First off, this blog deals with the events of Fear Itself numbers 3 and 4. If you have not read those comics, then I advise you do not continue reading this post until having done so.
 
I'll be honest: Barnes is the most intricate character that I've loyally followed since Daredevil's FBI-outing. Yes, I was shocked by his death in FI, but I did nonetheless see it coming with all the arrows of Brubaker's run pointing to Steve reclaiming the shield. For the record, I don't like calling him Bucky, because he has outgrown that name and mantle. Notice that all the other heroes call him Bucky, but Natasha calls him James? I like that. It's noting that he's no longer that kid he used to be, but has become a man in his own right. With that out of the way, I have to say that the way they handled his death in FI was completely and utterly disrespectful to the beautiful character and personality that Brubaker has crafted over the time since Steve's death and the mantle passing. 
 
Don't agree with me? Think I'm just tooting my Barnes horn? Keep reading.
 
Firstly, I liked how he died. Barnes is a tough nut. He doesn't go down easily. He had a rather massive hole blown through his chest and had his cybernetic arm ripped off. If that won't put you down, then Logan called; he wants his healing factor back. I liked that.  That was about the only thing I liked about his death.
 
I will firstly address the dialogue. Having loyally (almost religiously) been following Barnes' run as Captain America since Steve's death (I only really read Brubaker's work, as Barnes is pretty much HIS character), I am disgusted by the completely out of character final words he gave. "Nat...the serpent is coming...." Might as well add on "with a cup of tea and some christmas cake..." What the heck is that? That is not the character Brubaker crafted. If Brubaker was running the dialogue show, I would have expected something much, much more meaningful. Hell, he probably wouldn't speak to anyone but  Natasha. If Brubaker had the show, I would, no doubt, have expected something along the lines of "Thank you, Nat." Aw, isn't that just lovely and soppy? Yes, but it's also context-sensitive. Natalia was, really, the thing that held him together during his time as Captain America. Seriously, if you don't believe me, I encourage you to re-read the Death of Captain America, The Man With No Face and the Trials of Zemo (or whatever it was called). She was the one constant thing that supported, encouraged and held him in check. It's context-sensitive. He would undoubtedly thank her for that. My side peeve is also that the dialogue writer had Nat yell "BUCKY NO!!" Again, I must have missed the part where the FI writers tossed out previously cemented personalities. I get seriously irritated just thinking about it. 
 
Barnes' death was over in two seconds. Everyone took a few seconds to stop, notice his bloody and limb-missing corpse, and then suddenly it's back to normal. It's those moments you get in a retail store, when the power goes out for a couple of seconds, then comes back on. People stop and note "that was strange", then proceed to shrug their shoulders and continue on with monochromatic activities. Really, Marvel? I mean, really? This is the guy who brought so much more life back to the Captain America story, the guy who stood up to Thor during the Secret Invasion and basically told the God of Thunder and mighty Mjolnir to get over the fact that he's Captain America now and Steve isn't. I wanted more reactions from those closest to Barnes. Sure, I understand that the book is focusing on the FI storyline. But come on! Goliath got more attention when he died during the Civil War. Goliath. I also understand that tie-ins and actual running series' loyal to that character will deal with the effects, but for someone like Barnes, he deserves more. Far more. I know that Natalia had her own tie-in with the Secret Avengers, hunting down the newspaper that is slandering Barnes' name. But I want more emotional reactions. 
 
Which brings me to my next point: does Marvel hate Widow? Seriously. They have really gone overboard in establishing her as carrying the widow's bite (meaning she seduces and kills with her bite). They've had her pursue far too many romances, some ridiculous, some legit. What annoys me is that the Barnes/Natalia relationship seemed permanent. Look at Liu's Black Widow run, Liu had Natalia drop the 'I love you' line multiple times in that run. Brubaker outlined pretty clearly that there wasn't anyone James cared for more. ...you know what? I'm going to stop there. I could write another flipping blog on this subject. I just might. 
 
