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Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #6

Fans of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS have already seen guest artwork by the likes of artists such as Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway, Sam Kieth and Mike Choi. Joining writer Nick Spencer and artist Wes Craig this time around for the final issue of the series is original T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS artist CAFU in a sequence that continues a scene that began all the way back in the first issue of volume 1 of the series.

“One of my favorite aspects of this series is the use of classic comic artists to illustrate the flashbacks, and it's been a kick to see my work alongside some real legends over the course of our six issues,” series artist Wes Craig told THE SOURCE. “I think it was a great idea to use CAFU in that role for the finale to bring it all together, especially when you see how this last issue is tied in to the initial run that Nick and CAFU did.”

"First of all, I want to say that T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS is one of the books I'm most proud of, so when Nick and (editor) Wil Moss asked me and (colorist) Santiago Arcas to illustrate a part of the last issue, it felt like an honor,” CAFU said to THE SOURCE. “Also, this book was the first chance I had to work with characters I had designed myself, so I'm quite fond of them, and the truth is, I was starting to miss them already.

After having worked on GRIFTER and BLACKHAWKS (and in Santiago Arcas' case, RESURRECTION MAN) it was a lot of fun to be using the style we used a bit more than a year and a half ago (in fact, our idea was to try and do the pages as if time didn't pass and we had never stopped drawing T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS).

I'm very happy to have been a part of this book, and especially, to have been given the chance to say goodbye to my beloved Colleen Franklin. These characters deserved a grand finale and I think Nick has nailed it AGAIN. I hope you like it as much as I have!"

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #6, written by Nick Spencer and illustrated by Wes Craig, CAFU and BIT, is in stores today. And don’t miss the backup story about the Undersea Agent from writer Michael Uslan and artist Trevor McCarthy. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

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t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, nick spencer, Cafu, Wes Craig, santiago arcas, bit, michael uslan, trevor mccarthy, wil moss

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5

There may only be two issues of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS left but the action is just heating up!

Fans of the series have already seen guest artwork by the likes of artists such as Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway and Sam Kieth. Joining writer Nick Spencer and artist Wes Craig this time around for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5 is fan-favorite artist Michael Choi.

“This issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS kicks off with an important flashback, showing how Professor Jennings began his recruitment of Colleen to help him take on T.H.U.N.D.E.R.,” series editor Wil Moss told THE SOURCE. “For such a key, character-driven moment, we needed someone like Michael Choi, an artist who handles the subtle nuances of facial expressions beautifully. Check out this preview (colored by Michael as well!) to see what I mean, then make sure to pick up the issue to read the rest --- trust me, you don’t want to miss the ending of this issue!”

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5, which hits stores today, also serves as the first issue of the miniseries to feature the new Undersea Agent backup story that we told you about last month. Written by Michael Uslan and illustrated by Trevor McCarthy, this exciting new story stretches across the final two issues of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS.

Click here to see an exclusive preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5.

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t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, nick spencer, Wes Craig, Michael Choi, michael uslan, trevor mccarthy, wil moss

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #4

Fans of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS have already been treated to special artwork in the series by industry heavy-hitters Walter Simonson and Jerry Ordway. In issue #4, Sam Kieth (SANDMAN, ARKHAM ASYLUM: MADNESS) joins the ranks of these guest artists by contributing a stunning five-page sequence, previewed exclusively below. “It was weird to draw part of a story someone will finish because I haven’t seen their parts,” Kieth exclusively told THE SOURCE. “With any luck, [series artist] Wes Craig can repair the damage I’ve done in my first part.” So what is this sequence that Kieth illustrated? We asked series editor Wil Moss to shed some light. Take it away, Wil! “The man who created the devices that give the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents their powers, Professor Emil Jennings, has been dead since the ‘60s — but as readers found out last month in T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3, he’s actually alive and well, and has been working for the Subterraneans all this time!” teased Moss. “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #4 opens with a scene explaining how and why that’s possible, and to draw this sequence, we brought in guest artist Sam Kieth, whose one-of-a-kind art style serves as a clear indicator to readers that what they’re seeing in this sequence is basically an alternate view of how things went down; that what readers thought they knew was in fact wrong. So enjoy this preview of Sam’s art, then pick up the full issue (on sale today), written by Nick Spencer with art by regular series artist Wes Craig, as the battle between T.H.U.N.D.E.R. and the Subterraneans reaches a boiling point, costing one Agent their life ...” [gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

