Deadpool & The Thunderbolts (Vol. 1)

**Publisher**: Age of Marvels

**Line**: Marvel Global

**Status**: Ongoing

## Details

**THUNDERBOLTS!**

 Plotter: Exciter

 Writer: Jason Aaron

 Artists: Matteo Scalera

 Tagline: Justice... Like Lightning!

 Concept: Sometimes you need to recruit the bad guys to beat the worse guys!

 Cast:

 1. Deadpool (Wade Wilson)

 2. Juggernaut (Cain Marko)

 3. Ghost

 4. Doppelganger (Spider-Man)

 5. Moonstone

 6. Detroit Steel (Sasha Hammer)

 7. Zarda (Power Princess)

 Supporting: Agent 13 (Sharon Carter); Painkiller Jane; Red Ronin (Rob Takiguchi); Kristoff Vernard

 Antagonists: Madame Masque; Ogun/Shogun; Modi Thorson; Andreas Von Strucker; Jared Nomak; the Gorgon (and the Hand); Nul, Breaker of Worlds.

Reward characters: Starscream.

## Issues

**THUNDERBOLTS! #1**

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“CRIMINAL. JUSTICE... LIKE LIGHTNING!”

\*\*\*Hail Storm\*\*\*

Thunder. Thunder. Thunderbolts! Hi, I'm the Merc with a Mouth, Wade Wilson, f.k.a. Deadpool! You may remember me from such AOM titles as "The Death-Denying Deadpool" or "Deadpool & Force Works" (Ah, good times in the Uncanny Line...). Anyway, my last gig kind of blew up (literally). Me and some of my more criminally inclined teammates got arrested - that's the unstoppable Juggernaut, the intangible Ghost, and Deadpool ("Painkiller" Jane Vasko; long story short, I was MIA and she took the name... for feminism! I feel your pain, Odinson!). But fear not! You see, ol' "Don't call me David Hasselhoff" Nick Fury is trying to combat a resurgent HYDRA, and he knows that sometimes, to fight really bad guys, you need slightly less bad guys! If we complete missions for him under the supervision of his lieutenant, Sharon Carter, then we get commuted sentences, expunged records, and (I'm told) a 401k. Welcome to the Thunderbolts work release program!

Meet the rest of the team: violent Amazonian feminist Zarda the "Power Princess"; master of mech-armor with an icing problem on her heart, "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer; psychiatrist turned Captain Marvel with antisocial personality disorder, Karla "Moonstone" Soften; and the super-creepy, six-armed, spit drippin' Spider-Man Doppleganger, who Moonstone seems to have trained to be her personal attack dog (ruff!). Over the fists and through the guns, look out terrorists, here we come!

Our first mission is a routine (yet covert!) seek and destroy on a HYDRA facility in rural Wyoming, but when things go wrong, we might inadvertently attract the unwanted attention of a powerful player in the U.S. Government. Who is this “Mr. Morez,” and why does he want to destroy America?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**THUNDERBOLTS! #2 TURBO**
THUNDERBOLTS versus STREET FIGHTER
Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

Hey kids, ya boi Wade Wilson here, and I'm pumped because Nick Fury has declared it open season on the HYDRA-sponsored Shadaloo regime! That means me and half the T-Bolts crew are heading to the Thailand border with instructions to violently cut off an invasion from M. Bison's goon squad! (I'm thinking the M. stands for Maurice. Yeah... he's totally a Maurice). Leading the opposition is a dude named Vega. He wears a mask because he's pretty and I wear a mask because I'm ugly - we're natural enemies! Read us throwing down! Also in this issue, Power Princess wrestles a hirsute speedo-clad Russian named Zangief! (Hot!). Ghost gets into a philosophical debate with sumo champion, E. Honda! (less hot!). And when a mysterious warrior enters the fray claiming to be a master of the dark energy called Satsui No Hado (I take mine with brown rice please), Cain Marko decides to see him off. It's the Juggernaut versus Shin Akuma!

