Citizen V

• In one bolded sentence, Citizen V is a heroic legacy mantle originating in World War II, most famously co-opted by the villain Baron Helmut Zemo as a disguise to lead his team of supervillains, the Thunderbolts, in a grand deception of the entire world.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Citizen V represents the concept of a legacy hero—a symbol of patriotic duty passed down through generations. However, this classic archetype was famously subverted when baron_zemo stole the identity, turning a symbol of hope into a tool for manipulation, forever linking the name to one of the most audacious villainous schemes in Marvel history.
• Primary Impact: The most significant impact of Citizen V on the Marvel Universe was the creation of the thunderbolts. The shocking reveal that this celebrated new hero and his team were actually the Masters of Evil in disguise is considered a landmark moment in 1990s comics, exploring profound themes of redemption, public perception, and the very nature of heroism.
• Key Incarnations: In the primary comics universe (Earth-616), Citizen V is a historical title held by multiple individuals, most notably the heroic John Watkins and the villainous Helmut Zemo. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the “Citizen V” identity does not exist as a historical figure; it is merely a fleeting disguise—a coat and mask—used by Helmut Zemo for incognito travel, serving as a visual Easter egg rather than a core plot element.

The history of Citizen V is split into two distinct and pivotal eras, reflecting major shifts in the comic book industry itself. The original Citizen V, John Watkins, was a product of the Golden Age of Comics. He made his debut in Daring Mystery Comics #8, published in January 1942 by Timely Comics, the predecessor to Marvel. Created by writer Ben Thompson and artist George Klein, Citizen V was one of many patriotic heroes conceived during World War II to serve as inspirational figures battling Axis forces, both on the comic book page and as propaganda for the American war effort. He was a non-superpowered, masked adventurer, embodying the spirit of grassroots resistance against tyranny. Decades later, the mantle was resurrected in a dramatically different context. The modern and most famous incarnation of Citizen V debuted in Incredible Hulk #449 in January 1997, as part of the lead-up to the launch of the Thunderbolts series. This version was conceived by writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley. Their masterstroke was not simply reviving a forgotten hero, but using the obscurity of the character as the linchpin for one of the most celebrated plot twists in modern comics. In an era defined by darker, more cynical anti-heroes, Busiek and Bagley introduced the Thunderbolts as a refreshing return to classic heroism in the wake of the presumed deaths of the Avengers and Fantastic Four during the Onslaught event. The reveal in Thunderbolts #1 that this new, charismatic leader Citizen V was actually the notorious terrorist Baron Zemo sent shockwaves through the readership and cemented the series' place in comics history.

The in-universe history of the Citizen V mantle is a complex tapestry of wartime heroism, secret societies, and villainous deception. It is crucial to distinguish the noble lineage of the title from its most famous, and infamous, user.

The story of Citizen V in the prime Marvel continuity is a multi-generational saga. The First Citizen V (John Watkins): John Watkins was a valiant British operative and a key member of the covert British intelligence community during the darkest days of World War II. Donning the identity of Citizen V, he became a symbol of the European resistance against the Third Reich. He was the field leader of a multinational team of heroes known as the Freedom's Five, which also included Union Jack, the Silver Squire, Sir Steel, and the Phantom Eagle. Watkins was a brilliant tactician and a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, leading his team on numerous successful missions against Nazi forces. His heroic career came to a tragic end at the hands of one of Marvel's most enduring villains. During a mission in Germany, Watkins and his team were ambushed by Baron Heinrich Zemo, the original Baron Zemo and a scientific genius for the Nazis. Zemo, recognizing the symbolic power of Citizen V, brutally tortured and murdered Watkins, leaving his body on display to demoralize the Allied resistance. This act forged a bitter enmity that would span generations. The V-Battalion and Paulette Brazee: The death of John Watkins did not mean the end of his mission. His lover, Paulette Brazee, a French resistance fighter also known as the She-Wolf, discovered his body. Fueled by grief and a desire for vengeance, she rallied the remaining resistance cells and local townspeople who had supported Citizen V. This network evolved into a clandestine organization known as the V-Battalion. For decades, the V-Battalion operated in the shadows, led by an aging Paulette, dedicated to monitoring and neutralizing global threats that governments could not or would not handle. The identity of Citizen V was retired, preserved as a sacred symbol of their founding. The Usurper (Baron Helmut Zemo): The name Citizen V was thrust back into the global spotlight under the most unexpected and deceitful circumstances. Following the cataclysmic battle with the psychic entity Onslaught, the world's premier heroes—the Avengers and the Fantastic Four—were believed to be dead. This power vacuum created widespread fear and uncertainty. Seizing this opportunity was Baron Helmut Zemo, the son of the man who had murdered the original Citizen V. A brilliant and twisted strategist, Zemo saw a chance to achieve his ultimate goal: world domination. He understood that direct conquest would fail. Instead, he would conquer the world by first earning its trust. He gathered the scattered remnants of his Masters of Evil—including Goliath (as Atlas), Beetle (as MACH-I), Screaming Mimi (as Songbird), Fixer (as Techno), and Moonstone—and proposed a masterful plan. They would not operate as villains, but would disguise themselves as a new team of superheroes, the Thunderbolts. To lead this team, Zemo needed a charismatic, unimpeachable figurehead. In a final, cynical act of desecration against his father's old foe, he resurrected the identity of Citizen V, crafting a new costume and presenting himself as a mysterious new hero. As Citizen V, Zemo was the perfect leader: eloquent, seemingly noble, and strategically brilliant. The Thunderbolts were an overnight sensation, hailed as the heroes the world desperately needed. Zemo's plan was working perfectly; he was gaining public adoration and high-level security clearance, positioning himself to strike at the heart of global power structures. The True Heir (John Watkins III): The V-Battalion was horrified to see the sacred mantle of their founder being used by a new, unknown figure leading a team of supposed heroes. Their investigations soon revealed the shocking truth: this new Citizen V was none other than Helmut Zemo. The organization activated their ultimate contingency. They located John “Jock” Watkins III, the grandson of the original hero, who was an American university student completely unaware of his family's legacy. Trained and equipped by the V-Battalion, John Watkins III was dispatched to reclaim his birthright. This led to a direct and personal conflict with Zemo. The two men battled for the right to the name, a symbolic struggle between the legacy of a hero and the machinations of a villain. Eventually, with the help of the redeeming members of the Thunderbolts, Zemo was exposed and defeated, and John Watkins III rightfully assumed the mantle of Citizen V, becoming the new leader of the V-Battalion.

