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Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1-5
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March
1966: S.H.I.E.L.D. sends secret agent Ran Shen to collect two Nazi scientists with the key to winning the Cold War. But the Soviets want the scientists as well, and have unleashed their most dangerous operative: the Winter Soldier, aka the brainwashed and presumed-dead partner of Captain America - Bucky Barnes! His mission: acquire the scienti sts by any means necessary...or kill them. The only things in the Winter Soldier's way are an elite Hydra squad run by Chancellor Cassandra and Madam Worm...and his own returning memories!
Collecting: Winter Soldier: The Bitter March 1-5
Collecting: Winter Soldier: The Bitter March 1-5
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2014
About the author
Rick Remender
1,268 books1,447 followersRick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 12, 2014
Time to climb in the way back machine to 1966 (pack a lunch and a change of underwear) where everything is psychedelic and groovy, Nick Fury is still dosing on the Infinity Formula and still old and white, and Ran Shen, pre-Iron Tail, is a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. You have H.Y.D.R.A. , Nazi scientists, Commies and the Winter Soldier, who is in a more adversarial role than usual.
Fury and Shen are sent to rescue ex-Nazi scientists from the clutches of HYDRA , they encounter Madam Worm, who has the whole worm/tentacle thing going for her, so don’t kiss her and …. too late. Fury wimps out (the war wound or something. What a baby!) and it’s basically Shen’s story as he dodges your typical Icelandic, albino, psychic villain named the Drain, a HYDRA guy with an electro shock glove (just in case of a chance encounter with Winter Soldier, Natch!), Commie soldiers, HYDRA goons and the Winter Soldier.
I’m not a big fan of Rick Remender’s work, but this is good pulpy, James Bond derivative fun. Recommended.
Fury and Shen are sent to rescue ex-Nazi scientists from the clutches of HYDRA , they encounter Madam Worm, who has the whole worm/tentacle thing going for her, so don’t kiss her and …. too late. Fury wimps out (the war wound or something. What a baby!) and it’s basically Shen’s story as he dodges your typical Icelandic, albino, psychic villain named the Drain, a HYDRA guy with an electro shock glove (just in case of a chance encounter with Winter Soldier, Natch!), Commie soldiers, HYDRA goons and the Winter Soldier.
I’m not a big fan of Rick Remender’s work, but this is good pulpy, James Bond derivative fun. Recommended.
June 5, 2023
"You have to learn to be a good soldier. In the field you never shoot a man in the back. When a soldier's running, that's surrender . . . He's lost the will to fight. If you want to come out of this war with your soul intact, [then] you never take a life you don't have to." -- words of WWII wisdom from Captain America to sidekick 'Bucky' Barnes, a.k.a. the eventual Winter Soldier
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March was one of those 'almost' graphic novels - sporting great Roland Boschi illustrations, this fairly decent and extremely cynical Cold War / espionage plot set in the mid-1960's featuring 1.) some terrifically violent action scenes and 2.) a villain that the late David Bowie was born to play did not fully connect with me other than being a merely adequate book. Maybe it was the decision to limit SHIELD super-spy Nick Fury's involvement to the opening and closing chapters - it's always fun to see the surly but capable combat vet-turned-secret agent in the thick of a difficult situation - or our title character remaining more of a supporting player than full-fledged protagonist until much too late in the narrative, but something did not click with this one.
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March was one of those 'almost' graphic novels - sporting great Roland Boschi illustrations, this fairly decent and extremely cynical Cold War / espionage plot set in the mid-1960's featuring 1.) some terrifically violent action scenes and 2.) a villain that the late David Bowie was born to play did not fully connect with me other than being a merely adequate book. Maybe it was the decision to limit SHIELD super-spy Nick Fury's involvement to the opening and closing chapters - it's always fun to see the surly but capable combat vet-turned-secret agent in the thick of a difficult situation - or our title character remaining more of a supporting player than full-fledged protagonist until much too late in the narrative, but something did not click with this one.
May 20, 2015
The Bitter March opens in classic James Bond style with spies and henchman chasing one another on skis across snowy mountains – you can practically hear the classic theme playing! It’s 1966 and agents Nick Fury and Ran Shen are on the hunt for two Nazi scientists who’ve been kidnapped by HYDRA for their Alchemy Formula (aka the Infinity Formula that kept old Nick looking so youthful for so many decades). But the Soviets want the formula for themselves and have dispatched their most lethal agent: the mythical Winter Soldier.
It’s an odd choice that in a book with both Nick Fury and the Winter Soldier (whose series this supposedly is!), Rick Remender chooses instead to focus on Ran Shen, a little known character - but he’s basically Asian Bond. Maybe the story would’ve been better with focus on the more famous characters because I just didn’t care about Ran Shen and, consequently, had a hard time giving a damn about anything that happened to him.
