[[{“value”:”
The following contains major spoilers for Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
One of Marvel’s most classic heroes is back, and she is worse than any Citizen V before her.
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 follows Bucky Barnes’ journey from freedom fighting Revolution to the world’s most wanted man, a shift that lies in being framed for a devastating nuclear attack that wiped the suburban town of Shelbyville quite literally off the map. Even though Bucky had been trying to avert the disaster, which was only possible in the first place because of Doctor Doom’s own orbiting nuclear arsenal, the media is quick to label him a terrorist. This is all Doom needs to form his own band of Thunderbolts, and while they haven’t all been given a chance to show off what they can do in the field just yet, the real Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is already proving herself to be as capable a Citizen V as any of her predecessors.
Related
Marvel Has Bad News for Cable Fans
Marvel’s premier time-traveling mutant antihero is about to lose everything to the same classic threat to the X-Men that made him who he is.
Written by JACKSON LANZING & COLLIN KELLY
Art by TOMMASO BIANCHI
Colors by YEN NITRO
Letters by VC’s JOE SABINO
Design by CARLOS LAO
Main cover art by LEINIL FRANCIS YU & ROMULO FAJARDO JR.
Variant covers by IVAN TAO and LEE GARBETT & SUNNY CHO
Introduced back in 1967’s Strange Tales #159 in Jim Steranko’s opening story, “Spy School,” Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s origins are shrouded in mystery, yet there is no denying her role as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most prominent and capable agents during the organization’s heyday. Shortly after enrolling in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s illustrious training program, Valentina embarked upon a tense, fiery romance with none other than Nick Fury. Though things between them grew increasingly complicated over the years, Valentina remained loyal to Fury’s cause, even going so far as to help administer the life-saving, and extending, Infinity Formula that has made him into the antihero fans know today.
Since then, Valentina has been at the heart of numerous sprawling conspiracies, ranging from taking part in Fury’s Secret Wars to positioning herself as Madame Hydra in order to force a war between different villainous factions. Tragically, Valentina eventually found herself imprisoned within a Russian prison where she purportedly lost her life. With this news, a Life Model Decoy was crafted in her image and imbued with Valentina’s memories prior to that point. This LMD Valentina was a key part of Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts, and went to great lengths to help dismantle the machinations of the then-recently returned Red Skull.
Related
An Underrated MCU Villain is the All-New Venom’s All-New Nemesis
One of the most absurd, and deadly, supervillains in the history of Marvel Comics is teaming up with another major threat to target Venom.
Now, it seems that the real Valentina never died, but instead became the latest in a long line of characters to take up the mantle of Citizen V. The very first Citizen V, John Watkins, made his debut in the pages of 1941’s Daring Mystery Comics #8 in the opening story, “V is for Victory.” A highly-regarded British officer, Watkins was reportedly killed in action during the retreat at Dunkirk. In truth, Watkins’ death was used as cover for him to slip behind enemy lines and help resistance forces take action against the invading Axis Powers. These efforts gave rise to the V Battalion, throught which the mantle of Citizen V has been passed down for more than 80 years.
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel Comics
“}]] A fan-favorite from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is back in action in the pages of Marvel Comics, and she’s already killing it as Citizen V. Read More