Finally, and no doubt a controversial topic, killing Barnes for profit. They killed off Barnes because of the Captain America movie. Yes, from a marketing point of view, it's a logical decision as movie-goers will pick up some Captain America issues and wonder why Bucky is Captain America and not dead. You would think, after decades and decades in the comic business, Marvel might see the logic in creating a movie spin-off series instead of killing Barnes.  Oh wait! They did. Fantastic. Killing two birds with one stone, eh Marvel? If I was Brubaker (which will never happen as that man is unimaginably talented, and probably a gentleman), I would introduce the marketing team to this fantastic concept named character development. Brubaker has made this picturesque sand castle since Steve's death, and the marketing team has come along and kicked it to crumbles. Bullying doesn't stop when you leave school, apparently. 
 
In closing, I am ashamed of the decision Marvel made. I don't know what hurts more: the horrible defacing of Barnes' character development, or the fact that Captain America will no longer be an attractive buy (I'm sorry Ed, with all your writing talents, Steve Rogers is the most two-dimensional character since Ryu from Street Fighter). 
 
Here's to the memory of one of the most appealing characters of this decade.

I read the first three issues of Fear Itself just to see what happened to Bucky. It was poorly executed. Being killed off in an event is a slap in the face to any hero and it felt out of place and completely unneeded. I won't finish the story. Don't care to. Even though they ended an amazing book for marketing reasons, I will follow this new series because the last one was no miss and I hope Brubaker will deliver what the fans want in this one.

(I'm sorry Ed, with all your writing talents, Steve Rogers is the most two-dimensional character since Ryu from Street Fighter).   

Also, I would have liked his last words to be a little more meaningful as well. That analogy of the electricity going out in a supermarket was accurate.

have you seen the grave? have you seen the whole "we're heroes and now talk about death" thing? he's been dead for decades. he just returned recently. you have waited DECADES for his return, you cant wait a little more for conformation? GOD, some people just like whine.

have you seen the grave? have you seen the whole "we're heroes and now talk about death" thing? he's been dead for decades. he just returned recently. you have waited DECADES for his return, you cant wait a little more for conformation? GOD, some people just like whine.

Listen... he'll be iite.  Just take it as it comes mann. I don't believe they killed him off for profit or any of that other bullshyt, LOL at the street fighter plug but I mean we had  Steve Rogers come back from the grave not too long ago so who's to say Bucky can't do the same?  I do agree how they went about offing BB was lame as hell.. I always thought he was destined for more and that death, wasn't having it bro. They didn't have to do it. Gohan is the shyt, btw. Cheers.

@spiderbat87 said:

@RainEffect: I agree with every thing you said there fore I have stop reading Marvel, just cant take the crap any more

Hell yea. DC is where it's at, far as I'm concerned.

So much freaking win right here. Extremely well put.

You sir are officially my new best friend, not only do I agree with EVERYTHING you just said, but the fact that you have a freakin’ Gohan avatar is like icing on the cake!!!

Seriously, I agree with every word you just said. And I agree that he has out grown the “Bucky” name, but personally I’ve always seen it not as a codename like many mistaken it as but actually the fact that it HIS NAME. I think a lot of people overlook that “Bucky” was James’ nickname and it just stuck when he became Cap’s partner. I can understand Steve calling him by that name because it’s like an older brother calling his younger brother by his nickname. I even remember when he joined the New Avengers Spider-Man asked Hawkeye what was James’ adult name and everyone just kept referring to him as “Bucky”.

I also liked how Fraction handle the whole battle between Cap and Sin (up until the end at least) and how it shows Bucky’s willingness to not give up, not to mention that this was just after he escaped from Russia and at the time of his death he was technically an international fugitive and yet still was fighting for his country. If that’s not Captain America, then I don’t know what is. But I did like the fact that they didn’t make up some PIS and have Bucky beat Sin because it made sense that if a normal human is going to go up against an Asgardian powered super-villain, you’re going to get smacked around pretty good.

