New Thunderbolts #17

New Thunderbolts #17 was published in 2006 as part of a series that emerged from the aftermath of the Avengers Disassembled event. Marvel Comics tasked writers Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza with revitalizing the Thunderbolts concept, which focused on a group of reformed villains attempting to achieve redemption through heroic acts. This specific issue occurs during the title's shift toward a more complex narrative regarding the team's public perception and internal morality, reflecting the grittier tone of mid-2000s comic book storytelling.

The interior art for this issue was primarily handled by Tom Grummett, whose clean, dynamic style helped ground the high-concept superhero action in a recognizable reality. The series sought to explore the psychological toll of the characters' past crimes while balancing the demands of a traditional Marvel team book. At the time of its release, the title was recognized for its character-driven approach, though it struggled to maintain the broad readership of the publisher's flagship Avengers or X-Men titles.