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nick spencer, sam kieth, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, Wes Craig, wil moss

Exclusive first look at the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS back-up story

If you’ve been following T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, you’ve been reading the gripping story by Nick Spencer and have been seeing art by some of the industry’s top talent including Walter Simonson, Jerry Ordway and Wes Craig. And if that’s not enough T.H.U.N.D.E.R. for you, the final two issues of this six-part miniseries will include a new backup story. Written by Michael Uslan (BATMAN: DETECTIVE NO. 27, THE SPIRIT) and illustrated by Trevor McCarthy (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM, NIGHTWING), the back-up story will focus on the Undersea Agent, a new member of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. organization. “First appearing in the Silver Age of comics with artwork by such legends as Gil Kane (GREEN LANTERN, THE ATOM) and Wally Wood (EC Comics to designing Daredevil's red costume to ALL-STAR COMICS), Undersea Agent makes his first splash in the 21st Century and he is NOT your father's Undersea Agent,” Uslan exclusively told THE SOURCE. “Some may call this a super-hero adventure, others may refer to it as a spy story, but, in fact, these are the opening chapters of nothing short of a tale of abject HORROR! With cursed power comes grave responsibility.” “Going into the story, my idea for Undersea Agent began in a very different place than Michael's,” McCarthy continued. “Based on what I learned about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, I had more of a classic 1960's archetypal character in mind, so I worked up those designs initially. But after having a very interesting phone conversation with Michael, my direction changed drastically. Michael envisioned this more along the lines of a horror comic, and that the transformation and look of the character need to be incredibly dramatic and horrific. That really got me interested! We batted around a few ideas and then I got to work. Michael suggested that since the human body is 2/3 water, what if that fact was represented more literally? As if the 2/3 water was redirected outwardly and all that remained was 1/3rd of flesh and bone? The end result is something I think is very unusual and certainly horrific – taking the flayed torso of a man and suspending it inside of a liquid humanoid form. In the end, it turned out to be a very complicated and color-heavy character, but it’s something that I'm really excited about!” Below, take an exclusive first look at Undersea Agent by checking out McCarthy’s character design and some interior art from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #5, which hits stands on March 21st. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]

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jerry ordway, michael uslan, nick spencer, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, trevor mccarthy, Undersea Agent, Walter Simonson, Wes Craig

Nick Spencer on Walter Simonson and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3

The last issue of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS featured a sequence illustrated by fan-favorite artist Jerry Ordway. This time around, series artist Wes Craig is joined by industry legend Walter Simonson for issue #3.

“If it weren’t for Walter Simonson, I wouldn’t be writing (or maybe even still reading) comics -- and that’s no overstatement,” series writer Nick Spencer exclusively told THE SOURCE. “He’s been my favorite creator pretty much the entirety of my life, so please believe me when I say working with him on T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3 was the biggest honor of my career so far.”

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3 also features inks by Bob Wiacek and a cover by Dustin Nguyen. For a sneak peek at Simonson’s art, check out the first page of the below exclusive preview of the issue.

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Bob Wiacek, dustin nguyen, nick spencer, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, Walter Simonson, Wes Craig

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #2

Last month, you were reintroduced to the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents with the first issue of a new six part miniseries, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 2.

Issue #2 (in stores today) continues the adventures of the death defying team as they face off against Demo and his monstrous underground army, The Subterraneans. To make matters worse for our heroes, their teammate Dynamo has been taken hostage and is about to be executed by Demo as a message to all of those who have doubted his power. Could this be the confrontation that kills the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents? Or will they live long enough only to succumb to the death promised by the source of their own powers?

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #2 is written by Nick Spencer and is co-illustrated by Wes Craig. The issue also features an exclusive 5-page sequence drawn by legendary artist Jerry Ordway, previewed exclusively here on THE SOURCE.