Honestly I don’t know what Brubaker is up to, deep down I want to trust him since he’s done so much with the character, and yet on the other hand I feel a little betrayed since he was the one who let Fraction do that to Bucky. (Read the many interviews between Ed and Fraction about FI and you’ll see what I mean.) And I’m pretty much the same way, I started reading Captain America at #33 right after Steve’s death and have been with Bucky every step as he slowly grew into the mantle and watched as he become more and more of the hero we all wanted him to be. And I too felt that his final words were a bit…lame. Bucky’s not afraid to die, he’s already “died” once and has been through worst crap than getting a bionic arm and a hole blown through his chest, but the fact that when you read his final scene in FI #3, it comes out as if he’s begging. I mean look at this…

I understand he had just gotten his butt beaten, but the man’s a soldier and he’s CAPTAIN AMERICA; he wouldn’t have acted like that. On top of that, I was reading an interview with Fraction and the whole point of Bucky mentioning the Serpent was “he was the first to know about the Serpent” and that’s how Bucky will go down in history, as the man who said a villains name….yeah, VERY heroic Matt. Not to mention also that Thor already knew about the Serpent and could have easily told the heroes in the next issue, but nope, Bucky dies mumbling the name of a villain to his lover as he dies, yup, that’s very dramatic and heart breaking. I mean when Steve died we didn’t see him whispering “…Red..Red Skull…”, no he was all heroic selfless and told Sharon to keep the public safe. But obviously it’s Steve Rogers and he HAS to look epic even on his deathbed…

And the reaction to his death was the worst reaction I’ve ever seen in a comic book death, I mean even Nightcrawler got a little love when he died but all Bucky gets is Nick Fury saying:

And honestly, Nick there is right, Bucky does deserve better. The whole point of Bucky’s death was for Marvel to get Steve back in the uniform and it’s obvious in the issue. We don’t even see Steve morning the body, all we see is him in his Cap uniform and completely ignores the fact that his closes and dearest friend just died…again and Steve acts as if nothing happened. Heck, both IRON MAN and THOR showed more emotion to Bucky’s death than Steve did.

And I love the fact that you brought up the whole fact of Natasha and Bucky’s relationship because you are one-hundred percent correct on everything you said. And I also love how Brubaker and even more how Liu showed the relationship and actually Liu explored that these two character truly do love and care for one another. She was the one who stood by him, even in the most rashes decisions; she was by his side even when the world was seemingly against him. When Bucky became Captain America she expressed how she felt about him having such a burden placed on his shoulders, and when he was arrested and sent to Russia, she went above and beyond to clear and free the man she loved. Personally I’d love to see you do another blog on this topic because it’s one I’d enjoy discussing.

And this is the thing that I believe is the MAIN REASON why every Bucky fan is most upset about Bucky’s death. Not only did Marvel take a character with such a great back story and history, but they took a character who over the past few years has gone through so much character development and growth, and they threw ALL OF THAT out the window for a freakin’ MOVIE! I don’t care what Brubaker or Marvel says, Bucky’s death was for one reason and one reason only, and that was to get Steve back into the uniform for the movie. Period. It wasn’t some big master plan that they had worked on for a year in advance, but was simply to make money off of the movie, that’s it.

And really that’s the thing that really just makes me want to scream is the fact that it was all for a freakin’ movie. And don’t get me wrong, I loved the movie and the movie was not bad in any shape or form, no it was the fact that Marvel has the crazy idea that if Steve Rogers isn’t Captain America when the movie comes out, the Captain America comics wouldn’t sale and ignoring the fact that most people who see a comic book movie will NEVER think about reading an actually comic book which makes everything pointless.