But that's not all, because the Thunderbolts fight for freedom wherever there's trouble! (Or wherever our parole officer Sharon Carter tells us to!). The new Deadpool, Painkiller Jane, leads the Thunderbolts beta squad (don't call 'em Underbolts) of Moonstone, Doppleganger, and "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer on a mission to cut off Shadaloo's finances by crushing their drug smuggling operations in South America. When they run into a savage green mutant named Blanka, will they cut each other apart, or will I get a new teammate? Are any of them prepared to throw down with Shadaloo's “synthetic human,” Seth?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS! #3

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“SCREAM FOR ME, TAXMAN”

Good news everyone! Our peace-keeping-through-ass-kicking efforts in Thailand last issue were such a rousing (and [i]a[/i]rousing) success that the Thunderbolts program is officially expanding! Remember that big Uncanny event where I had to fight Megatron? (Of course you do - it happened in the instant-classic DEADPOOL & FORCEWORKS #5 & 6!). Well when it started to look like Megs was going to lose, one of his Decepticon cronies switched sides. In exchange for valuable intel, he's been given a spot on our supervised super-villain work release program. Meet our newest teammate - Starscream! Juggernaut and Ghost seem to hate him, but "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer experiences a different and uncharacteristic emotion... love??? How will the new team dynamic play out on our next mission - a seek and destroy (and oh yeah, rescue) into America's heartland, where Andreas Von Strucker and HYDRA have turned local good ol' boys bad, given them Asgardian weapons (how'd they get those anyway? I always get outbid on eBay), and set them on a mission to tear down the federal "govmint" one tax-collector at a time! Wait a minute, we have to defend the IRS? I thought we were the good guys...

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS! #4

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“THORSDAY BLOODY THORSDAY” Part One “DON'T TREAD ON MODI”

His name is Modi Thorson, bastard son of the Norse God of Thunder and Goddess of Death. Yet even as a blood prince of the realms, nothing in Asgard nor Hel can satisfy his ambition. No, he's got a hot burning desire to create a New Asgard... and he wants to build it over the ashes of 'Merica! (Dagnabbit!). Unbeknownst to the T-Bolts or the world at large, the HYDRA-allied Modi has been gathering adherents in rural, conservative middle America for some time. How easy it was to sway their allegiance from baby Jesus to baby Modi (his doctrinal book has colorful illustrations and is only 24 pages long!). Now their devotion is strong, and they demand public schools teach Modi worship and give Thursdays off (you get why, etymology buffs!). Moreover, the far-right, survivalist, anti-tax militias of the region have been similarly seduced. Disguised as "family values" politician Bobby Morez, Modi has pushed through legislation making it easier for these individuals to obtain powerful alien weaponry from Asgard and beyond. But Modi doesn't just have an army, he's also got a hulk - the hyper-strong monster from ancient Asgardian myth, Nul the Breaker of Worlds - a.k.a. Black Hulk! So given all that, when Modi decides he wants to take over and transform Kansas City into Fólkvangr, the new capital for his forth-coming realm, what are the chances that I (the wonderful Wade Wilson), Juggernaut, Starscream, and the rest of the 'bolts can stop him? Never tell me the odds (even if I ask for them)!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS! #5

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“THORSDAY BLOODY THORSDAY” Part Two

Kansas City is now Fólkvangr, capital of New Asgard and seat of the King - Modi Thorson. Guy's basically a trust fund baby, inheriting all his power from his God parents. But I guess he's earning it now, because he's really whipped the rural Fólks into a religious fervor (Baby Jebus is powerless against him!). Our first attempt to oust Modi wasn't exactly a rip-roarious success. Juggernaut got roflstomped by Nul the Black Hulk (say something racist now, Hulk Hogan, I dare you!), and I got ripped in half - physically and emotionally - because my girlfri... frie... associate Jane "Deadpool" Vasko, betrayed us to side with Modi! (Why Painkiller, why?). Well, eff that because I'm taking my mantle back (suck it, diversity)! Wade Wilson is Deadpool again, and I'm leading the Thunderbolts to stomp Kansas City like the Mets couldn't in the World Series! Might be a little hard though, with the city now magically floating in the air and all... Think Nick Fury will let me borrow a hellicarrier? Better not ask him then! It'll be like Siege and Waco rolled into one - but funnier!

Meanwhile, Starscream and "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer have been hooking up. He's an alien robot in disguise, so why and/or how did her pregnancy test show positive? (Should've wrapped up that spark!). Moonstone finds out and is sworn to secrecy, but when has she ever kept her word?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS! #6

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“THE DADDY ISSUES ISSUE”

"The Juggernaut" Cain Marko may be unstoppable, but not even he can stop kids these days from growing up just too darn fast! Case in point: Zane, Jug-head's pre-teen son. He just hit puberty and started manifesting powers inherited from his heretofore non-custodial parent (talk about a growth spurt!). His mom's ill-equipped to discipline a 12 year old with class 6 super strength (that's the 75-100 ton range – thanks Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe!), and our team's win against evil Asgardian Modi Thorson in Kansas City last month has Child Protective Services viewing us all in a more positive light. That means young J2 is coming to live with papa at Thunderbolts Mountain! But having been horribly abused by his own father, can Cain be the role model and care-giver his son so desperately needs? He's probably not off to a good start because their first bonding activity involves hunting down Juggernaut's arch-enemy - Nul the Breaker of World's, a.k.a. the Black Hulk!

