Captain America
Steve Rogers is dead.
There, I said it. Assassinated at the end of Civil War, Captain America's shield and mask are taken up by his former sidekick James "Don't call me Bucky" Barnes. Although the comics quickly set out to revive Steve Rogers and eventually give him his shield back, my policy of "don't kill 'em if you don't want 'em dead" means that Steve is going to stay a martyr, and Barnes is really going to have to step up to fill his shoes.
Once Bucky got behind the shield, though, he continued on the trail he'd set as the Winter Soldier, a gun-toting vigilante/super-spy. Personally I like my Cap'n A a little more high-minded than that, so my BuckyCap will quickly become aware of the shoes he's filling and try to discard the trappings of the previous life that had been forced on him. Walking the high road is his way of atoning for everything he did while being mind controlled by the USSR.
Trained by the original Captain America, Barnes is no slouch in a fight, especially when you combine that with his years of activity as a Soviet spy. He's not the leader of men Steve was, but he can still serve as a symbol for people to rally behind.
Appearance-wise, I kind of hate the costume they put Bucky in when he took on the identity. He looks more like Captain Puerto Rico than Captain America. I don't feel at all beholden to adopting the appearances from the movies, but I really thought Cap's costume in Avengers was pitch perfect, and could easily see that adapted to Bucky's new wardrobe, especially in the way the zip-up-the-side-paneled jacket matches what he wore as Bucky in WWII. Detach the mask from the jacket to give it an upturned collar (and Cap's helmet from Winter Soldier like that which CA originally wore) and I think you've got it.
Once Bucky got behind the shield, though, he continued on the trail he'd set as the Winter Soldier, a gun-toting vigilante/super-spy. Personally I like my Cap'n A a little more high-minded than that, so my BuckyCap will quickly become aware of the shoes he's filling and try to discard the trappings of the previous life that had been forced on him. Walking the high road is his way of atoning for everything he did while being mind controlled by the USSR.
Including the shield, he's literally carrying more
weapons than he has hands for.
Appearance-wise, I kind of hate the costume they put Bucky in when he took on the identity. He looks more like Captain Puerto Rico than Captain America. I don't feel at all beholden to adopting the appearances from the movies, but I really thought Cap's costume in Avengers was pitch perfect, and could easily see that adapted to Bucky's new wardrobe, especially in the way the zip-up-the-side-paneled jacket matches what he wore as Bucky in WWII. Detach the mask from the jacket to give it an upturned collar (and Cap's helmet from Winter Soldier like that which CA originally wore) and I think you've got it.
There will be a quiz later.
I can't remember the last time Captain America had a secret identity (and then it was a comic book artist (?)), but I think Barnes needs one. After spending decades either frozen in hibernation or under Soviet mind control, Bucky is even more a man out of time than Rogers was when he was thawed out. He needs a civilian life to grow accustomed to the modern world (and only coincidentally provide interesting story potentials.)
When considering the best place for a one-armed Army vet, I latched onto the idea of Bucky getting a job at a veteran's affairs office. Providing support for veterans and wounded warriors adjusting to life outside the military can be just as therapeutic for Bucky, and there's even an opportunity for a romantic interest in a young, idealistic physical therapist.
Then I realized I sort of ripped that off from the Falcon in the Winter Soldier movie as well, but just decided to go with it.
When considering the best place for a one-armed Army vet, I latched onto the idea of Bucky getting a job at a veteran's affairs office. Providing support for veterans and wounded warriors adjusting to life outside the military can be just as therapeutic for Bucky, and there's even an opportunity for a romantic interest in a young, idealistic physical therapist.
Then I realized I sort of ripped that off from the Falcon in the Winter Soldier movie as well, but just decided to go with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment