- "What you did all these years ... it wasn't you. You didn't have a choice."
"I know. But I did it." - ―Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes[src]
Sergeant James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes is a former soldier of the 107th Infantry Regiment and the childhood best friend of Steve Rogers. As World War II was escalating, he was recruited to become a member of the Howling Commandos. During the time between 1943 and the end of the war in 1945, they had attacked and disabled many HYDRA bases.
In the midst a fight on a HYDRA train, Barnes was attacked and promptly plummeted off the side of the train. He was then presumed to be deceased, though unbeknownst to his teammates Barnes had actually survived, albeit with the loss of his left arm. Brainwashed and armed with a new cybernetic limb, Barnes ultimately became an enhanced HYDRA operative known as the Winter Soldier. Over the next several decades he would eliminate anyone who posed a threat to HYDRA, including his former ally Howard Stark. Between missions Barnes would be put into a cryogenic stasis, due to his instability. Eventually, when he was ordered by HYDRA leader Alexander Pierce to assassinate S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, the Winter Soldier was confronted by his old friend, Steve Rogers, triggering him to begin remembering his prior life.
In the aftermath of the Battle at the Triskelion, the Winter Soldier went on the run from HYDRA on a self-imposed mission to remember his past and end his violent history. However, during this time Barnes was accused of murdering the King of Wakanda, causing the Black Panther to engage him in a vengeance-driven pursuit. Barnes was saved by Captain America, sparking the Avengers Civil War as he also became a target for Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross and Iron Man. When Iron Man learned that the Winter Soldier had killed his family, Barnes was once again saved by Rogers as it was revealed that Helmut Zemo had organized the entire civil war between the Avengers as revenge for incidentally killing his family a year prior during the Battle of Sokovia. Barnes was then taken to Wakanda, where he chose to be cryogenically frozen until his mind could be restored of the mental programming implanted by HYDRA.
Biography
Early Life
- "Thank you Buck, but I can get by on my own."
"The thing is, you don't have to. I'm with you 'til the end of the line, pal." - ―Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes after Sarah Rogers' funeral[src]
James Buchanan Barnes was born on March 10, 1917 as the eldest child of four. Barnes grew up to be an overachiever, having been an excellent athlete who also excelled in the classroom.[1] Sometime during his childhood, he met Steve Rogers when bullies were trying to steal his money.[3]. The two became best friends and stuck together for many years.[4]
Barnes tries to comfort Steve Rogers
In 1936, Steve's mother, Sarah Rogers, died of tuberculosis. After her funeral, Barnes walked Rogers home and offered him his place to stay, but Rogers refused, saying he could get by on his own. Seeing Rogers struggling to find his house keys, Barnes revealed his secret key and told him that he did not have to because he was with him "'til the end of the line," something Rogers would keep to heart for a long time.[1]
World War II
Training Rogers
A year later, during an art class, Barnes and Rogers found out that America had joined the Second World War.[5] By this time, Barnes was a three-time YMCA welterweight boxing champion[3]. He then spent two weeks training Rogers at Goldie's Boxing Gym. They visited the US Recruiting and Induction Center in New York City where Rogers was classified as 4F and rejected from service. Barnes was later drafted in the Army.[5]
Sergeant Barnes
Barnes tells Rogers he's joining the army
- "This isn't a back alley, Steve. It's war!"
- ―Bucky Barnes to Steve Rogers[src]
Barnes, along with the rest of the 107th Infantry, was trained during the winter at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Eventually, Barnes rose to the rank of Sergeant. The day before his shipment out to England, Barnes found Steve Rogers getting beaten up by a bully. He came to the defense of his friend and quickly sent the bully running away. Barnes learned that Rogers had been attempting to enlist in the army again, using false documents to try and get deployed. Barnes informed Rogers that he had received his orders and would be going to war the next day. At first, Rogers seemed upset, as he was not shipping out to war with his best friend. Bucky, however, was determined to cheer his friend up.
Barnes at a Stark Expo with Rogers
Barnes and Rogers then went to the Stark Expo together, with Barnes determined to enjoy his last day in the city before shipping out. What Barnes did not tell Rogers, however, was that it was in fact a double date with Connie and Bonnie. When Rogers asked what Barnes had told his date about him, Barnes simply replied, "only the good stuff." While exploring the Expo, the group watched Howard Stark demonstrate his prototype flying car, which greatly impressed Barnes, until it malfunctioned and fell to the ground. When Barnes turned around to suggest the group go dancing, he saw that Rogers had walked away from the group.
Barnes tries to convince Steve not to enlist
Though Barnes was having fun, Rogers was interested in attempting to enlist for the fifth time. Barnes found him trying to enlist, and first tried to persuade him to rejoin him on the double date. When that did not work, he reminded him that he wasn't going to be fighting in a back alley, but in a war. Despite Barnes' protests, Rogers went through with it, but said a heartfelt goodbye to Barnes before doing so. Rogers told him not to win the war until he got there, and Barnes left with Connie and Bonnie. Barnes and his unit, the 107th then shipped out to England the next day.[4]
Prisoner of War
Barnes fights the Nazis during WWII
- "I thought you were dead."
"I thought you were smaller." - ―Captain America and Bucky Barnes[src]
On the frontlines, Barnes and his unit, including Dum Dum Dugan and Gabe Jones, were ambushed by the Nazis at Azzano.[6] Though the battle seemed hopeless as they were strongly outgunned with no reinforcements, the battle turned when another German unit appeared and used an extremely powerful tank to kill the Nazis. The tank then turned to Barnes' unit and they were soon captured by HYDRA. They were sent to work at the HYDRA weapons facility in the Austrian Alps, halfway between Kitzbühel and Klagenfurt.[4]
Barnes is experimented on by HYDRA
In October 1943, he met other Allied POWs: including Jacques Dernier and James Montgomery Falsworth. During his imprisonment in the facility, he was viciously beaten by the commander of the compound, Colonel Lohmer. However, other prisoners organized an "accident" which resulted in Lohmer's death.[7] Barnes and his friends worked on parts of the Valkyrie, a giant super bomber. When Barnes became too weak to continue due to illness and injury, he was taken to an isolation clinic. There, he was forced to undergo experiments conducted by Arnim Zola.
