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Marvel’s take on a Boy-Wonder.

Published 2014

James Buchanan Barnes. A real mouthful. And, like every character with more than 50 years of continuity, incredibly complicated to keep up with. This short story gives you the basics:

• Dead parents
• Trained in several combat styles
• Joins up with that Star-Spangled Man
• Sees THE HOLOCAUST
• Appears to die
• Didn’t die, but did get a metal arm

And no, he didn’t just see a concentration camp from a distance.

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This happens while he’s working with the Invaders, who were also in Marvels which was my last review, but its just chock-a-block with characters so I didn’t want to get too hyperfocused.

The Invaders are the Allied superteam in WW2, with some early heroes on the team:

• Captain America – you’ve seen an ad, a backpack, or a meme of him. I will not describe him.

• Bucky Barnes – Winter Soldier Pre-Angst

• The Human Torch – NOT the Fantastic Four one. This is the OG, an Android a scientist made in the damn 30s.

• Toro – Flame Kid. When a radioactive mother and an asbestos-riddled father love each other very much…

• Namor – The Sub-Mariner! Aquaman, but more of an arrogant dick. Later in life he invents a hobby called “cucking Mr. Fantastic.”

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But overall it’s more about Bucky. In order across the 5 issues the boy-wonder-but-marvel:

1. Tells us about his childhood up to Cap-era
2. Goes to the carnival with Steve
3. Earns the respect of the other Invaders
4. HOLOCAUST
5. Winter Soldier: Awakening

And he dates Black Widow for a bit. Her characterization isn’t much more than “spunky girlfriend” unfortunately. But it doesn’t last long because Ol’ Buck overrides his brainwashing and yells at the KGB so now they stick him in a vat between each mission.
These stories are efficient though. If you’re looking for a crash-course on the alloy-armed lad, this is a solid choice.