Episode 145 - Thunderbolts* with Joe Mastropiero

Marvel's Most Wanted are here to deliver some Justice like Lightning! Case and Jmike reflect on the latest MCU entry, Thunderbolts*, with friend of the show, Joe Mastropiero.

Overview

In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson, along with guest Joe Mastropiero, delve into Marvel's Thunderbolts movie, connecting its themes to the recently released Superman trailer. They discuss the film's characters, including Yelena, Bucky, and the controversial Sentry, addressing how the characters' darker backstories lend themselves to a redemption arc that deviates from their comic origins. The hosts explore the movie's structure, its exploration of trauma through the lens of the Void character, and the significance of the Superman archetype in modern storytelling, highlighting a potential cultural shift towards more hopeful narratives. The episode concludes with updates about the podcast, including upcoming episodes and ways for listeners to engage through Discord and Patreon, while emphasizing the importance of community interaction in discussing these themes.

Notes

Introduction and Superman Trailer Discussion (00:00 - 15:45)

• Hosts Case Aiken and Jmike Folson welcome guest Joe Mastropiero to discuss Marvel's Thunderbolts movie

• The hosts explained the Superman connection to Thunderbolts: the Sentry character is a Superman analog

• The group discussed the recently released Superman trailer featuring David Corenswet

• Logan Crowley provided audio commentary praising the trailer's rural American portrayal of the Kents

• The trailer shows Lois Lane interviewing Clark Kent and Superman's moral conflict with authority figures

• Group discussed potential Justice Society appearance and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

Thunderbolts Team History and Setup (15:46 - 29:34)

• Original Thunderbolts comic (1996) featured villains disguised as heroes after mainstream heroes disappeared

• The comic team was led by Baron Zemo with members including Moonstone, Atlas, Mach 1, and Songbird

• The team evolved over time from redemption-seeking villains to government ops team (similar to Suicide Squad)

• The movie roster differs significantly from comic versions, causing initial fan confusion

• The Sentry character is a controversial Superman analog with bipolar disorder and a dark alter ego called 'The Void'

• The Sentry has extreme power levels that create storytelling challenges in the Marvel universe

Movie Characters Review: Part 1 (29:35 - 49:41)

• Yelena (Florence Pugh): Burned-out assassin who serves as the audience viewpoint character

• Bucky (Sebastian Stan): Former Winter Soldier, moved away from his congressman storyline

• Red Guardian (David Harbour): Soviet super-soldier who brings enthusiasm and comic relief

• Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen): Character with phasing abilities who had plot elements removed

• Taskmaster: Briefly appears in the film but is killed early to establish stakes

• All characters are government-created weapons now without masters, seeking purpose

Movie Characters Review: Part 2 (49:42 - 01:00:08)

• US Agent (Wyatt Russell): Portrayed as a physically powerful but unlikeable douchebag

• Val (Julia Louis-Dreyfus): Manipulative politician/spymaster who brings the team together

• Mel: Character who unexpectedly survives despite seeming setup for death

• Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman): Mild-mannered man who transforms into the golden-costumed Sentry

• The Void manifestation was effectively portrayed through shadow effects and 'Hiroshima-style shadows'

• The film effectively handles Sentry's extreme power levels by keeping him sidelined for most of the story

️ Movie Structure and Themes (01:00:10 - 01:10:23)

• Film has strong setup and payoff elements with well-structured action sequences

• Team is brought together when 'they are the evidence' that needs to be eliminated