Thunderbolts () Man-Thing had a supporting role in the Thunderbolts after Jeff Parker took over writing the series from issue 138, using the opportunity to alter the membership of the team and making use of Man-Thing. Prior to events in this series our favourite Muck Monster had been shown being arrested by H.A.M.M.E.R. in issue 10 of Dark Avengers . Parker decided that the authorities had realized that Manny is too powerful a creature to be left out on the loose, so he was drafted into the Thunderbolts. Man-Thing fulfills a lead logistics role, with the team using his link to the Nexus of all realities as a means of transport to get them where ever they needed to go.
In most issues Man-Thing played a background role, but Parker portrayed him in a rather wistful manner, including echo's from Ted's life and hints of hidden depths, which often gave his usually impulsive team members pause for thought. Parker also expanded the Man-Thing mythos, setting up in issue #162 a major turning-point for Manny, with the reveal finally arriving in issue #176.
When the saga came to an end in Dark Avengers #183 the team broke up and Man-Thing returned to the Nexus of Realities, intent on finding his place in the world a changed creature; as Parker described to Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources Man-Thing can now talk and think clearly. That was something Kev [Walker] was pushing for early on, when he started speaking to me. I'd really like to do a new Man-Thing comic, I have ideas that would make it a different kind of book. I established the universal language he speaks to explain that everyone hears him differently, so he could never be written wrong.
Personally I think the changes made worked well in the context of a team focused book where the technique of having each character hear him speak in a different way got a good work-out. The strength of Steve's work with Manny has meant previous revamps of the character have quickly faded away but with the publication of the last Steve Gerber written Man-Thing story (Infernal Man-Thing) this would have been a fitting time to retire the mindless empath which Steve made his own in the classic stories and let the new ability of communication redefine him. Since Thunderbolts however other writers have utilised Manny in a similar transportation role within other teams, but they have seen fit to have him in his classic mute state.
Thunderbolts #144 () Written by Jeff Parker Penciled by Kev Walker Cover by Marko Djurdjevic Heroic Age Variant by Larry Stroman The Heroic Age Is Here! The new era for Marvel's always-evolving, always controversial team kicks off here! It's a beginning, a return, a departure, and an arrival of a new artist (Marvel Zombies 3 & 4's Kev Walker) all rolled into one in a fresh, shocking status quo! The most dangerous people on Earth are now all in one hellish prison, and the only way out is through rehabilitation and contribution to society via The Thunderbolts...under the leadership of the steel-hard-skinned Avenger named Luke Cage! So bring on the first participants: Juggernaut! Crossbones! Ghost! Moonstone! And...Man-Thing? Against the sordid recent history of the group as a black ops kill squad, can Power Man restore the Thunderbolts to their rightful potential? 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
Spotted by P.A Pouliot
Thunderbolts #145 () Written by Jeff Parker Penciled by Kev Walker Cover by Marko Djurdjevic Field Test The Heroic Age Is Here! Special Post-SIEGE issue that introduces a brand-new character! When a magical landmark like Asgard crashes to Earth, the fallout doesn't end just by sweeping up the wreckage. This historic disaster has unleashed unprecedented threats, and one of them is pillaging the American Midwest! This sounds like the perfect mission for Luke Cage's untested team of incarcerated superhumans-and while the newly assembled Thunderbolts boast the power of Juggernaut, Ghost, Moonstone, Crossbones and Man-Thing, are even they ready to handle the girl known only as Troll? 32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
Thunderbolts #154 () Written by Jeff Parker, Penciled by Declan Shalvey, Cover by Stephanie Hans Adventure into Fear Before he was pressed into service for the Thunderbolts, the mysterious swamp monster of the team knew another life: as guardian for a force of nature called The Nexus of Realities. An old friend of the creature does remember this--and breaks the silent one out of The Raft to return to duty at the borders of our world. What danger awaits the Man-Thing--and what will The Thunderbolts say to losing their favorite plant? 32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Thunderbolts #155 () Written by Jeff Parker, art by Kev Walker, Jason Gorder, Cover by Stephanie Hans, Gerald Parel. Strange Tales Satana reveals that Manny has a different "name" - the "Vagornus Koth", and possibly a previously unsuspected purpose. The team is back in action after word has come down on high about a weakness in Thunderbolt's, and they must bolster their ranks to deal with the imminent magical threats. Luke Cage calls on New Avenger DOCTOR STRANGE to help find the perfect candidate to fill the role, but bringing this person in is far from easy--which is why SATANA will make a fine Thunderbolt. Back at The Raft, the status quo is changing to an even greater extent without Luke's knowledge. Get ready for new levels of lightning-like justice! 32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Thunderbolts #156 () Proving Ground Manny get them whee they need to go.
Thunderbolts #157 () None Shall Survive the Incarsicus!
Thunderbolts #158 () Tide of Anarchy
Thunderbolts #160 () Written by Jeff Parker, Art by Declan Shalvey, Colors by Frank Martin, Letters by Comicraft - Albert Deschesne, Cover by J.S. Rossbach. The Man Stuck Deep Inside Manny is spooked. The Raft prison has been destroyed. Hundreds of the most powerful criminals in the world are on the loose, and a man who was already unstoppable now wields godlike power. As if that wasn't bad enough Man-Thing is acting spooked which seems to please Satana for some reason, and when they arrive in Manhatten the stage is set for Fear Itself - Fearsome Four 32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Spotted by P-Tor
Thunderbolts #161 () A New WMD
Thunderbolts #162 () Writer: Jeff Parker, Penciller: Declan Shalvey, Penciller (cover): J.S. Rossbach Profound Ways Manny transforms.There's a big battle involving the Thunderbolts. Man-Thing does his bit by absorbing hoards of demons, growing as he does so into an excuse for a brilliantly bad Man-Thing pun. Soon after he self distructs, leaving only "the bulb of his future incarnation". 32 PGS. /Rated T+ ...$2.99
Thunderbolts 163 ()
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Thunderbolts 174 ()
Dark Avengers #176 () Whatever Happened to the Thunderbolts? All hail our new mossy overlord, the Man-Thing is back and he's not only about giving scared people sick burns
Dark Avengers #183 () The End Is The Beginning Bid farewell to Ghost, Centurius, Man-Thing and the gang forever!
Thunderbolts Vol. 2 #10 () Mark Bagley and writer Kurt Busiek helping out Jim Zub and Jon Malin. Manny shows up on the cover of the 20th-anniversary issue. The story features the return of Jolt, but no Manny...