Review by Ian Keogh

Before you get too excited, this isn’t a revival for any classic Thunderbolts line-up, but a new team of villains put together by the Kingpin. Taskmaster is proven quality, Star’s had her own graphic novel within recent memory and Batroc’s too beloved by writers, but if you suspect many of the others Matthew Rosenberg introduces are so obscure their only purpose can be cannon fodder, you’d be right. However, despite that predictable aspect Rosenberg and Juan Ferreyra deliver the most enjoyable of the King in Black graphic novels, largely because Rosenberg only uses the premise of Knull and his symbiotes invading Earth as a starting point.

Despite heading into Suicide Squad territory, at the heart there is a viable plan. The Kingpin didn’t get where he is today without having a viable plan. He’s not greatly concerned that it works, you understand, just that it looks to have worked, so when the dust settles he can claim some credit. You’ve got to admire the foresight.

Ferreya supplies full process art, largely in shades of black and red. He draws fabulously creepy symbiotes twisted into all manner of shapes with teeth everywhere and great expressions on the main cast. Add in Rosenberg’s fun way with dialogue and there’s a treat in store.

The back-up is fine as well. Gerry Duggan’s Marauders has been a consistently entertaining run among the patchy line of X-Men related titles, and Luke Ross art is surely always welcome. The Marauders are on their boat when news comes through about Knull’s invasion, and step in when a cargo ship comes under attack. Duggan tackles a current real world scourge, offers hope and has some neat moments for some of the cast. What’s not to like?

Definitely the best King in Black graphic novel. It’s collected with all other tie-ins in the King in Black Omnibus.