By James LeBeau

Things are not kosher in Thunderbolt Mountain as we head into this 4th part of the current Caged Angels arc. We have Venom stalking the halls eating guards, The Swordsman channeling his father, Baron Strucker, and Normon Osborn on the verge of going Goblin.

Is it bad takeout causing this outbreak of insanity? Maybe they made a few changes in the T-Bolt health plan? Or, could it be the group of telepaths locked up in the holding area? Smart money is on the telepaths doing there best Gepetto impersonation on our ‘heroes’.

The telepaths, who have things well in hand by this ish, have run into only one real roadblock in their bid to manipulate all within Thunderbolt Mountain, one Doc Sampson of Incredible Hulk fame. It seems that being one of the foremost psychologists in the world also allows you to detect and resist telepathic intrusion. What one has to do with the other is beyond me but it goes a long way to help prove a point I’ve been trying to make for years, that Dr. Phil is one of the most dangerous men in the world! Sprinkled amid all the unrest and bloodshed of this issue is one interesting development for Speedball/Penance fans. It appears that beneath all the guilt, rage and pain that Penance carries, his original powers still lurk. Personally, I hope they stay buried because I am really digging Penance and would hate to see a return to his old self.

The Thunderbolts title may be lost among all the Secret Invasion, Brand New Day, and new Cap stories currently going on but don’t tell Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato that as they continue to put out exceptional work month in and month out. They really work great together to capture the complexity of a team like this and set the grim tone needed to make this type of book work.

Writer: Warren Ellis
Pencils: Mike Deodato
Price: $2.99
Publisher: Marvel

CRAVEONLINE RATING: 7 out of 10