16 Reasons the Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes Is the Best Avenger

Captain America: Civil War. Promotional Image via Marvel Studios

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Captain America’s boyfriend Bucky Barnes on screen. Let me remind you why the Winter Soldier deserves all your love.

There’s a lot of Marvel coming up. Between Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War and Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios has us all hook, line and sinker. However, this means a lot of characters, and things are going to get complicated.

So let me set the record straight. Bucky Barnes a.k.a The Winter Soldier is the best Avenger.

I know this is a bold statement, but hear me out. My boy Bucky will eventually become the new Captain America, and he’s worthy of the shield (and your adoration). He’s gone through more than anyone to get here, and is the underdog hero we all need.

Granted, I’m only talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I may be influenced by my steadfast love of Sebastian Stan, but that only makes his character richer. Bucky is a problematic and violent character in the comics, but in the movies he’s a Prince Zuko. He starts as just the baddie chasing down our hero, but becomes the begrudgingly adorable (and clueless) member of the team with some SICK powers.

Bucky Barnes fought in a war, fell off a train, survived years of brainwashing, and just wants to use his metal arm to feel plums in Romania. Sure, the Winter Soldier is an assassin beholden to a few trigger words, but Bucky is not the Soldier. He’s an incredible person (and character) with an extraordinarily sad life.

Here’s why Bucky has quickly become the fictional love of my life.