#196 – Thunderbolts: The Underdog Avengers (Reflection #3)

Marvel Maniac: an MCU Aftershow

Five months after its release, Thunderbolts is still living rent-free in my soul. This is our third conversation about the film — not a recap, but a reflection on what sticks after the hype fades. From Bucky’s scars to Yelena’s transformation, John Walker’s stigma, Ghost’s pain, Red Guardian’s yearning, and Val as a dark mirror of Fury — these are Marvel’s flawed, haunted heroes who still earn their place. And then there’s the tension: Sam Wilson, trying to form his own Avengers, only sees Bucky running with misfits under Val. That collision of perspectives — polished Captain America vs. scarred Thunderbolts — sets the stage for some of Marvel’s most charged storytelling ahead. The Void, friendship, redemption, second chances — this is Marvel’s grittier team story, and it deserves a spotlight.

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