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Look, Captain America’s best ally, Bucky Barnes, is great, but he really needs something to help him step out of Steve Rogers’ shadow. Ever since he returned to the Marvel Universe, James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes has been through a wild history, yet he’s rarely risen above being more than a supporting character for Captain America.
The world was shocked in the mid 2000s when Bucky returned as the brainwashed killer, the Winter Soldier. And readers were equally amazed when Barnes took the Captain America mantle when Steve seemingly died at the end of Civil War. However, despite that incredible character progression, Marvel has never truly let Barnes grow in the years since. While his tenure as Captain America was brief, it was a breath of fresh air for Bucky and, sadly, he’s only stagnated in the years since. But a return to his temporary mantle could be what Bucky needs to truly thrive.
Bucky’s Last Great Arc Was Rising Up to Honor Captain America’s Legacy
A Redemption Story That Ended Much Too Soon
Bucky Barnes disappeared the same time as Captain America during World War II, but while Steve was frozen and found by more noble forces, Bucky was taken captive. He was conditioned to become the Winter Soldier, an assassin that operated for decades. Despite the mental hold his handlers had over him, Captain America was able to help his old friend see the light once again. Unfortunately, by the time he got his marbles back, Captain America was shot at the end of the Marvel event, Civil War, leaving Bucky without his friend.
…he took his buddy’s mantle for himself and went to work as the new Captain America.
But Bucky wanted to honor Steve and make up for the atrocities he was forced to commit as the Winter Soldier. So he took his buddy’s mantle for himself and went to work as the new Captain America. He didn’t have the Super Soldier Serum to aid him, but he had the heart required (not to mention, Bucky did the smart thing and carried a gun). For the next few years, Bucky successfully served as Captain America, working to oppose Norman Osborn during “Dark Reign”, and even helping bring Steve back where he belonged.
Despite the return of Steve Rogers, Bucky continued to be Captain America. That is until Fear Itself, which saw him return to his old moniker, the Winter Soldier, while Steve reclaimed his title. The return to the status quo was unfortunate, because it was predicated on the idea that there can only be one Captain America at a time. However, this clearly wasn’t the case as, just a few years later, Sam Wilson also took the title of Captain America and, to this day, shares it with Steve while Bucky simply remains the Winter Soldier.
Bucky Became His Own Person By Becoming Captain America
Let Bucky Wield The Shield Once More to Help Him Grow Again
Yes, it sounds a bit backwards, but the truth is, Bucky was more his own person as Captain America than he is operating as the Winter Soldier. When Bucky was Cap, he was clearly not the deeply patriotic and wise figure Steve is. He was a man trying to do good and driven to live up to the incredible legacy he’d taken. As the Winter Soldier, Bucky’s life has been, frankly, pretty uneventful. He’s teamed up with heroes and been on teams, sure, but nothing that matches the highs of when Bucky was Captain America.
Bucky is about to feature in a new New Avengers book, debuting June 11, 2025!
Bucky is a good character who has a great, incredibly unique history in the Marvel Universe. But as the Winter Soldier, he’s only ever going to be seen as a Captain America ally or associate. For Bucky to truly thrive, he deserves another chance at wielding the shield and showing the world what he brings to the table once more. Can the Marvel Universe handle three Captains America? It’s already got several legacies running around, so there’s no reason why Bucky can’t get another shot at becoming his own person as Captain America.
“}]] Why Captain America’s best friend has stagnated. Read More