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jerry ordway, nick spencer, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, Wes Craig

Exclusive Preview of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1

The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves are back in action this week, with the death-defying T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS making their debut this Wednesday. Written by Nick Spencer and drawn by Wes Craig (and with a first issue cover by Andy Kubert), the six-issue miniseries will pit agents old and new against the Subterraneans – and a mysterious and powerful figure from their past.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1 hits stores this Wednesday.

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nick spencer, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, Wes Craig

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Wednesday Afternoon (PT) Edition

For the eighth consecutive week, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ran an exclusive preview from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 on their homepage. This time around? EW follows their exclusive previews of ACTION COMICS and SUPERBOY with the first look at SUPERGIRL #3.

Want more previews? COMICVINE has your first look at RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #3.

What else is going on? Well, AMAZON.COM named BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR and DAYTRIPPER to their list of Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2011.

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE reviewed BATMAN: NOEL, writing that “Batman at the center of a classic Christmas story is simply terrific.”

Meanwhile, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES interviewed T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS writer Nick Spencer. “The technology and its creation through the years is a major part of this story,” Spencer said about T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS Vol. 2, which premieres in stores later this month. “In the first issue, we start seeing what some of these things are, and Daniel in particular has a very big role to play in this story. All of those threads we set up, in the first issue especially, are all things that will be wrapped up here.”

To be continued …

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amazon, Batman: Noel, Batman: the Black mIRROR, comic book resources, Comicvine, daytripper, entertainment weekly, nick spencer, Red Hood and the Outlaws, scripps howard news service, supergirl, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents

The Return of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS

(The cover for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 1 by Frank Quitely)

On November 16th, DC Comics will release issue #1 of a new six-issue T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS mini-series. Written by Nick Spencer, the mini-series will have Wes Craig as the main interior artist and include special guest artists in future issues (the same way the first volume of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS was drawn by CAFU & Bit and featured guest artists like George Perez, Ryan Sook, Mike Grell, and Nick Dragotta). Providing the cover art for the entire mini-series will be FLASHPOINT artist Andy Kubert.

"It's the little book that could! Nothing seems to stop this thing,” Nick Spencer told us. “I'm very grateful to DC for allowing us to continue telling this story that everyone involved has become so passionate about. This is really what we've been building towards since the very first issue-- everything comes to a head here, and the twists and turns only get crazier as we delve deeper into it. To get to see this story through is enormously fulfilling from a creative perspective, and I'm excited and hopeful that with the collected edition on its way and the first arc already available digitally, we'll have an opportunity to introduce a legion of new readers to these fantastic characters and the rich history of T.H.U.N.D.E.R.”

“We were thrilled with the response the first volume of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS got, so we wanted to do a new #1 so people who’ve been curious about the title would have a clean place to jump on board,” series editor Wil Moss said. “Nick Spencer has a crazy level of passion for this title, and he’s come up with a truly great story for this miniseries — underground warlords, deaths, rebirths, betrayals — trust me, you won’t want to miss it! And to have the incredibly versatile and talented Wes Craig on board as the main interior artist, with Andy freakin’ Kubert on board for covers? Not to mention the surprise guest artists who’ll be contributing to #2-5? You’ve no doubt already reworked your comics budget so you can pick up all 52 new books we’re launching in September — what’s one more?”

Just in time for new readers to catch up, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS VOL. 1, a trade paperback capturing the first ten issues of volume one of the series will hit stores the same day as T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1. Keep checking back to THE SOURCE in the coming weeks and months as we reveal more about T.H.U.N.D.ER. AGENTS.

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andy kubert, frank quitely, nick spencer, t.h.u.n.d.e.r. agents, Wes Craig, wil moss

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 - #6 available now in our Digital Store!

The first six issues of Nick Spencer and CAFU's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS are now available in the digital store, giving readers the perfect chance to catch up on the acclaimed new take on The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves: a group of unconventional superheroes with powers that will eventually kill them.

If you need another reason to catch up, check out the sequence in issue #7 that takes place in the 1960s - with Nick Dragotta illustrating them in the style of the era.