Meanwhile, Moonstone takes Sasha "Detroit Steel" Hammer to the OBGYN - but no doctor has ever seen an ultrasound like this! Sasha is secretly carrying the child of Starscream - but the half-Decepticon fetus has already begun painfully transforming in the womb! The result is an extremely high risk pregnancy. What drastic actions will Moonstone take to save Sasha's life?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #7

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“ITS ALWAYS BLOODY IN SAN DIABLO” Part One “MAYBE YOU SHOULD FEAR THE REAPER(S)”

If you're looking for that perfect tropical getaway, San Diablo is probably not it (no matter what that Travelocity gnome tells you). This little slice of South America used to be a colony of Latveria - though that crusty European nation abandoned it after WWII. Problem is, not everyone forgot. HYDRA's current recipe for world domination involves healthy portions of puppet nations, and HYDRA High Council member Madame Masque believes she's found a suitable Pinocchio with a legitimate claim to rule San Diablo - Kristoff Vernard, the son of Dr. Doom! Vernard himself has no ambitions to power (millennials, amirite?), but HYDRA arms and trains local rebels to wage a proxy revolution in his name (Ronald Reagan style!). Bad idea. Unbeknownst to HYDRA, San Diablo holds a spooooky secret. It's been the preeminent home for experiments in vampirism for some time, and HYDRA's thuggery inadvertently frees a prisoner/experiment by the name of Jared Nomack - patient zero for the Reaper Strain of alpha vamps that eat everyone, even other vamps! (Definitely not Adkins friendly). So now there's a three-way bloodbath going on between the independent government, the HYDRA-backed rebels, and the Reapers and it needs to be stopped in the name of world peace... Sounds like a job for the Thunderbolts! Yours truly (Deadpool, Merc with a mouth) leads Juggernaut, Moonstone, Ghost, and the rest into action! But is "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer due for some maternity leave? She can't hide that Decepticon-sized baby bump anymore, and sorry Starscream, a battlefield is the last place you want to find out you're gonna be a daddy!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

march 2016

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #8

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“ITS ALWAYS BLOODY IN SAN DIABLO” Part Two “BOLT DOWN THE MIDDLE”

Thunderbolts win! Peace in our time! San Diablo is safe! That's right, we ousted Jared Nomack and his reaper strain of vampires from the country with no casualties (unless of course you count "Power Princess" getting turned into a reaper, but I never liked her anyway). Believe it or not, some of the natives still aren't happy though. They're all like, "Ohhh my country's in ruins and my government was forced to disband, boohoo!" (Too bad Starscream can't transform into a wambulance, amirite?). Without anyone else in charge, it looks like the "dibs" on leadership called by Kristoff Vernard (rap name: 'lil Doom) is actually being respected. Fortunately, it turns out he's a pretty cool guy (a big $&@% you to nature [i]and[/i] nurture there, eh?). He's rejected Madame Masque's influence and wants to recruit the 'Bolts as his national security advisers! But wouldn't you know it, that wet blanket supervisor Sharon Carter won't let us spread our wings - she wants to keep us on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leash and refuses to abide by our parole agreements otherwise. This is going to cause a major rift within the team. You've got me (the Death-Denying Deadpool), Juggernaut, Ghost, Sasha Hammer, Starscream, Moonstone, and Doggleganger. We're gonna disagree, and yeah, we're gonna fight (all families do). But in the end, there's going to be a split. Who's staying? Who's going? Who's doing alternate weekend visitation?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

april 2016

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #9

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“WHO THUNDERBOLTED IT BETTER?”

The team has split in twain! Fans have not been so strongly pulled in two antithetical directions since the Team Edward versus Team Jacob conflict of the late aughts! So I just gotta know, true believers, who are you with? The Death-Denying Thunderbolts, led by yours truly Deadpool, or the Unstoppable Thunderbolts, led by my ex-bffl the Juggernaut?

Ex-bffl, you ask? Haven't we been teammates since the forum reboot and AOM's relaunch two years ago, you ask? What caused the split, you ask? Well, when lil' Doom Kristoff Vernard found himself in charge of sunny San Diablo (thanks largely to moi), he offered us official status as a state-sponsored super-team! But our S.H.I.E.L.D. babysitter, Sharon Carter, wasn't going to honor our parole agreements or expunge our records if we jumped ship. That left us with a problematic choice...