But I agree that Steve Rogers has become a two-dimensional character in one way or another I’ve said this in other threads and I’ll say it here: Steve Rogers death was the best thing to every happen to Captain America. Since literally the 1940’s, we’ve had the same character and the same story of a “man out of time” who is trying to fight for country that is completely different from the one he knew. But with the death of Steve we saw the end of one era and the birth of a new with Bucky taking up the mantle. With Bucky as Captain America, we were introduced to stories we’ve never seen and would have never seen with Steve. We were able to see a man as he does his best to live up to a role that he may never truly reach, to live up to a Legend who had inspired so many heroes and has saved the world countless times. We were able to see Bucky as he learns what it means to be Captain America, to see what it feels like for someone to carry the burden that Steve has always had to carry. This is something we never were able to see with Steve because since his very first appearance Steve was already a legend and already was a symbol. We were never able to see him grow like we see character like Spider-Man grow and learn from their mistakes and become a better hero. Steve was basically born a Living Legend.

But with Bucky, we were able to watch as this man slowly tries to live up to the legacy Steve Rogers created, to see this man make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes, and to see him become a legend in his own way. Along with this, we were able to see Bucky’s inner thoughts, to see how he didn’t want to be Captain America but didn’t believe anyone else deserved to carry the mantle and along the way we saw Bucky as he began to understand what being Captain America was like for Steve and how he started to understand the burden Steve has always had to carry and how Bucky saw the mantle as a form of redemption for his past sins as the Winter Soldier. I really like how Brubaker wrote the scene when Bucky was in prison awaiting his trial and he mentions how after being Captain America that he now wants the burden because it changed him for the better and made him a better person. Along with Steve’s death, we got to see Bucky ask the question “what would Steve do?” when it comes to his early choices as Cap and this was one of things that I felt was taken away (along with others) when Steve returned because we couldn’t have those inner thoughts where Bucky would wondering how Steve would handle a situation.

There were plenty of stories left to tell with Bucky as Captain America, with him in the role we were open to new doors and new adventures. And this is one of the things I hate about Steve return and Bucky’s death. Not only are all of those new doors now closed and will quickly be forgotten, but instead of new stories with a fresh new character, Marvel decides to recycle Steve Rogers in the role with the whole “man out of time” issue which personally I feel Steve should be over by now. I mean think about it, the man has been in the present for YEARS now, he’s gone through so many adventures and has been in the present for so long that I find it hard to believe he still feels “out of touch”. Not to mention the whole “I’ve out lived by fellow soldiers” issue us also really pointless seeing as how pretty much most of his closes allies from the war like Bucky, Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, ect are STILL ALIVE today.

James “Bucky” Barnes is a prime example of how Marvel is afraid of permanent change and how instead of allowing characters to grow after literally decades of stories choose to throw away perfectly good characters fresh new stories in favor of the same old stories and problems we’ve seen and read a dozen times over and frankly I’m tired of it.

Bucky Barnes is MY Captain America and want him back dangit!

have you seen the grave? have you seen the whole "we're heroes and now talk about death" thing? he's been dead for decades. he just returned recently. you have waited DECADES for his return, you cant wait a little more for conformation? GOD, some people just like whine.

i completely agree with you as a black widow fan, she seems to keep getting under appreciated as a character at marvel. First getting her series cancelled and now ending this great relationship she had with bucky. i might not have been there to see their relationship start from the beginning but from liu's black widow book and brubaker's trials of cap and gulag arcs i could definitely tell there was a strong connection between these two characters.  It's a damn shame that marvel doesn't like too serious of relationships in comics cause i really was interested in seeing where this one was going
 
It's spite enough to bucky's fanbase that they brought him back only to rekill him like that.  Anyways great post man

James “Bucky” Barnes is a prime example of how Marvel is afraid of permanent change and how instead of allowing characters to grow after literally decades of stories choose to throw away perfectly good characters fresh new stories in favor of the same old stories and problems we’ve seen and read a dozen times over and frankly I’m tired of it. 
  
 
Completely agree with you here. James "Bucky" Barnes was finaly being the character he was deserving to be and they do this when there were so much options to explore with him as Captain America. A waste of a talented character. Marvel should know better. 

 James “Bucky” Barnes is a prime example of how Marvel is afraid of permanent change and how instead of allowing characters to grow after literally decades of stories choose to throw away perfectly good characters fresh new stories in favor of the same old stories and problems we’ve seen and read a dozen times over and frankly I’m tired of it.

