wrecker, Thunderball, and Piledriver through teamwork.  Atlas demonstrates that, when angry, he can grow beyond his normal limits, and takes Bulldozer down, finishing the set. Riordan and the Thunderbolts meet immediately after the battle, and Atlas's attraction to her is obvious.  As the issue ends, the Thunderbolts clean up after themselves, repairing damage done to the Statue of Liberty, and various superheroes state their approval of the new team, making the revelation of the final two pages even more shocking.  The Thunderbolts are, in truth, The Masters of Evil!

Thoughts