As it is, Bitter March is your run-of-the-mill espionage tale and another example that Remender just doesn’t do good work at Marvel. His output is extraordinarily high though – he’s got several titles at Marvel and three over at Image! – so it’s probably a case of being stretched thin. Speaking of his Image work, in Low he talked about his years of therapy, where he learned to think positively, not be so insecure, etc., informing his recent comics, and you can see that reflected in Bitter March as well. There’s a Thin White Duke-era David Bowie lookalike villain whose superpower is looking into your mind, seeing what troubles you and brings it forth so you only think negative thoughts – a personification of Remender’s issues that sent him into therapy.
The Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes, mostly appears as a cameo in his own series! Then again he’s still the brainwashed Soviet weapon rather than the reformed figure in the modern-day-set comics so I can see why. Ultimately, though there are glimpses of Bucky fighting his programming, this is one of those pointless stories that doesn’t really say anything different or offer any new perspective about the character.
The rest of the book is generic action sequences: a runaway train, fights in the snow, guns shooting, yawn. All bluster, nothing substantial. Roland Boschi’s art isn’t bad but I wouldn’t say it’s that impressive – it reminded me of early Mike Mignola. One of the Nazi scientists falling for Ran felt contrived and just there because that’s what Bond got up to and that’s the impression Remender’s aiming for.
It all adds up to an unexciting story. In concept it sounds like fun – a classic ‘60s spy thriller featuring the Winter Soldier, Nick Fury, Nazi scientists, HYDRA, a dashing hero, and a gorgeous blonde – but in execution it comes across so flat and uninteresting. Remender simply can’t make any of these characters or their goals seem remotely urgent so it’s a “thriller” in name only.
If all you want is generic action nonsense, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March is your safe choice – anyone wanting to read a fun spy adventure set in the Marvel universe will be disappointed with this offering.
It’s an odd choice that in a book with both Nick Fury and the Winter Soldier (whose series this supposedly is!), Rick Remender chooses instead to focus on Ran Shen, a little known character - but he’s basically Asian Bond. Maybe the story would’ve been better with focus on the more famous characters because I just didn’t care about Ran Shen and, consequently, had a hard time giving a damn about anything that happened to him.
As it is, Bitter March is your run-of-the-mill espionage tale and another example that Remender just doesn’t do good work at Marvel. His output is extraordinarily high though – he’s got several titles at Marvel and three over at Image! – so it’s probably a case of being stretched thin. Speaking of his Image work, in Low he talked about his years of therapy, where he learned to think positively, not be so insecure, etc., informing his recent comics, and you can see that reflected in Bitter March as well. There’s a Thin White Duke-era David Bowie lookalike villain whose superpower is looking into your mind, seeing what troubles you and brings it forth so you only think negative thoughts – a personification of Remender’s issues that sent him into therapy.
The Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes, mostly appears as a cameo in his own series! Then again he’s still the brainwashed Soviet weapon rather than the reformed figure in the modern-day-set comics so I can see why. Ultimately, though there are glimpses of Bucky fighting his programming, this is one of those pointless stories that doesn’t really say anything different or offer any new perspective about the character.
The rest of the book is generic action sequences: a runaway train, fights in the snow, guns shooting, yawn. All bluster, nothing substantial. Roland Boschi’s art isn’t bad but I wouldn’t say it’s that impressive – it reminded me of early Mike Mignola. One of the Nazi scientists falling for Ran felt contrived and just there because that’s what Bond got up to and that’s the impression Remender’s aiming for.
It all adds up to an unexciting story. In concept it sounds like fun – a classic ‘60s spy thriller featuring the Winter Soldier, Nick Fury, Nazi scientists, HYDRA, a dashing hero, and a gorgeous blonde – but in execution it comes across so flat and uninteresting. Remender simply can’t make any of these characters or their goals seem remotely urgent so it’s a “thriller” in name only.
If all you want is generic action nonsense, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March is your safe choice – anyone wanting to read a fun spy adventure set in the Marvel universe will be disappointed with this offering.
February 22, 2022
This was so good!
It starts with 1966 story as the SHIELD agents including Ran Shen and Fury want two Nazi scientists but the soviets also want them and so they have sent the Winter Soldier to retrieve them and well the fight on all sides, Ran falling in love with the female Nazi scientist and we see her story and well the two are a pair now and more fights and death and the coming of a new HYDRA villain named "The Drain" (mind controller?) and well Bucky in action, Ran sacrificing so many things to ensure his new beloved escapes, enter SHIELD and so many twists and turns and this was epic! The Alchemy formula! The origins of Ran shen! A rare insight into who the Winter Soldier really was for a brief time!