In stark contrast to the rich, multi-generational history in the comics, the Citizen V identity has a minimal and purely functional role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as seen in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Within the MCU (designated as Earth-199999), there is no established history of a World War II hero named Citizen V, nor is there any mention of the V-Battalion or the Watkins family. The name and costume are exclusively an Easter egg for comic book fans. After Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson orchestrate Helmut Zemo's escape from prison in Berlin, they require a way to travel to the criminal haven of Madripoor without being identified. Zemo, utilizing his vast family fortune and resources, arranges for their transport on a private jet. During the flight, he reveals a duffel bag containing his old family effects, from which he produces a long, fur-collared coat and a distinctive purple mask. This “disguise” is the MCU's version of Citizen V. It is not a superhero identity but a simple incognito outfit. The mask is a direct nod to Baron Zemo's classic comic book appearance, which he had not worn in Captain America: Civil War. The name “Citizen V” is never spoken or referenced on-screen. The purpose of the outfit is purely practical: to allow Zemo to move through the criminal underworld of Madripoor, where he is known as a dangerous and influential figure, without immediately being recognized as the Sokovian Baron who dismantled the Avengers. The adaptation serves to give fans a visual they've long wanted—Zemo in his mask—while completely divorcing it from the complex “heroes-in-disguise” plotline from the comics. In the MCU, it is simply Zemo being Zemo, using his wealth and theatricality to achieve his goals.

The capabilities of Citizen V vary dramatically depending on the individual behind the mask.

The Watkins Mantle (John Watkins I & III): The individuals who carry the Citizen V mantle as part of the V-Battalion's legacy are not superhuman, but are highly trained and equipped peak human operatives.

• Abilities:
  • Peak Human Conditioning: Both John Watkins I and III underwent intense physical conditioning, granting them strength, speed, stamina, and agility at the absolute peak of human potential.
  • Master Martial Artist: They are experts in multiple forms of armed and unarmed combat, making them formidable opponents for even super-powered foes.
  • Expert Espionage Agent: As leaders of resistance cells and clandestine organizations, they are masters of stealth, infiltration, intelligence gathering, and counter-intelligence.
  • Master Tactician and Strategist: The Citizen V mantle is a leadership role. Both Watkins men have demonstrated exceptional abilities in battlefield tactics and long-term strategic planning.
• Equipment:
  • V-Battalion Bodysuit: A state-of-the-art, padded costume offering significant protection from ballistic and impact-based attacks.
  • V-Sabre: The signature weapon of Citizen V is a high-tech sword. While its exact composition has varied, it is an exceptionally durable and sharp blade, often depicted as being forged from a unique alloy, potentially with secondary-Adamantium or Vibranium components provided by the V-Battalion's advanced resources.
  • Advanced Gadgetry: As leader of the V-Battalion, Citizen V has access to a wide array of advanced technology, including sophisticated communication devices, cloaking technology, and specialized vehicles, most notably their mobile headquarters, the Vanguard.
• Personality: The Watkins' personification of Citizen V is one of unwavering nobility, patriotism, and duty. They are archetypal heroes driven by a profound sense of justice and a desire to protect the innocent from unseen threats.

