Want to know more about Bucky from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Here are some fun comic book facts that may surprise you.
One of the main characters in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes a.k.a. the Winter Soldier. He’s Steve Rogers’ oldest friend and, at one time, maybe his deadliest enemy. It’s funny that he’s had such a big impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe without ever being a lead – but that just highlights how popular he is. Now, however, he’s one of the premier characters in this show and it’s only showcasing that there is still much we don’t know much about him.
We know that he was a Hydra assassin, almost died in World War II, and is proficient with a blade or gun. What else do we know? Well, there’s information in the comics that may help everyone understand him more. These seven facts are a perfect example.
7. He Killed Wolverine’s wife
Wolverine has had an awful life – maybe worse than anyone in the history of comic books. Bucky didn’t help that situation. In fact, he killed Logan’s wife. Granted, this was when he was mind-controlled, but he still killed her. Later, Logan got his memories back (House of M) and found out what Bucky did. Since then, Bucky has been in Logan’s debt.
This is important because Bucky always pays his debts. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, we’ve seen Bucky try to redeem himself for the things he did while mind-controlled. Like with Logan in the comics, it will be an uncomfortable process. We’ve seen this already with the man he befriended to make amends for killing his son and again with Isaiah Bradley. No matter how bad he may feel, however, Bucky will pay what’s owed.
6. Captain America didn’t know about
Before Bucky became the Winter Soldier, he was just as wholesome and against killing as Steve Rogers was. Fast forward to 2005. Bucky got a complete makeover in Captain America by Ed Brubaker. He was a sneaky assassin going on missions that Cap didn’t know about.
In comic books like Wolverine Origins, we see Bucky sneaking off to kill Baron Zemo in World War II. There were other instances like this in the comic as well. We see Bucky being more aggressive when dealing with other soldiers – even going as far as to kick over their bags for not following Cap’s orders. And, as Logan put it, Bucky was just like him. He had what it took to get the job done. No matter what it was.
5. Russian sleeper agent
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bucky was brainwashed into working for Hydra. In Marvel Comics, Bucky was an unwilling Russian agent. He didn’t just kill for Russia. He was sent out to work for whoever could pay.
For decades, the Winter Soldier was thought of as a myth. Only a select few like Nick Fury knew he existed. Mostly because anyone who saw him was killed. However, every so often Bucky would fight the mind control. Eventually his handlers captured and reprogrammed him. If it wasn’t for the Cosmic Cube, Bucky would still be a weapon for evil.
4. Bucky and Natasha
Bucky doesn’t strike anyone as a person who goes out looking for love. He spends most of his time trying to make amends for the things he did or killing monsters all around the universe (see the end of Original Sin for that story). There is only one person who truly has his heart and it’s Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow.
Bucky and Natasha’s connection is deep. A lot of it has to do with the fact that they understand each other in ways no one else can. Both of them know what it’s like to be used by evil people. They also understand the need to kill while others won’t. In issue No. 5 of Kelly Thompson’s Black Widow, Natasha has to give up a life of love. Bucky helps her, but knows that after what she went through, they’ll never be romantic again. Knowing that before he went in, he still helped her family. That’s real love.
3. He Wanted to kill Tony Stark (Civil War)
After Steve Rogers was killed post the Superhero Civil War, Bucky goes after the man he felt was responsible: Tony Stark. He blamed him for starting the war that got his best friend murdered. This wasn’t one of those situations where someone says they’re going to kill a person and not follow through. Bucky was out for blood. If Stark didn’t have a letter from Steve Rogers, they would have killed each other. This story leads to the next slide.
2. Captain America
After the two fought, Bucky read a letter from Steve Rogers. He wanted Bucky to become the next Captain America. This was a move that shocked some readers. However, if you followed his journey after regaining his memories, then you probably weren’t one of the shocked ones. Bucky worked on reacclimating himself to the new world and how to go about his covert operations. A lot of things were the same – evil never left – the new part was their new methods.
Bucky becoming Steve’s successor was the only move that made sense after Captain America died. He was also the right Captain America for the current world. This was a new and aggressive world, so a new kind of Cap was needed. Bucky held some of Steve Rogers’ morals, but, as Bucky himself said in New Avengers No. 50, he has his own way of doing things.
1. An Avenger
After the Skrulls Invasion was thwarted, Cap’s team needed somewhere to stay. Bucky reached out and let them stay at his place. He said that Steve Rogers would have been proud of them and that they’ve continued to fight together. There were times when Bucky was annoyed by the mess they made, but he never kicked them out. He just dealt with it. We can be certain he was happy when they left.
After the Superhero Registration Act was overturned, Bucky continued to be Captain America. He may have been Cap longer if he wasn’t killed during Fear Itself. As fun as Bucky was as Captain America, once Steve Rogers returned, we all knew Bucky wouldn’t hold the mantle much longer.
What else was missed? There are tons of Bucky Barnes facts. Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!