Bucky is the name used by several different fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a sidekick to Captain America. The original Bucky, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover-dated March 1941), which was published by Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics. In 2005 the original Bucky was brought back from supposed death as the villainous assassin Winter Soldier, and later briefly assumed the role of Captain America when Steve Rogers was presumed to be dead.