THE WINTER SOLDIER - The Comic That Changed Captain America Forever

How Ed Brubaker's 2014 modern classic comic book, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" changed its lead character forever through a story that undid the loss of Bucky Barnes and challenged Captain America in a way no one else had done before.
PATREON - / mattdraper
TWITTER - / mattdraperyt
#CaptainAmerica
#MarvelComics
#ComicBooks
Music:
"Captain America: The First Avenger" OST by Alan Silvestri
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" OST by Henry Jackman
"It Was Only a Dream" by Timecop1983
timecop1983.ba...
"Vampires" by The Midnight
themidnight.ba...
Sources:
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www.avclub.com...

[@MattDraper]

What’s your favorite Captain America story?

[@SnapperChannel]

All of Brubaker’s run (only read up to the Who Will Wield The Shield trade), Mark Waid’s Man Out of Time miniseries and Marvel Legacy run, Captain America: White and Castaway in Dimension Z.

[@toebeee5168]

Matt Draper probably this one. I just love how they made captain America more interesting and gave him a darker past then we knew at the time. He was always my favourite marvel character and this story made the character even better in my opinion.

[@infernofireboy6861]

I kno alot of ppl will hate this but my fav capt america story was the entire nick spencer run of capt america bein a hydra agent. It was brilliant story telling more charater build then huge big battles it told on how captain america was so strategic puttin heros against one another how he was the pupet master the reason why the public hated sam Wilson bein capt america ( in the sam wilson series) even had him blamed for gettin a senator killed hes the reason the uncanny avengers broke up , how hes behind civil war 2 and all that build to secret empire

[@phantomknight6428]

Death of Captain America because of Bucky's ascension to Captain America

[@captainjakemerica4579]

Pretty much Ed Brubaker's run Mad Bomb is also amazing and the story with the mirroring of real life with Watergate

[@camerongodsey9847]

Such an iconic story, and especially considering how close Winter Soldier and Under the Red Hood were in release, it makes you think

[@MattDraper]

Right! Both undid seemingly permanent deaths to challenge their heroes. Also, the Red Hood animated film is amazing. I like it more than the comic.

[@gnarrcan108]

I love under the red hood but I gotta say that the winter soldier was better written and just worked better in marvel continuity.

[@michaellabonte6390]

@@gnarrcan108 I disagree simply because it wasn't bucky's choice, while Jason purposely chose to become everything Batman isnt as a vigilante

[@EVGriffinJr]

Oh films are very similar. And while the comic books are classic, I think the live action film/animated film respectively did the origins better. Kind of the same thing with Miles Morales with Spiderman: into the spider verse. They actually did his origin story better in that film too.

[@Avatarconner]

@@MattDraper on the one hand I don’t think Jason Todd should come back because it sort of undoes what’s considered Batman’s greatest failure. I do like that he still has the Robin memorial up to honor Jason at the end though.

[@chikish]

Both DC and Marvel need more writers like Brubaker right now, what a tremendous storyteller.

[@tayojones9460]

Agreed. He is mich better than most of the weak SJW writers at Marcel right now.

[@speedracer1945]

The shame is that even though the film Winter Soldier was based on his books ( he even had a cameo) , people look upon the story of Bucky on thr film which upsets me since Ed's story is so much better.

[@Avarn388]

@@speedracer1945 I love the Winter Solider movie but also love the comic. Both have their merits as far as I am concerned..

[@gavinborden5451]

His Image stuff is so good.

[@DiegoReviews]

It’s cool seeing some the aspects that the Winter Soldier movie adapted from the comics. But one major thing they left out that I had no idea about was Caps PTSD. That looks so interesting to dive into. I guess the movies didn’t want to go into such a dark place. Great video Matt!

[@MattDraper]

Thanks, man! Yeah, I think the major difference between the two versions of the story is that the comic is very much focused on the personal stakes for Rogers and what Bucky's return means for him in the context of WWII and his life now, while the movie is more focused on government oversight and corruption, with Bucky being a victim of that. So Cap having PTSD fits more with the comic's personal focus.

[@OptimalFBax]

@@MattDraper Completely agreed. I feel movie TWS (and other MCU Cap/Avengers movies) chose to focus on Steve's depression instead of traditional PTSD. You really understand his sense of directionlessness and loneliness.

[@biggusy4249]

I can see how they took it out because Tony was suffering with it first. It's just as interesting as Cap being depressed which we saw.