I gotta be free (it's why I go commando), but Juggy needed a clean record to get full custody of his son, J2. With me is Ghost (no corporations yet in San Diablo, and he looks to keep it that way), Doppelgänger (my dawg... with the brains of a dog), and Starscream! With Jughead is Moonstone (never trust a psychologist) and Sasha Hammer (but isn't she preggo with Starscream's Decepti-kid? Ut-oh, baby momma drama!).

The Death-Defying Thunderbolts' first mission? Hunt down Jared Nomack and his reaper-strain of vampires (and try to un-reaper our former teammate Power Princess, if we can). The Unstoppable Thunderbolts' first mission? Hunt down Modi Thorson and his rebel Asgardians who tried to conquer Kansas City a few months back (and try to un-brainwash our former teammate Painkiller Jane, if they can). By the end of the issue you'll find out... Who Thunderbolted it better!?!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #10

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“YOU'RE NO GOOD TO ME DEADPOOL” Part One “BOBA FETT? WHERE?”

You've seen us in epic rap battlesYou've seen us mashed up on t-shirts. You've even seen us drawn together by Rob Liefeld (though you didn't see our feet, obvs). But now the wait is finally over, and at long last you get to see us throw down on the printed page! Oh yeah, its Deadpool versus Boba Fett!

As you know, the new leader of tropical San Diablo is Kristoff Vernard (Lil' Doom), and he appointed my faction of Death-Denying Thunderbolts as the nation's official protectors! So when the [i]Slave I[/i] violates San Diablo's sovereign air space and lands somewhere in the thick jungle canopy, it's up to me, Ghost, Power Princess, Doppleganger and Starscream to bring its pilot in for questioning! But as Boba's buddy Ackbar might say, IT'S A TRAP! Fett's here to apprehend one or more members of my team (not sure who), freeze 'em in carbonite, and bring 'em back alive to whomever issued the bounty. But he only needs his bounties alive - the rest are disposable! He's going all Predator on us in the sweltering jungle, but two can play that game! It's getting hot in here, so kill off all your foes! (I am. Getting so hot. I'm gonna kill my foes off!).

Meanwhile, Juggernaut's S.H.I.E.L.D.-sponsored team, the Unstoppable Thunderbolts, are tasked with apprehending a dangerous superhuman who's been attacking Silicon Valley - and to do so, they'll have to team up with... the Google Android? Wait, big companies have their own heroes that crossover to my books now? (See CORPORATE AVENGERS #1). Talk about a shameless PR move to increase sales! (Ohhh meta-textual!).

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #11

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“YOU'RE NO GOOD TO ME DEADPOOL” Part Two “

The much-anticipated smackdown between internet rivals moi (the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool) and bounty hunter to the stars, Boba Fett, rages on! My team of Death-Denying Thunderbolts didn't exactly fair so well against the space invader last ish (understatement), with Ghost, Power Princess, and Doppelgänger ending up in the hospital and Starscream ending up frozen in carbonite! But when that happened, my common sense started tingling and I realized Starscream was ol' buckethead's bounty! Though, perhaps, not his only one... Boba's ship, the [i]Slave I[/i], hasn't broken orbit. That means he still has business on Earth, and I think I know what it is. "Detroit Steel" Sasha Hammer is in her third trimester and carrying Starscream's Decepti-kid in her very distended belly. This is the first ever hybrid between our races, and someone out in the universe must be willing to pay big bucks (or credits? Is that the accepted space currency?) to get their hands on the not-so-happy family. As a matter of professional pride, I can't let that happen. But Sasha left my team and joined Juggernaut's Unstoppable Thunderbolts a few issues ago. Soooooo it's going to be just super awkward to do a team-up with them right now... but drama sells, right?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

july 2016

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #12

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“YOU'RE NO GOOD TO ME DEADPOOL” Part Three “

