Thunderbolts 126 pg 8 art by Rob De La Torre (2008) - Norman Osborn / DISBANDS THE THUNDERBOLTS!

Thunderbolts 126 page 8
Art by Roberto De La Torre
Marvel Comics - November 2008

In 2008 I started to get back into new monthly comics. This series caught my eye at my local shop and I wasn't disappointed. There was some stellar art from Rob De La Torre and a cast like I hadn't seen before with Norman Osborn leading a ragtag team of villains with power to serve at Osborn's command in a story arc called Burning Down The House.

This is THE PAGE in part of a sequence of pages where Norman Osborn disbands the Thunderbolts in Washington D.C. in front of the Senate Oversight Committee on Superhuman Activities (C.S.A.) and the world press. Lots of talking heads, but I love this sequence.

"THE THUNDERBOLTS ARE NO MORE." - Norman Osborn

At this time Marvel was coming out of Secret Invasion, which was a major crossover event where, spoiler alert, Osborn took the final shot that ended the Skrull's invasion. At the time he was seen as the hero the world needed and Norman decided to take full advantage of his new found position to create his new team of anti-heroes and baddies against the judgement of the C.S.A. but with the blessing of the president. We find out later in the arc that the Thunderbolts are disbanded and the new team (H.A.M.M.E.R.) is born.

I was lucky enough to pick up several pages from Rob over the years and it's been such a treat to see his style evolve and his career prosper. Congrats my friend!