Its epic and I love the way it ties into his Captain America run and he does well to hint at some big HYDRA villains and also give an epic origin to Ran Shen aka the future Iron Nail and how he really started hating SHIELD and America and how he learned of the Communist manifesto from that female Nazi scientist and its epic and yeah you do feel for Shen in the story. Its perfect and its less a winter solider story and more an origin for one of the best villains of Cap! Just a perfect read!
It starts with 1966 story as the SHIELD agents including Ran Shen and Fury want two Nazi scientists but the soviets also want them and so they have sent the Winter Soldier to retrieve them and well the fight on all sides, Ran falling in love with the female Nazi scientist and we see her story and well the two are a pair now and more fights and death and the coming of a new HYDRA villain named "The Drain" (mind controller?) and well Bucky in action, Ran sacrificing so many things to ensure his new beloved escapes, enter SHIELD and so many twists and turns and this was epic! The Alchemy formula! The origins of Ran shen! A rare insight into who the Winter Soldier really was for a brief time!
Its epic and I love the way it ties into his Captain America run and he does well to hint at some big HYDRA villains and also give an epic origin to Ran Shen aka the future Iron Nail and how he really started hating SHIELD and America and how he learned of the Communist manifesto from that female Nazi scientist and its epic and yeah you do feel for Shen in the story. Its perfect and its less a winter solider story and more an origin for one of the best villains of Cap! Just a perfect read!
October 24, 2014
I haven't heard good things about Rick Remender's work, but I kind of like this run on Winter Soldier. It begins by following Fury and another SHIELD agent during the Cold War, as they begin to go up against the Winter Soldier. But slowly, Bucky's memories surface in the Winter Soldier, changing the whole course of the story.
Ultimately, it doesn't change anything about the Marvel universe -- Bucky might as well never have resurfaced, really. In a way, that makes this a bit of a cheat: we see a little of Bucky's struggles against the Soviets who control him, but it doesn't really mean anything. It doesn't show us anything about Bucky we didn't already know. It doesn't pick up on where we left him in the last Winter Soldier comic, with the love of his life unable to remember who he is. With everything he's come to care about destroyed.
It's a fun spy/action story, but nothing more.
Ultimately, it doesn't change anything about the Marvel universe -- Bucky might as well never have resurfaced, really. In a way, that makes this a bit of a cheat: we see a little of Bucky's struggles against the Soviets who control him, but it doesn't really mean anything. It doesn't show us anything about Bucky we didn't already know. It doesn't pick up on where we left him in the last Winter Soldier comic, with the love of his life unable to remember who he is. With everything he's come to care about destroyed.
It's a fun spy/action story, but nothing more.
January 20, 2023
I really liked this but I really like reading Bucky comic books.
July 28, 2021
I own this book.
1966, Cold War era, we find Ran Shen and Nick Fury infiltrating a Hydra party in an effort to get two highly in-demand Nazi scientists to help further the American battle. However, America aren't the only people who want them, unfortunately for Nick and Ran, the Russians also want the scientists and they are sending their best. The famed Winter Soldier. Nick Fury is lost while Shen tries to get the scientists to "safety" while being hunted down by the Winter Solider. What breaks my heart about this book is the flashbacks we see Bucky having of his real life, before the Red Room and eventually he introduces himself as James. It's so sad it's canon in the comic universe that he was himself before he officially became himself and he would have gotten away if it wasn't for Nick Fury. I also absolutely loved Shen's character and I would love to come across him again.
1966, Cold War era, we find Ran Shen and Nick Fury infiltrating a Hydra party in an effort to get two highly in-demand Nazi scientists to help further the American battle. However, America aren't the only people who want them, unfortunately for Nick and Ran, the Russians also want the scientists and they are sending their best. The famed Winter Soldier. Nick Fury is lost while Shen tries to get the scientists to "safety" while being hunted down by the Winter Solider. What breaks my heart about this book is the flashbacks we see Bucky having of his real life, before the Red Room and eventually he introduces himself as James. It's so sad it's canon in the comic universe that he was himself before he officially became himself and he would have gotten away if it wasn't for Nick Fury. I also absolutely loved Shen's character and I would love to come across him again.
December 7, 2022
I really liked this comic but with the stakes so high, there was only one way it could conceivably end and so there wasn't a huge amount of tension. But overall, still a really enjoyable comic with lots of action.