Barnes and Rogers face Red Skull
In November 1943, the facility was infiltrated by Steve Rogers, who had undergone an experiment giving him enhanced strength. Rogers made his way through the base and freed the prisoners, including Barnes. As the freed POW's battled against the HYDRA forces, Rogers and Barnes became trapped inside the base as it began to self destruct. During the escape, Barnes and Rogers encountered Johann Schmidt and Arnim Zola. After a brief fight, Schmidt revealed to them his true demonic face before escaping. Rogers and Barnes began working out an escape route in which they used a support beam to move to a safe section of the facility. They were able to escape moments before the entire facility was destroyed.
Barnes returns with the other rescued POW's
Barnes and Rogers regrouped with the rest of the escaped POWs and together they walked with the other freed soldiers all the way back to Colonel Chester Phillips' base in Italy, 30 miles out. Once they arrived along with the weapons and vehicles they had stolen from HYDRA, they were greeted warmly by the other soldiers and Phillips chose not to punish Rogers for undertaking the rescue mission against Phillip's strict orders. As the entire unit gathered together, Barnes called for all the soldiers to cheer for their savior Captain America. The POWs were then given medical attention before being given some time away from the battlefield to recover.[4]
Howling Commando
Barnes attempts to flirt with Peggy Carter
- "You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?"
"Hell, no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb to run away from a fight, I'm following him." - ―Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes[src]
After their escape from the HYDRA prison, Barnes, Dum Dum Dugan, Jacques Dernier, Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, and James Montgomery Falsworth were given a break from duty. Steve Rogers joined them in a pub and convinced them to join his crusade against the Nazis and HYDRA, forming an elite group of fighters that would eventually be known as the Howling Commandos. Barnes told Rogers that he would not follow Captain America, but he would follow his friend. When Peggy Carter also arrived at the pub, Barnes had to deal with the realization that Rogers was now the one who gets flirted with, not him.
Barnes works as a sniper in World War II
Eventually, Barnes and the newly formed Howling Commandos joined Captain America on the battlefield once again. Over the following months, Barnes, Rogers, and the Commandos progressively destroyed most major HYDRA operations, preventing Johann Schmidt and Arnim Zola any real ability to work on their scientific projects and plans, all while destroying HYDRA's army units, tanks and facilities. Barnes would often work as the sniper of the group, protecting his team of Commandos from the HYDRA enemy. [4]
Final Mission
Barnes and Rogers prepare for a mission
- "I had him on the ropes."
"I know you did." - ―Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers[src]
At the beginning of 1945, Barnes and Captain America prepared for a mission to board a HYDRA train carrying Arnim Zola, with the aim of capturing the HYDRA scientist. Barnes joked that the mission was Rogers' way of getting payback for a time Barnes made Rogers ride a roller coaster that made him throw up. When Jim Morita intercepted a radio signal from HYDRA confirming that Zola was on the train, Barnes, Rogers and Gabe Jones used a zip wire to board the train as it traveled through the mountains.
Barnes onboard the HYDRA train
While Gabe Jones stayed on the roof of the train, Barnes and Steve Rogers entered and began exploring the carriages. Moments after their arrival, they were split up and ambushed by a team of HYDRA soldiers. While Rogers was forced to fight a heavily armed HYDRA guard, Barnes became pinned down by three soldiers. Although he was able to kill two, he quickly ran out of ammunition and feared he would soon be killed. Rogers, however, was able to open the door and throw him a new gun which he used to kill the final soldier when Rogers distracted him. Barnes claimed that he had him on the ropes and Rogers assured him that he believed him.
Barnes seemingly falls to his death
Another HYDRA soldier then appeared behind them and fired at them with a HYDRA Assault Rifle, blowing a hole through the side of the train. Barnes picked up Captain America's Shield and fired at the soldier, but he was shot again, the power of the blast throwing him off the train. Rogers dispatched the soldier and tried to rescue Barnes as he hung off a rail on the side of the train, but the rail snapped, which resulted in Barnes falling into an icy river below.[4]
Found by HYDRA
Barnes loses his left arm after his fall
- "Sergeant Barnes... the procedure has already started. You are to be the new fist of HYDRA!"
- ―Arnim Zola to Bucky Barnes[src]
Due to his enhanced physiology produced by HYDRA's experiments, Barnes was just able to survive the fall from Arnim Zola's train, though his left arm was ripped from his body upon impact. His nearly lifeless body was discovered by a Soviet soldier, and was handed over to HYDRA. He was kept their prisoner for many years, until Arnim Zola was released from the SSR's custody, wishing to continue his experiments.
Barnes wakes up to find his new robotic hand
In the care of the new HYDRA, working within S.H.I.E.L.D., Barnes underwent further experimentation at the hands of Zola, as the first subject of the Winter Soldier Program. Removing the remnants of his severed arm, the doctors replaced the missing limb with a prosthetic one. Barnes underwent mind control methods to keep him under their command. Over time, Barnes would lose all memory of his former life and became nothing more than a weapon.
Barnes frozen to be preserved
With his body at the peak of physical perfection and his arm at the highest level of weaponized technology, HYDRA put Barnes to use as their personal weapon for many years. They had him frozen in suspended animation to prevent him from ageing after every mission. Whenever Barnes completed a mission, HYDRA would have his mind wiped to ensure he remained memory-free and emotionless towards those he killed.[1]
HYDRA's Operative
Winter Soldier begins working for HYDRA
- "Most of the intelligence community doesn't believe he exists. The ones that do call him the Winter Soldier. He's a ghost. You'll never find him."