RIP Bucky....you were cool but you weren't Cap

RIP Bucky....you were cool but you weren't Cap

Its just like Nick Fury said he deserved better he deserved to remain Captain America and yes I do agree with the fact that Steve Rodgers is the most 2 demesional charecter ever. But honestly as much as most people want him back it probably won't happen even tho he deserves to return.

                   

You sir are officially my new best friend, not only do I agree
with EVERYTHING you just said, but the fact that you have a freakin’ Gohan
avatar is like icing on the cake!!!

 

Bucky Barnes is MY Captain America and want him back dangit!

                   

               

Marvel Architects know what their doing. No huge loss with his death.

I love that people dig my Gohan avatar. Mystic Gohan for the freaking win!

@The Dark Huntress: Thanks! I was pretty passionate when writing it.  
 
@ReVamp: You should totally make a blog on it. I'd definitely read it.
 
@War Killer: Haha, I'm humbled you totally agreed with me and went to the effort of creating that post.  

Yes! It's that first image! Barnes looks like an absolute wuss in that image! It's exactly like you said, Steve got a more dignified death when he was killed. Sharon was cradling his head and his last words were "Sharon ... so pretty ... you take my breath away..." It was a MASSIVE moment. The effects were huge across the Marvel Universe (of course, Steve has far more recognition than Bucky, but still). I mean, even Stark broke down and cried. But the only person who batted an eye was Natasha, man, even Thor showed sympathy. 
 
I totally dig that you agree with me on the Natalia/Barnes front. A lot of people take comic book relationships for granted as just a means of adding intimacy to a story, but it was far beyond that. I remember one of Brubaker's dialogue narrations had Barnes say "Natasha made me remember what it was to feel human, and they punished us both for that." That was back when he was the Winter Soldier. It means there's so much more depth to their relationship, and now we won't see it. Call me a wuss, I don't care, but I'm actually really cut that Natalia is now alone again.
 
I went and had a glance at that interview you mentioned, and I actually don't believe Ed. He says he's been planning Bucky's death for a while now, but I bet he was pressured into it (or given a timeline) by Marvel marketers for the Captain America movie. I find it incredibly hard to believe that he would choose to fizzle out Barnes' death alongside this event; especially with all the work he's done over the years. He mentioned that having Barnes escape the Gulag to return to D.C was a good show of character. I totally agree with that. However, at the very least, you could've had Barnes be seriously wounded in Fear Itself, hospitalized and then eventually dying afterwards. That way, he gets the attention he deserves (even if that's a bit of a quiet way to die, it's better than what he got). 
 
He won't come back. You know that inner-comics circle joke, "no one stays dead except Bucky"? He said they're sticking to it this time.

And that’s probably one of the things I find even more annoying about Bucky’s death is that with Steve’s, we KNEW he was dead, they made it obvious that he had died and we even saw the lifeless body all on the same issue. But with Bucky, and I’ve seen another’s mention this as well, we weren’t even sure Bucky was actually dead, all we see is a badly wounded Bucky on the ground crying out about this Serpent and then it simply fades to white and we’re all left thinking, “What the crap just happened?” I mean look at the past deaths we’ve had recently, Nightcrawler, Cable, and Johnny Storm, we KNEW they were dead in the issue and they didn’t leave us hanging. But with Bucky’s, we didn’t know he was actually dead until the next issue and to me it takes away from his death even more because the fact that we weren’t sure took away from the impact of his death along with the other things we’ve mentioned.

