In a new take on one of the most recognizable intros in modern cinema, Emmy-winning creative studio Imaginary Forces reimagined Marvel Studios‘ logo for the release of Thunderbolts (2025). Directed by Jake Schreier, the film introduced a darker, more morally complex corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—and the new logo set the tone before the story even began.
Under the direction of Tosh Kodama, the refreshed sequence keeps the DNA of the iconic comic book flip while pushing it into uncharted visual territory. Thousands of comic images pulled from Thunderbolts*’ history ripple across a sculpted 3D Marvel wordmark, as the camera winds through its hollow corridors—only to watch it all fade into darkness.
“Our goal was to honor Marvel’s classic visual identity while creating something that felt right at home in the world of Thunderbolts*,” Kodama shared. “We leaned into shadow and subtle storytelling—this version teases what’s to come without giving everything away.”
That tease is especially pointed for fans familiar with the film’s central figure: Sentry and his terrifying alter ego, The Void. The animation mirrors this duality—the logo is never fully revealed, gradually swallowed by black, a visual hint at the chaos ahead. Watch below:
For the audio, Imaginary Forces added an unsettling layer to Michael Giacchino’s beloved Marvel Studios Fanfare. A haunting sound effect overlays the score, echoing the emptiness of The Void and immediately setting a darker tone.
“Audiences are wired to react the moment they hear the fanfare,” Kodama explained. “So altering that familiar sound just enough created a powerful sense of unease—it flips expectations.”
Imaginary Forces’ relationship with Marvel runs deep. The studio crafted the very first Marvel logo sequence for 2002’s Spider-Man, featuring a stop-motion montage of vintage comic panels. A decade later, they helped evolve the brand with a 3D update that premiered before Thor: The Dark World (2012). Now, over 20 years later, they’re still innovating at the heart of the MCU.
“Back in 2002, no one could have imagined how massive the MCU would become,” Kodama noted. “We’ve been proud to help tell that story visually—and being part of this new chapter with Thunderbolts is an honor.”
The new logo serves as both a tribute and a transformation—familiar, but undeniably altered. Much like the Thunderbolts themselves.
CREDITS:
BRAND: Marvel Studios
POST HOUSE: Imaginary Forces
- Creative Director: Tosh Kodama
- Art Director: Henry Chang, Kathy Liang
- Animator: Charlie Proctor
- Editor: Lexi Gunvaldson
- Intern: Ella Caperton
- Producer: Jake Fritz
- Coordinator: Nic Luong
- Executive Producer: Renée Robson
- Executive Creative Director: Peter Frankfurt
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