Doctor Doom has seized control of the world, forcing its leaders to submit to his rule in exchange for global stability and improved living conditions. However, Marvel’s heroes refuse to trust him, and one of the most defiant figures standing against Doctor Doom’s reign is none other than the Winter Soldier. Bucky Barnes has just become Doom’s latest nemesis—and there’s a heavy price to pay for his defiance.
The conflict between these two powerhouses didn’t emerge from nowhere. In Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Tommaso Bianchi, their history is revisited, revealing how Bucky and his Thunderbolts once manipulated Doctor Doom into eliminating the Red Skull. Taking inspiration from Bucky’s actions, Doctor Doom recently took things further by executing Baron Zemo, solidifying his control over the planet in One World Under Doom #1.
Instead of punishing Bucky for his past interference, Doom saw potential in him. The dark new Sorcerer Supreme offered him a crucial position within his empire—one that could have placed Bucky at the center of Doom’s global rule. However, instead of accepting, the Winter Soldier made a bold move: rejecting the offer outright. Now, he stands in direct opposition to Doom’s vision, setting the stage for an intense showdown between Marvel’s most cunning strategist and one of its most unstoppable villains.
“Winter Soldier vs. Doctor Doom: Betrayal, Defiance, and a Deadly Trap!”
Doctor Doom had a vision for the Winter Soldier—one that would place him in a powerful role as the leader of Doom’s secret police, a new version of the Thunderbolts designed to enforce his iron rule. Recognizing Bucky Barnes’ skills and strategic mind, Doom saw him as the perfect right-hand man. However, when Bucky outright rejected the offer, the dictator’s patience ran out. Doom wasn’t just unwilling to accept refusal—he saw it as a direct betrayal. To send a message, he obliterated Thunderbolts Mountain and destroyed the LMD of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. But instead of forcing compliance, his brutal display only fueled Bucky’s determination to resist.
Rather than submitting, Bucky launched a bold mission to Doctor Doom’s sub-orbital space station, the stronghold where the tyrant had stockpiled the world’s nuclear missiles. His plan? Sabotage the entire arsenal and weaken Doom’s grip on power. But as soon as he arrived, it became clear that the entire setup was an elaborate trap. Doctor Doom had anticipated Bucky’s move, luring him into a situation with no escape. Now, faced with Doom’s ruthless counterattack, Bucky finds himself in a dire predicament—one that may make him question whether standing against Doom was worth the cost.
“Doctor Doom Just Crushed the Winter Soldier—And the Fallout Is Devastating!”
Bucky Barnes had a plan—to dismantle Doctor Doom’s empire with the help of Black Widow and Songbird. But instead of gaining the upper hand, he now faces the brutal consequences of challenging Doom’s rule. In a chilling display of power, Doom launches a nuclear missile with barely any time for Bucky to intervene. The target? Shelbyville, Indiana—Bucky’s own hometown. The attack claims over 20,000 lives, marking one of the most devastating events in his life.
To make matters worse, Doctor Doompublicly shifts the blame onto Bucky, using the catastrophe to justify forming his own team of Thunderbolts. Leading this newly assembled force is none other than Citizen V—who is revealed to be the real Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. With the world turning against him and Doom solidifying his control, Bucky finds himself at one of his lowest points.
Despite the devastating loss, this battle is far from over. As Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #1 kicks off a major tie-in to One World Under Doom, Bucky’s war against Doom is just beginning. However, this crushing blow raises a haunting question—had he accepted Doctor Doom’s offer, could he have stopped this tragedy from within?
