THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER
Want the history of this dynamic duo? Try our must-read comic picks starring the avian Avenger and the super-spy. From their comic origins, turns as Captain America, to solo runs, we’ve got you covered!
ESSENTIAL READING
Team-Up
In Falcon & Winter Soldier (2020) #1
An office of dead government agents. A gifted new killer. Two ex-Captain Americas. When a dramatic attempt on the life of Bucky Barnes reunites him with Sam Wilson, two old friends are plunged headlong into a race to uncover the new leader of Hydra!
Falcon's First Appearance
In Captain America (1968) #117
When the Red Skull comes into possession of the Cosmic Cube, Captain America is aided by a young man who trains birds. Sam Wilson dreams of being a hero, and his moment of glory arrives once Cap sees his pure heart.
Sam Wilson: A History
In Captain America (1968) #186
This issue revealed even more of Falcon's backstory. Find out who Sam got his heroic aspirations from, and see how the bumps of his past led to the triumphs of his present.
Bucky Barnes’ First Appearance
In Captain America Comics (1941) #1
Cap’s boy sidekick is introduced in this now historic issue. Bucky Barnes may be the youngest member of the Allied Forces… but he can still take on the frontlines with the Sentinel of Liberty!
Winter Soldier’s First Appearance
In Captain America (2004) #6
Steve Rogers still remembers the day when his young friend sacrificed himself in an exploding plane. But unbeknownst to Cap, Bucky Barnes was salvaged by a corrupt Russian espionage agency—and transformed into a cybernetic Cold War spy. The Winter Soldier's first (full) appearance! Read this sensational run in full.
Falcon’s Solo
In Falcon (2017) #1
Engaged in an all-new assignment while training his new partner the Patriot, Sam soars high, re-committed to the Falcon namesake following his run as Captain America. But Sam’s new mission finds him on a collision course with an enemy way out of his weight class—the demonic Blackheart!
Winter Soldier’s Solo
In Winter Soldier (2018) #1
Winter Soldier's becoming a “fixer,” working to help others leave behind lives of crime after surviving the loss of his own identity. It’s Bucky’s way of channeling his pain in a productive, personal way—by helping others find the redemption that he's found. However, as Bucky will soon learn, not all paths are the same… and not everyone can be “saved.”
Winter Soldier: The Man on the Wall
In Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier (2014) #1
The Winter Soldier is redefined in this multiverse-spanning, universe-tripping series. With Daisy Johnson (AKA Quake) in tow, Barnes tears his way through the Marvel Universe, protecting Earth from extraterrestrial and extradimensional threats.
Black Widow and Bucky
In Winter Soldier (2012) #1
The relationship that began in the pages of CAPTAIN AMERICA (2004) becomes the perfect team-up in Winter Soldier’s first solo run. Bucky and Black Widow combine their spy skills in missions for S.H.I.E.L.D. A stylish caper that’s heavy on romance.
Bucky Barnes: Captain America
In Captain America (2004) #34
In the aftermath to CIVIL WAR, Steve Rogers was assassinated. Bucky Barnes honors his fallen friend by becoming the Sentinel of Liberty… but this Cap wears his red, white and blue a bit more brutally! While serving as Cap, then-Falcon had Bucky’s back against Red Skull.
Sam Takes the Shield
In Captain America (2012) #25
Read this series from the start. Cap: Steve Rogers is exiled in Arnim Zola’s mutated dimension and later drained of his Super-Soldier serum by ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Iron Nail (issue #21). Sam is called upon to pick up where an elderly Rogers left off.
Sam Wilson: Captain America
In Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #1
Read ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA (2014) first, then dive in here. Sam faces the music of public opinion when he campaigns across the United States as a new Captain America. Juggling duty with expectation, he finds the position doesn’t gel instantly… especially when Steve Rogers puts him to task.
Sam Versus Steve
In Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #25
Disinterested in embodying the symbol of the shield, Sam steps down as Cap. The final culmination to Sam’s resolution with Steve comes in SECRET EMPIRE #8-9. Read the complete event today!