Warning: Spoilers for Thunderbolts (2025)! The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts, has successfully introduced this once lesser-known team to mainstream audiences. While the Thunderbolts have been an integral part of Marvel Comics for nearly three decades, their cinematic debut has captivated viewers in 2025. Surprisingly, despite the team’s relative obscurity, the film has become a remarkable success, although it’s clear that the term “adaptation”applies loosely.
The MCU is well-known for its loose interpretations of comic book storylines, often straying from the source material. While some of these adjustments yield positive outcomes, others reflect a disconnect in the portrayal of iconic characters, such as the Avengers. This discrepancy is native to the process of translating narratives from comic pages to the big screen, necessitating alterations that sometimes deviate from original story arcs. The adaptation of the Thunderbolts is no exception, showcasing several significant departures from their comic book origins.
10 The Red Guardian Is Black Widow’s Ex-Husband in the Comics
Their Familial Relationship Is Different from the MCU
Within the MCU, the character of Red Guardian serves as a paternal figure to Black Widow, a shift that initially unsettled comic readers. In the original comic narrative, Red Guardian is depicted as Black Widow’s ex-husband and a persistent adversary. Following her defection from Soviet Russia, Red Guardian remained loyal to his homeland, frequently clashing with Natasha and the Avengers alike. After David Harbour’s charming rendition in the MCU, the comic version sought atonement by joining the newer iteration of the Thunderbolts, alongside Natasha and Bucky.
9 Taskmaster Is Very Different in the Comics
The Movies Ignored 90% of What Makes Taskmaster Great
Fans of Taskmaster expressed dismay at the character’s adaptation in the MCU, particularly following the demise of Antonia Dreykov before she could join the Thunderbolts. Unlike the comic iteration, which debuted in 1980 and is portrayed as Tony Masters — a former SHIELD operative with the remarkable ability to perfectly replicate any skill after only watching it once — the film’s character bears little resemblance to his comic source. In the cinematic narrative, Antonia exists as the vengeful daughter of a target from Black Widow’s past.
Conversely, the comic version of Taskmaster is an accomplished combatant plagued by significant memory issues stemming from a self-administered experimental Super-Soldier serum. While he is often hired by various factions, including heroes and villains, Taskmaster has a daughter named Finesse but struggles to recognize their relationship due to his impairments.
8 Ghost Is a Totally Different Character
The Comic Villain Is an Anti-Corporate Activist Who Hates Iron Man
The MCU introduces the character Ghost as Ava Starr, who grapples with molecular instability making her intangible at unpredictable moments. With a suit developed by S.H.I.E.L.D. to manage her abilities, her storyline contrasts sharply with the comic version, where the suit instead bestows her powers rather than merely stabilizing them.
In the comic realm, Ghost is a radical anti-corporate activist, viewing himself as a savior, dismantling the capitalist world epitomized by figures like Iron Man. A brilliant hacker with his own moral code, Ghost often collaborates with heroes and villains alike when it serves his broader goals, remaining a solitary figure unless tactical alliances become beneficial.
7 Yelena Belova’s Character Is Drastically Different in the Comics
She Was Originally a Truly Vicious Villain
Throughout the film, Yelena Belova exhibits a personality imbued with sarcasm and dark humor, helping her cope with her emotional struggles. This characterization aligns well with the MCU’s overall tone but diverges from her comic book persona. In the original Marvel continuity, Yelena was depicted as a cold and calculating antagonist.
Portrayed primarily as a villain, Yelena underwent a drastic transformation in later stories, where she was reimagined as a witty hero following her increasing popularity in the MCU. Notably, she once assumed monstrous powers through the Super-Adaptoid as part of her fighting against Sentry.
6 Black Widow and White Widow Have a Different Relationship
The MCU Lets Yelena Be Black Widow’s Funny Sister, Not Her Nemesis
In the cinematic interpretation, the relationship between Yelena Belova and Natasha Romanoff resembles that of an affectionate duo hailing from a shared, traumatic past in the Red Room, ultimately solidifying their bond. This sibling-like affection stands in stark contrast to the comic depiction, where both characters operated as Red Room agents, with Yelena eventually becoming fixated on destroying Natasha while aspiring to take on the mantle of Black Widow.