July 2, 2021
you can tell the winter soldier was heavily inspired by the last panels but man this was pretty good but bucky wasn’t even the protagonist which was pretty :/ sad to see him thinking his memories of steve were hallucinations tho
September 2, 2023
Look, I'm not gonna lie about my somewhat unhealthy obsession with Bucky Barnes. Everyone knows about it anyway.
Yeah, I admit: that motorcycle scene in Civil War had me feeling some things... And honestly... the Winter Soldier does hit differently, so why deny it?
Boy, "with you 'til the end of the line" is not the only reason I keep rewatching the second Cap movie, that's for sure... So yeah, let the horny nation rise, I guess.
But this graphic novel was not the satisfaction I was looking for. Far from it.
It was just really boring and predictable. Nevertheless, I'm glad my friend forced me to pick this up (kidding, but she did give me a copy while winking her eye and saying "as a Bucky stan, you gotta...")
Yeah, I admit: that motorcycle scene in Civil War had me feeling some things... And honestly... the Winter Soldier does hit differently, so why deny it?
Boy, "with you 'til the end of the line" is not the only reason I keep rewatching the second Cap movie, that's for sure... So yeah, let the horny nation rise, I guess.
But this graphic novel was not the satisfaction I was looking for. Far from it.
It was just really boring and predictable. Nevertheless, I'm glad my friend forced me to pick this up (kidding, but she did give me a copy while winking her eye and saying "as a Bucky stan, you gotta...")
December 20, 2014
Rick Remender's reputation has taken a small hit lately with the AXIS debacle but this serves as a reminder of how good he can be. But I mean that word "good," this is not "GREAT" Rememder, that's reserved for most of his Uncanny X-Force run and some of his Image work. Obviously the Winter Soldier is a big deal in the wake of Captain America: The Winter Soldier hitting the big screen and, thankfully, this five-issue arc holds true to his comic book origin, not the film version (which I love, don't take that wrong. Winter Soldier is my favorite MARVEL flick so far). There are a few parallel story lines at work here and they're all quite good in their own right. All in all, I would highly recommend this. It's fun to see the Winter Soldier at work back in a Cold War setting doing the things he does that build his ominous reputation.
March 6, 2022
Why is this labeled Winter Soldier when he's not the protagonist at all lol. This is a Ran Shen origin story like??? Who the fuck is that? I've never heard of this man in my entire life and I hope I never do again. Sure the Winter Soldier is in this but he's such a background character it was insulting.
This take place in the 60s with Nick Fury and Ran Shen on a mission to save a couple of Nazi scientists so HYDRA can't get their hands on them. Then notorious assassin the Winter Soldier comes in and is trying to take them for the KGB. After a man with a power that can make people kill themselves shows up, one of them is dead and Ran falls for the other one, Mila.
Absolutely hated the art. Hated how the single female character was wearing a mini skirt with her tits out in the middle of Russian winter. Clown town.
I did like Bucky in this though- this is him still mind controlled but due to getting shocked with electricity he starts remembering his backstory. He thinks it is just hallucinations at first but he starts to remember who he was and then fights his programming. Pretty sad ending in this for him though.😭
I was gonna give this two stars just for my boy Bucky but the bait and switch and how I had to read about some random dude and his cliche mission & romance did nothing for me.
This take place in the 60s with Nick Fury and Ran Shen on a mission to save a couple of Nazi scientists so HYDRA can't get their hands on them. Then notorious assassin the Winter Soldier comes in and is trying to take them for the KGB. After a man with a power that can make people kill themselves shows up, one of them is dead and Ran falls for the other one, Mila.
Absolutely hated the art. Hated how the single female character was wearing a mini skirt with her tits out in the middle of Russian winter. Clown town.
I did like Bucky in this though- this is him still mind controlled but due to getting shocked with electricity he starts remembering his backstory. He thinks it is just hallucinations at first but he starts to remember who he was and then fights his programming. Pretty sad ending in this for him though.😭
I was gonna give this two stars just for my boy Bucky but the bait and switch and how I had to read about some random dude and his cliche mission & romance did nothing for me.
July 9, 2025
Foi uma ótima HQ, consegui ler tudo em menos de uma hora foi muito bom.
January 19, 2022
The Winter Soldier is awake-
But for how long?
1966.
S.H.I.E.L.D agents Nick Fury and Ran Shen are sent to liberate two German prisoners from Castle HYDRA in the Russian tundra.
The only problem?
They're Nazis.
But they hold what could be the key to ending the Cold War... Or starting World War III; the Alchemy Formula.
For this, S.H.I.E.L.D wants them alive.
Unfortunately for them, HYDRA might want them more.
Fury and Shen successfully rescue the husband and wife, Mila and Peter, but out of the blue appears a ghost.
