Winter Solder #8 *Spoilers*

[Codah]

im intrigued as well cant wait to see leo vs bucky next issue and to see what happens to Natasha which has bucky having to serch for her with Hawkeye and Wolverines help

I forgot about the Wolverine guest starring. That's going to be fun.

[Hrist]

Lark's art is great, and I am intrigued by the story, but there was nothing this issue that really quieted my kneejerk apprehension about a "superheroine gets physically and mentally tortured and possibly unmade so her boyfriend and a bunch of other dudes can sob about it" plotline. :|a This chapter was all about Bucky's anger and his reaction. Hopefully at some point we'll see Natasha's part of the story, muddled and weird though it may be, like when Sharon Carter was with Faustus— but I can definitely see why holding off on that has some dramatic merit. (It would be really gross if Leo actually brainwashed her into being his temporary evil girlfriend like the next cover implies, but I… think I trust Brubaker not to go there, or at least not to go there without the awareness that that is extremely gross.)

There's really a huge difference between Natasha and Bucky and how their stories work even as Brubaker kind of milks all the old Marvel Russian spy stories for atmosphere. Natasha wasn't really brainwashed into her espionage career, she was manipulated, twisted into it, but it was something she still kind of chose. A rigged choice, but she was fighting for her country and she let herself believe that. Sure, they have used weird KGB mind science to convince her of her cover identity or implant command words and such. But as Winter Soldier Bucky was a brainwashed agent with occasional moments of lucidity, Natasha was a lucid agent with occasional moments of brainwashing. A lot of how their relationship has been written has focused on their similarities; I think it would be interesting to explore the differences.

[Hrist]

It was also good to see Brubaker expand on Agent Sitwell this issue. Also interesting that Sitwell say's Bucky is in love with Natasha since neither he or Her have said it to the other.

Natasha's said "I love you" to Bucky more than once, it was a pretty big plot point in Marjorie Liu's Black Widow arc. They are also either not trying to hide their feelings for each other or still remarkably bad at it, in CA&B #624 a random KGB beard guy figured it out, and they were trying to be all secretive. I definitely agree that it's nice to see more from Sitwell, I got more of a sense of their rapport this issue than I have so far in this series.

[aNamored]

Lark's art is great, and I am intrigued by the story, but there was nothing this issue that really quieted my kneejerk apprehension about a "superheroine gets physically and mentally tortured and possibly unmade so her boyfriend and a bunch of other dudes can sob about it" plotline. :|a This chapter was all about Bucky's anger and his reaction. Hopefully at some point we'll see Natasha's part of the story, muddled and weird though it may be, like when Sharon Carter was with Faustus— but I can definitely see why holding off on that has some dramatic merit. (It would be really gross if Leo actually brainwashed her into being his temporary evil girlfriend like the next cover implies, but I… think I trust Brubaker not to go there, or at least not to go there without the awareness that that is extremely gross.)

There's really a huge difference between Natasha and Bucky and how their stories work even as Brubaker kind of milks all the old Marvel Russian spy stories for atmosphere. Natasha wasn't really brainwashed into her espionage career, she was manipulated, twisted into it, but it was something she still kind of chose. A rigged choice, but she was fighting for her country and she let herself believe that. Sure, they have used weird KGB mind science to convince her of her cover identity or implant command words and such. But as Winter Soldier Bucky was a brainwashed agent with occasional moments of lucidity, Natasha was a lucid agent with occasional moments of brainwashing. A lot of how their relationship has been written has focused on their similarities; I think it would be interesting to explore the differences.

Thanks for this, Hrist. I have no problem with Black Widow being brainwashed as it mirrors what Bucky and Leo went through with their programming, but I can see why others might. I think if Nat is temporarily brainwashed into being Leo's girlfriend that is a rather silly move rather than gross to me, but like you I hope Brubaker doesn't go there. I think that cover implies he's got a real ace up his sleeve to mess with and possibly break Bucky (and BW, natch.) I do agree it would be interesting to see the differnces between Bucky and Nat (- disclosure - I've never been a fan of their relationship. I understand the mechanics and drama behind it, but it still doesn't ring true to me.)

I hope Leo isn't bumped off, he's a really interesting villain and makes this series a must read every month. I love Michael Lark's art, think he suits the book wonderfully.

[CaptainCanada]

The fact that Leo's evil scheme somehow involves ballet is both intriguing and funny.

[Cap10nate]

I love this arc. Bucky has been my favorite character since Bru brought him. back. Leo is turning into a phenomenal villain that i hope stays for a very long time. He is being set up as a Joker-esque villain that wants to mess with the hero more than dominating the world or something standard like that. This makes the stories much more interesting because the personal vendetta lets they villain mess with the hero's mind. I am really excited about where this story is going.

[rogerio]

I really like the ballerina thing...

[Codah]

The fact that Leo's evil scheme somehow involves ballet is both intriguing and funny.

Agreed. One thing Brubaker has mastered in this book is even when it gets seriously heavy you're never meant to forget that it's still a comic-book.

[rolacka]

I really like Leo. I love that in the (first?) issue of Winter Soldier Bucky descrribed him as the guy he could never get a read on.

The personal vendetta reminds me of the Red Skull in a lot of ways. He is the most worthy arch-nemesis Bucky has had I think, so I also hope he stays around.

Edit: Oh and Lark's art is really great. Marvel haven't used him on big enough projects since Daredevil. He works particularly well with Bru - when they are together on a series something clicks in a way it doesn't when they are apart.

[rogerio]

Guys, who is the best WS artist?

Guice

Lark

[Prince Of Orphans]

What an issue! Loved it. Leo's one sick sob. Can't wait to see Bucky lose it on him. Also like what Bru's doing with Sitwell. Good stuff.

The ballerina angle feels almost cryptic. I wonder what Leo's planning with that. It almost seems psychotic in a way.

[rogerio]

Leo's one sick sob.

Yep.
Fingers crossed to see Bucky crossing paths with this guy too...

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/volkwolv.htm

Winter Soldier vs. Volk the Russian Werewolf!

[Cap10nate]

I like Lark better I think. Epting is my overall favorite though. I loved the realism the of his work in the Captain America run. It took a while for me to get used to the muted blue backgrounds and fuzzy detail.

Sorry for the duplicate message. . . can't figure out how to delete it.

[Cap10nate]

Guys, who is the best WS artist?

Guice

Lark

I like Lark better I think. Epting is my overall favorite though. I loved the realism the of his work in the Captain America run. It took a while for me to get used to the muted blue backgrounds and fuzzy detail.

[beserkerclaw]

Yep.
Fingers crossed to see Bucky crossing paths with this guy too...

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/volkwolv.htm

Winter Soldier vs. Volk the Russian Werewolf!

VOLK! Yes that would be cool. If he could get out of wolf form again and somehow fight bucky that be interesting lol