Traditionally classified as a villain and reflecting Natasha’s darker tendencies, Yelena’s narrative has been reframed in recent comics to sync with her more affable film persona, marking a clear evolution in her character.
5 The MCU Made Some Slight But Significant Alterations to Sentry’s Origin Story
The MCU’s Sentry Volunteers To Get Powers Instead of Stumbling Upon Them
While the MCU successfully captures the essence of Sentry, the origins presented differ notably from the comics. The film adapts him as Robert Reynolds, a man grappling with addiction who ends up volunteering for an experimental project aimed at transforming him into a hero. This presents a progressive outlook, illustrating his desire to overcome his struggles.
In the comics, however, the Sentry’s acquisition of powers comes from a drug-induced incident where he inadvertently stumbles upon the serum while seeking his next fix. This critical difference emphasizes the chaos and lack of control in his transformation and sheds light on the complexities of addiction and consequence.
4 U.S. Agent Isn’t a Super-Soldier in the Comics
He Gets His Enhancements By Another Means
Among his peers, John Walker stands out as one of the most faithfully represented characters within the MCU. The films establish his narrative as a failed Captain America, who, after public disgrace, rebrands himself as U.S. Agent. However, John differs significantly from his comic counterpart as he is not a Super Soldier. Instead, he acquires his superhuman abilities through the machinations of the Power Broker, emphasizing that he was never truly worthy of Steve Rogers’ legacy.
This flawed foundation underlines the tension between his character’s aspirations and the inherent limitations placed on him, further demonstrating Walker’s struggles with identity.
3 Bucky’s Age and Origin Story are Different
The MCU Paves a Different Path for Bucky
Bucky Barnes serves as one of the most accurately adapted characters in MCU history. Depicted as Captain America’s long-lost ally, he is turned against his friends through mind control orchestrated by enemies. While this narrative remains true in both adaptations, distinctions arise in his origin. The most notable difference is Bucky’s age; in the comics, Bucky meets Steve Rogers as a teenager during World War II, acting as a youthful sidekick, whereas the films portray them as childhood friends of similar ages.
Moreover, Bucky’s transformation into the Winter Soldier is facilitated through experimentation by Soviet forces, whereas in the MCU, it is Hydra that plays this pivotal role. Eventually, Bucky adopts the mantle of Captain America in the comics after Steve’s presumed death, striving to uphold his mentor’s legacy.
2 Baron Zemo Created the Thunderbolts, Not Val
The Thunderbolts Have a Different Founder in the Comics
In the MCU, the convergence of the Thunderbolts is orchestrated by Valentina Allegra De La Fontaine, who individually recruits each member for the mission. Her motives, cloaked in intrigue, aim to eliminate the team after completion, thereby erasing her tracks.
Conversely, the Thunderbolts in the comics are the brainchild of Baron Zemo, a notorious adversary of Captain America. These ex-villains masqueraded as heroes during a time when the Avengers were presumed to be deceased, leveraging their charade to gain the trust of the public. Throughout their saga, many team members grapple with their pasts and eventually seek redemption despite Zemo’s continual efforts to reclaim control over the Thunderbolts.
1 The Supervillain Avengers Formed Under Norman Osborn, Not Val
The Thunderbolts Evolved into Green Goblin’s Dark Avengers
The concept of a supervillain ensemble eventually transforming into a sanctioned Avengers faction originated from the Dark Avengers rather than Thunderbolts. In this narrative, Norman Osborn takes the helm, structuring a team of notorious villains parading as heroes. Much like Val’s approach, Norman manipulates the perception of the public and steers media representations for his benefit.
However, a key distinction lies in the methods employed; while Val’s team materializes through her opportunism, Osborn strategically commandeers the legacy of the Avengers following his rise to power with H.A.M.M.E.R., a covert agency designed to replace S.H.I.E.L.D. Osborn’s recruitment of villainous players to adopt superhero identities further underscores the duplicitous nature of their operations, with characters like Bullseye and Scorpion impersonating heroic figures.
Unlike the Thunderbolts, the Dark Avengers operate with malevolent intent, establishing a clear separation from their more redemptive counterparts.