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Marvel Database

You have done well, my Thunderbolts -- or perhaps I should use your other code-names. Fixer. Beetle. Screaming Mimi. Goliath. And Moonstone. In time, my friends -- the world will discover what a viper it has clasped to its breast. But by then it will be too late -- far too late!

Citizen V

Appearing in "Justice... Like Lightning!"

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Synopsis for "Justice... Like Lightning!"

After the devastating Onslaught crisis, New York City is left in ruins, and the absence of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four leaves the city vulnerable. Amid the destruction, a young girl named Hallie Takahama is abducted by a masked man.

With no heroes to stand in their way, crime groups like the Rat Pack begin to prey on the city unchallenged. But their spree is interrupted by the arrival of a new superhero team, the Thunderbolts, led by Citizen V. The team — Citizen V, Atlas, Mach-1, Meteorite, Songbird, and Techno — takes down the Rat Pack, despite the criminals’ military training. Although the Rat Pack manages to escape, the Thunderbolts leave a strong impression, and Dallas Riordan from the mayor’s office is pleased about the arrival of the new heroes.

Back at their run-down headquarters, tensions arise among the team. Techno grumbles about their poor accommodations, while Meteorite notices a budding connection between Mach-1 and Songbird after their teamwork in the fight. Atlas voices frustration to Meteorite about Techno’s disregard for Citizen V’s orders during the battle.

Soon after, the Thunderbolts face the press. Citizen V insists they’re not trying to replace the Avengers, but that they’re here to protect the city under the motto “Justice, like Lightning!” When news comes in of the Rat Pack’s return, the Thunderbolts rush to confront them, only to find themselves ambushed by the Wrecking Crew at the Statue of Liberty. A fierce battle unfolds, but the Thunderbolts emerge victorious and even repair the statue’s damage. Dallas Riordan personally thanks the team, particularly catching Atlas’s attention.

Afterwards, the media quickly embraces the Thunderbolts, and established heroes like Spider-Man and the New Warriors commend them as well. However, the public is unaware of the truth: under the mask of Citizen V is none other than Baron Helmut Zemo, and the Thunderbolts are actually the Masters of Evil in disguise—Beetle, Fixer, Goliath, Moonstone, and Screaming Mimi.

Solicit Synopsis

In a world without heroes, a squad of costumed crime fighters steps forward to challenge evil. But can a group of rookies with a shocking secret hope to take the place of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers? The Wrecking Crew intends to make that answer painfully obvious.

Notes

  • This issue is reprinted in the trades Thunderbolts Classic Vol. 1 and Thunderbolts: Justice Like Lightning.

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