[@Edub-pb4pc]

Actually they touched on it with the Falcon or Sam Wilson having those classes. You ever want to make look cool in front the at the front desk just let me know.

[@jackko21]

Blame Disney

[@jamesinzeo7726]

I love how this is series allowed the character to go through a dark arc, face some real issues, but maintained his heroic qualities. Hands down my favorite Captain America run.

[@joshboy64]

I think Captain America is a character in the comics that starts out overlooked by the general public, until one stops to really see the dirt on the speckled red, white, and blue costume, and see the man inside. The best thing about him in the film is his need to do the right thing, but the best thing in the comics - it seems to me - is how he struggles with his own demons and horrors he's witnessed in his time in the war in order to continue doing the right thing. I remember trying to read this in High School and never finishing it, but I will definitely give it a second chance. Likewise, I gotta check out those initial Marvel Knights stories on Captain America - that sounds really fascinating.

[@Ben10man2]

I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye

[@crazbach9696]

@@Ben10man2 Shut up, Spencer!

[@tomoflathead]

One of my favorite comic arcs ever. The writing is, obviously, a highlight. But the artwork by Epting, Lark, and D'Armata really captured the gritty realism of Cap's environment and gave the world a lived in feel. Epting, in particular, knocked it out the park. For me he's up there with my top comic artists such as Romita Jr., Dell'Otto, and Maleev.

[@SnapperChannel]

Ed Brubaker’s Captain America run is just amazing. Haven’t read the whole run yet, but I think it’s really the run that really made me love Captain America. The Russos did a great job with bringing the Winter Soldier storyline to life in the MCU. Great video, hope you cover Immortal Hulk at some point.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! Yeah, the film is amazing. It’s my favorite of the MCU. Definitely covering Immortal Hulk at some point!

[@johnnieriot13]

This has quickly become my favorite show on any media

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@speedracer1945]

Ed Brubaker's Captain America brought me back to comics . The Winter Soldier epic story was fantastic.

[@noobslayer135]

Brubaker's run is GOAT

[@tayojones9460]

Great work Matt. I was not s huge Cap fan in the past, but I have grown to respect him, especially after stories like this. They should included the PTSD in the film.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! It would have been interesting to see in the film, but I still love what they did with him.

[@ashura9706]

Never noticed how the flashbacks featured Namor, Human Torch and Toro flying around. Not even the presence of such fantastical characters takes away the realistic, depressing feeling of Steve’s War memories.

[@ggt47]

Ed Brubaker is great at adding realism to the marvel universe.

[@frederickburke9944]

I have been going back to read many of the old comics. Surprisingly, the WWII-era comics never featured Cap & Bucky on the battlefield. They were always stateside stopping spies and saboteurs, or just crime-fighting. The battlefield Captain America was a retroactive version created in the '60s.

[@antona.8659]

I'd argue that Sentinel of Liberty miniseries was the cornerstone in Captain America's comicography that made him a fully fleshed out character. But it's wasn't trying to be realistic and gritty in the same way Brubaker's and Epton's run was. It still had your average monthly-comic tone to it.

[@stendec-dd3he]

Bucky was always dangled in front of us, in one form or another for decades; teasing us with lookalikes, replacements, etc. Welcome back, Buck. You were missed.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

This is the Captain America we all need right now in our own real world.

[@mitchbray6637]

My All-Time favorite Captain America story is "Captain America The Fighting Avenger". It's a one shot comic that shows him going on a mission with soldiers during Wold War 2. They take down a castle adn fce down Baron Von Strucker. He's trying to prove himself to these men. It's a light hearted fun story for ALL ages.

[@vincentfranklin17]

Cap having PTSD makes him even more human and relatable to me.

[@rronn4ever]

I love Winter Soldier so much so thank you for this.

[@MattDraper]

Of course!

[@omegaink5635]

This is a beautifully written & drawn comic. Well done Matt Draper!

[@MattDraper]

Thank you! Winter Soldier is fantastic, it makes it easy to do a video about it.

[@omegaink5635]

@@MattDraper lol thats true, but I know you truly put a lot of hard work into these videos. I appreciate you work!

[@iansantiago7545]

I think Marvel needs a DClike cartoon universe that makes these stories super fucking deep and combines them. I loved Avengers Earth Mightiest Heroes, it felt like they understood the characters, made me love Hulk and Bucky since I don't read comics.

[@Chandasouk]

You make me wanna reread Brubaker's Captain America. I might appreciate it more now that I'm older. Great video like always!

[@franklinboyd123]

Those storylines are masterworks...Brubaker added layers and dimensions while still respecting the past. The Winter Soldiers personality and character is a beat for beat extension and evolution of Bucky Barnes characterization in Roy Thomas' classic Invaders run, right down to his dialogue and speech patterns. I don't know if he went out of his way to do it, but little touches like that elevate his work to the next level.

[@dead0ntime]

Best comic channel right up there with Comic Pop and Comic Tropes

[@uncannydcmarvelous5732]

Let's hope that COPPA law don't screw this channel up.

[@Ljordan093]

Classic story, great art. Nuff said.

[@infernofireboy6861]

Im such a fan of your and ur videos since i saw your video on daredevil "born again story" how u explain the charater and drawings of the aspects of the story from all angles your videos is a breathe of fresh air something no other comic analysis does on KZbin.. Keep it up

[@MattDraper]

Thank you! My video on Born Again is one I hold very dear, it’s my favorite comic of all time.

[@Xehanort10]

4:07 Captain America and The Red Skull are similar in the sense that they're both from the 1940's and trying to adjust to modern times. But while Cap gets used to it and develops some more modern beliefs the Skull still clings to his old, outdated evil Nazi beliefs and tries to finish what Hitler started.

[@gnarrcan108]

I always like the comment in this book that Cap makes about Bucky not really being a “teenager” even though he was but like most men who fought in the deadliest conflict in human history were 18-40 and most were basically children by today’s standard. Also brubaker adding that Bucky was a brutal covert assassin even back when he was Bucky.

[@marquiswallace9957]

Applause!!! Good retcon and character development summaries. Nicely, done.

[@Ashguy733]

Honestly I really liked the flashback sequences and respect to the Invader comics, one of my favourite moments is when Bucky visits the grave of Jack Monroe aka "Nomad" whom he killed as the Winter Soldier, waits and meets Namor and asks about the First Human Torch "Thomas Raymond" and his death. The past and horrors of WW2 are fresh in the characters in Brubakers run and its done so well.

[@Ashguy733]

I really like how Zdarsky's Invaders run does what Brubaker did for Steve Rogers for Namor the Submariner with the hazy memories of WW2 .

[@ginofrancejr555]

To me this is one of the most definitive runs on the character excellent video you should cover waids runs as well as Coates run as well

[@treeman8773]

Thank you so much for making videos, these are the best comic videos I have found on KZbin.

[@MattDraper]

Thank you! I really appreciate hearing that.

[@mcurran6505]

I read the Winter Soldier before it became a movie, in a way I find it tragic, heartbreaking, and made me feel sorry for Cap due to his suffering and guilt after his return back in the 60's. But this was more than just a tragic story it was the story of a someone who just wants his oldest and dearest friend back. And I think that story was improved when the film was released in 2014 and the reason why I consider it one of all-time favorite MCU movies.

[@koushikraja331]

the Brubaker run is the greatest.

[@jadencharles8943]

Thank you for doing this I asked if you were gonna do a captain America video in the comments of the live stream thank you for doing this

[@MattDraper]

That’s right! Good timing with that question, too. I was wrapping up work on this video right then.

[@korinemlbernard3256]

Wow! Well written, informative. Well done 👍🏾👏🏾🫶🏾🇨🇦

[@ryanp.456]

Great video as always, you seriously deserve more subs

[@morales8837]

I loved you're Hawkeye video. Good work.

[@ihatecorpsehusband7147]

I loved you are Hawkeye video. Good work.

[@lenardicuss.4219]

Your videos are always amazing. Made with so much care, thought and well written scripts and of course great and effective editing. Thank you very much for another beautiful entry in the list of my favorite comic book commentaries. :)

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@gabrielmarks6369]

One of the greatest stories ever in comics period

[@ronin6033]

Thanks for the breakdown

[@snakes3425]

I can't blame Cap for also being furious finding out Bucky was alive this whole time. If he'd known about Winter Soldier earlier he would've done everything to save the man who was like a brother to him

[@Le_Marquis_de_Faux_Images]

The Hydra-Cap story until Secret Empire 0 is pretty good. (Including the FreeComicBookDay Secret Empire issue).

