If you have been a huge fan of Captain America like I am, then you should be excited about Marvel’s newest blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger.

The movie looks like it will be the best Marvel movie yet, but we here at Geeks of Doom don’t want to neglect Cap’s comic counterpart. I mean without the comic, there would be no movie. So, here to spread some comic love, we’re proud to present Captain America’s Top 5 Partners In crime.

Continue on to check out the list!

Diamondback
So we all know the best partners in life are the ones that challenge you and no partner changed Cap more than Rachel Leighton, aka Diamondback. As a founding member of the villain super-group The Serpent Society, Diamondback was initially called upon by her group to take down the good Captain, but his crime fighting ways got the best of her. Maybe it was his earnest demeanor or maybe it is because women love a man who wears an American Flag as a costume but she was smitten the first time they met. Diamondback eventually switched sides for Cap and they went on several missions together, proving once again that when you are patriotic, blond, and pumped full of government sanction drugs, the ladies will turn over a new leaf for you in a heartbeat.

Paladin
Yes, mercenary for hire Paul Dennings did only have adventure with Captain America, but man, was it a doozey. Paladin assisted the good Captain search in the search for Diamondback after she was kidnapped. Their search led them to a cruise ship populated with female super-villains, including a female MODOK (Don’t ask.). In order to infiltrate the cruise ship, Cap and Paladin both had to disguise themselves as female super-villains (Please don’t ask). Through a series of events that only comics published in the early 90’s can provide, both of them were actually turned into females (Quit giving me the third degree, people!) but eventually turned back into males. Both heroes have not partnered up since, but it is my belief that a man willingly to crime fight in drag and be turned into a woman to help another man is a man worthy to fight side by side with the first avenger.

Falcon
Sam Wilson can stick a bunch a feathers in his superhero hat. First, he is the first ever African American superhero to grace comics (predating both John Stewart and Luke Cage). Second, for his first appearance, he helped Captain America defeat the Red Skull, giving him a lifetime of adventures with the Captain himself. And last but not least, the man can communicate with birds. How awesome is that? Anyone that has telepathic connection to their pet falcon is tops in my book. Plus, he has one awesome looking flight suit, which is so cool even Marvel’s Distinguished Competition is riding Falcon’s coattails (I’m talking about you, rebooted Red Robin!)

Sharon Carter
Thanks to Ed Brubaker’s current Captain America run, former Shield agent (and current girlfriend) Sharon Carter has been Cap’s partner in crime over the past six years. First, she was his Shield handler whenever he went on covert missions and most recently she has become a card carrying member his super-group The Secret Avengers. Not only can Carter kick ass, but she has more than one occasion saved the Captain’s very own red, white and blue tuckus. While Sharon is not in the movie this go around, she is sure to make an appearance in the sequel since her great aunt is his love interest in the film. Yes, it does mean Captain America does indeed romance both Carters, proving once again a strong pimp hand throws that mighty shield.

Bucky/Winter Soldier
When you talk about partners in crime, no one person has gotten into more scraps with Captain America than James “Bucky” Barnes. The two met during World War II, fighting the good fight against Hitler and the Nazis. Never afraid to get his hands dirty in times of war, Bucky did the things Captain America and his reputation could never do and was happy to help. He could lay his life down for Captain America and subsequently did, until he was brought back to life as a hired gun known as the Winter Soldier. Since then, Bucky has fought alongside with the Captain and even donned the costume for a brief time. There is no better partner in crime for Cap than Bucky, for he is the gold standard for all partners in crime.