Agreed, personally it was their relationship that I loved most of Black Widows most recent series and how Liu showed the love and compassion they had for one another. I mean just the little comments when they were on a date and Bucky knew what she was REALLY up to when she went to the restroom, or when he talks with her on the train and she tells him he’s a good man but he simply tells her he isn’t but she’s the only one understands that. Deep and powerful moments that I feel we rarely see in comics nowadays with all of these retcons and reboots where characters like Spider-Man/MJ and Superman/Lois are destroyed for the sake of simply ruining decades of stories because writers feel that younger readers won’t be able to relate to a married superhero. And you’re not a wuss, I’m a 17 year old teenage guy who plays Modern Warfare and likes getting headshots with a sniper rifle, but I still love me a good romance in my comics books. It adds to the characters and makes it feel like there are real and care for one another.

I can understand that and honestly I want to believe that he was forced to do it and didn’t just spit in the face of his loyal fans. But whether it was his choice or not, we all know it was because of the movie. What I find funny is how they’ll kill of Bucky so that Steve would be Cap when the movie comes out, but I doubt next year when ASM comes out Peter Parker will magically turn back into a teenager to match up with the movie. I mean if Marvel thinks that Bucky being Cap would mess new readers up, then by their logic, wouldn’t new readers be even more confused to see a movie with a teenage Spidey only to find an adult Spider-Man in the comics? It’s total bull-crap.

Really they didn’t even have to kill Bucky off at all, they could have easily left Bucky in a coma or something and it would prompt Steve to become Captain America again since Bucky can’t at the moment. Killing him off was just to make sure fans couldn’t demand Bucky return to the mantle after he healed. One of the things I’m going to be ticked off about is if Steve someone PIS Sin at the end of Fear Itself while Bucky just got his butt smacked around for a whole issue. But if Marvel really wanted to write a superhero epic, they should have gone with the classic story and show Bucky get beat up like he did, but by the end of the event make a comeback as Cap and go against the odd to find a way to beat Sin. THAT would be an event I’d want to read, but sadly Marvel’s more into getting money than writing great quality stories nowadays….

Where did you read that? I’m asking because I’ve spoken with a fellow Bucky fan and we’ve brought up the fact that if you read the last issue of the Gulag storyline, it ends with Bucky claiming his mission isn’t done and talks as if he’s going to shut down the scum that turned him into the Winter Soldier once and for all by stopping these old Russian sleeper-agents that are about to be released onto the world, and yet he dies in the exact next issue without completing this mission. There are simply too many things Brubaker had set up for Bucky not to come back and get closure with.

Im a steve fan and have never read anything with Bucky outside his New Avengers appearences, but i sympatize with you and greatly admire your passion you do bring up some valid points as well

Brubaker: It is basically along those lines." 
 
This is wrong. I assume they are talking about Captain America #619, which does not have an ending like that. The last few Bucky moments of that issue is him jumping into a helicopter with Natalia (not before some flirting) and then Barnes reminiscing about his redemption. Brubaker's probably just nodding his head because he has to. Then it switches to Steve talking to the President, I honestly couldn't give a damn what they were talking about. As soon as I saw Steve, I was disinterested and just skimmed it until the end. Brubaker then goes on to talk about how he wanted Bucky to go out with a bang. Go out with a bang. I'm sorry Ed, you are, by far, my favourite writer in comics today but that was not going out with a bang. He fizzled out and the last shot we got of him was his cowering, dying body muttering the name of a villain helplessly. War Killer, it's exactly like you said. Steve didn't die mumbling "Red Skull, Red Skull", he got his priorities straight and addressed the things closest to him. 
 
Hah! I loved those Black Widow scenes. The restaurant scene, where she says something along the lines of "I think I love you, James" was just brilliant. It had a flirting exterior, but deep down she really meant it (and she says it again at the end of Majorie's run after the fight with Imus). But you are totally right, and the more we talk about this, the more and more I'm getting ideas for my next blog. I went out and bought the latest Secret Avengers Fear Itself tie-in, the one where Widow confronts the newspaper and, although it had nothing to do with the Secret Avengers, I liked that she was standing up for his name. It would have been nicer if the writers had her show more emotion. Natalia's not an ice queen, sure she's had a rough life, but she's still got a heart. But as I said, I'll leave it for my next blog. I'll let you know when that's up so we can have more passionate discussion.
 