A ghost with a metal arm, and a red star.
The Soviet superspy known as the Winter Soldier is hot on their tails, and almost escapes with the cargo.
But thanks to one crazy S.O.B with an accurate name, Agent Shen gets away with the Germans in tow.
Mila, the true genius behind the Alchemist Formula, the formula that could end suffering across the globe, has turned her back on her husband, and renounced the ideals of the Nazis.
She wants to bring peace to a world ravaged by war.
Her husband has other ideas.
With the Winter Soldier still on the loose and chasing them down, Shen has to do everything in his power to keep Mila and Peter alive.
Even if it means bowing to the enemy.
Ahhhh.
So much better.
Glad I didn't let Ales Kot's interpretation of the Winter Soldier ruin him for me.
I'm also really glad I read this in such rapid succession with Deadpool Pulp, they're awesome books to read together.
I'm already a fan of Rick Remender, I've started two series of his. Deadly Class and Captain America both blew me away, and I was not disappointed here.
Shen and Fury's back-and-forth was priceless, the dialogue was strung together masterfully, and Buck's flashbacks...
"When we give up is our choice. Never reaching that point is the only thing that we can do to honor the comrades who fell getting us here."
Yeah.
Bucky Barnes has PTSD.
Like we didn't all see that coming.
All in all, ace in the hole. There's some backstory on a rather notorious Captain America villain, the Iron Nail, and a quick rundown on HYDRA for anyone new to the Cap-and-Bucky-verse.
Art specs.
They say don't judge a book by its cover. And, yeah, no, don't.
Thatpicture of Nightwing on the cover is a bait and switch. The cover and cover variants were each done by different artists, while the art inside was all done by Roland Boschi.
See? Classic art inside. I love Boschi's style, he definitely gets a spot on the favorites list.
This cover variant by Agustin Alessio was kinda my favorite though. Wish they had used it, instead.
Basically this book just reminded me I need to start reading Rick's Captain America again.
But for how long?
1966.
S.H.I.E.L.D agents Nick Fury and Ran Shen are sent to liberate two German prisoners from Castle HYDRA in the Russian tundra.
The only problem?
They're Nazis.
But they hold what could be the key to ending the Cold War... Or starting World War III; the Alchemy Formula.
For this, S.H.I.E.L.D wants them alive.
Unfortunately for them, HYDRA might want them more.
Fury and Shen successfully rescue the husband and wife, Mila and Peter, but out of the blue appears a ghost.
A ghost with a metal arm, and a red star.
The Soviet superspy known as the Winter Soldier is hot on their tails, and almost escapes with the cargo.
But thanks to one crazy S.O.B with an accurate name, Agent Shen gets away with the Germans in tow.
Mila, the true genius behind the Alchemist Formula, the formula that could end suffering across the globe, has turned her back on her husband, and renounced the ideals of the Nazis.
She wants to bring peace to a world ravaged by war.
Her husband has other ideas.
With the Winter Soldier still on the loose and chasing them down, Shen has to do everything in his power to keep Mila and Peter alive.
Even if it means bowing to the enemy.
Ahhhh.
So much better.
Glad I didn't let Ales Kot's interpretation of the Winter Soldier ruin him for me.
I'm also really glad I read this in such rapid succession with Deadpool Pulp, they're awesome books to read together.
I'm already a fan of Rick Remender, I've started two series of his. Deadly Class and Captain America both blew me away, and I was not disappointed here.
Shen and Fury's back-and-forth was priceless, the dialogue was strung together masterfully, and Buck's flashbacks...
"When we give up is our choice. Never reaching that point is the only thing that we can do to honor the comrades who fell getting us here."
Yeah.
Bucky Barnes has PTSD.
Like we didn't all see that coming.
All in all, ace in the hole. There's some backstory on a rather notorious Captain America villain, the Iron Nail, and a quick rundown on HYDRA for anyone new to the Cap-and-Bucky-verse.
Art specs.
They say don't judge a book by its cover. And, yeah, no, don't.
That
See? Classic art inside. I love Boschi's style, he definitely gets a spot on the favorites list.
This cover variant by Agustin Alessio was kinda my favorite though. Wish they had used it, instead.
Basically this book just reminded me I need to start reading Rick's Captain America again.
December 15, 2021
The Bitter March was an interesting beast to contend with.
This storyline is in 1966 and follows Ran Shen and Nick Fury on a mission to collect some important tech from defecting Nazis before the Soviets can get it. Ran Shen is very much the protagonist of this title, in spite of it being a Winter Soldier book. This... isn't a bad thing, it's just very unexpected when you're expecting something more Winter Soldier centric.
