Crossbones and Batroc are the villainous muscle in Captain America 2.

We look at their comic book origins.

This article contains what some might consider spoilers forCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.

Yes, Zemo and Skull did get physical when need be but they were usually pretty easily dispatched.

The most profane iconography in any Captain America comic is the image of a skull.

Rumlows past is connected to many diverse corners of the Marvel Universe.

When Maliks minions attacked the newly-returned Schmidt, Rumlow was the only survivor.

The original Red Skull was impressed and took Rumlow on as an operative.

Crossbones first appearance saw him join the hunt for the mystic Bloodstones.

At this point in Cap history, under Gruenwald, Crossbones was deeply involved in the Red Skulls schemes.

He became the most loyal and indispensable operative the Skull possessed.

Crossbones was defeated and arrested, but his legacy as one of Caps most physically threatening villains was solidified.

He even fired the shot that seemingly ended the life of Steve Rogers.

Now, thats evil.

Crossbones isnt the only physical threat to Cap in the new film, though.

When he first encounters Cap, Batroc is delighted that the hero had heard of him.

In his next appearance, Batroc kidnaps Sharon Carter.

When confronted by Captain America, Batroc insists that HYDRA keep out of the fight.

When they refuse, Batroc turns on them and actually helps Cap defeat the terrorists.

Batroc hasnt always operated alone.

On numerous occasions, the Leaper has formed Batrocs Brigade.

The next Brigade was Batroc, the Porcupine, and Whirlwind…not a formidable group of villains.

The modern and longest running Brigade has consisted of Zaran the Weapons Master and Machete along with their leader.

They were also involved in the same hunt for the Bloodstones as Crossbones.

In theJLA/Avengerscrossover of 2003-2004, Batroc went toe-to-mustache with the Dark Knight.

Ummm…Batroc lost.

[related article: The Significance of theCaptain America: The Winter Soldierpost-credits scenes.]

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