Captain America and Bucky Barnes: A Guide to Writing Meaningful Friendships
What’s up, TWNers! So here’s the thing, I’ve kinda been really into superhero stories, especially the Captain America films. Alright, alright, if I’m being completely honest, I really just like Bucky. He’s like on Peeta-Mellark-level for me, and nobody but Peeta has ever gotten that special spot. Bucky’s just really awesome y’all, and I will die on this hill. Specifically, however, Bucky and Steve’s friendship has stayed on my mind since watching the main trilogy, and when I start thinking about something, I start over-analyzing everything. (Which is why I talk a LOT about The Hunger Games series on this blog). And all that usually leads to a blog post. We should rename this blog to I Really Should Just Get a Diary.
Anyway, Steve and Bucky have a solid written friendship, the kind that’s normally lacking in modern stories, and I really enjoyed it so much so that I’ve made an entire edit for it on my new YouTube channel, which you can check out below if you’re interested.
While I am a huge fan of a good romance, I do feel that because romance sells so well, a lot of authors just stay away from writing other types of relationships that are important too, such as family relationships or friendships. And you guys know I normally run counter to popular culture, which is why Colin’s relationship with his brother Levi is a huge focus in my novel Into the Lamp.
For my current drafting novel, Project: SUPER (official title to be announced!), there is a strong focus on the main character’s relationship with his best friend, so I thought this would be a great time to dissect how Steve and Bucky’s friendship is done so well and some tips of how we can write meaningful friendships in our own novels. Heads up: there will be spoilers. Let’s get into it! (Cue all of the Bucky GIFs)
1. Spend Time Developing Each Character
I know this sounds kind of obvious, but you would be surprised how many stories I read or watch that barely develop the side characters. Especially if they’re not the love interest, side characters like best friends tend to get pushed to the side, but this hurts the relationship in so many ways. Even if the side character isn’t the main focus, they are still the main character of their own world. Ask yourselves what their goals are, what their past has been like, what their hobbies and dislikes are. Even if these don’t appear in the book, if you at least know your characters better, it goes a long way. Both Steve and Bucky are well-developed by the end of the trilogy. In all three of the films, Bucky has his own story apart from being Steve’s best friend. In The First Avenger, he’s joining the U.S. Army in World War II to fight Germany. In The Winter Soldier, he’s a brainwashed prisoner of Hydra, being forced to be part of their mission to take down Captain America. And in Civil War, he’s trying to prevent being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit as well as helping Steve stop Zemo from unleashing an army of other super soldiers. Because he’s a main figure in the stories, there are many times his storyline intersects with Steve’s, but this is not all the time because he is his own person living his own story.
2. Give Them Some Page Time
Okay, I know this one is also painfully obvious, but I’m serious. The reason why a lot of best friends in books don’t ever stick out is because we barely see them. They’re like the side characters in Hallmark movies that only show up just to encourage and be supportive of the main character. But if you want to write a meaningful friendship that readers will spend time thinking about afterward, you have to actually develop that relationship on page. Part of why we root for Steve and Bucky in the last two films is because the first movie spends time showing us how close the two are and how they would fight and die for the other. Seeing Bucky and Steve fight each other in The Winter Soldier only hurts us because we know how much this has to be killing Steve. I know we all love a lot of action in our stories, but don’t forget that the backbone of your books are formed in the small moments.
3 Ask Yourself What Brings Them Together
So we’re going back to my first point about developing each character, but as you’re doing that, ask yourself why these two are close friends in the first place. Do they have a shared history? Shared interests? Shared beliefs? Your best friends don’t have to be copies of each other, but they have to have some common ground that began the friendship. Steve and Bucky have a shared history together, and while much of that is developed off-page, only being told they were best friends since childhood, The First Avenger shows us how Bucky is constantly looking out for Steve. He tries to talk him out of continuing to lie on enlistment forms and finds other ways to help the effort and fights off actual bullies that Steve can’t physically take on himself (before the serum, that is). They also have a shared desire to fight against Germany and, later, Hydra.
4 Now Give Them Conflict – What Drives Them Apart?
Conflict is a part of any relationship. I’m sure you’ve even had disagreements or conflicts with your best friend. It’s just a part of being human. So ask yourself what do they not agree on, or what conflict could drive them apart.
Overcoming differences, disagreements, or fights can help make these relationships stand out. It’s interesting to see how these relationships are tested, especially when the friendship holds through despite the conflict. For Bucky and Steve, this is most clearly established in The Winter Soldier. Even though Bucky had no say in being the brainwashed Winter Soldier he was in this film, Steve and Bucky’s friendship is tested by the final battle. And what makes their friendship stand out is because it is proven to be stronger than what’s trying to tear them apart. Even though Bucky barely remembers who Steve is, he knows he can’t let Steve drown as the aircraft is falling apart. No matter how strong Hydra’s brainwashing was, Steve was able to break through it and bring his friend back. If that doesn’t show a solid written friendship right there, I don’t know what does!
5 Show Them Working Together
If you want your friendships to have a strong impact in the story, then they need to actually be doing something together. Give us some page time of these two friends working together for a common cause, even if it’s not in the final climax scene. I know, we do love to force our main characters to do that on their own. Bucky isn’t there for the final fight in The First Avenger, but we got to watch them fighting together as part of the Howling Commandos taking down Hydra bases. And, obviously, all the best combat scenes in Civil War are when the two of them are fighting off their enemies together. The final scene when Bucky and Steve go up against Iron Man still gives me chills!
In conclusion, while friendships are an often forgotten component in many modern stories, they still hold meaning when written well. Bucky and Steve are an unforgettable pair, and that friendship was built carefully through three films, leaving a lasting impact. But let’s keep up the conversation in the comments! Have you seen any of the Captain America films? What are some of your favorite fictional friendships? Do you have any friendships in your WIP? I want to hear all about it in the comments below!
D.B. Rayne
D. B. Rayne is a twenty-something-year-old Christian novelist and author of her fantasy, Aladdin-inspired debut, Into the Lamp. She lives in the South, where she is allegedly “writing” (but is most likely envisioning owning her own sword or hunting for Narnia in wardrobes). You can follow her on Instagram, @db_rayne.
