30 Days of Thanks: Why We’re Thankful for Bucky Barnes

Next up in our 30 Days of Thanks event we take a look at one of our favorite complex Marvel characters, Bucky Barnes. Keep reading to find out why we’re thankful for this good soldier, deadly assassin, and loyal friend.

James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes is as much a ‘man out of time’ as Captain America. And as much as Cap’s story of transformation via super-serum is outrageous, Bucky’s backstory is perhaps even more unbelievable.  We are thankful for this complex, intriguing, heroic character.

Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in Captain America: The First Avenger. 2011. Marvel Studios.

bucky’s journey

To fully grasp why we’re thankful for Bucky, we need to quickly recap his journey from Bucky Barnes to brainwashed assassin and back again.

Young, effortlessly charming Bucky leaves behind his best friend, Steve Rogers, to go to war in the 1940’s. He is captured in battle, along with many others, and is eventually rescued by that same best friend, Steve Rogers turned Captain America.

Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in Captain America: The First Avenger. 2011. Marvel Studios.

After his rescue, Bucky follows Steve into the Howling Commandoes as they complete several missions to raid Hydra facilities. Bucky seemingly falls to his death during a mission as he slips just outside of reach of Steve’s attempt to rescue him. His death alters the path of Steve’s life from that point forward.

Sebastian Stan in Captain America: The First Avenger. 2011. Marvel Studios.

Unbeknownst to Steve, and everyone else, Bucky survives the fall. He is captured by Hydra, given a metal arm to replace the arm damaged in the fall, and brainwashed into one of the most feared and deadly assassins across decades — the Winter Soldier.

Sebastian Stan in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 2014. Marvel Studios.

In addition to his metal arm, the Winter Soldier is also remarkably strong and fast in present day, suggesting Hydra altered more than just his arm and brain. When Steve Rogers confronts the Winter Soldier with his true identity, it sets him on a course to return to his true self.

Sebastian Stan and Chris Evans in Captain America: Civil War. 2016. Marvel Studios.

As Bucky slowly reclaims his identity, he does everything in his power to make sure he is not a danger to others. With the help of Shuri during his exile in Wakanda, his brainwashing is fixed and his trigger words are neutralized. While enjoying his calm existence recovering in Wakanda, he does not hesitate when he is called back into battle to help Steve.

Sebastian Stan in Avengers: Infinity War. 2018. Marvel Studios.

why we’re thankful for bucky

Bucky Barnes has walked through hell and come out of it with a good heart. He feels remorse and regret for his actions as the Winter Soldier, even though he was brainwashed all of those years. Bucky has been repeatedly hurt by people, yet he still cares about others. He puts all others ahead of himself when he chooses to exile himself until he is no longer an uncontrollable danger. Bucky is fiercely loyal to Steve and fights along side him and the Avengers when called upon. Bucky Barnes is a good friend, a good soldier, and a good man. We are thankful for the portrayal of a character that has gone through extreme trauma and has come out the other side.

Danai Guria, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan in Avengers: Infinity War. 2018. Marvel Studios.

we’re thankful for sebastian too

We are thankful for Sebastian Stan’s masterful portrayal of Bucky. Sebastian has an immense ability to convey multiple emotions with little to no words. His expressive eyes helps audiences connect with whatever the character is feeling. Bucky has limited screen time throughout the Captain America and Avengers movies and has very few lines compared with the other major characters. Yet, Sebastian has created a beloved character that inspires fierce protection from fans. We simply would not have this incredible version of Bucky Barnes without Sebastian Stan.

Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Civil War. 2016. Marvel Studios.

bucky in the future

There is extreme, heated debate amongst fans over Bucky’s story in Avengers: Endgame. We are especially thankful that we will continue to have the opportunity to see the growth of Bucky’s character in “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” on Disney+. The continued adventures of Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson are sure to provide lots of action and fun as well as opportunities to learn more about Bucky’s character and how he acclimates to life without Steve by his side.