Opening Image

In 1991, Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, is sent to retrieve a case containing super soldier serum for Hydra. They ensure his compliance by using trigger phrases.

In the present day, Captain America leads the Avengers.

Set Up

The Avengers are on a mission to stop Brock Rumlov from stealing a bio-weapon.

Theme

After subduing Rumlov, Steve finds out that the buyer of the weapon is Bucky and this fazes him. The story revolves around Steve trying to keep his friend out of harm’s way and how it jeopardizes his relationship with the Avengers and his reputation as a hero.

Catalyst

Rumlov detonates a bomb and Wanda tries to divert the explosion. However, she loses control and innocents die.

Tony Stark still feels guilty about creating Ultron and tries to make amends any way he can. He starts a program that funds student projects to ease his conscience. Right after making this announcement, it’s revealed that he and Pepper are not on good terms, meaning his sole voice of reason is no longer around and hence, all the rash decisions he makes in this story. On his way out, he runs into a mother who blames Stark for killing her son who died in Sokovia.

The United Nations condemns the actions of the Avengers and introduces the Sokovia Accords as a means of limiting their activities. Thaddeus Ross is sent to inform them of this.

Zemo finds a retired Hydra agent and steals the journal containing the trigger phrases. He’s also seeking information about Bucky’s mission in 1991

Debate

The Accords divides the team as one half are in favor or it and the other half aren’t. Tony says they need to start being held accountable for their actions, but Steve says their freedom matters too. It’s made clear that if the Avengers do not co-operate then what little freedom the Accords promises will be taken away too.

Steve is notified about Peggy’s death and her niece’s speech at her funeral helps him make a decision. He decides that he needs to stand by what he believes in and can’t compromise on freedom.

Break into Two

Natasha tells Steve that maybe staying together is more important than how they stay together. She also tells him that Tony, Rhodey and Vision have already signed the Accords and that she’s on her way to sign it as well. Steve tells her he’s going to stand his ground.

B Story

We’re introduced to T’Challa who loses his father in a bombing wherein Bucky is framed. Even though T’Challa is not an Avenger, his pursuit for revenge is what draws him into their fight. His father mentions that T’Challa disapproves of diplomacy which is what blinds him with rage and makes him just as relentless as Steve.

Fun and Games

Steve insists on being the one to bring Bucky in to ensure that he isn’t harmed, this leads to a fight with the police. T’Challa, as Black Panther tries to kill Bucky.

At the Avengers HQ, we see a bond formed between Vision and Wanda. Vision tells her that they need to learn to control their powers or else people will never stop fearing them. Additionally, he ensures she doesn’t leave the base to avoid another public incident, essentially making her a prisoner.

Everett Ross, a CIA agent says Steve, Sam and T’Challa ought to be arrested along with Barnes and when Steve asks about a trial or a lawyer, he simply laughs. This is exactly what Steve was worried would happen, having their freedom taken away for doing the right thing.

Tony tries to reason with Steve and shows him the pen set that Roosevelt used to sign the Lend Lease program to help their allies (an act of co-operation, which is what he wants from Steve), but Steve argues that the act brought America closer to war (which is what taking away freedom will do, arise conflict). Tony also mentions how he hated Steve when growing up as his father would always talk about him while expressing disappointment in his own son. Furthermore, when it’s mentioned that Wanda is being treated like a prisoner, Steve decides that he cannot, in good conscience, sign the Accords.

Midpoint

Bucky has to go through a psychological evaluation and soon enough an EMP bomb kills the power in the entire building. The psychologist is revealed to be Zemo who uses the trigger phrases to send Bucky on a rampage. B Story crosses over when T’Challa fights Bucky one-on-one. Eventually, Steve manages to subdue Bucky and takes him to a hidden location where it’s revealed that there are multiple Winter Soldiers who are equally dangerous and Zemo means to resurrect them.

Bad Guys Close In

The team is further divided as each side begins recruiting heroes. Tony visits Peter Parker and decides to bring him on board after finding out that his intentions are pure. Hawkeye recruits Wanda who realizes that she needs to fight for what she believes in and not remain a captive. Natasha brings in T’Challa.

Both sides eventually clash and it ends with Steve and Bucky escaping while the rest of the team holds Stark’s team back.

All is Lost

Rhodes is inadvertently shot down by Vision. At the hospital, Tony asks him how that could have happened and Vision says he’s not sure as he didn’t think he was even capable of making mistakes. This leads them to believe that their point of view may be wrong and that Steve may have been right all along. Natasha tells Tony that if this goes on any longer there will be more casualties.

Dark Night of the Soul

Zemo planned to have the body of the real psychologist be found so that it gets media coverage, which in turn gets the attention of Stark. He realizes Steve was right but when he tries to tell this to Ross, he refuses to listen which is again something Steve knew would happen. Having signed the Accords, Stark is at Ross’ mercy. He decides to talk to Sam who gives him Steve’s location provided he only goes there to help him.

Break into Three

Tony’s heads to Siberia and the B Story crosses over when he’s secretly being followed by T’Challa. Meanwhile, Steve and Bucky arrive at the Hydra base.

Finale

Stark arrives and forms an alliance with Steve, however, they find all the Winter Soldiers shot in the head. Zemo reveals that his family was killed in Sokovia as well and planned the entire scheme to tear the Avengers down from within. He proceeds to show them footage of Bucky’s mission from 1991, wherein the people he stole the serum from were Stark’s parents.

Blinded with rage, Stark attacks Steve and Bucky. T’Challa finally sees the light and refuses to allow Zemo to take his own life and instead chooses to have him arrested, choosing the path with least bloodshed.

After a long fight, Steve manages to shut Stark’s armor down. He leaves the shield behind along with role as Captain America and departs with Bucky.

Closing Image

Despite being locked away, Zemo knows that he has succeeded. However, Steve refuses to lose hope and still continues to lead the Avengers as he breaks them out of prison.