- ―Black Widow to Captain America[src]
Receiving vast training from HYDRA, Barnes became a formidable fighter and an even more ruthless killer. His experiences with the KGB would earn him the name of the "Winter Soldier". The Winter Soldier would remain frozen for long periods of time until HYDRA saw fit to unfreeze him for certain missions. Over the next 50 years, the Winter Soldier would be responsible for numerous assassinations, killing all sorts of targets, from scientific minds to political figures, including U.S President John F. Kennedy in 1963.[1][8] Due to his expertise on the field and the shadowy nature of his existence, the Winter Soldier became something of a ghost story, with intelligence agencies doubting he even existed.[1]
Assassination of Howard and Maria Stark
The Winter Soldier is defrosted by HYDRA
- "Longing, Rusted, Seventeen, Daybreak, Furnace, Nine, Benign, Homecoming, One, Freight Car. Good morning, Soldier."
"Ready to comply." - ―Vasily Karpov and Winter Soldier[src]
While being kept on ice in a Cryostasis Chamber, Winter Soldier was held in the HYDRA Siberian Facility alongside other Winter Soldiers. Eventually he was defrosted by Vasily Karpov who, once his memories had been wiped yet again by the Memory Suppressing Machine, ensured Barnes was loyal to HYDRA by using key words to activate his training.
With his mind clear of his past life, the Winter Soldier once again became just an empty shell of a man simply awaiting his mission orders. Karpov informed Barnes that they needed him to steal a supply of the Super Soldier Serum from the car of Howard Stark, assassinating Stark in the process. As Barnes had no memories left of his time serving in World War II alongside Stark, he agreed to take on the mission without any hesitation.
Taking on the mission, Winter Soldier waited for Stark to leave his home and travel down the road; at which point he gave chase on his motorbike and fired into the car, causing it to veer off the road and crash into a nearby tree. Momentarily ignoring the injured victims, Winter Soldier first ensured that the Super Soldier Serum was safe before turning his attention to Stark, who had survived and crawled from the car to attempt to escape.
The Winter Soldier took ahold of Stark with his robotic arm as Stark begged him to save his wife's life. As Stark looked up at his assassin, he recognized him and addressed him by his real name. However, the Winter Soldier ignored the comments and proceeded to beat Stark to death before placing him back in the car and strangling his wife. He then ensured the crash looked like an accident and destroyed the CCTV cameras.[9]
Training other Winter Soldiers
Winter Soldier trains the other program recruits
- "I'm not the only Winter Soldier."
"Who were they?"
"The most elite death squad." - ―Winter Soldier and Captain America[src]
As HYDRA's enemies continued to grow, it was decided that more enhanced Winter Soldier assassins were needed, so volunteers were injected with the Super Soldier Serum that the Winter Soldier had stolen and used in the Winter Soldier Program. To ensure the soldiers were battle ready, the Winter Soldier was tasked with training them; if they were able to overpower him, then they were accepted into the program.
During one of these training sessions, the Winter Soldier was defeated by Josef and as result, Vasily Karpov came in to congratulate the victor. However, a riot began with the other soldiers rising up against their captors and attacking Karpov. As a fight broke out, the Winter Soldier protected Karpov and got him away from danger while the HYDRA guards eventually subdued the other soldiers before putting them back into Cryostasis Chambers.[9]
First Encounter with the Black Widow
- "Five years ago I was escorting a nuclear engineer out of Iran, somebody shot at my tires near Odessa. We lost control, went straight over a cliff, I pulled us out, but the Winter Soldier was there. I was covering my engineer, so he shot him straight through me. A Soviet slug, no rifling. "
- ―Black Widow to Steve Rogers about the Winter Soldier[src]
In 2009, the Winter Soldier was sent to kill a nuclear scientist. He found his target being escorted by S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Natasha Romanoff. Without hesitation, he attacked his target, sending the car containing the scientist and Romanoff over a cliff. Finding that Romanoff had saved the target from falling to his death, the Winter Soldier fired a single round through Romanoff's stomach. The bullet struck the scientist, effectively killing him. He then made his getaway without pursuit.[1]
Bucky's Legacy
Barnes' memorial at the Smithsonian
- "Best friends since childhood, Bucky Barnes and Steven Rogers were inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield. Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in service of his country."
- ―Smithsonian Institution[src]
Almost seventy years after the end of World War II, Steve Rogers, awakened in the 21st century, studied S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files about the Commandos. In Bucky's file, he was reported as "Missing In Action", as his corpse was never found. Therefore, he was never officially classified as deceased.[10] In the Smithsonian Institution, a part of the Captain America Exhibit is dedicated to Bucky's memory and shows a short biography of his life.[1] Before 2014, Barnes' name was listed on the Wall of Valor of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy of Science and Technology.[11]
Attack on Nick Fury
Winter Soldier attempts to kill Nick Fury
- "He's fast. Strong. Had a metal arm."
- ―Captain America[src]
In 2014, the Winter Soldier was activated to assassinate the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury after he began to unravel HYDRA's secret existence due to questioning Project Insight. When Fury managed to escape death at the hands of over a dozen HYDRA agents in Washington, D.C., the Winter Soldier managed to get ahead of Fury's car and disabled it using a Magnetic Disk Grenade, which caused the car to flip as the Winter Soldier moved aside just in time.
The Winter Soldier hunts down Nick Fury
However, when he made his way to the vehicle to finish Fury, he found his target had used a laser cutter to escape from his wrecked car and into the sewers to escape his would be assassins. Barnes later located Fury at Steve Rogers' apartment, where he was attempting to give Rogers vital information about his attack. Before Fury could reveal his information, Barnes shot him in the chest multiple times through the wall from another building.