There are some fun spy shenanigans, a villain who is both chilling and really not in the least explained in any meaningful way, and some Bucky angst that will leave a bitter taste in your mouth by the time the story is ended. It works well as a Ran Shen origin story, and is an extremely solid Ran Shen story overall. But... it's not entirely marketed as a Ran Shen story?
I'm just conflicted about this one. None of it clicked in my head quite as well as I wanted it to, but it was still an enjoyable read. It's all right. Not stellar, and not a bad read, but also just... all right. I feel like it should have been longer to have a better impact and that the story was a bit rushed.
Kudos to it having the best alliteration in the words "Nazi Noodles" on the very first page, though.
This storyline is in 1966 and follows Ran Shen and Nick Fury on a mission to collect some important tech from defecting Nazis before the Soviets can get it. Ran Shen is very much the protagonist of this title, in spite of it being a Winter Soldier book. This... isn't a bad thing, it's just very unexpected when you're expecting something more Winter Soldier centric.
There are some fun spy shenanigans, a villain who is both chilling and really not in the least explained in any meaningful way, and some Bucky angst that will leave a bitter taste in your mouth by the time the story is ended. It works well as a Ran Shen origin story, and is an extremely solid Ran Shen story overall. But... it's not entirely marketed as a Ran Shen story?
I'm just conflicted about this one. None of it clicked in my head quite as well as I wanted it to, but it was still an enjoyable read. It's all right. Not stellar, and not a bad read, but also just... all right. I feel like it should have been longer to have a better impact and that the story was a bit rushed.
Kudos to it having the best alliteration in the words "Nazi Noodles" on the very first page, though.
May 30, 2025
This isn't a bad comic by any stretch, but having read other takes on the character, I can't help but feel that a similar wartime Winter Soldier narrative was handled exponentially better in the Cold Front novel.
My primary reservation lies with Bucky himself feeling like a side character in his own series. While his replacement as the primary perspective, Shen, wasn't bad, it simply wasn't what I expected from a book titled Winter Soldier. However, I did grow to like Shen more as the story progressed, and his character's ending was brilliantly executed and genuinely shocking, proving to be a definite highlight.
Early moments showcasing Bucky's struggle against his programming were also standouts. Featuring some genuinely moving quotes in cameos from Captain America, this provided a strong emotional core. Bucky's eventual redemption arc was also handled well, and everything following that pivotal point in issue #4 secured this collection its three stars.
Unfortunately, canonically, there's only one way a wartime Winter Soldier story can truly conclude. The problem is, I've already seen this exact arc ending done with greater impact in Cold Front.
Overall, The Bitter March offers strong individual moments and an engaging new character in Shen, but it ultimately treads familiar ground, feeling less impactful than other interpretations of the Winter Soldier's tormented past.
My primary reservation lies with Bucky himself feeling like a side character in his own series. While his replacement as the primary perspective, Shen, wasn't bad, it simply wasn't what I expected from a book titled Winter Soldier. However, I did grow to like Shen more as the story progressed, and his character's ending was brilliantly executed and genuinely shocking, proving to be a definite highlight.
Early moments showcasing Bucky's struggle against his programming were also standouts. Featuring some genuinely moving quotes in cameos from Captain America, this provided a strong emotional core. Bucky's eventual redemption arc was also handled well, and everything following that pivotal point in issue #4 secured this collection its three stars.
Unfortunately, canonically, there's only one way a wartime Winter Soldier story can truly conclude. The problem is, I've already seen this exact arc ending done with greater impact in Cold Front.
Overall, The Bitter March offers strong individual moments and an engaging new character in Shen, but it ultimately treads familiar ground, feeling less impactful than other interpretations of the Winter Soldier's tormented past.
May 2, 2022
This is an interesting 2014 miniseries that retcons a 1966 mission of the Winter Soldier's, with a lot of SHIELD espionage action thrown in. The Winter Soldier starts to remember his own past and he tries to get away from Hydra, ideally while saving a SHIELD agent and an important scientist.
Retconned miniseries in Marvel Comics are in a odd and liminal position. Since they're set at an earlier point in time, they can't introduce anything that would substantially change the events of canon, because we know what did and didn't happen. Some retellings, like Captain America: Man Out of Time, essentially run adjacent to canon. The best one can hope for, in terms of lasting impact, is the kind of miniseries that reveals a previously-unknown thing that could have stayed secret. Say, Carol's parentage in The Life of Captain Marvel. Something that will change the way characters think about things.
But The Bitter March doesn't give us any of this, because it can't. We know Bucky doesn't get free now. We know he doesn't get to keep his memories. We know he's going to get brainwashed again. So he doesn't learn anything he gets to keep, and nothing changes. So it's just... meh, you know?
