Source: cinemablend.com

4. Captain America (James Barnes)

(aka Bucky, aka The Winter Soldier, aka BuckyCap)

When Steve Rogers was shot and killed, the nation was thrown into crisis. Someone had to step up to become the Captain America the nation needed.

And that someone was James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Bucky became a worthy successor, and learned how to fight off the advancing forces for the Red Skull, Crossbones, Sin, Dr. Faustus, and numerous others. Because never forget that there are a lot of great Cap villains.

He kept soldiering on through Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, and Siege, and held a dual Captain America title with Steve Rogers for a time, until he returned to the Winter Soldier identity. Bucky is a great example of a replacement hero because he’s the logical choice. Who better to replace a fallen hero than his best friend?

Bucky took up the classic shield, along with a handgun (because look, every once in a while Cap needed to shoot a dude), and carried them with pride.

Read More: Captain America’s Original Shield & History