Winter Soldier encounters Captain America
With Fury seemingly dead, the Winter Soldier made his escape, but Rogers gave chase and attempted to subdue Barnes by throwing his shield at him. However, Barnes stopped running and simply caught the shield with his bionic arm, throwing it back with incredible force after looking at Rogers for a moment. As Rogers stood frozen in shock at the assassin's strength and reflexes, Barnes leaped off the roof and escaped before Rogers could see where he went.[1]
Hunting Captain America
Winter Soldier meets with Alexander Pierce
- "The timetable has moved. Our window is limited. Two targets, level six. They already cost me Zola. I want confirmed death of them in ten hours. "
- ―Alexander Pierce to the Winter Soldier[src]
Instead of being returned to cryo-sleep, the Winter Soldier was later sent to Alexander Pierce's house for his next orders. He was informed that his next targets were Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff, who were attempting to reveal HYDRA's Project Insight plan which involved wiping out over a million targets using S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarriers.[1]
Battle of Washington, D.C.
The Winter Soldier after killing Jasper Sitwell
The next day he attacked Rogers, Romanoff, and Sam Wilson on the freeway while they were kidnapping HYDRA sleeper agent, Jasper Sitwell. Throwing Sitwell from the car into the path of an incoming truck, the Winter Soldier destroyed the car and forced it off the road. When he fired a grenade at his targets, Rogers took the blow and went flying off the bridge into a bus below.
Winter Soldier attempts to kill Black Widow
With his targets off the bridge and seemingly taken out of the fight, the Soldier took a machine gun and aimed off the bridge to finish him off. However, he was shot in the eye by Black Widow, surviving due to his protective mask. Instead of engaging Romanoff, the Soldier pursued her through the streets of Washington, D.C., as the civilians ran for cover. Barnes soon believed he had Romanoff cornered when he heard her voice from behind a parked car.
Winter Soldier is strangled by Black Widow
In an attempt to kill his target, the Winter Soldier dropped a grenade but soon discovered it was a trick and was ambushed as Black Widow jumped onto his shoulder and attempted to strangle him. The Winter Soldier managed to throw her off onto a nearby car before having his prosthetic arm temporarily disabled by one of Romanoff's Taser Disks. After shooting Romanoff through the shoulder, the Winter Soldier was attacked by Rogers before he could assassinate her.
The Winter Soldier fights Captain America
The two engaged in a brutal one-on-one fight, both rivaling each other with every move. Determined to kill his target, the Winter Soldier fired every round in his gun at Captain America, only for them to be blocked by the shield. Barnes resorted to using his knife, attempting to plunge it into Rogers' throat, but was soon disarmed. Barnes briefly got a hold of Rogers' shield and attempted to throw it at Rogers with force, but it missed Rogers and cut through a nearby van. The pair were forced to resort to hand to hand combat, and in the midst of the fight, Rogers ripped the Winter Soldier's mask off and stared in disbelief as Barnes turned and revealed his face.
Barnes' true identity is revealed by Rogers
Recognizing him as Bucky Barnes, Rogers brought the Winter Soldier to a stand still. The Soldier briefly questioned who Barnes was, but soon remembered his mission and swiftly raised his gun to take a shot. The Winter Soldier was suddenly knocked to the ground by Falcon. He attempted to shoot again, but was then shot at by Natasha Romanoff with the grenade launcher he dropped while fighting Rogers. He dodged the grenade and was forced to flee while HYDRA agents captured Rogers, Romanoff, and Wilson.[1]
Forgotten Memories
The Winter Soldier starts to remember his past
- "The man on the bridge, who was he?"
"You met him earlier this week on another assignment."
"I knew him." - ―Bucky Barnes and Alexander Pierce[src]
Regrouping with HYDRA, Barnes was taken back to the Ideal Federal Savings Bank, where he became erratic and violent towards the doctors. After they repaired his arm, he began to remember fragments from his past. These fragments included his fall from the train, as well as the operations performed on him by Arnim Zola which threw him into a rage.
Winter Soldier going through mind treatment
Alexander Pierce arrived at the Base to obtain Barnes' mission report, only to find Barnes unresponsive and refusing to speak until Pierce hit him across the face. Barnes claimed that he knew Steve Rogers somehow. Pierce claimed that he only remembered him because he had met him a few days ago on the assignment to kill Nick Fury, but Barnes insisted that he knew him. Pierce ordered Barnes to undergo further mind alterations to force his cooperation.[1]
Battle at the Triskelion
Winter Soldier attacks the S.H.I.E.L.D. Base
- "People are gonna die, Buck. I can't let that happen... Please don't make me do this."
- ―Captain America to Barnes at the beginning of their showdown[src]
Before HYDRA could complete their goal and activate the Helicarriers, Captain America and his allies infiltrated the Triskelion and revealed HYDRA's presence to his fellow agents who actively engaged in battle with HYDRA's undercover agents. In the ensuing chaos, Barnes began murdering pilots and destroying Quinjets. He flew a Quinjet to a Helicarrier, where he ambushed Rogers and Falcon. He shoved Rogers off the Helicarrier, destroyed Wilson's flight suit and kicked him off the Helicarrier.
Barnes and Rogers prepare to fight
Seeing that Rogers did not die and was still on the Helicarrier, the Winter Soldier ran ahead to meet him at the Target System for a final showdown. The Winter Soldier went to confront Captain America himself before he could reboot the Helicarrier's Target System. As the two stood opposite one another, Rogers pleaded with his former best friend for him to remember him and think of the amount of people who were going to die. Barnes remained silent and ignored these pleas. Seeing no other choice, Rogers engaged Barnes in combat once again. The two fought in a lengthy violent hand-to-hand fight, during which the Winter Soldier got possession of the Targeting Chip.
