Captain America: 'Bucky's Nickname is Secretly Based On A Real Hero
Marvel Comics’ most notable sidekick Bucky Barnes has a wholesome origin story to his name. Captain America’s righthand man received his name from creator Joe Simon, who was inspired by a person he knew in real life.
Bucky Barnes has arguably undergone more development and changes throughout his comic book history than most characters in the Marvel Universe. While the status quo tends to remain the same in comics despite major events intended to shake up canon from time to time, Bucky’s transformation into the Winter Soldier, and evolution into Captain America has defined him more than his actual origins as a child hero. Many readers might not even be familiar with his comic book backstory apart from mentions in modern issues. However, Bucky is just as old as Captain America, first appearing in Captain America Comics #1 published in 1941, written by Simon with art by Jack Kirby.
In a book chronicling the history of comics books titled The Comic Book Makers by Jim and Joe Simon, the latter revealed that Bucky’s name was inspired by one of his friends from high school. Simon said, “The boy companion was simply named Bucky, after my friend Bucky Pierson, a star on our high school basketball team.” It’s fitting that Steve Rogers’ best friend would take a note from creator Joe Simon’s actual friend. The sentimental backstory embodies the best part of Captain America, who is a humanitarian-centric superhero. Additionally, “Bucky” isn’t particularly common today, which gives it a special charm, as the name evokes the era.
Interestingly, Simon’s old friend Bucky Pierson played some pro-basketball, which lines up with Marvel’s Bucky who is physically capable of fightings Nazis alongside Captain America. Although he would have been the same age as Simon at the time of writing the comics, his memory’s depiction of Bucky saw him as a teenager. While the name might have been a notable similarity, their same age range might be more significant as a contribution to the Marvel Universe.
Of course, Simon never intended for Bucky to be anything but a child sidekick to Captain America. It might be good that considering the Winter Soldier’s more violent style of fighting crime and upholding justice, he has forgone the name. Marvel might involve many real places like New York City and Los Angeles, but inspiration from specific people hasn’t been a common factor in comics. Bucky’s name remains a relic of its time, continuing the memory of creator Joe Simon’s childhood friend as Captain America's closest companion.