The Zemo Version (Helmut Zemo): When Helmut Zemo wore the costume, he brought his own unique, and entirely non-heroic, skillset to the role.

• Abilities:
  • Genius-Level Intellect: Zemo's greatest weapon has always been his mind. He is one of the premier strategists on Earth, capable of concocting and executing labyrinthine plans that manipulate heroes, villains, and governments alike.
  • Master Swordsman: Zemo is a master fencer and swordsman, a skill he inherited from his family line. His proficiency with a blade is on par with masters like the Swordsman or Black Knight.
  • Expert Combatant: While not a brawler, Zemo is a highly disciplined and dangerous fighter, trained in several forms of combat.
  • Master Manipulator: Zemo possesses an incredible understanding of psychology, which he uses to exploit the weaknesses of his enemies and “allies.” His leadership of the Thunderbolts was a masterclass in psychological control.
• Equipment:
  • Citizen V Costume: A costume designed for public appeal and deception. While likely armored, its primary purpose was symbolic.
  • Broadsword: Zemo carried a traditional, non-powered broadsword, relying on his own immense skill rather than technological enhancement.
  • Adhesive X: Though not used while in his Citizen V persona, Zemo is the sole possessor of the formula for Adhesive X, one of the most powerful bonding agents ever created, famously used by his father to permanently attach Captain America's shield to his arm in some tellings. ¹⁾.
• Personality: As Citizen V, Zemo projected an aura of charisma, confidence, and trustworthiness. This was, however, a complete facade. Beneath the mask was a cold, calculating, and arrogant mastermind, driven by a supremacist ideology and a deep-seated hatred for those he deemed unworthy, particularly captain_america.

The MCU's “Citizen V” is not a character, but a disguise for Helmut Zemo. Therefore, the analysis focuses on what Zemo brings to that disguise.

• Abilities: The abilities on display are purely Zemo's:
  • Cunning and Intellect: He effortlessly navigates the complex social and political landscape of Madripoor's criminal underworld.
  • Vast Resources: Zemo's baronial wealth is what makes the disguise and the entire trip to Madripoor possible. He funds the private jet, has contacts on the island, and can operate with a level of impunity others cannot.
  • Combat Prowess: While disguised, he demonstrates his formidable combat skills during the firefight in the shipping container yard, proving he is a deadly opponent even without superpowers.
• Equipment: The “equipment” is the disguise itself:
  • Purple Mask: A rigid, form-fitting mask that completely conceals his face. It is the single most important visual callback to his comic book counterpart's primary look.
  • Fur-Collared Overcoat: A stylish and imposing coat that completes the ensemble, giving him an air of authority and mystique befitting a man of his station within the criminal elite.
• Personality: The personality is 100% Helmut Zemo. He is calm, collected, arrogant, and ruthlessly pragmatic. There is no heroic persona; he is simply a man using a mask to achieve his singular goal of eliminating all super-soldiers.

• The V-Battalion: For the true Citizen V, the V-Battalion is their most critical ally and support system. This secret organization, founded in the ashes of WWII, provides the hero with intelligence, technology, and operational support. Their relationship is one of deep loyalty and shared purpose, dedicated to protecting the world from the shadows. The leadership, known as the Penance Council, guides Citizen V's missions.
• The Thunderbolts (Redeemed): For Helmut Zemo, the original Thunderbolts were pawns, not allies. However, his actions inadvertently created a real team. Characters like Songbird (Melissa Gold) and MACH-I (Abe Jenkins) grew into the heroic roles Zemo forced them to play. They eventually turned on him, embracing genuine heroism. Their relationship with the Citizen V mantle is thus deeply complicated: it was the symbol of their deception, but also the catalyst for their redemption. For the later, heroic Citizen V (John Watkins III), the redeemed Thunderbolts became tentative allies.
• Captain America (Steve Rogers): The relationship with Captain America is a defining one, viewed through two opposing lenses. For the original Citizen V, Captain America was a brother-in-arms during WWII. For John Watkins III, he is a heroic ideal to live up to. For Helmut Zemo, Captain America is an obsession and the ultimate nemesis. Zemo's entire philosophy is a twisted reflection of Captain America's ideals, making their dynamic one of the most potent ideological conflicts in the Marvel Universe. When Zemo posed as Citizen V, he was, in essence, trying to prove he could be a “better” Captain America through control and manipulation rather than inspiration.