The Winter Soldier shoots Captain America
Desperately trying to obtain the chip, Rogers broke Barnes' arm, disabled the robotic one and injured his leg before subduing him. The Winter Soldier, however, regained consciousness before Rogers could reach the System Override, shooting him multiple times. Despite this, Rogers managed to swap the Data Chips and had S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill reset the three Helicarriers to target each other and open fire, even with himself still aboard one.
Barnes beats Rogers nearly to death
As the Helicarrier began to fall apart in mid-air, the Winter Soldier became trapped under debris. Rogers leaped to his friend's aid and freed him. The Winter Soldier instantly betrayed Rogers and attacked again. Begging for Barnes to remember him, Rogers reminded him of his name and past. Rogers allowed his shield drop out of the carrier, refusing to fight. Barnes refused to listen, violently beating Rogers with his bionic arm as their surroundings began to deteriorate.[1]
Search for the Truth
Barnes watches Rogers fall into the river.
- "I'm not gonna fight you. You're my friend."
"You're my mission. You're... my... mission!"
"Then finish it. 'Cause I'm with you 'til the end of the line." - ―Captain America and Winter Soldier[src]
As the Winter Soldier ignored Captain America's words and insisted he was only his mission, Steve quoted something Barnes said to him more than 70 years ago after his mother's funeral. As Barnes began to remember, he relented, unwilling to throw another punch. The surface beneath them fell away, and Rogers plummeted into the river below.
The Winter Soldier saves Steve Rogers
Barnes quickly grabbed on to a metal beam, which allowed him to stay on the Helicarrier. Realizing that Rogers truly was his friend, Barnes let go of the beam and dove into the water after Rogers and pulled him ashore, saving his old friend's life. After saving him, Barnes quickly checked to see if Rogers was still breathing. After he discovered he was, he slowly walked off into the nearby woods, going on a mission to discover his true identity.[1]
Barnes discovering his past at the museum
Having escaped the Triskelion wreckage, Barnes returned to Ideal Federal Savings Bank, where he encountered the HYDRA scientists responsible for him. Free from the mind control, Barnes assaulted the scientists. Attacking them reminded Bucky of the people he killed on his missions as the Winter Solider, preventing him from killing the scientists.[12] Barnes later went to the Smithsonian Institution's Captain America Exhibit where he found a memorial for himself as the Howling Commando James "Bucky" Barnes, who had seemingly been killed during World War II.[13] Afterwards, Barnes traveled to an old Romanian safehouse.[12]
End of the Line
Found by Captain America
Barnes goes on the run in Romania
- "Do you know me?"
"You're Steve. I read about you at the museum." - ―Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes[src]
Free from HYDRA's captivity, Barnes was on the run from the government. He traveled to an old Romanian safehouse to investigate his past.[12]
Barnes escapes from Black Panther
While walking through Romanian capital Bucharest, Barnes discovered he was being accused of the Bombing of the Vienna International Centre in Austria. He would come to his hideout to find Captain America was already there. Their re-union would eventually be interrupted by the arrival of German special forces. Captain America and Falcon tried to help Barnes escape as both the law enforcement and Black Panther - who lost his father in the bombing - pursued him. The manhunt was finished once War Machine cornered the escapees.[9]
Captured
Barnes is captured by Everett Ross
- "What the hell is this?"
"Why don't we discuss your home? Not Romania. Certainly not Brooklyn. No, I mean your real home." - ―Bucky Barnes and Helmut Zemo[src]
The captive Barnes, Rogers and Wilson were brought to the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre Building in Berlin, Germany. There Barnes was locked in a containment cell with his cybernetic arm tightly fixed down. Helmut Zemo, under the guise of psychiatrist Theo Broussard, was sent to interview Barnes and evaluate his mental well-being. Zemo set off a blackout that hid his actions from the security cameras, and reactivated Barnes' Winter Soldier Program training by using the HYDRA manual he procured from Barnes' former handler Vasily Karpov, which led Barnes attempting to break free of his restraints and stop Zemo's plans, ripping his arms free and punching the glass to try to escape.
Winter Soldier attacks the Avengers
However, Zemo was able to finish saying the code words just as Barnes broke free and became his willing assassin. Zemo ordered Winter Soldier to fight and kill anyone who attempted to stop him, before getting into a helicopter and escape to seemingly prove his guilt for the bombing. As the Winter Soldier obeyed his orders, the escape attempt was thwarted by Rogers who despite being choked, remained determined to hang on to the destroyed aircraft. The helicopter then fell off the helipad and crashed into the water below. During the crash, Barnes hit his head and was knocked unconscious. Rogers then rescues his friend from drowning and takes him to a warehouse as police helicopters continue their search.[9]
Fighting Back
Barnes waking up after the helicopter fall
- "He wanted to know about Siberia. Where I was kept. He wanted to know exactly where."
"Why would he need to know that?"
"Because I'm not the only Winter Soldier." - ―Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers[src]
Later, Rogers and Sam Wilson, not knowing if Barnes was still activated as the Winter Soldier or not, trapped his metal arm in a vice leaving him defenseless and unable to continue fighting or running.[14] When Barnes woke up, he recognized Steve, prompting him to ask Barnes whether it was him or the Winter Soldier speaking. Barnes replied that Rogers' mother's name was Sarah and that he had worn newspapers in his shoes, personal facts that only Barnes knew that were not in a museum. Rogers and Wilson discussed the situation, deciding they would not call Tony Stark and Wilson saying he knew a guy who could assist them in Stark's place. Barnes also revealed he was not the only Winter Soldier, and Zemo was seeking the program's Siberian training facility to presumably free the rest from cryostasis, and unleash them upon the world.[9]
Clash of the Avengers
Barnes' stands with Captain America's team
- "I didn't kill your father."