[@normancooper2762]

Brubaker, Epting and Lark. What a team!

[@densealloy]

IMO one the best comic arcs ever written. This got me back into comic after 20 years, only to not be able to read them now 20 years later. It's too bad because WS is so good. The MCU version is good for what it is but the comic has such depth and highlights what the medium can be.

[@arielgonzalorodriguez8728]

MASTERPIECE

[@alexphillips4644]

I'd like to see video on Mark Gruenwald's run on Captain America.

[@angusmacfrankenstein7227]

I seldom read comics these days, even if I like that avenue of storytelling (I just have a hard time finding something that calls to me), but you might’ve just talked me into reading these!

[@Avarn388]

Angus MackFrankenstein I HIGHLY recommend this run. It's in my personal top ten favorite comic book runs of all time and if you are a fan of MCU Captain America, then this will be right up your alleyway. Brubaker does a phenomenal job writing him and I argue no other modern writer ever came close to writing Cap as well as Brubaker did.

[@howlingmad7391]

These look-backs to past comic series and analysis are amazingly thought out. There is so much work and passion put into them. Already looking forward to the next one!

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@srstriker6420]

Zemo deserves more credit

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

Another great video Matt

[@galactic85]

Great video as always! Are you going to do one on "death of captain america?"

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I have a different idea in mind for whenever I get to my next Captain America video, but I may cover it at some point.

[@galactic85]

@@MattDraper cool! Well whatever you wind up going with I'm sure it will turn out great!

[@captainjakemerica4579]

Gosh I love this story fucking amazing Ed Brubaker is the best Captain America writer

[@reddryuk7008]

Awesome vid bro!

[@Protocol36]

Amazing video once again!

[@imreplyingtothiscomment2378]

Your voice sounds like it would make a good spiderman

[@MattDraper]

Well, that’s convenient for my next video ...

[@imreplyingtothiscomment2378]

@@MattDraper 👀

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

Dear Matt Draper, great video as always. Question though, will you ever cover Infamous Iron Man? It's one of my favourite stories.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I’ve never read it actually.

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

@@MattDraper Gasp, you gotta it's great. Iron Doom is my favourite.

[@captainjakemerica4579]

Nice work Matt great video

[@levonpoe]

I enjoyed this. Thanks

[@liltaco4119]

10:27 Damn das one hell of a leg

[@Nexion3653]

YES!

[@paulmoore5392]

Wanna ask, is this a good story to start out with for Captain America? Just picked up the complete Winter Soldier Collection and was definitely looking to pick up the rest of Ed's run. Also what other runs would you guys recommend for someone new to Captain America comics?

[@Avarn388]

Paul Moore Captain America White is really solid. While I find it to be the weakest of the Marvel colored comics series, Loeb and Sale(RIP) work on the book is great if you want to see how Cap and Bucky operated. I also recommend Mark Waid's run on Cap, specifically Man out of Time. Next I also recommend Roger Stern and John Bryne's run on the character. Roger Stern is very underrated as a CB writer and he had a really brief run with Bryne on pencils and it is awesome.

[@Xehanort10]

I don't get why the MCU didn't have Bucky become Captain America II like in the comics instead of having Falcon decide he didn't want the identity in the shitty Falcon and Winter Soldier show and only decided he wanted it after John Walker got it.

[@Avarn388]

Xehanort10 Because Marvel is sadly run by ideologues who wanted to promote Sam as Cap even though the Falcon role was uniquely his. It would have been neat to see Falcon be promoted to Captain(yes jokes ensue) and have Bucky being Captain America. Especially with how Brubaker handled Bucky and I'd totally be down for drawing on that source material.

[@mutalemwananshiku4098]

Because bucky was in not state to be captain america after all the brainwashi g he had been through. Steve and him share similar values so of course he would choose him.

[@mutalemwananshiku4098]

​@@Avarn388sam still has his wings he didnt give that up when becoming captain america.

[@QuothTheRavenclaw11]

I see you everywhere.

[@JonP1245]

big fan of your videos.next you should do an essay of invincible or spawn.

[@superheroedits1315]

Winter Soldier is essentially the “Under the Red Hood” equivalent for Cap

[@Xehanort10]

Well Bucky is his Jason Todd.