If you've been following along, you probably know that right now the score is Boba Fett: 2, Deadpool: 0. But like Comedy Central's "At Midnight," only the last round matters! Last issue, Fett injured most of my Thunderbolts teammates then busted out the carbonite to freeze Starscream, Sasha Hammer, and their in utero hybrid baby (gas/electric/milk). With his bounty secured, ol' Buckethead peaced out from planet Earth - but I never leave a man or woman or alien robot thing behind! I'm calling in favors, and Colonel John Jameson, commander of the U.S.S. Excelsior, owes me one for making sure he wasn't "fixed" when he devolved into a feral cosmic werewolf (don't ask). Set phasers to overkill, Deadpool's going to space! But the pursuit does raise the question, who would pay Fett to abduct such a unique family unit? You probably guessed - it's the galaxy's most infamous hoarder - Benecio Del Toro, a.k.a. the Collector!! (Loved him in "Sicario"). Time to kick some cosmic entity ass! But crap, this guy is an obsessive completist - turns out, he wants both America's first intergalactic starship [i]and[/i] Canada's greatest regeneratin' degenerate for his collection too! But does the Collector also want the galaxy's most prolific bounty hunter and the only pristine clone of Jango Fett not damaged by artificial aging? Turns out, he does! And you know what that means... UNLIKELY TEAM-UP!!!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

aug 2016

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #13

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“YOU'RE NO GOOD TO ME DEADPOOL” Part Four “TWO AND A HALF MERCS”

In an unprecedented turn of events never before witnessed in comic book history, my guest star and I started out fighting each other but eventually teamed up against a common enemy! Famed rivals, moi (the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool) and Boba Fett (the Merc who almost certainly also has a mouth under his helmet), are finally on the same side! And that common enemy I mentioned? It's Tanaleer Tivan - better know as the Collector! For this team-up to be a success, all we have to do is defeat an Elder of the Universe, escape his massive museum spaceship, evade his legions of "collected" warriors, and get back to Earth. No big deal, right? One complication: while doing all that, we've got to deliver a baby! A baby that might also be a jet! As devoted readers know, Starscream knocked up Justine Hammer, resulting in the first human/Decepticon pregnancy (the thing that got the Collector's attention in the first place). Now she's chosen about the worst time possible to go into labor, without a doctor or a mechanic in sight! If we somehow survive all this without being enslaved forever, I think naming the kid "Wade Wilson Hammer-Starscream" (boy or girl) is an appropriate tribute...

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

Sep 2016

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #14

Written by MATT FRACTION

Plot by EXCITER

Art by DANIEL ACUNA

“I'M JUST SAIYAN”

Congratulations! It's a... F-22 Raptor? Justine Hammer has just given birth to her little bundle of joy/afterburners, courtesy of Starscream's Decepti-sperm. Me (the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool) and the happy(?) family have finally escaped the clutches of cosmic-baddie the Collector (thanks for loaning my book your antagonist EXCELSIOR) and are flown back to Earth by our newfound broski, Boba Fett. His ship, the Slave I, is fully pimped out with one-of-a-kind upgrades liberated from the Collector's... erm... collection. But that's not the only thing that came with us... we got ourselves a stowaway! Apparently the Collector also collected a buff blonde dude named Broly who humbly refers to himself as "the Legendary Super Saiyan." This mentally unstable and always shirtless beefcake was kept pacified by mind-control tech created by his father Paragus which I [i]might[/i] have damaged in making my escape (my bad). So yeah, super powerful alien badass lose on Earth... I'm going to have to reach out to the other Thunderbolts team led by my frenemy the Juggernaut (after our civil war in issue #9) if I want to have any hope of saving the day. But can even the full force of a totally reunited Thunderbolts stop Broly? Or will we have to recruit another "I used to be a bad guy and still have an attitude" anti-hero to help us? A guy named... Vegeta!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #15**

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"ONE WEDDING AND A @$&%-TON OF FUNERALS"

We've been friends. We've been foes. We've split the Thunderbolts and led separate factions. But after our tentative reunion last ish, can I (Deadpool, Merc with a Mouth) finally prove myself to the Juggernaut... by being the best man at his wedding?!? Jug-head is finally tying the knot to his longtime plus-size girlfriend Big Bertha (talk about a power couple, amirite?), and it's up to me to plan the Bachelor Party and then get his big ass to the chapel on time! But when the two of us, Starscream, Doppleganger, Ghost, and Vegeta try to enjoy meta-strippers at The Carnal House of Ideas (classy gals, earning tuition for Avengers Academy), things go wrong! Nul, Breaker of Worlds has decided to literally crash our party - and he's bringing a cadre of Asgardian monsters with him! It's a nice day for a red wedding!

