Warning: SPOILERS for Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5After years of unbroken friendship, Bucky Barnes has finally betrayed Captain America in one of the most shocking moments in the franchise – and it does wonders for both characters. Bucky is a fascinating superhero, and for someone who began as a simple sidekick to Captain America, accomplished a remarkable amount of character growth in a short time. In Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5, Bucky makes a fateful decision that makes his character more exciting to follow that ever.
Bucky debuted alongside Captain America in Captain America Comics #1 in March 1941, and was a rather shameless copy of Robin (Batman’s sidekick debuted roughly a year earlier). The conceit of younger sidekicks tagging along with main heroes was meant to appeal to the young readers, but Stan Lee utterly despised “teen sidekicks” and unceremoniously killed Bucky off-panel when Captain America was brought back in the 60s. Over 40 years later, writer Ed Brubaker brought the character back as the mysterious brainwashed Winter Soldier; Bucky eventually repaired his memory, regained his true identity, and resumed his role as Captain America’s best friend.
In Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5, written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly with art by Carmen Carnero, Captain America and Bucky attack the headquarters of the Outer Circle, a globe-spaning conspiracy using the symbol of Captain America’s shield as their calling card. When the headquarters is destroyed and control over conscripted soldiers removed, the two heroes confront one of the five major leaders of the Outer Circle: the Revolution. Bucky tells Steve Rogers a shocking truth: the Outer Circle was responsible for the murder of his father and his conscription into the military. In short, his entire life was shaped by the Outer Circle, and Bucky desires revenge. Captain America puts himself between Bucky and the Revolution – but Bucky fires his weapon anyway, shooting both men.
In the aftermath of Captain America: Winter Soldier, Bucky dealt with his traumatic past but oddly enough became a less complex character. Perhaps Stan Lee was right to kill Bucky: without the Winter Soldier adventure, he is a rather bland character. Most of his interesting backstory was added after the fact, and Bucky is far more compelling when he’s either an adversary from Steve’s past or a lost soul who could lose his mind to his past at any moment.
As a simple friend, Bucky provides little for Captain America’s character (especially since the character spends most of his time alone). As the dangerous Winter Soldier or as a dark soul with nebulous morals, Bucky is far more interesting, and betraying Steve means the pair’s friendship is irreparably shattered. Captain America has lost a friend but gained a massive new puzzle: why would the now-interesting Bucky Barnes decide to shoot his former ally?
Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.