Ah... Modern Warfare. I clocked up something like 512 hours on Modern Warfare 2, before moving to Bad Company 2. :P
 
But I'm glad you appreciate romance in a story. As soppy and cliche as it is, love is a real driving force of a story.
 

                    @War Killer: Ok, you may in fact be my brother from another mother. We have some scarily close views. Hah! 
  
Hah! I  loved those Black Widow scenes. The restaurant scene, where she says something along the lines of "I think I love you, James" was just brilliant. It had a flirting exterior, but deep down she really meant it (and she says it again at the end of Majorie's run after the fight with Imus). But you are totally right, and the more we talk about this, the more and more I'm getting ideas for my next blog. I went out and bought the latest  Secret Avengers Fear Itself tie-in, the one where Widow confronts the newspaper and, although it had  nothing to do with the Secret Avengers, I liked that she was standing up for his name. It would have been nicer if the writers had her show more emotion. Natalia's not an ice queen, sure she's had a rough life, but she's still got a heart. But as I said, I'll leave it for my next blog. I'll let you know when that's up so we can have more passionate discussion.
 
Ah... Modern Warfare. I clocked up something like 512 hours on Modern Warfare 2, before moving to Bad Company 2. :P
 
But I'm glad you appreciate romance in a story. As soppy and cliche as it is, love is a real driving force of a story. 
 



                    

               

First off, my biggest complaint about this scene is: Since when does Steve give a crap about what the President thinks? Who’s been fighting for the country as Captain America? Steve, not the President. Who’s went against his own country and people during Civil War, becoming an ENEMY OF THE STATE? Steve! Why on earth Steve let Nick Fury and the President say that Bucky is to tarnished to carry the shield is stupid  and I believe Brubaker only wrote that because Marvel made him do it so Steve could go back to wearing the flag.

Secondly, and this is going back to the part of Steve being an enemy of the state. During Civil War, Steve Rogers stood up against the American people and S.H.I.E.L.D. in the name of freedom. No matter how Marvel tries to twist it, Steve was a fugitive and was breaking the law. And yet when Steve comes back, Marvel makes it look like Civil War never happened, having the President throw out the SHRA just because Steve asked him to and the public seemingly forgetting everything that Steve did during CW (except to argue with Iron Man, who ironically ISN’T suppose to remember any of that…). Not to mention during the Trial of Captain America, Steve points out to the President how FDR pardoned Namor when he flooded Manhattan back in the ’40’s and all of that and the President acts like a wimp who’s afraid of the media instead of letting war hero go free. And yet because he’s Steve Rogers, you apparently are giving a “get out of jail free” card. But when Bucky, a man who was used to kill, tries to earn redemption, the President says it’s a big no-no.

If anything, Bucky represents what being Captain America is truly all about it. America was founded on people who wanted to be free, to find a second chance in life and to allow others to escape their past and be free of persecution. Bucky is a hero who was taken and turned into a weapon against his will, who even though has been through a personal hell still answered the call when it was sounded, not only saving the President (the same one who brands Bucky a fugitive), but helped save the world on at least three occasions (Secret Invasion, Avengers/Invaders, and Siege). Who took on the mantle of Captain America so that his country would have a symbol in its darkest hour and to find redemption for his past sins; becoming Captain America not because he felt he deserved it but because it was what his country needed. America is a place where people come to find a second chance, to escape their pasts and to find a better future. And if anyone represents what it means to have a second chance in life, that person is James “Bucky” Barnes.

I thought about picking up that issue of Secret Avengers, but never got around to it. But I was glad they showed a little aftermath to Bucky’s death instead of how it was basically forgotten in the main story.

I prefer bucky as winter soldier spy type character to a out in the open flag wearing character.

