2025 dawns with a shadow over the Marvel Universe: Doctor Doom's reign. February brings the "One World Under Doom" crossover event, with Doom, the new Sorcerer Supreme, claiming global dominion. This epic storyline unfolds in the One World Under Doom miniseries by Ryan North and R.B. Silva, and numerous tie-ins. Crucially, Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing with art by Tommaso Bianchi, stands out as a key component.
IGN exclusively previews Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 (April release). Marvel's solicitation teases a thrilling showdown: "Bucky, Songbird, Sharon Carter, and the Midnight Angels target Doctor Doom's vibranium supply, only to face…the Thunderbolts! Thunderbolts vs. Thunderbolts!" The preview gallery below offers a glimpse into this explosive conflict.
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #3 Exclusive Preview Gallery
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Is Bucky Barnes Responsible for Emperor Doom?
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike continues the narrative from Kelly and Lanzing's 2023 Thunderbolts relaunch. Bucky Barnes leads a team tasked with confronting major villains, employing any necessary means. Their victories, however, inadvertently paved Doom's path to power.
Lanzing explains, "Bucky eliminated the Red Skull, crippled Kingpin's finances, and destabilized the US government. Intended to create a safer world, his actions ironically empowered Victor Von Doom, used as a pawn to kill the Red Skull. No one uses Doom as a weapon without consequences."
Kelly reveals their Worldstrike storyline was always designed to lead to a Doom-centric sequel. The "One World Under Doom" crossover event, spearheaded by Ryan North, presented a perfect opportunity.
Kelly states, "Discovering Bucky's manipulation of Doom was a key inciting incident for Doom's rise, our mission became a referendum on Bucky's choices. Doomstrike is Bucky's chance at redemption, pushing him to his limits."
Bucky's guilt, a recurring theme since his Winter Soldier days, takes center stage. Kelly notes, "Bucky's guilt, from his Winter Soldier past and Outer Circle missions, weighs heavily. Just as he thought he could move on, he's burdened with Doom's rise. Doom will exploit this guilt as his greatest weapon."
Lanzing adds context to the other Thunderbolts' motivations: Songbird, driven by loyalty and a desire for heroism, grapples with the loss of Abner Jenkins; Black Widow prioritizes Bucky's safety; Sharon Carter relentlessly fights fascism; U.S. Agent is disillusioned; and Ghost Rider '44, an old friend, returns with a fiery vengeance.
Regarding Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Kelly teases, "Val's role is more complex; readers must discover it in issue #1."
Thunderbolts vs. Thunderbolts
Doomstrike features the return of the original 1997 Thunderbolts, many now aligned with Doom. The clash between Bucky's team and the original Thunderbolts is a central conflict.
Kelly highlights, "Reuniting the original Thunderbolts with Bucky's team is exciting. From Songbird and Abner's heartbreaking conclusion to Citizen V's return, it's an honor to revisit these characters and their core dilemma: is redemption possible?"
Lanzing explains, "Doom, not Bucky, controls the Thunderbolts. In Doom's world, few heroes are as under his control as his 'Fulgar Victoris.' Why are they organized? And why is Bucky the primary target?"
Songbird's predicament, torn between loyalty to her old and new teams, is pivotal. Kelly describes her return as "excited and ready to aid Bucky," but the return of her friends serving Doom will deeply affect her.
Kelly and Lanzing's work with Bucky spans several years, including Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Captain America: Cold War. Doomstrike serves as the culmination of their Bucky storyline.
Lanzing calls it "the grand finale for our work on Bucky…a single story since we started at Marvel – the 'Revolution Saga.' It began in Devil's Reign: Winter Soldier, exploded in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, motivated Captain America: Cold War, and centered on Bucky in Thunderbolts: Worldstrike. Bucky's discovered his origins, clashed with his friend, found love, and embraced a new identity as the Revolution—but it all culminates here."
The creators express hope that Doomstrike, along with its thematic connections to the upcoming Thunderbolts movie, will attract MCU viewers. Kelly states, "MCU Bucky fans will find our Bucky familiar, at least initially. This story shows why Contessa is such a threat. For Bucky/Natasha fans, their romance is central. And with Doom's upcoming MCU spotlight, this story—and 'One World Under Doom'—is a terrifying introduction to a great villain. We hope movie fans will discover Thunderbolts: Worldstrike and Doomstrike."
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 releases February 19, 2025. For more on Marvel's 2025 plans, see our previews of Marvel's 2025 offerings and our most anticipated comics of 2025.
