"Public Relations" (1999/02/01) from Thunderbolts 23 (February 1999)

Reader Rating: Above Average; Thunderbolts Interest: High

Roll Call: Atlas, Charcoal, Hawkeye, Jolt, MACH-1, Moonstone, Songbird

Summary: After MACH-1 turns himself in to the police, USAgent and an armored band called The Jury come after the Thunderbolts. It’s a good thing that Charcoal has lined up on their side! The Jury are Bomblast, Firearm, Ramshot and Wysper. Brief appearance from the Masters of Evil (Cyclone, the Crimson Cowl, Klaw, Man-Killer, Tiger Shark).

Continuity: MACH-1 goes to jail, Charcoal tries out for the team, and Citizen V tracks down the team. Abe's middle name is confirmed to be Ronald.

Comments: The triteness of the "one goes/one comes" plotting is more than compensated for by the dazzling surprise of Charcoal’s arrival, the finely written dialogue between Hawkeye and USAgent, and the terrific plot turn of the last page.