Rumlow, A.K.A Crossbones, is Back

Looking Better Than The Last Time We Saw Him

Story by David Clark

Images have surfaced this past week showing Frank Grillo’s character Rumlow finally taking on his villainous persona known as Crossbones. First appearing in the Marvel movie universe as part of Captain America’s S.T.R.I.K.E. team in Winter Soldier, Frank Rumlow has served as little more than a punching bag thus far.

In Winter Soldier Rumlow and his team were assigned to apprehend and detain Captain America after the Captain withholds information from S.H.I.E.L.D., clearly a task that is easier said than done. Cornering Captain America in an elevator Rumlow and his team proceed to receive a royal beatdown. Unfortunately for Rumlow, getting his butt kicked was not the end of his troubles in Winter Soldier. At the movie’s conclusion Rumlow has the misfortune of having an airship dropped on top of him. One of the very last scenes in Winter Soldier is that of a badly burned Rumlow being carted into a hospital due to his severe injuries.

Fast forward to Captain America: Civil War and Rumlow is back. In the comic books Rumlow is usually working as an agent of the Red Skull. The fate of the Red Skull in the Marvel movie universe is not yet known after he disappeared into a portal during the original Captain America movie. Rumlow’s reemergence as Crossbones could be an indication that the Red Skull’s fate is not as of yet final.

In the previous movie Rumlow lacked any type of superhero component or power. In comic book lore he eventually develops an energy powered ability that engulfs his face in flame and allows him to manipulate energy to fire lasers. Whether his character will develop to that point or be killed off by Marvel before being fully explored, like all of the other Hydra linked villains, is yet to be seen.

Regardless, it is safe to assume that Crossbones is still a very mortal non-power wielding character at the start of Captain America: Civil War. With that in mind, how does the suit measure up? Despite his new outfit Crossbones is still very vulnerable to weapons fire and his suit does not appear to give him very much protection from incoming projectiles. It is difficult to tell but the kevlar nature of the uniform does not appear to cover his neck, arms, waist, or legs. He does have a full helmet on which might provide him with some protection if it is also bullet proof.

The utility of his vest is clear. He has enough pockets to hide a small arsenal of explody-stabby-like-gadgets. The iconic gauntlets on the uniform will also likely hold the spring loaded knife shooting weaponry that the character has in the comics. The one thing the uniform does provide for Crossbones is the freedom of movement the character needs. Despite a lack of powers Crossbones has military grade combat training mixed with an extensive martial arts background, making him a living breathing deadly weapon in hand-to-hand combat.

Is the suit as practical as it should be given the superhero nature of his opponents? Perhaps not, but it looks good on the big screen so who cares! It will be interesting to see the development of Crossbones as a character during the Civil War chapter of the Marvel Universe.

Sources: AceShowBiz