Regardless of the universe, Bucky Barnes has a true friendship with Steve Rogers. But through Steve, Bucky is introduced to a number of other characters who end up being his friends. Characters such as Hawkeye, the Young Avengers, and Sam Wilson eventually become characters who Bucky could depend upon in battle and as a civilian.
But while the Marvel Universe is full of characters who Bucky respected and befriended, what if he had lived in the DC Comics Universe? It may be easy to imagine Steve Rogers quickly establishing friendships with characters such as Superman, but how would Bucky handle a universe so different than his own?
10 Hate: Booster Gold Would Rub Bucky The Wrong Way Due To His Publicity Seeking Behaviors
One of the reasons that the Winter Soldier storyline is so tragic is the fact that as a hero fighting in World War II with Captain America, Bucky had been defined by his principles. These strong principles were ones he shared with Steve, and being turned into Winter Soldier forced Bucky to go against all of those values that Bucky held dear. Part of Bucky's personal set of values included doing the right thing because it was the right thing to do. Though he was depicted in comics as Captain America's sidekick, he hated this type of publicity.
The DC character of Booster Gold was primarily depicted as someone who came from the future, using his knowledge of the past to gain publicity and fame as a hero. Although Booster would later develop as a deeper character, Bucky would hate Booster Gold due to the reputation of a publicity-seeking hero.
9 Friends With: He Would Respect Black Canary's Ability To Handle Her Own
If there is one character trait that Bucky Barnes definitely appreciates, it is powerful superhero women who are able to take care of themselves. This is obvious in his relationships with Sharon Carter and Natasha Romanoff, as well as his respect for Kate Bishop.
Black Canary is an experienced martial artist who also has the ability to shatter a man's skull with her voice. Bucky would respect Black Canary's ability to hold her own in a fight, with and without her superhero ability. It would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship... or more.
8 Hate: Guy Gardner's Disrespectful Nature Would Irritate Bucky
Bucky is canonically friends with some people who have challenging personalities. He respects and works alongside Wolverine and Nick Fury, both of whom can be difficult to have as teammates.
However, Guy Gardner not only is a difficult teammate for many of his own fellow Green Lanterns to deal with, but he was also so difficult on the Justice League, he earned a punch from Batman. His antics were often juvenile, such as flashing Batman before leaving the Justice League Watchtower. Although Bucky could handle heroes who could be jerks occasionally, he would hate Guy's confrontational style, because it lacked reason, purpose, or respect.
7 Friends With: Barry Allen Would Remind Him Of Steve Rogers
Barry Allen and Steve Rogers have more in common than square jaws, blond hair, and blue eyes. The two heroes are determined to follow what they believe is the morally righteous path, regardless of who might want to stand in their way. If Bucky were to meet Barry, he'd instantly recognize the desire to make a difference that characterized both Steve and Barry.
The other aspect of Barry's personality that would instantly resonate with Bucky is the devotion Barry had towards his sidekick. As the other half of Captain America and Bucky, Bucky was able to benefit from Steve's friendship and teachings. He'd instantly recognize Barry's determination to offer Wally the same, and that would earn Bucky's respect.
6 Hate: Oliver Queen Would Remind Him Of Tony Stark
Although there are some differences between MCU Bucky and Marvel 616 Bucky, both have something important in common: they both came from humble backgrounds that required hard work to get by. That is not something that Oliver Queen has ever had as part of his origins. He has always come from a rich family, and despite some time on an island, the privileges he was born with never quite left him.
Bucky's dislike of Oliver Queen would also have a foundation in the fact that the rich blond playboy would remind Bucky entirely too much of Tony Stark, someone Bucky has a complicated and often antagonistic relationship with in both the comics and the MCU. Oliver also has a history of neglecting his sidekicks. Since Bucky benefitted from one of the best mentors in comics, he would hate Oliver on that basis alone.
5 Be Friends With: He Would Respect John Stewart's Morals
John Stewart is not only a Green Lantern. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a sergeant. This is also the rank Bucky held in the MCU. Additionally, Bucky and John were both snipers.
Bucky would be friends with John Stewart thanks to their shared backgrounds. But he would also respect John's integrity and ability to juggle the morals he'd built in the armed forces with the ones that were demanded upon him as a superhero. Hal Jordan may have judged John for taking a sniper shot as a hero, but Bucky would have understood the need.
4 Hate: Bucky Would See Bruce Wayne As A Horrible Mentor
Many fan conversations revolve around who would win in a fight: Captain America or Batman? To some degree, this argument makes sense. Both heroes rely primarily upon their hand-to-hand combat in a world filled with aliens, sorcerers, and advanced technology. Both also suffered great losses as their sidekicks died in front of them.
But the difference is that Steve Rogers never gave up on Bucky, even when Bucky was at his worst. This is certainly not true of Batman, who has been depicted as striking most of the Robins on panel. Batman has also fired both Stephanie Brown and Jason Todd when they were Robin. At no point would Bucky think Bruce was a good mentor, and he would likely hate this particular genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist.
3 Be Friends With: He Would Be Drawn To Wonder Woman's Compassion
Diana comes from an island of warrior women who value the truth above all else. She and Steve do not simply wear the same colors, but they also have a similar set of morals. Bucky would instantly be drawn to the compassion that Diana extends to all of her friends and enemies alike.
Diana has also had a history of sidekicks making mistakes and needing to be forgiven. This forgiveness was given freely, and Bucky would instantly befriend anyone who was willing to give the kind of forgiveness he thought he needed at one point in time.
2 Hate: Bucky Would See Past The Attempts At Redeeming Slade Wilson
The comics, movies, and animated series sometimes try to soften the kind of man Slade Wilson is, but it is unlikely that Bucky would fall for the attempts to make Slade Wilson into a good man. At his core, Slade Wilson manipulated a 15-year-old into doing his bidding, and Slade spent most of his time attacking sidekicks. He also drugged multiple characters against their will, including his own daughter.
Slade might view himself as a mighty warrior, but Bucky has known plenty of those. He's also known people who prioritized being a good man, something Slade Wilson has never done. There might be many villains in the DC universe who Bucky would dislike, but his feelings for Slade Wilson would be full of outright hatred.
1 Be Friends With: He Would Empathize With Jason Todd
Jason Todd and Bucky Barnes were both revealed to have gone on murderous rampages when they were brought back to life after being dead in the comics for decades. Bucky was under the influence of mind control, while Jason was influenced by rage and the Lazarus Pit. Both also carved out new identities as anti-heroes.
Although Jason does not let a lot of people into his inner circle, his friends include Starfire, Roy Harper and Bizarro. Bucky would be part of that short list, because Bucky would easily see the similarities between them. In many ways, Jason's path of destruction would have been Bucky's fate in a world without Steve. Jason also understands that sometimes, the most heroic decision is not the best choice to make, and Bucky certainly does not have a no-guns policy.