Is Bucky’s New MCU Superhero Name Already Set Up by Thunderbolts?

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In a fresh turn of events, Bucky Barnes appears to be transitioning from the Winter Soldier, and I firmly believe that his role in the Thunderbolts team is poised to give him one of his most impressive comic book aliases yet. Despite a decade-long tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky continues to develop. This character has experienced one of the most tumultuous story arcs, transforming from a war hero into a mind-controlled assassin, then becoming an Avenger and eventually a congressman. With the formation of the Thunderbolts, Bucky has joined the New Avengers. This new phase in his life seems fittingly accompanied by a new identity to signify this fresh start.

In Marvel Comics lore, Bucky’s present pseudonym is “The Revolution.” This nickname was originally held by Gavrilo Princip, a character who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the comics. This act triggered World War I, and Gavrilo became a member of the clandestine Outer Circle, using the alias “The Revolution.” Gavrilo met his end at Bucky’s hands in “Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty” issue 5, and for the first time, Bucky was called “The Revolution” in “Laura Kinney: Wolverine” issue 4. As of now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has not adopted this name, but the upcoming series “Thunderbolts” might be hinting at it.

Bucky’s MCU Story Has Seen Him Leave The Winter Soldier Title Behind

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier Was About Bucky Healing

In the course of Bucky’s tenure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he was more often known as the Winter Soldier.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve been deeply moved by Bucky’s transformation in the Disney+ series “The Falcon & The Winter Soldier.” After living so long under the shadow of the Winter Soldier, he’s yearned to shed that name and its burden of guilt and shame. With the Wakandans helping him heal from his brainwashing, it makes perfect sense that Bucky has chosen to step into being himself again, instead of living as the Winter Soldier. No matter how valiantly he’s strived to make amends for the Winter Soldier, it just hasn’t felt like his true path.

Bucky Seems To Not Have A Superhero Name In The MCU Currently

He Was A Congressman At The Start Of Thunderbolts*

Following confirmation that Bucky would reappear in the MCU’s Thunderbolts, fans swiftly picked up on the fact that he was the only team member without a superhero name or costume. Yet, it wasn’t long before we understood why this was so. Earlier hints about Bucky’s whereabouts were given in Captain America: Brave New World, when it emerged that he transitioned into politics as a congressman following his departure from the superhero lifestyle. By the time Thunderbolts begins, he is primarily recognized by most as Congressman Barnes.

It’s quite surprising how Bucky ended up as a congressman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, given his previous identity as the Winter Soldier. After he abandoned that title, it seemed likely he would adopt another pseudonym. Yet, this development makes sense because being a congressman requires impartiality and neutrality, thus there’s no need for a superhero alias since they are expected to stay unbiased and detached from any particular enhanced individual.

Thunderbolts* Makes Bucky Taking Up One Of His Comic Hero Titles Seem More Likely

Bucky Is Now A Public Figure With The New Avengers

It’s plausible that Bucky participating in the New Avengers at the end of Thunderbolts implies he’s no longer a congressman. Given Valentina’s focus on public relations, she would probably want to ensure that every member of the New Avengers has maximum marketability. This might involve giving Bucky a superhero name. Choosing “The Revolution” as his superhero name could be a tribute to the comics and a fitting title given where his story stands in the MCU.

Is it more appropriate for Bucky to truly embrace the title of ‘Revolution’ or if he merely adopted it for promotional reasons with the New Avengers, either way, it’s fitting that he begins a new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bucky has endured much as the Winter Soldier, but the weight of that name is associated with too much suffering he’s striven to recover from. A new beginning as the Revolution seems apt, and given how ‘Thunderbolts’ signaled his permanent departure from being the Winter Soldier, it seems a logical progression for the character’s development.

*Note: I replaced “Thunderbolts” with the actual comic book series title to ensure accuracy.

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2025-05-31 20:51