Thunderbolts #3 (2022)

Hallie Takahama has escaped her captors. Under the cover of night, she runs through a forest, resolute in her determination to remain free.

In Manhattan, Mach-1 apprehends a burglar and hands him over to the police. Mach-1 claims the burglar having a partner who fled with the loot, but in reality, Mach-1 has taken it for himself. This action leads to a confrontation with Citizen V, who reprimands him for jeopardizing their long-term plan of infiltrating global power structures with reckless, independent actions.

Meanwhile, Atlas and Techno activate the communication systems at the Thunderbolts' new headquarters - the former Four Freedoms Plaza. Atlas invites Dallas Riordan to visit them, but their conversation is interrupted by an alarm. Reports indicate that the Black Widow is battling the Masters of Evil nearby. The Thunderbolts, who are secretly the original Masters of Evil, rush to investigate.

The new Masters of Evil consist of Cyclone, Flying Tiger, Man-Killer, Tiger-Shark, Ulysses Klaw, and their leader, Crimson Cowl. Crimson Cowl, uninterested in a direct confrontation, blinds both the Thunderbolts and Black Widow with a flash of light and escapes with her team.

Frustrated, Black Widow accuses the Thunderbolts of interfering in her operation, claiming she had the situation under control. She theorizes that the Masters of Evil are working for Hydra and intended to loot a warehouse. After she departs, the Thunderbolts destroy the warehouse and its contents, sending a message to the new Masters of Evil.

A few days later, Baron Zemo, leveraging his underworld connections, uncovers information about the new Masters of Evil. Meanwhile, Abe attempts to rekindle a connection with Melissa after their previous kiss. Initially hesitant and fearful of loss, Melissa resists, but Abe's heartfelt confession of her importance to him softens her resolve, leading to another kiss. However, their moment is interrupted when Citizen V calls the Thunderbolts into action. They head to a monastery where the Masters of Evil are reportedly overseeing a deal of the so-called Arms Merchant.

The confrontation begins with a one-on-one showdown between members of both teams. Atlas is outmatched by Cyclone, and Mach-1 becomes distracted as Klaw gains the upper hand against Songbird. The battle shifts when Man-Killer hurls Techno directly into the weapons shipment. Seizing the opportunity, Techno integrates the weapons into his tech pack, aimimg to neutralize the entire Masters of Evil team in one fell swoop. Acknowledging defeat, Crimson Cowl teleports herself and her team away in a flash of light.