"Then why did you run?" - ―Winter Soldier and Black Panther[src]
Knowing that the Accords would never allow them to stop Zemo in time, Rogers assembled his own team of Avengers to confront Zemo and the Winter Soldiers in Siberia. Joining his old friend's team of Avengers, but meeting another group of Avengers led by Iron Man who fought to capture them, Barnes ended up being the only one to flee with Captain America in a Quinjet to follow Zemo.[9]
Battle of the Siberian HYDRA Facility
Winter Soldier battles Iron Man
Iron Man later discovered Barnes' innocence and followed them to Siberia to form a truce to capture Zemo. However, Zemo used security footage of Howard Stark's "car crash" to reveal Barnes was responsible, having been sent to steal the vials of Super Soldier Serum in Howard's possession. Iron Man, blinded by rage, attacked Barnes and did not listen to Captain America's explanation that HYDRA made Barnes kill them via brainwashing, resulting in a fight with both Barnes and Captain America.
Barnes attempted to flee through the top of the silo, but Iron Man destroyed the hatch. The fight ended with Barnes' bionic arm destroyed and Captain America disabling Stark's arc reactor, shutting down the the armor Stark was using. Now fugitives, the two fled, Captain America laying down his shield, as Stark's father was the one who created it.[9]
Awaiting a Cure
- "Sure about this?"
"I can't trust my own mind, so until they figure out how to get this stuff out of my head, I think going back under is the best thing for everybody." - ―Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes[src]
Having been pardoned by Black Panther, who had secretly followed Iron Man to Siberia, and granted asylum in Wakanda, Barnes had the remains of his mostly-destroyed robotic arm removed, while Steve Rogers freed the rest of their allies from their cells in the Raft.[9]
Shaken at how easily his Winter Soldier programming could be activated, Barnes willingly went back into cryogenic sleep until Wakandan scientists could cure him of his brainwashing. As Rogers worried that the governments of the world would invade Wakanda for harboring Barnes, T'Challa mockingly dared them to try.[15]
Personality
Bucky Barnes was extremely devoted, loyal, headstrong, patriotic and had a strong moral center. He was a good and close friend to Steve Rogers during their youth; he helped him when he got into fights and tried to cheer him up and look after him when Rogers' mother died. Best friends since childhood, they went through many trials and tribulations together. He was also protective of Rogers, as when he planned to enlist in the United States Army. Barnes tried to talk him out of it, as he knew he would die because of his physical condition and poor health.
Out of the two friends, Barnes would be considered the more attractive and the more flirtatious; however, when Rogers transformed into Captain America, Barnes was a bit jealous of the attention now bestowed to his once sickly friend.
After his apparent death from falling off a train, Barnes returned as the Winter Soldier, an elusive, dangerous and amnesiac assassin. He was ruthless, brutal and under the complete control of HYDRA. After Captain America reminded him of his past, Barnes seemed to break from his programming and saved his former friend and current target from drowning. While he still holds a mostly serious demeanor, he is still shown to retain a sense of humor, as shown when he and Sam both smiled with approval at Steve's kiss with Sharon and later as the two reminisced over earlier times in their friendship. His sense of humor can also be dry at times, as shown when he asked Wilson why he couldn't use his gadget on Spider-Man earlier to take him down.
Powers and Abilities
- "He's fast. Strong. Had a metal arm."
- ―Captain America[src]
Powers
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- Artificially Enhanced Physiology: After Bucky Barnes fell into a trench in an ice mountain, he was saved and given a metal arm, along with other enhanced abilities from a serum that had a similar effect on the human body as the Super Soldier Serum given to Steve Rogers.
- Superhuman Strength: Winter Soldier has strength that is seemingly equal to that of Captain America. Barnes's physical strength is enhanced to the early levels of superhuman condition by a series of treatments performed on him by HYDRA scientists. He has used his legs and flesh arm to kick and punch others with a display of strength that far surpasses normal humans and closely resembles Captain America's own abilities.
- Bionic Arm: HYDRA also removed the remnants of his severed left arm and replaced the missing limb with a cybernetic one. The bionic arm gives him superhuman strength superior to that of Captain America, though not quite on par with that of Spider-Man. Winter Soldier was able to rip open a S.H.I.E.L.D. armored SUV, rip apart Falcon's EXO-7 suit, and smash concrete by punching it. With his bionic arm supporting his already enhanced natural strength, the Winter Soldier was shown to overpower Captain America in a fight.
- Enhanced Speed: Winter Soldier's speed is comparable to that of Captain America. It should be noted that Captain America can run at 30 miles per hour with relative ease, and still had trouble keeping up with Barnes.
- Enhanced Durability: Winter Soldier's bones and muscles are apparently denser and more resilient than a normal human's. Arnim Zola's experiments fortified his form to the extent that he routinely leaps from significant heights onto hard surfaces and lands without any apparent injury.
- Enhanced Stamina: Winter Soldier's musculature produces far less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of an ordinary human.
- Enhanced Agility: Winter Soldier's agility is superior to that of an ordinary human. He has demonstrated the ability to leap on top of midsize cars in a single bound and do acrobatic flips avoiding gunfire into cover.
- Enhanced Reflexes: Winter Soldier's reflexes are enhanced to extraordinary levels. His reflexes are responsive enough to catch Captain America's shield being thrown at him at a high velocity. He was also able to catch enemy grenades thrown at him, dodge fire from Falcon's Steyr SPPs, and leap on top of a moving car accelerating towards him with pinpoint accuracy.
- Regenerative Healing Factor: Winter Soldier's biology has regenerative abilities, similar to Captain America. He can heal at high speeds, though he is unable to regenerate missing limbs. This may be one of the factors of his survival from the Swiss Alps.
