This T-Bolt's collection features the stories from Thunderbolts #110-115 and includes stories from Desperate Measures, Civil War: Choosing Sides and The Initiative.
There are many treats in store for any reader picking up this trade paperback. Warren Ellis handles words for all of the 'Faith in Monsters' stories, as well as the Civil War: The Initiative story. Ellis was born to write this team. And I don't think capturing the characters of the villainous team is any easy feat. He skilfully maneuvers between the psychotic ramblings of Bullseye and Venom and the righteous gloatings of Norman Osborn and Moonstone.
Along with the benefit of some stellar writing come some beautiful covers by Marko Djurdjevic, Marc Silvestri and Leinil Yu. All of the covers and the variant covers are featured inside this book. The actual story art itself is okay. Better when handled by Mike Deodato Jr. than Steve Lieber.
The story itself takes place just post Civil War. The Thunderbolts are commissioned to bring in unregistered superhumans. Osborn faces difficulties as he tries to balance maintaining a positive media image for his team, while remaining effective. Venom for instance has great deal of difficulty demonstrating restraint as he bites off people's arms and threatens to eat their hearts. Bullseye, who is no even supposed to be on the team, is snuck in through the "back door" on missions with mixed results.
One of the nicest things about this book is how it showcases B-List heroes. Jack Flag for instance is one of the first unregistered heroes brought in by the Thunderbolts. In fact, one of the best moments in this book is brought to life thanks to one of these heroes. American Eagle lays the beating of a lifetime on Bullseye in spectacular fashion.
This is a good book for people looking for an entry point into the Thunderbolts, and/or anyone interested in Civil War. A nice addition to my growing collection of trade paperbacks.