Remender is not my favorite writer, but this is serviceable enough in terms of dialogue and plot. The coloring and art style are interesting -- it's basically flats all the way through but I think it works, except for how it looks like Bucky has Gambit-style red eyes rather than, I guess, goggles. It's a little gory for me, and the panels that were shot-for-shot redraws of the brainwashing in CATWS -- because CATWS predates this by months, as far as I can tell -- struck me as a little lazy.
There are definitely better Winter Soldier books than this. But I'm still glad I read it.
Retconned miniseries in Marvel Comics are in a odd and liminal position. Since they're set at an earlier point in time, they can't introduce anything that would substantially change the events of canon, because we know what did and didn't happen. Some retellings, like Captain America: Man Out of Time, essentially run adjacent to canon. The best one can hope for, in terms of lasting impact, is the kind of miniseries that reveals a previously-unknown thing that could have stayed secret. Say, Carol's parentage in The Life of Captain Marvel. Something that will change the way characters think about things.
But The Bitter March doesn't give us any of this, because it can't. We know Bucky doesn't get free now. We know he doesn't get to keep his memories. We know he's going to get brainwashed again. So he doesn't learn anything he gets to keep, and nothing changes. So it's just... meh, you know?
Remender is not my favorite writer, but this is serviceable enough in terms of dialogue and plot. The coloring and art style are interesting -- it's basically flats all the way through but I think it works, except for how it looks like Bucky has Gambit-style red eyes rather than, I guess, goggles. It's a little gory for me, and the panels that were shot-for-shot redraws of the brainwashing in CATWS -- because CATWS predates this by months, as far as I can tell -- struck me as a little lazy.
There are definitely better Winter Soldier books than this. But I'm still glad I read it.
January 6, 2020
From Russia With Love... in the Marvel Universe.
I liked this fine... but it could have been much better. The art did not compliment the feel of the story. Not to be cliche, but Steve Epting would have made this incredible. Boschi is a great artist, but it didn’t work as well here.
I love the action sequences, and I love seeing Bucky in his early days as the Winter Soldier.
Some more Nick Fury would have been nice, but seeing Shen’s early descent was still interesting.
High quality spy drama, overall. I’m a sucker for fights on a moving train. This contributed positively to the canon and was fun to read.
I liked this fine... but it could have been much better. The art did not compliment the feel of the story. Not to be cliche, but Steve Epting would have made this incredible. Boschi is a great artist, but it didn’t work as well here.
I love the action sequences, and I love seeing Bucky in his early days as the Winter Soldier.
Some more Nick Fury would have been nice, but seeing Shen’s early descent was still interesting.
High quality spy drama, overall. I’m a sucker for fights on a moving train. This contributed positively to the canon and was fun to read.
Read
June 8, 2025tbh i haven't read that many comics so i don't have a good grasp of what's good and what isn't, but i had fun with this one! i love getting to see more of the winter soldier during the cold war
July 12, 2025
Really wish this focused more on the Winter Soldier and less on Shen, but Winter Soldier and the Drain interactions were great. Loved all of the Winter Soldier flashbacks!
May 5, 2026
The Hydra salute looks so stupid that it genuinely distracted me for this entire story...I really don't like Hydra
April 3, 2025
James bucky Barnes would NEVER!
February 6, 2023
Amazing art and a super fast paced read.
January 17, 2016
Next up on my quest to read whatever I can get my hands on about my favourite Marvel character.
This comic really gave me James Bond vibes, which for me, is a good thing. Secret missions, secret weapons, guns blazing, trains exploding, and a female love interest who was a really interesting character. There was action almost non-stop, as well as some really touching scenes.
Moreover, Bucky had an engaging story arc. At first he gave me the creeps, as expected. Then it was interesting to read about how he went from lethal, ruthless assassin to confused assassin-gone-rogue, when memories of his previous life started popping up uninvited. And even though I (and basically everyone) knew how this story was going to end, it was nice to see this short interlude disrupt the brainwashing that was done to him and the life the Soviets forced him to have.
Plus that Fury cameo was a really fun addition XD
However, there were some parts of the story which felt weird, and the only thing they accomplished was to remind me of all the reasons I prefer books to comics. Finally, the art style wasn't really appealing to me. There goes a star for that. Four stars then, for a pretty enjoyable read :)
This comic really gave me James Bond vibes, which for me, is a good thing. Secret missions, secret weapons, guns blazing, trains exploding, and a female love interest who was a really interesting character. There was action almost non-stop, as well as some really touching scenes.