- Superhuman Strength: Winter Soldier has strength that is seemingly equal to that of Captain America. Barnes's physical strength is enhanced to the early levels of superhuman condition by a series of treatments performed on him by HYDRA scientists. He has used his legs and flesh arm to kick and punch others with a display of strength that far surpasses normal humans and closely resembles Captain America's own abilities.
Abilities
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- Master Martial Artist: Winter Soldier is an extremely skilled and formidable martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant, excelling at improvisation and weapons handling. He employs a mixed martial arts that include elements of Kali knife fighting, boxing, Taekwondo, and Krav Maga. Receiving vast training from HYDRA, as well as the United States Armed Forces, Barnes became a master assassin who can slaughter dozens of enemies alone, take on extremely skilled combatants such as Black Widow and Black Panther with relative ease, being in charge of training the other Winter Soldiers, and going toe-to-toe with Captain America himself. The two engaged in a brutal one-on-one fight, both matching each other with every move, though Rogers was ultimately able to defeat him in their second duel. He later beat Rogers after being released by Zemo, catching him off guard. Barnes also single-handedly killed up to a dozen well-armed Quinjet pilots in a single encounter, and escaped uninjured. Bucky later overpowered a suitless Tony Stark, Sharon Carter, and Black Widow, all in rapid succession, though he was notably pressured when fighting against Black Panther.
- Knife Mastery: Winter Soldier excels in knife fighting with an emphasis in Kali knife fighting. The Winter Soldier usually resorts to his combat knife in close quarters combat. He usually holds the knife in his natural hand and uses his bionic arm for support should he need more force to overpower a downward stab or toss it between hands to advance his assault.
- Master Marksman: Barnes has expertise in handling firearms and was a remarkably precise shot, even prior to being turned into the Winter Soldier. During World War II, he shot a HYDRA operative that even Captain America did not see until he was down. As the Winter Soldier, he became an even deadlier marksman. He fired a single round through Black Widow's stomach and into a nuclear scientist that she was protecting, killing him. Winter Soldier is also capable of making long range shots without the use of a rifle, for example, shooting Nick Fury multiple times through the wall of Steve Rogers's apartment and from the top of another building. As the Winter Soldier, Barnes has caught and handled Captain America's Shield on two occasions and showed impressive ability in doing so.
- Master Assassin: Winter Soldier is a master assassin. Ever since he's been brainwashed, Winter Soldier has lived in anonymity with most of the intelligence community not even believing he exists. He's been credited with over two dozen of HYDRA's most crucial assassinations in the last 50 years. He was even able to shoot Nick Fury while himself outside of Rogers' apartment, and shoot through Black Widow to take out his target.
- Master Acrobat: Winter Soldier has shown expertise in using flips to evade fire such as when he flipped to cover when he was being shot at by Falcon's Steyr SPPs. He was also able to maintain balance of a moving motorcycle he was utilizing while engaged in a fight with Black Panther.
- Expert Pilot: Winter Soldier was able to hijack a Quinjet after killing the pilot.
- Multilingualism: Barnes speaks his native English, as well as fluent Romanian and seasoned Russian (albeit with a thick accent).
Equipment
World War II Weapons
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- Colt M1911A1: Barnes was issued a M1911A1 as his sidearm during World War II. He carried it after joining Captain America and the Howling Commandos in a series of attacks across Europe. Barnes resorted to use it in a mission to capture of Arnim Zola, when he ran out of ammunition in his primary weapon.
- M1928A1 Thompson: Barnes carried a M1928A1 as his weapon of choice during World War II, using it during the attacks led by Captain America against HYDRA across Europe. He also carried it during his final mission to capture Arnim Zola, running out of ammunition when he was ambushed inside the train.
- M1941 Johnson rifle: Barnes was the sniper of the squad led by Captain America during World War II, the Howling Commandos. When he acted as such during missions against HYDRA. He used it once to save Captain America himself from a soldier who almost shot him while examining a destroyed HYDRA base.
- M1903A1 Springfield: Barnes used this sniper rifle during the Battle of Azzano, in an attempt to battle German forces in Italy. Despite his efforts, he was captured along the rest of his unit by HYDRA, and taken to one of its facilities as forced labor.
Winter Soldier's Arsenal
- "Ballistics."
"Three slugs, completely untraceable."
"Soviet made?"
"Yeah." - ―Natasha Romanoff and Maria Hill[src]
While working for HYDRA, the Winter Soldier carried a vast array of weapons for combat, adapting his uniform with customized holsters to carry them. He was also usually handed extra weapons by his support henchmen.
- Gerber Mark II Combat knife: The Winter Soldier's weapon of choice in close quarters combat. He has two of them holstered with the hilts both facing opposite sides (one at the back of his utility belt and the other in the lower back of his uniform). He used it against Captain America while confronting him on the streets of Washington, D.C. and inside one of Project Insight Helicarriers.
- SIG-Sauer P220ST: The Winter Soldier's weapon of choice, a semi-automatic pistol heavily used by armed forces and police of many countries. He used it against Captain America while confronting him on the streets of Washington, D.C. and inside one of Project Insight Helicarriers.
- Glock 19: The Winter Soldier dual-wielded the Glock 19 along with a SIG-Sauer P226R, using them against Captain America during their final confrontation inside one of the Project Insight Helicarriers.
- SIG-Sauer P226R: The Winter Soldier dual-wielded the SIG-Sauer P226R along with a Glock 19, using them against Captain America during their final confrontation inside one of the Project Insight Helicarriers.
- COP .357 Derringer: A very small gun that the Winter Soldier carried in the right thigh custom holster. He tried to use it against Steve Rogers in the streets of Washington, D.C. while he was distracted, but he could not fire as Natasha Romanoff shot a grenade against him.
