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Happy Birthday, James Buchanan Barnes

If you’re a pop culture fanatic, you know that in addition to all those birthdays of your friends and family, there are some added dates of celebration through the year. From your favorite actor and actress to the musicians and artists you adore – there’s always a reason to celebrate someone’s existence.

Today is one of those special days and it happens to be extra important to me, which probably comes as no surprise to you. Bucky Barnes is one of my favorite heroes (not villains) in not just the MCU but in the entire superhero realm.

Happy Birthday, James Buchanan Barnes

He may be a little rough around the edges, but underneath all of that smudged eyeliner (or black camouflage war paint), incredible hair, metal arm, and that whole ability to be transformed into a super soldier with just a few words thing – he’s got a heart of gold.

Albeit, a misunderstood one.

He’s also charming, courageous, temperamental, wise, and victim of circumstance – all traits of a true pieces. Specific to his birth date, Bucky seemed destined to complete an uneasy task, one he wouldn’t have chosen had he been given the chance. It’s easy to look at it as only a curse, but once he realized what could destroy him, he took the responsibility upon himself to do what he could to keep others safe, even if that meant changing his own life as he knew it.

Happy Birthday, James Buchanan Barnes

That is something a villain wouldn’t ever do. That’s part of what makes Bucky such a complex but beautiful character. He’s set apart from both heroes and villains and it allows him to see the playing field from both sides.

It’s given him an emotional depth unlike that of many other pop culture icons, and one of the strongest fan bases across any board. They go to war for Bucky, endlessly protecting him and coming to his aid in the face of adversity-especially fans of the MCU’s Bucky Barnes. It makes sense. Sebastian Stan has brought a sense of charisma, vulnerability, and light to the character that no one else could have done justice. He loves Bucky, he – like us – goes to battle for Bucky, and he knows how important his story is.

His future, at least within the MCU, is brighter than ever before and we have a feeling this year will be one for the books in terms of the persona that is James Buchanan Barnes.

We’re with you ’till the end of the line, pal. Happy 101st, Bucky.