Meanwhile, renowned little $&@% Andreas Von Strucker has stolen the giant Mech known as Red Ronin... and he's targeting San Diablo, the nation "l'il Doom" Kristoff Vernard hired the Tunderbolts to defend! Can Moonstone, Power Princess, and new mommy Sasha Hammer defend a country while we defend a night of debauchery?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #16**

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

* + - Killing the Fantasy tie-in\*\*\*

[i]The world your heroes live in is the world outside your window... [/i]

My therapist Karla Sofen told me I need to write about myself and my feelings, so here it goes. My name is Wade. I worked as a private security contractor for a while - a merc for money. I tried my hand at standup after. Didn't work. Now I'm unemployed and mostly spend my days volunteering at the V.A. Hospital, helping real heroes like my old buddy Cain Marko - Korean War veteran. The war scarred him, so as a coping mechanism he's developed a persistent delusion that he can't be stopped and I can't be killed. He's a trip, usually, but today he's rambling about that serial killer that's all over the news. What he's saying though... he's getting me a little worked up. Cain claims some homeless dude visited him and warned that both of us, and Dr. Sofen (who Cain doesn't even know), were on the killer's list. Crazy, right? I'm not so sure. He's not worried, afterall he thinks he's unstoppable, but I know better - and I thought I saw someone in the shadows... I don't think we're safe here anymore!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #17**

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"PINE BOXING DAY"

It's that time of year again! And as Marvel's second most popular Canadian, it's my obligation to forcibly compel you to celebrate BOXING DAY! "WTF is Boxing Day," you ask? Well, don't strap on the gloves and throw a jab just yet. Boxing Day actually has nothing to do with pugilism! No, it's actually a tradition dating back to when upper-crust residents of Commonwealth mansions (like the one pre-pube Wolverine grew up in) would give their servants gifts on the day after Christmas! But some jerks just can't let the little guys have anything...

Nick Norris, the Son of Santa, has turned to me and the 'Bolts to stop his arch-nemesis and hater of all winter solstice-centered holidays, the Anti-Claus, from again tampering with the timeline and erasing Canadian Boxing Day from existence! That means we've got to travel back to the past and protect the residents of the upper-crust Mansion that first brought the tradition to Canada - we're defending the Howlett estate! Guest-starring pre-pube Wolverine!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #18**

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"HACKED TO PIECES"

It's a new day in America, and (co-)President McCoy's pick for Secretary of Homeland Security is the director of the Thunderbolts Project, and my former boss, Sharon Carter. And that's good news, because the 'Bolts did such a bang-up job defending the country from all kinds of $&%^ in the last 17 issues that Sharon's finally cutting us a break. My half of the team can come back from exile in (always sunny) San Diablo and rejoin Juggernaut's half of the team, with full pardons and cushy government jobs if we want them. But do all of us want them?

My main man, the ever anti-establishment Ghost, has the biggest problem with it. He's not about to sell out to big brother with their fluoridated water, chem trails, and pizzagate. In fact... he's going hard in the other direction! Now it's up to me - Deadpool - and the rest of the 'Bolts to stop one of our own from making a huge mistake and waging all-out cyber warfare on America's security apparatus! And he's ready to blame it on Russia and threaten WWIII! But I don't know $&%^ about computers, and I can't stab/shoot/bludgeon/tickle a guy who can go intangible! ...or can I?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

**DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #19**

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"WOMEN'S BLITZ"

The women of America have assembled in a Washington march that's gotta be one of the largest protests in history ("My body, my choice to undergo Weapon X experiments!). But some women, like my teammate Zarda a.k.a. Power Princess (sounds much less menacing than she actually is) think that's not enough! She decides to go back to her dimension and recruit fierce women warriors from her birthplace, the isolated Utopia island, to take action. A bunch of buff babes that must be just famished for man-meat appeals to me for obvious reasons, so I (the merc with a mouth, Deadpool) decide to tag along (covertly... in her jet's landing gear). But a stowaway isn't the only surprise Zarda's in for! Since she's been gone, the Utopians have radicalized under the rhetoric of a national socialist woman with a distinctly red tinged skull, disdain for men, and ambitions of world domination. In an issue that's sure to get me unbelievable hate on tumblr, Zarda and I must protect her world by fighting literal feminazis! Expect more than just bras to burn as my ass is next in the line of fire!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #20

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"HOT DAMN" Part One "I GOT FRIENDS IN DOOMED PLACES"