- Intratec TEC-38: A very small gun that the Winter Soldier carried in the right thigh custom holster.
- Vz.61 Skorpion: A sub-machine gun carried on the back of his vest. Steve Rogers forced him to use it as he had to drop his assault rifle, but Rogers quickly disarmed him. He later used it to kill a Quinjet pilot at the Triskelion, stealing the jet to board a Helicarrier.
- Colt M4A1 with a M203 Grenade Launcher: A fully automatic carbine and the standard weapon used by S.H.I.E.L.D. Strike Team members, outfitted with a grenade launcher. The Winter Soldier was handed one of them by one of the mercenaries that accompanied him on the streets of Washington, D.C. while trying to kill Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff, using both the grenade launcher and the assault rifle against them. He lost it during the battle, but he obtained another in the Triskelion, and used to kill all S.H.I.E.L.D. pilots that were about to board their Quinjets and help Captain America.
- Barrett M82A1M: A heavy rifle that the Winter Soldier used as a sniper rifle during an assassination. He was captured in a photograph released in the press, but his image was so blurry and small that needed technological enhancements to be distinguished.
- M249 Paratrooper SAW: Barnes took this machine gun from Black Widow's equipment locker on the Quinjet in order to investigate the HYDRA Siberian Facility with Steve Rogers. He carried while navigating inside the base, but he was quickly disarmed when he and Rogers started a fighting Iron Man.
- FN Mk 13: A grenade launcher customized to fire Magnetic Disk Grenades. The Winter Soldier used it against Nick Fury's SUV, in an assassination attempt against Fury.
- Milkor MGL: A six-shot revolver-type grenade launcher, that the Winter Soldier used on the streets of Washington, D.C. against Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. His first shot sent Rogers to the street down a highway, and he kept using it to destroy the cars that Romanoff used for cover until she also fell to the street.
- M67 Grenade: The Winter Soldier caught a grenade thrown against him by one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents protecting the pilots at the Triskelion, and quickly threw it inside a Quinjet to destroy it.
- RGN Hand Grenade: The Winter Soldier rolled a heavily-customized variant of the "Ручная Граната Наступательная (Ruchnaya Granata Nastupatel'naya)", a Soviet hand grenade, underneath a car towards what he thought was Natasha Romanoff, but was in reality just her PDA.
Other Equipment
- Uniform: HYDRA designed a lightweight tactical suit for Bucky, complete with a half-face mask in an attempt to conceal his true identity from the world. The uniform is constructed from nomex thread and kevlar fiber. The lightweight suit provides resistance to small arms fire, and has advanced flexibility for close quarters combat. In addition, he also sometimes wears bulletproof tinted goggles to further conceal his face and for eye protection.
- "You have a metal arm?! That is awesome, dude!"
- ―Spider-Man[src]
- Bionic Arm: HYDRA designed a special metallic bionic arm to replace Bucky's lost arm, which he lost after falling from the train. During his transformation progress, he started to gain control over his new arm, strangling a HYDRA scientist. His new arm has also a red star on its shoulder, hinting that the Soviets who operated as HYDRA's allies had also participated in the process of Barnes's transformation into the Winter Soldier.
Relationships
Allies
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Enemies
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Appearances
| Appearances for Bucky Barnes |
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In chronological order:
Non-canon Appearances
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Trivia
- In the comics, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, named after the 15th President of the United States of America, James Buchanan, had a complicated romantic relationship with Black Widow, and took over the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers was assassinated.
- It was highly likely before being confirmed in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, that while Bucky was captured, Arnim Zola was experimenting with an alternative to the Super Soldier Serum, thus granting Bucky the ability to survive his fall from the train.
- Winter Soldier proved untrue Howard Stark's quote that HYDRA would not attack Captain America with a knife.
- In Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, Winter Soldier briefly uses Captain America's Shield, a reference to his role as Captain America's successor in the comics.
- Winter Soldier appears as a playable character in the non-canon video game Lego Marvel's Avengers in five variations[16]:
- Bucky Barnes is unlocked by completing the level "Rail Hydra".
- Bucky Barnes (Classic) is unlocked by completing the mission "Buck in Time". In an imaginary scenario, they must help Barnes and Dum Dum Dugan defeat robot unicorns, ninja ballerinas, HYDRA chickens and President Bear. He rewards them with his character token, which allows them to buy him for 50,000 Lego studs.
- Winter Soldier is unlocked by locating his character token hidden in a shop by smashing a window in Washington, D.C. in the level "Lack of Insight". It allows them to buy him for 40,000 Lego studs.
- Winter Soldier (Civil War) is unlocked by downloading The Captain America: Civil War Character Pack.
- Captain America (Bucky) is unlocked by locating his character token in a mailbox in New York City in the level "Earth's Mightiest". It allows them to buy him for 150,000 Lego studs.
Behind the Scenes
- Winter Soldier co-creator, Ed Brubaker appears in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as a HYDRA doctor who helps repair the Winter Soldier's mechanical arm.
- Sebastian Stan was uncredited for his appearance in Ant-Man.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- ↑ Captain America: The First Avenger Adaptation, Volume 1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Captain America: The First Avenger
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Captain America: The First Avenger
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Captain America: First Vengeance, Volume 1
- ↑ Captain America: The First Avenger Deleted Scene
- ↑ Captain America: First Vengeance, Volume 7
- ↑ Winter Soldier actor Sebastian Stan reveals that Bucky Barnes killed JFK
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Captain America: Civil War
- ↑ The Avengers Deleted Scene
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.12: Seeds
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Captain America: Civil War Prelude Infinite Comic
- ↑ Captain America: The Winter Soldier Post-credits Scene
- ↑ Ant-Man Post-credits Scene
- ↑ Captain America: Civil War Mid-credits Scene
- ↑ Lego Marvel's Avengers