• Baron Zemo (Helmut and Heinrich): The Zemo family is the definitive archenemy of the Citizen V legacy. Baron Heinrich Zemo murdered the original, creating a blood feud. Baron Helmut Zemo desecrated the mantle by stealing it for his own villainous purposes. The core conflict for the heroic Citizen V is the battle against the Zemo dynasty and the fascist, supremacist ideology they represent. For John Watkins III, defeating Helmut Zemo was not just about stopping a villain, but about cleansing his family's name.
• The Crimson Cowl (Justine Hammer): After Zemo was deposed as the leader of the Thunderbolts, a new Masters of Evil emerged, led by a mysterious new Crimson Cowl. This was later revealed to be Justine Hammer, daughter of industrialist Justin Hammer. She became a major antagonist for the now-heroic Thunderbolts and, by extension, the V-Battalion and the new Citizen V, as they fought for control over the “super-villain” community.

• Thunderbolts: The most famous affiliation for the Citizen V name. Zemo founded and led the original team under this guise. After his exposure, the team continued under the leadership of Hawkeye and later the heroic Citizen V (Watkins III) for a time, solidifying the name's connection to this unique team of reformed villains.
• V-Battalion: This is the true and rightful organization tied to the Citizen V mantle. Every heroic incarnation of the character has been an agent or leader of this group. They are the guardians of the legacy.
• Freedom's Five: The original John Watkins' WWII super-team. An early precursor to teams like The Invaders, they were a key Allied force in the European theater of the war.
• American Intelligence Mechanics (A.I.M.): In a surprising turn, Roberto da Costa (Sunspot), after taking over the villainous organization A.I.M. and rebranding it, briefly operated as a new Citizen V. He used the disguise to lead his own Avengers team while the U.S. government was trying to shut him down, seeing it as a useful, patriotic symbol to mask his controversial activities.

This is the defining storyline for the Citizen V character in the modern era. In the wake of the Onslaught event, with the world's greatest heroes gone, the Thunderbolts arrive. Led by the noble Citizen V, they capture villains, save civilians, and quickly win the hearts of the public and the media. The first issue of their self-titled series builds them up as the perfect replacement heroes. The final page delivers one of the most shocking reveals in comic history: Citizen V removes his mask to reveal he is Baron Zemo, and the entire team is his Masters of Evil. This twist set the stage for the entire Thunderbolts saga, a complex exploration of what it means to be a hero and whether even the worst villains can find redemption.

This arc brought the legacy of Citizen V into direct conflict with its usurper. The V-Battalion, having discovered Zemo's deception, sends the new, true Citizen V (John Watkins III) to confront him. This story delved deep into the WWII history of the mantle and the founding of the V-Battalion. The ensuing battle was not just physical but ideological, with Watkins III fighting to reclaim his family's honor from the man whose father had murdered his grandfather. It was a pivotal moment that officially passed the torch, establishing Watkins III as the legitimate Citizen V and setting Zemo on a different path.

During the “Heroic Age,” Luke Cage was put in charge of a new Thunderbolts program based out of the Raft super-prison. This program offered villains a chance at redemption by serving on a government-sanctioned team. In a shocking twist, Baron Zemo—who had been presumed dead—reappears. He briefly dons a repaired Citizen V costume, not as a disguise to fool the public, but as a tactical choice during a prison riot. He uses the authority and symbolism of the costume to rally a faction of prisoners, demonstrating his deep understanding of symbols and power. It was a potent callback to his original ruse, showing how the Citizen V identity was now an inescapable part of his own twisted legacy.

• Dallas Riordan: A key supporting character in the Thunderbolts series, Dallas was the New York City mayor's liaison to the team. She was a staunch supporter of Citizen V and the team, and was left devastated by the revelation of their true identities. For a brief period, after Zemo was seemingly killed, she was manipulated by the Crimson Cowl into wearing the Citizen V costume, believing she was helping the heroic members of the team.
• Roberto da Costa (Sunspot): The former New Mutant and Avenger, Roberto da Costa, purchased the villainous science-cult A.I.M. and repurposed it as a force for good. When the U.S. government came into conflict with his “Avengers Idea Mechanics,” Roberto faked his own death and began operating in the field as a new Citizen V. He used the established heroic identity to give his team a legitimate public face while he, as the supposedly deceased Roberto da Costa, pulled the strings from behind the scenes.
• Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610): The Ultimate Universe featured a very different version. Lieutenant Colonel John Watkins, a British SAS officer, was part of the European Defense Initiative's super-soldier program. He became a deformed, heavily armored figure with enhanced strength and a massive, energy-blasting sword, bearing little resemblance to his Earth-616 counterpart beyond the name. He was a member of the team known as The Ultimates.

• baron_zemo
• thunderbolts
• v-battalion
• captain_america
• onslaught_saga
• songbird

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