Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1
November 1984
Cover art: George Perez
Story: Various
Writer: Various
Pencils: Various
Inks: Various
After reading most of this short lived series I have come to the conclusion that this was the one that tried, and came the closest, to be the true successor the original T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents series. We have big name creators like Steve Englehart, George Perez, Keith Giffen, and Dave Cockrum working on it initially. Also at a bigger size than normal comics.
I found it interesting that the lead feature in this one was The Raven who even in the annals of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. wasn't a big name. Yet, I think it works as he is working undercover in the Mideast, and it does build suspense for the rest of the book for the inevitable appearance of Dynamo. Who doesn't appear until the last story in the book. The Raven is investigating some underhandedness, nearly dies of poisoning, stops a terrorist attack, and almost gets his man...err woman.
There is a new owner of the Menthor helmet as well, and she is having hard time adjusting to wearing it since the old, dead occupier's conscience still resides in the helmet. When she does stop a crime it is without the helmet's help
The last chapter is an all hands on deck story story with No-Man being caught in a trap. He then has to take a new android body to uncover his dead one to rescue his cloak of invisibility. Lightning is kept on the sidelines, as they fear him dying from using his suit. He never takes the suit off now, because he doesn’t want the other members know just how old he has gotten. There are also cameos by other characters who appeared in the old Tower series. A little red herring hiding who the villain is, and a dandy little cliffhanger.
This was a really fun book that was packed with a ton of story. I am pretty sure this has been reprinted in DC Archives series, but these book should be able to be had a fairly cheap price. I will admit the cover isn't quite at iconic as Wally Wood's on the original, but this one sure is good. The book really delivers in both art and story and includes a couple of pin-ups (Lightning by Jerry Ordway and No-Man by Steve Ditko). Highly recommended.
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