Organizing Crime: Where Osborn Failed

from War Machine #9 by Greg Pak, Allan Jefferson, Nelson Pereira and Jay David Ramos
from War Machine #9 by Greg Pak, Allan Jefferson, Nelson Pereira and Jay David Ramos

The Dulles Brothers lead the fight against communism. They lead the presidents to the targets at Allen Dulles was the Director of the CIA and his brother John Foster Dulles was the Secretary of State. Two men had the power, connections and belief that shaped the world during the Cold War leading us into Vietnam and the Middle East and without them, the entire world would be vastly different.

Norman Osborn had the power, he had the connections and the beliefs but what ultimately lead to his downfall through the events of Dark Reign and Siege are what made him a fascinating figure.

Osborn became the director of HAMMER after using his Thunderbolts (and information he stole from Deadpool) to stop the Skrull Invasion. He was able to completely oust the former administration, he was able to turn those would would oppose him into pariahs and outlaws and with his public support he could have ruled indefinitely except for one thing – his partners – The Cabal and The Dark Avengers.

Read More

Pitch Machine: Thunderbrunch

Established during the brief period that the Thunderbolts were used as a corporate tie-in, Thunderbrunch was established as an unofficial theme restaurant for the team by New York millionaire Milo Gorgon who came from a rich Greek family. Gorgon used his wealth to secure costumes, collectibles and actual tools from the members of the Thunderbolts when Norman Osborn was pushing them as heroes. When Norman Osborn was ousted, the restaurant collapsed. Nobody wanted to eat at a restaurant honoring villains and the sales dropped off. Now Gorgon and Vincent, his nephew are the only employees feeding a few regulars and tourists. Gorgon’s family lost their money in the crash and he can’t rebuild. He just has to wait it out.
And then one day a bus pulls up with a group of people with Green Goblin tattoos. The next day a group of AIM beekeepers come in for a beer and nachos. The day after that boxes of Thunderbolts merchandise shows up along with a few smaller villains. And then it becomes a dropoff for deathrays. Androids walk in with one team and walk out with another. It becomes the hub of villainy in New York – but it also becomes profitable.
Meanwhile Gorgon and his son start breaking apart. Is it responsible for Milo to take money from known criminals, to harbor them. If you have to sell out to restart, will you be able to live with yourself? Would you risk your family to make money? What do you do when you are a man not even trying to save the world, but you just want to make money. Do you go along with what happens or do you make a stand?