Moreover, Bucky had an engaging story arc. At first he gave me the creeps, as expected. Then it was interesting to read about how he went from lethal, ruthless assassin to confused assassin-gone-rogue, when memories of his previous life started popping up uninvited. And even though I (and basically everyone) knew how this story was going to end, it was nice to see this short interlude disrupt the brainwashing that was done to him and the life the Soviets forced him to have.
Plus that Fury cameo was a really fun addition XD
However, there were some parts of the story which felt weird, and the only thing they accomplished was to remind me of all the reasons I prefer books to comics. Finally, the art style wasn't really appealing to me. There goes a star for that. Four stars then, for a pretty enjoyable read :)
August 4, 2015
It's the 1960s and SHIELD agents Nick Fury and Ran Shen are looking to infiltrate a Hydra castle where two ex-Nazi scientists are being held for a formula that would turn the tide on the Cold War. Unfortunately, the Soviets have sent Winter Soldier after that formula, and now Shen and the scientist hostages are being attacked from all sides. A jolt of electricity and some psychic meddling interfere with the Winter Soldier's brainwashing, and he begins to have memories of his old friend Captain America.
I was hesitant to read this because I wasn't as much a fan of the art style as with the Brubaker Winter Soldier series, and while I'd read the first two issues I never finished it. This was a little birthday treat I bought myself, and I'm glad I did. Bucky has an inner Steve that prevents him from becoming the villain of this piece. I thought it was interesting as a one-shot volume and gave a little more insight into Winter Soldier's past. There's a lot of action and Nick Fury was also great as Shen's partner.
I was hesitant to read this because I wasn't as much a fan of the art style as with the Brubaker Winter Soldier series, and while I'd read the first two issues I never finished it. This was a little birthday treat I bought myself, and I'm glad I did. Bucky has an inner Steve that prevents him from becoming the villain of this piece. I thought it was interesting as a one-shot volume and gave a little more insight into Winter Soldier's past. There's a lot of action and Nick Fury was also great as Shen's partner.
August 24, 2017
While nothing ultimately changes after this volume, this is still a decent spy/action story. SHIELD goes up against Bucky/the Winter Soldier in a story set in 1966, with Bucky’s memories coming up and affecting these courses of events. The 1960s setting was matched with stylistic art choices and a very Bond-esque tale. While I wouldn’t go out of my way to track it down and it is not a story that has any lasting change, I did not mind reading it.
On a reread some years later (2017 from 2014), I perhaps enjoyed it fractionally less while generally having a similar view to my original. In particular, I perhaps found it a little less memorable, but still enjoyable enough to read.
On a reread some years later (2017 from 2014), I perhaps enjoyed it fractionally less while generally having a similar view to my original. In particular, I perhaps found it a little less memorable, but still enjoyable enough to read.
October 31, 2015
ooooh boy!
Ok, when I found out that the main character in this book, Ran, actually becomes the Captain America villain, The Nail, that made this book infinitely more interesting. Buck Barnes, The Winter Soldier is one of my favorite Marvel characters, probably in my top five. I am always going to love reading about him. Remender is also one of my favorite writers of all time. This book didn't really have to do much to already be a slam dunk, for me. It went even further though, it was a super tense, espionage thriller, with a mind controlling David Bowie inspired villain. It was a great little adventure
Ok, when I found out that the main character in this book, Ran, actually becomes the Captain America villain, The Nail, that made this book infinitely more interesting. Buck Barnes, The Winter Soldier is one of my favorite Marvel characters, probably in my top five. I am always going to love reading about him. Remender is also one of my favorite writers of all time. This book didn't really have to do much to already be a slam dunk, for me. It went even further though, it was a super tense, espionage thriller, with a mind controlling David Bowie inspired villain. It was a great little adventure
October 27, 2015
I kinda really loved this little side story. It gave a bit more insight into the struggles that Bucky faced while under Hydra's control as well as show cases his actual abilities as the Winter Soldier. Obviously it had to be a bit soul destroying with the ending but that just comes along with Bucky's story sadly. Overall I really enjoyed this.
January 22, 2016
This is a throwback back book going back to the 60s with the Winter Soldier vs Nick Fury and Ren Shen trying to rescue a couple of scientists Hydra had caught.
Part two of three runs in a custom Winter Soldier omnibus.
Part two of three runs in a custom Winter Soldier omnibus.
October 14, 2025
A very fun, quick read about one of my favorite Marvel villains, the Winter Soldier. He rarely speaks, but his presence alone is frightening. Bro is just a badass. Very surprised as a Marvel noob to find out that comic Nick Fury is white! Give me Samuel Jackson
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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