Anthony Bergamini
In preparation for Marvel’s Thunderbolts*, you may need a recap of who all these characters are before they come together to save the world!
Yelena Belova (Black Widow) –
First MCU Appearance: Black Widow (2021): In Yelena’s first appearance in the MCU, it is revealed that she was part of a sleeper agent “family” comprised of Natasha Romanov, Melina Vostokoff, and Alexi Shostakov, who were tasked with infiltrating the United States to steal secrets. After arriving back to Russia, Yelena and Natasha were placed in the Black Widow program where they were trained to become assassins. Years after the events of The Avengers, Yelena and Natasha reunited with Alexi and Melina to take down the head of the Red Room and shut down the Black Widow program for good.
First Comic Appearance: Inhumans #5 (1999): Yelena Belova was trained to be a Black Widow in the Red Room and was initially sent on a mission to kill Natasha Romanov. Instead of killing her they teamed up and became periodic allies. She was later controlled by Hydra and A.I.M and became the White Widow after she was freed from their clutches.
Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) –
First MCU Appearance: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): In Bucky’s first appearance in the MCU, he was a friend and fellow soldier of Steve Rogers, Captain America, before he tragically died during a mission. In 2014, Steve discovers that Bucky didn’t actually die, but instead he was kidnapped and brainwashed to become an assassin, The Winter Soldier. Bucky aligns himself with the heroes after his memories start to return and eventually has his brainwashing removed by the Wakandans. In his latest appearance in Captain America: Brave New World, Bucky is seen to be running for the United States Senate.
First Comic Appearance: Captain America Comics #1 (1941): As a child Bucky Barnes looked up to Captain America and decided to sneak off to the war to become his sidekick. Bucky was Captain America’s sidekick for much of the war but his time was cut short when his arm got stuck to a rocket that he and Captain America were trying to disarm. Thought dead for many years, Bucky later resurfaced as The Winter Soldier, a soviet, brainwashed agent who was being controlled at the time by The Red Skull. Bucky later recovered his memories but struggled to assimilate back to his old life, even struggling to talk with Captain America for a time. When Captain America was killed at the end of Civil War, Iron Man convinced Bucky to take over. Bucky stayed in the Captain America role for years until Steve’s return, wherein he resumed his role as The Winter Soldier.
Alexi Shostakov (Red Guardian) –
First MCU Appearance: Black Widow (2021): In Alexi’s first appearance in the MCU, it is revealed that he was part of a sleeper agent “family” comprised of Natasha Romanov, Melina Vostokoff, and Yelena Belova, who were tasked with infiltrating the United States to steal secrets. Alexi was given a Russian version of the Super Soldier serum and became the Red Guardian, but was subsequently hidden in a Russian prison by his superiors. He is later freed and assists Natasha, Yelena, and Melina to take down the head of the Red Room and shut down the Black Widow program.
First Comic Appearance: The Avengers #43 (1967): Alexi Shostakov was a decorated Soviet soldier who was married to Natasha Romanov. In an effort to show loyalty to his country, he faked his death and trained within the Soviet ranks to become The Red Guardian, essentially a Soviet version of Captain America. The Red Guardian would appear as a villain to The Avengers and other Marvel heroes while also teaming up with them a various times.
John Walker (US Agent) –
First MCU Appearance: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021): John Walker appeared after the supposed death of Steve Rogers as the new, Government sanctioned, Captain America. As Captain America, he fought against the mysterious Flag Smashers organization, but his tenure was cut short when he lost his temper and killed an enemy after his best friend was killed. Despite having the shield and title revoked, Walker returned to assist Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes in the final confrontation. While he thought that his life was over, he was approached by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to become a new kind of hero, a US Agent.
First Comic Appearance: Captain America #323 (1986): John Walker was introduced in the comics as an anti-Captain America. Essentially, he embodies all of the wrong values for the character, leaning far too much into the “America” aspect of the name. John received his powers from the villainous Power Broker and initially started as a quasi-villain, Super-Patriot. He eventually went on to become Captain American and later US Agent, always taking his duties with a very conservative mindset that always put America before anything else. He is often portrayed as more of a hero for his own ideals rather than for everyone.
Ava Starr (Ghost) –
First MCU Appearance: Antman & The Wasp (2018): Ava Starr was the daughter of a brilliant scientist who worked with Hank Pym and Bill Foster back when Hank was in the Ant Man suite. In an experiment that had gone wrong, Ava was blasted with energy from the Quantum Realm, making her intangible. She worked for years undercover with S.H.I.E.L.D, who had developed a suit that allowed her to control her powers. She later teamed up with Bill Foster to get revenge on Hank Pym, resulting in Janet Van Dyne being freed from the Quantum Realm and curing Ava.
First Comic Appearance: Iron Man #219 (1987): In the comics, the Ghost’s identity is unclear, but he does hold a similar powerset to his film counterpart, although it is not connected to the Quantum Realm. Instead, he wears a suit that allows him to become intangible or invisible when he desires. He is often portrayed as a villain for hire that has hacking skills.
Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster) –
First MCU Appearance: Black Widow (2021): Antonia Dreykov is the daughter of the leader of the Red Room. During an espionage mission, Natasha Romanov took vengeance on Antonia’s father and blew up a building with Antonia inside. Natasha later discovered that Antonia had survived, with her father brainwashing her and turning her into the Taskmaster, where she gained the abilities to mimic the fighting styles of others. After her father was defeated, Antonia disappeared on her own.
First Comic Appearance: The Avengers #195 (1980): The Taskmaster in the comics is Tony Masters and is often portrayed as a villain for hire. Unlike his film counterpart, his ability to mimic any fighting style is related to an ability he has that also hurts his short- and long-term memory. Taskmaster has been in many Marvel comics and has played the role as either hero or villain depending on who is paying him the most money.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine –
First MCU Appearance: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021): Valentina Allegra de Fontaine first appeared as a mysterious benefactor who recruited John Walker into her mysterious cause after he had the Captain America title stripped away from him. She later appeared to recruit Yelena Belova and worked to assist her ex-husband, Everett Ross, to assist the Wakandans.
First Comic Appearance: Strange Tales #159 (1967): Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was initially introduced as a S.H.I.E.L.D leader and love interest for Nick Fury. It was later retconned that she was actually a Russian spy who had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D early on in its creation.
Bob Reynolds (The Sentry/The Void) –
First MCU Appearance: Thunderbolts* (2025): Based on the trailers for the film, Bob is a mysterious individual who seems to be at the epicenter of the Thunderbolts* operation.
First Comic Appearance: The Sentry #1 (2000): Bob Reynolds was once one of the world’s greatest superheroes, as well known as the likes of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers; however, he had a dark secret. All the good that Bob did as The Sentry released a darker half, The Void, who would do just as much evil. To ensure The Void would never return, Bob worked with Doctor Strange and Reed Richards to make everyone forget that The Sentry ever existed. Years later, Bob became the Sentry again, still fighting the same battle against his alternate self, although he did join The Avengers and regain his place as one of the most powerful Marvel heroes.