GLOBAL WARNING tie-in\*\*\*

Sometimes the apple does fall far from the tree, and sometimes it falls in a plane and goes on an international flight. You gotta hand it to Kristoff Vernard (aka 'lil Doom). When he took over San Diablo the place was the biggest mess in South America - lizard men, Nazi vampires, and most nefarious of all, economic depression! Now it's the jewel of the continent, with factories cranking out iMODOKs or whatever the kids are buying these days. Problem is, HYDRA thinks the country's newfound prosperity has resulted in too much carbon emission! (And, presumably, half those emissions are nocturnal). HYDRA is also under the impression that, because San Diablo recently underwent such a big-time reconstruction, they're a weak and vulnerable target that can be easily rolled over in the wake of the Global Warning. But they don't know that Kristoff is tight with the Thunderbolts! Can Vernard's hired gun, the bounty hunter Boba Fett, hold HYDRA off until I (Deadpool, Merc with a Mouth), Juggernaut, Moonstone, Starscream, and the rest of the 'bolts arrive on the scene? And why is the guy leading HYDRA's operation my old enemy, identity thief, and brand-tarnisher - Dudepeel (the scourge of X-Men Origins: Wolverine)?!? It's like HYDRA knew I'd show up and was prepared...

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #21

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"HOT DAMN" Part Two

GLOBAL WARNING tie-in\*\*\*

Welp, can't win 'em all. We tried to defend San Diablo from the forces of HYDRA imperialism, but they got Hulk-soldiers and $&%#. Now they control the ground and the air, and I can say with some surety that San Diablo is no longer a hot vacation destination (the Travelocity Gnome is gonna be pissed). The 'bolts mission is now extraction: grab deposed leader and our broski, Krystoff Vernard, and GTFO. Easier said than done, as between us and Boba's Fetts's ship, the Slave I, is a literal army of super terrorists. Starscream can fit one person inside him (lol) when he's in jet mode, so it's up to him to fly the unfriendly skies with Vernard while myself (Deadpool, second movie coming soon), Juggernaut, Moonstone, and the rest of the team have to fight our way out if we want to live (just like the Republican party's health care plan - burnnnn)! But wait, have we suffered betrayal most foul? Has our former friend, anti-corporate hacktivist/terrorist Ghost, been swayed by HYDRA's aggressive anti-global warming stance like the militant hipster he is??? I sure hope nobody else on the team feels the same way...

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #22

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"HOT DAMN" Part Three "CLEAN ENERGY, DIRTY DEEDS"

GLOBAL WARNING tie-in\*\*\*

So we lost one country to HYDRA, okay? Big deal. There's like, a thousand countries in the world. But damn... San Diablo was the Thunderbolts' home away from home. HYDRA is acting like they're the good guys because they're stopping carbon emitters who would otherwise kill the planet due to to global warming or whatever. Worst thing is that friggin' hipsters like my former teammate Ghost believe them! Now it's personal, and about to get more so!

Remember when Starscream and Sasha "Detroit Steel" Hammer got busy and created life? Well that little baby, Justin Starscream-Hammer, has two favorite things to eat: jars of Beech-Nut Classics (banana & mixed berries, obvs) and Energon Cubes! But what comes out the other end is more highly valued - because Ghost and HYDRA believe this baby's poo is the future of clean energy! Witness the most violent adventures in babysitting ever as moi (merc with a mouth, Deadpool), Juggernaut, Boba Fett, and the other 'Bolts fend off a super-powered HYDRA snatch & grab squad that thinks the world can be saved by this little human-Decepticon tyke's dirty diapers! But nobody kidnaps/hijacks one of my crew's kids/supersonic jets! Not on my watch!

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #23

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"DEADPOOL LOVES HARLEY" part one "CONTINUITY CROSSED LOVERS"

GLOBAL WARNING tie-in\*\*\*

The global warning is the new hotness and all the criminals want to go "legit" with HYDRA. Case in point, super thief Carmen Sandiego has traded in her trademark red fedora and overcoat for green ones and signed up to steal for Hydra Commander! And the first item on her list is the Crimson Gem of Cytorrak - the family jewel that gives Juggernaut his powers!

But my team will deal with it because I ain't got time for that noise. I've got to handle something much more pressing - love! Remember the big "Amalgamate" crossover event a few months ago? In the final battle, I saw a face from the DC New Dawn Universe and instantly fell in love. Murderous, clown-like, fourth-wall-breaking. I knew then that we were the couple that the internet WANTS to be together. When the universes were separated, I thought I'd never see her again. But then I totally did! Just now! Harley Quinn has appeared in the Age of Marvels universe, and I (Deadpool, Merc with a Mouth) have to quickly make a love connection (and find out how and why she crossed over) before the New Dawn editors realize she's here! Easier said then done though, because it looks like Harley's already picked a fight with Madam Masque and her well-armed goon-squad! In this universe for a day and already at war with super terrorists? How could you question that we're meant to be together?

