Who is the strongest in Thunderbolt?
At first sight, several fans would have been ready to spontaneously say Sentry, the ultra-powerful, godlike character brought into the team. And this decision would have been correct—his power set is fantastic. But power doesn't always equate to strength in the fullest sense. If we remove the obvious, it can be stated that Yelena Belova—a well-prepared and experienced Black Widow who has not obtained her abilities through cosmic power but through her perseverance, toughness, and leadership—is considered an equally valid choice.
We will discuss the matter with a detailed, factual analysis. It's also a good idea to challenge the notion that "strength" means little more than brute force.
Sentry: A Living God with Power Beyond Comprehension
The fight would be over if the raw physical abilities were the only factor in a contest. Sentry's resume is a dossier that looks like the gods themselves penned it down.
Sentry's Abilities
Superhuman Strength: He's lifted Helicarriers and once stopped a Celestial from crushing the Earth. Not many can make the Hulk stop and look twice—but Sentry can. Superhuman Speed: He can fly from the Earth to the Sun in a few minutes. He moves with such a velocity that he is unseen by regular human sight. Invulnerability: He can suffer solar flares, big explosions, and almost every physical trauma. He is essentially impossible to kill. Energy Manipulation: Sentry can shoot great energy balls from his hands and eyes. He can also give off positive vibes that can pacify others—even the Hulk. Matter Manipulation: He can restructure matter at the particle level. This kind of ability could change the essence of the universe. Resurrection & Healing: Dying is but a trifle for Sentry. He has manifested after destruction and healed almost all possible injuries. Telepathy & Memory Control: Sentry once deleted himself from the minds of the whole human race. Besides reading minds, he can also remove memories and control minds. Teleportation: He can be visible and invisible at his wish, traveling from one location to another in no time. Meet the Sentry, a Golden Guardian with a Dark TwistWith all these different powers, Sentry is not just the mightiest—he is a real or nearly authentic god. Despite this, fans still doubt whether they should refer to him as the "strongest" in the context of the team.
A Two-Way Protector: Sentry's Primeval Fears
Why's Sentry unable to be the number one in Thunderbolt? Oddly enough, it's not his weakness somewhere—he is okay physically; the problem is inside.
# The Void
One of the core features that gives Sentry such a satisfying sensation of power is his second personality, The Void. This malevolent alter ego often gets so out of control that it represents an absolute danger for the opponents and his team.
Instability in psychology: His fitness and well-being are directly proportional to his mental condition. His lack of control during a battle can cause a dangerous situation. Seclusion and Indecision: When Sentry goes on a rampage, it doesn't just mean it's negative—it's a disaster. He is not the one a team can depend on regularly. "You don't want a nuclear bomb, who's in love, on your side. You need a person who can take apart the bomb."Sentry's potential might be unparalleled, but his inner conflict will definitely be a drawback and get in the way of the critical timing.
Void (Dark Sentry)_(Earth-616))# Enter Yelena Belova: Power Without Powers
Let's introduce the underdog, the warrior instead of the overpowered, who has been neglected so far and will become known as the most underrated figure in the Thunderbolts: Yelena Belova.
She doesn't fly. She doesn't shoot energy blasts from her eyes. She hasn't bent reality or stopped a god. But she does something few Marvel characters can: survive every battle, every trauma, every betrayal—and keep standing.
Strength in Leadership and Loyalty
Unlike Sentry, who creates the environment of his strength by getting away from the crowd, Yelena is a real bridge-builder--even amongst those who hate each other the most.
Yelena Belova is expected to be in charge of the team Thunderbolts, not because of her physical power but because of her ability to attract people, her sharp monitoring of the situation, and her high-level social skills.
She gains respect from the warriors, who generally don't take orders from anybody. This isn't easy to achieve.
Red Room Survivor: While Sentry falls into a mental breakdown, she is the one who survived the cruel Red Room training program that otherwise made most of its participants out of their wits. As a result, her determination became all the more evident. Loss and Resilience: Yelena still stood after losing her sister, Natasha Romanoff. She even came out of her depression, found a new goal in life, and assumed the responsibilities of a leader. Stable Identity: Unlike Sentry, who is torn between two personalities (Sentry and Void), Yelena had complete control of herself—no split of her mind and emotions at all, even after she had been under the effects of manipulation for so long. Master Combatant: Not only can she deal with her counterparts in a fight against mutated individuals, but she has also managed to bring down quite a few foes that have preyed on her with physical prowess. Espionage & Tactical Expertise: Yelena is indeed an international spy of an elite forum. She has the gift to kill, deceive, and account for her plans as accurately and coordinated as the machines do. Adaptability: Yelena never fails to find an angle out of a dead-end. No one can roughly rival her in the art of fieldwork now. "Yelena is the kind of warrior who doesn't just survive the impossible—she adapts and conquers it." What Martial Arts Does Yelena Belova Use? Her Fighting Style ExplainedReliability, Not Just Might
The contrast here is clear: Sentry may be stronger on paper but is often unstable and unreliable in practice.
Yelena's act is always the same. She is never out of control, never absent, and never unready.
Unexpected means that someone can get into trouble if they are not ready for a group. However, Yelena gives trust and stability in a fickle world.
Not to mention that Thunderbolts are not Olympian gods. They are based on reality. Operations are, in most cases, more suitable for stealth, coordination, and precise killing than reaching a city-level explosion.
Morality and Purpose
Another point in Yelena's favor? She has a clear ethical compass.
Although questions about his individuality and ethics mitigate Sentry, Yelena's further development requires moving toward the light.
By her trial-and-error method in responding to orders, concern for the lives of innocent people, and, ultimately, fighting for righteous causes, Yelena emerges as a force of good in her own right rather than just being obedient.
"Her moral force of personality is a better source of influence and respect than her great power can afford her."Clues from the Credits: The Lone God
In the second after-credits scene in the Thunderbolts movie (spoiler alert), it suggests something powerful:
The Thunderbolts are the new Avengers, the good guys who are now united.
The Sentry is depicted as the only character in that place, cut off from the outside world and isolated.
This figure of speech eloquently expresses the magnitude of the internal conflict. If Sentry does not join the Avengers this time, can he still become a member of the Thunderbolts team?
"And assuming he is not a Thunderbolt, is it justifiable to claim he is the most powerful member?" Thunderbolts Ending Explained: What Happens in the Post-Credits and How Does It Affect the MCU?
Final Verdict: What Does It Mean to Be Strong?
In reality, there are countless ways to demonstrate strength.In case we consider the only below-explained things as a basis:
A sort of power rating
Interstellar superpowers
High potential in combat
Sure thing—Sentry gains victory.
On the other hand, in case it implies:
The ability to lead when life tests it
Professional and emotional stability
Being the right person for someone in every condition
Real-life military skill
Then Yelena Belova is on the top.
She's not only the strongest female in the Thunderbolts. She could be the strongest member, full stop.
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👉 Try it now Black Widow (Yelena Belova)
Red Guardian (Alexei Shostakov) Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov) James "Bucky" Barnes Ghost (Ava Starr)) John Walker (U.S. Agent)