Early Life[]

Vasily Karpov (Russian: Василий Карпов) was born and raised in Soviet Russia. He became a ruthless but efficient Soviet officer.^[1]

World War II[]

During World War II; He was involved in a joint operation with Captain America and the Invaders, in which he helped foil a plot of Red Skull and Master Man. The operation left Karpov with strong respect and fear towards Captain America.^[1]

Afterwards he adopted a young boy Alexei Shostakov whose mother was killed in the battle. He raised Alexi as his own. He was involved in training and molding a young Alexi into becoming a somewhat successful Red Guardian for the Soviet Union.^[1]

Winter Soldier[]

In 1945, Karpov also retrieved a wounded Bucky Barnes from the ocean after he had been involved and believed dead in an airborne explosion.^[2] Now part of Department X; Karpov reprogrammed Barnes to become the Winter Soldier, a ruthless assassin used in numerous Cold War operations against America and her allies. He would have him put in Suspended animation between missions.^[3]

Another protege of his was Alksander Lukin who he trained to take his place.^[1]

Red Room[]

He allowed the Winter Soldier to help train at the Red Room Academy for the Black Widow Ops Program. He stopped this when the Winter Solider began a relationship with Natasha Romanoff. He ended the relationship by putting him back on ice.^[4]

Retirement[]

Karpov eventually moved to the Middle East and died around 1988 most likely from age related illnesses.^[4]