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #24

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"DEADPOOL LOVES HARLEY" part two "IT'S LIKE THE NOTEBOOK WITH CARTOONISH VIOLENCE AND COMIC BOOK PHYSICS"

Love is the the air... or is that poisonous gas? The good news is that the New Dawn editors haven't pulled Harley Quinn from my book yet. The bad news is that she's started a war with Madam Masque in my universe! (Chicks, amirite?). Apparently the Madame has been up to some inter-dimensional mischief and was smuggling super-weapons from Gotham (which is like a crime-ier New York City in New Jersey (ew)) to her Maggia family here. Inventory list includes freeze guns, mind control hats, and mutagen that makes you turn into an anthropomorphic bat. (All $&@# we have here, but that's more abundant and therefore cheaper over there - the laws of supply and demand are multiversal). Anywho, Harley found out about it and tried to smash the operation with a giant mallet (genius, really). Now she's in a classic team-up with yours truly (the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool), and the fight/romance is going to take us back to her hometown. I really want this to work, so I sure hope she doesn't have any crazy ex-boyfriends I have to worry about... (hint, hint - I'm talking about me fighting the Joker!).

And oh yeah, Carmen Sandiego stole the Juggernaut's Crimson Gem of Sippy-cup or whatever it's called (his mega-steroid jewelry) for HYDRA and my team's trying to get it back. You can read that B story here too.

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #25

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"DEADPOOL LOVES HARLEY" part three "NANA NANA NANA NANA BATSHIT!"

The power of love (cue Huey Lewis) has brought me into the New Dawn Universe, where the object of my affection - fourth-wall breaking anti-heroine Harley Quinn - is attempting to foil Madame Masque's plan to smuggle super-weapons back home to my dimension. Little did I know that this world has transitioned crime- fighting to the private sector (the Republican dream!) and if you want to combat scum and villainy in Gotham City then you've got to join the franchise - and become part of Batman, Inc.! Cool. I'm on board with any company whose slogan is "criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot." Plus, they offer a great 401k. So what if I gotta tape pointy ears to my mask to get it? I've done worse! Plus, when the defeated criminals inevitably ask "Who are you?", I get to answer in a 5-pack-a-day growly voice - "I'm Batshit!"

But it turns out Madame Masque's partner on this side of the dimensional divide is none other than the fiend who I presume sang for the Steve Miller Band - a smoker, a midnight toker, he gets his lovin' on the run - the Joker! This puts me in quite the romantic triangle (he and Harley used to date, fyi). He's probably gonna want to take her on another road trip or something but I ain't havin' it! For anyone who ever wanted to kill their girlfriend's ex who just can't seem to stay out of her life, this is the issue for you!

Oh yeah, and in the B story Carmen Sandiego has become the Juggernaut of Thieves after stealing Cain's family jewel. Can the 'bolts slow down the unstoppable larcenist?

32 PGs./Rated M ...$2.99

DEADPOOL & THE THUNDERBOLTS #26

Written by JASON AARON

Plot by EXCITER

Art by MATTEO SCALERA

"DEADPOOL LOVES HARLEY" part four "PUDDING POPPED"

Welcome back to the epic crossover where I, the Merc with a second movie in production, Deadpool, have traversed the dimensional divide and journeyed to Gotham City where I've teamed-up with my crush, the inspiration for every girl's 2016 Halloween costume, Har-

Hey, D.P., watcha doin' over here? Dictatin' a solicitation? Can I try?

Well, Harley, not to humblebrag, because your "supporting character" slot in BATMAN really is impressive, but I've been doing this for 25 issues so I think, given my experience, I really should be the one to inform the readers about-

A-a-a-hem! So, I've totally been in a feud with Madame Mask, a super-weapon smuggler (and maybe the supervisor of a brothel?). She's from D.P.'s universe, but she formed some kinda relationship with my former flame, Mister J himself. My ex-puddin' is kinda obsessed with me, even though I keep tellin' him we're done. Le sigh... wish I could find a guy as dreamy as 2011's Green Lantern, but the only one who seems interested now is dorky D.P. (who I plan to friendzone hard). Anyways, Mister J and D.P. are now involved in this macho shoot-'em-up mutual jealousy conflict and there's been a teensy weensy bit of collateral damage (mayyyyyybe two cities blocks, no biggie). This got the attention of B-Man, who plans to deport D.P. back to his universe... if he can catch him! But D.P.'s got a plan to simultaneously avoid deportation and draw out Mister J so he can "apprehend" him once and for all - wait, the plan is a wedding?!? Between us?!? Excuse a-moi???

32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99