I’m So Glad Thunderbolts* Took One Of Bucky Barnes’ Best Comic Suit Designs & Made It An MCU Reality

May 6, 2025

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*Sebastian Stan’s new Bucky Barnes look from Thunderbolts* derives inspiration from the comics and promises an interesting future for the MCU‘s Winter Soldier. Bucky Barnes made a brief appearance in Captain America: Brave New World, where he revealed he was running for Congress. Thunderbolts* reveals Bucky has officially become a congressman since then, but it almost immediately brings him back to action when the Thunderbolts discover Val has created a living weapon of mass destruction.

Bucky Barnes isn’t too excited about continuing his political career anyway, as he only uses his new job as cover to keep a tab on Val. After the Thunderbolts stop the Void and Val takes credit for it, Bucky Barnes accepts a spot among the New Avengers. As revealed by Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene, Bucky Barnes stays with the New Avengers for over a year, and he sticks with them even though Sam Wilson sues them for copyright infringement. Apart from setting up The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday, Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene may tease a new chapter in Bucky Barnes’ MCU journey in upcoming appearances.

Bucky Barnes Gets A Serious Design Upgrade In Thunderbolts*

Sebastian Stan’s Debuts A New Costume In Thunderbolts*’ Post-Credits Scene

In Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene, all the New Avengers are shown sporting brand-new costumes and hairstyles fourteen months after the events of their first team-up movie. John Walker wears a beret instead of a mask, Alexei Shostakov wears a racing jumpsuit, and Bucky Barnes wears a black armored suit with the New Avengers logo and a black star with a red outline on his right arm. Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene marks the biggest costume change for Bucky since Captain America: Civil War, and it suggests Bucky will sport the same appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.

Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts* Design Upgrade Appears To Be Inspired By Marvel’s Comics

Bucky Barnes’ New Avengers Costume Is Based On His Time As The Revolution

During the events of Marvel Comics’ Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Bucky Barnes infiltrates a secret group called The Outer Circle and replaces the real-life murderer of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and instigator of WWI Gavrilo Princip, thus taking up the name of The Revolution. Bucky decides to take down The Outer Circle from within, and he betrays Steve Rogers to achieve it. Bucky then goes back to his heroic roots and forms a new Thunderbolts team that includes new members such as Red Guardian and Yelena Belova. Still, Bucky retains his Revolution moniker and costume.

In Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, MODOK employs a psychological attack very similar to the Void’s: MODOK forces the heroes to relive their most recent traumatic experiences.

Bucky Barnes’ Revolution look features a black armored vest, black pants, and black boots, as well as a black coat adorned with a large black star with a red outline. Bucky’s Revolution redesign presents a brand-new hairstyle, which consists of a bun instead of a haircut. Bucky also replaces his traditional metal arm with a sleeker prothesis. After defeating the Outer Circle, Bucky keeps his costume but goes back to his loose hair and domino mask.

Why The Bucky Barnes Design Is So Promising For His MCU Future

Bucky Barnes’ MCU Story May Finally Have A New Twist

Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Thunderbolts* — Custom image by Yeider Chacon

Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene confirms that Bucky Barnes has left his Congressman venture behind and returned to action. Bucky’s Revolution-inspired costume may be a simple nod to the comics, but it could also be a hint to a faithful adaptation of Bucky’s stint as a member of the Outer Circle, which could take place in the fourteen months between Thunderbolts*‘ ending and Avengers. Doomsday. In the MCU, Bucky might have infiltrated and taken down a secret organization, either by himself or with the New Avengers’ help, before settling on his new costume’s appearance.

Thunderbolts 2 Will It Happen, Which Cast Members Could Return And Everything We Know

With Thunderbolts* whipping up a storm among franchise fans, many may now be wondering if the latest MCU movie is gearing up for a sequel.

After proving his innocence, breaking his Winter Soldier programming, and joining the Avengers, Bucky Barnes was left with little else to do. Bucky helped Sam Wilson recover the Captain America mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and helped the Thunderbolts defeat the Void in Thunderbolts*. However, Bucky hasn’t had a big role in the MCU since Captain America: Civil War. If Bucky’s Revolution story is more than just a Thunderbolts* easter egg, it could be the start of a new era for Sebastian Stan’s Bucky, both as an individual character and a New Avenger.