                    @ReVamp: Steve Rogers death was very well handled and executed perfectly. The whole death was written in a way that moved the reader, causing them to feel for Steve as he died as well as showing just what kind of hero he truly was. But even then, Marvel found a way to ruin it by bringing him back, causing all of the stories coming from that death meaningless because it's as if Steve had never died now. I mean seriously, who actually still acknowledges Steve was dead in the comics anymore? No one, because Marvel wants to act like it never happend, that Civil War never happened, and that Bucky never came back. Steve's death was an epic story of a hero who has fought all his life and died for what he believed in and he was treated as the hero he was with respect and honor. Bucky died fighting for his country, to defend his nation and the people in it even though he was at the time branded a traitor, but unlike Steve's death, Bucky was not given the same respect and was treated as if he never mattered. If Fraction got anything right with Bucky's death, it was what Nick Fury said: "You deserved better, kid."  Exactly, I mean even Hawkeye's reaction to when Bucky was outed as the Winter Soldier felt a little out of character to me. I mean here's a guy who has worked along side people like Wolverine who's been under mind-control, not to mention Iron Man who armor was once taken over and forced to kill a diplomat on live television. And yet when he learns that Bucky was brainwashed and forced to kill people, he flips-out and acts like he never worked alongside the man. I really don't think they'll bring him back as a villain, if anything they'll try to tie it with the Cap sequel and make him Winter Soldier again. Which honestly would further degrade the character, not to mention bringing him back would just make his death seem even more pointless than it already is.  I really liked seeing Bucky on the Avengers, even though I loath Bendis' writing I liked seeing Bucky interact with other heroes like Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel. It made him feel like he really matted in the universe and it acknowledged the fact that people knew he was Captain America.

                   

               

Am I just imagining it? 
Didn't they rename Captain America to Captain America and Bucky?
If they did doesn't that mean hes alive?

                    @ReVamp: I like that scene as well, or when they team up in Cap: Reborn and how they seem so use to working together.  Eh, maybe I'm just trying to please both Bucky and Steve fans,  but I don't see how it would be confusing. I mean right now they have Invincible Iron Man which has Tony and Iron Man 2.0 which stars War Machine and it doesn't seem to be confusing for anyone. But honestly I'd rather they just kept Steve dead and let Bucky remain as Cap for a new generation. But like always, Marvel will always go back to the same old, same old...  I liked the fact that we had an "evil" Hulk that the Avengers could fight instead of the same Hulk battles we've always seen. Plus to me it was the most logical progression for Ross' character seeing it as his way of "fighting fire with fire" so to speak. But him being on the Avengers makes no sense, Bendis in an interview said brought up that the Avengers has always been a team were villains could come and be heroes, but the Red Hulk attacked the freakin' White House and then is suddenly on the Avengers? How does that work? If he's trying to "redeem" himself, he should be placed on the Thunderbolts and EARN his place on the Avengers...

                   

               

@RainEffect:  

If anything, Bucky represents what being Captain America is truly all about it. America was founded on people who wanted to be free, to find a second chance in life and to allow others to escape their past and be free of persecution. Bucky is a hero who was taken and turned into a weapon against his will, who even though has been through a personal hell still answered the call when it was sounded, not only saving the President (the same one who brands Bucky a fugitive), but helped save the world on at least three occasions (Secret Invasion, Avengers/Invaders, and Siege). Who took on the mantle of Captain America so that his country would have a symbol in its darkest hour and to find redemption for his past sins; becoming Captain America not because he felt he deserved it but because it was what his country needed. America is a place where people come to find a second chance, to escape their pasts and to find a better future. And if anyone represents what it means to have a second chance in life, that person is James “Bucky” Barnes.

LOL Gohan, when he was bad-ass again. I agree with everything you wrote friend

I still can't believe Marvel did this so soon after bringing him back.

What a shame.

I agree with you on that, James deserved better

I still can't believe Marvel did this so soon after bringing him back.

What a shame.

Marvel Architects know what their doing. No huge loss with his death.

Bucky didn't die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He became the Winter Soldier again

Marvel has spat in Bucky's face. But I love him as Winter Soldier. It is more fitting yhan him being Cap

I like him as the Winter Soldier better, but he was a good Cap substitute.