By: Peter J Mellini

The original teen sidekick, turned brain washed Russian assassin, turned temporary Captain America is back to what he does best in Winter Soldier #1 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.

During Fear Itself Bucky was mortally wounded by the Red Skull’s daughter, who was enhanced by the power of the god of fear. Using the last of the infinity formula Nick Fury was able to save Bucky’s life and turn him into a true super solider.  With the help of Fury and Captain America Bucky Barnes death was faked, freeing him from his unlawful Russian imprisonment.

Now with the world thinking he’s dead and all his memories intact, Bucky Barnes returns to the mantle of the Winter Soldier and along with his girlfriend and super spy Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) go on the road to take out all the remaining KGB sleeper threats.

This book is what Brubaker does best, telling some of the most intelligent and action packed crime spy stories on the market. Brubaker’s scripts are fast paced, with never any wasted panels. His storyline is intriguing, setting up a big international conspiracy that weaves nicely in Marvel continuity while maintaining the political thriller realism he’s known for.

Butch Guice style harkens back to the works of Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko in character design and storytelling. His pages are paced very film like; with interesting interludes that really brings a sense of motion to the story.

This is the story fans have been clamoring for since Winter Soldier’s first appearance in 2005, and there is no better team then Brubaker and Guice to bring on the story this character deserves.