[@KillerTacos54]

And then there's Ta-Nehisi Coates' run lmao

[@astropunch101]

This story is superior to The Red Hood. Red Hood is a good story but it just can’t compare to this masterpiece.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

Happy Fourth of July Matt

[@liverusrock6789]

Great video Matt! Would you consider doing one for Immortal Hulk or the first arc of Zdarsky's DD?

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

You should cover the ever controversial Ultimates series. I actually enjoyed Mark Millar Ultimates 1 and 2 as well as the Ultimate Marvel Universe as a whole

[@MattDraper]

I haven’t thought about covering those, but Owen Likes Comics has covered them all. You should check it out!

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

I gotta read this

[@MattDraper]

It’s great! Definitely one of the must-read Captain America comics.

[@Frogman1212]

J M Demateis run is underrated.

[@williambyrd2895]

This is why the movie adaptation is so good.

[@jonathangoode546]

This really should been in the FIRST AVENGER .

[@odog3964]

Ummm what about THE WINTER SOLDIER movie??

[@jonathangoode546]

@@odog3964 the winter soldier movie was great . It makes the book interesting for anyone to read. If interested.

[@jonathangoode546]

@@odog3964 thank you for your question .

[@sahilhossian8212]

Lore of THE WINTER SOLDIER - The Comic That Changed Captain America Forever Momentum 100

[@AlexaRobin21]

I love this comic, but the final confrontation is disappointing to me especially when compared with the movie. I think the use of the Cosmic Cube as a plot device is pretty weak here.

[@TonyTylerDraws]

The Winter Soldier honestly should not have worked. The idea sounds like a bad 90’s comic: the plucky dead sidekick comes back as a cyborg assassin. It only worked because Brubaker and Epting grounded the approach and focused on the emotional impact

[@Xehanort10]

After Cap and Bucky apparently died the US army got other soldiers to impersonate them so troops wouldn't lose hope and morale.

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

Irrlevant but The design of Captain America in this comic is the best ever. The only MCU design even close is the first avenger. I like the wings on the Avengers 1 suit but this IS the best suit. And the story and way Cap is written. Not as stuck in the past as EMH Cap but more similar to the MCU version but not adapting to the modern world entirely. 2:33 the classic comic cap with the bright blue is my second favorite. Sometimes it's teal not blue. And Captain America White is a great story.

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

The suit in civil war comic is the same

[@Juli-gd7pf]

I think you meant "2005" not "2014" in the video description

[@thembanitheone]

Please do Black Panther!

[@jonathangoode546]

THE WINTER SOLDIER ! ALWAYS .

[@bobbyshewan4229]

Have you looked at Ta-Nehisi Coates' Cap series?

[@smashmaster521]

Why would you want Matt to suffer through that?

[@BenjiDWJ]

I always that of Captain America much like Superman as being the big blue boy scout and as a result not relatable in the slightest nor was he a character that I had any interest in reading whatsoever. ....................... That was until I read this story in trade form all I can say is that holy cow this story made me appreciate Steve Rogers and Captain America on a whole new level.

[@jonathangoode546]

Sometimes I feel that Supermans's origin should have extensive like Caps. Because he too started around that time. Ie : the post crisis EARTH two SUPERMAN .

[@Ragucci25]

I'd love to see something on Jessica Jones next Season 3 was the best of marvel TV and I don't know much regarding her comics

[@captainjakemerica4579]

He didn't like the season so probably not gonna happen

[@godmagnus]

Is it the end of time? Then you can't really say "forever" CAN YOU, SIR?? :)

[@BenjiDWJ]

The 7 people who disliked this video all whispered Hail Hydra before clicking the thumbs down button.

[@chema1103]

Matt Draper do you like green arrow?

[@MattDraper]

I do but I’m not super well-read on Green Arrow. I’d like to read more and maybe cover Lemire’s run or Longbow Hunters.

[@Christ2010Grad]

Do you watch the Tv show Arrow?

[@AngeloPetrino69]

I'm gonna have to skip this Matt, I haven't read the comic yet.

[@christianchappell4193]

This comic was dark I read it before

[@KillerTacos54]

These types of quality comics is something marvel could only dream of making these days. Very disappointing

[@supermarshall2.053]

It's not their fault they just focus more on putting their funds into the movies.

[@MrBenMcLean]

I have to admit that bringing back Bucky as the Winter Soldier was pretty awesome. But Captain America shouldn't be moping around government conspiracies. He should be over in the Middle East fighting ISIS. Obviously.