Marvel Comics is reviving the Thunderbolts following their big-screen debut. The newest superhero team on the block arrived in Thunderbolts*, though that was just a placeholder for the team’s real name: The New Avengers. But now it’s time for the original Thunderbolts from the comics to make a comeback as well.

Upcoming Iron Man writer Joshua Williamson revealed to IGN that one of the threats Tony Stark will face in the new series is the classic Thunderbolts. Williamson also teased that the identity of the person using the Citizen V mantle will be an ongoing mystery in the book.

“I’m a big fan of the original Thunderbolts and its cast. I had to find places for them,” Williamson said. “Fixer has a role in the first five issues and the identity of the new Citizen V is a mystery that will be spread out across a few issues. It’s someone who sees Tony as dangerous and is keeping an eye on him. There will be a few mysteries and new pieces added to Tony’s ongoing mythology.”

A New Era Of Iron Man Begins In 2026

Iron Man #1 By Joshua Williamson And Carmen Carnero; On Sale January 28, 2026 From Marvel Comics

2026 will see Marvel launch a new volume of Iron Man, and it includes a creator who has made quite a name for themselves over at DC. Joshua Williamson is the architect behind several DC events like Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and the currently-running DC K.O., as well as a heralded run on The Flash.

Williamson will split his time between DC and Marvel as he pens Iron Man, and instead of focusing on the dangers of the Iron Man armor, Williamson states that the story will reveal how Tony Stark’s mind is the real threat. Plus, he raises the question of what would have happened if Tony Stark wasn’t trapped in a cave?

“I wanted the story to not be about the Iron Man armor but about Tony,” Williamson said. “Before Tony became Iron Man he was a selfish and ego driven person who used his genius for destructive gains. I’ve always wonder what role would someone like Tony have played if he never had his near-death experience in the bunker?”

He continued, “When he thought he was going to die, it changed him. It was never the armor that Tony built in that cave. It was Tony. Tony is the creator. And I honed in on the idea of focusing on Tony as the creator who made a weapon…but TONY is the true weapon. We’ve seen him use his genius before in questionable ways, so yeah, Tony is the dangerous piece there. The armor has been stolen a million times now, and it always made me think…why don’t they kidnap Tony? Have him make new armors? And then it led me down a path of thinking about…what if instead of making new armors, someone made a new Tony?”

What Iron Man’s New Series Means For The Marvel Universe

Iron Man is one of the pillars of the Avengers, so any storyline or comic he’s involved in will be appointment-reading for fans. His last great storyline is a team-up with the X-Men, as they faced the anti-mutant organization Orchis during the Fall of X. Iron Man is also a part of Age of Revelation.

The X-Men event reshapes the Marvel Universe, with Apocalypse’s heir, Doug Ramsey aka Revelation, ruler of the world. It takes place 10 years in the future where the world is reshaped into a mutant utopia. Iron Man stars in Iron & Frost, where he takes on the name of the Iron King.

Tony Stark is now a mutant, thanks to the X-Virus that ravages America. With metallic skin, Tony now lives up to the name of “Iron Man.” As Iron King, he resurrects the Hellfire Club out of the ruins of the Avengers Mansion. Emma Frost co-stars in Iron & Frost, continuing their relationship after they were married.

Iron Man #1 goes on sale January 28, 2026 from Marvel Comics.