Citizen V

Citizen V has been the alias of several fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The name is most notably associated with two distinct individuals: Helmut Zemo (the original and most well-known) and John Watkins III. The Citizen V persona generally represents a costumed identity adopting a heroic facade, though often masking ulterior motives or a more complex alignment.

The original Citizen V was a fictional character created during World War II by Roger Aubrey (Destroyer). This character inspired later iterations.

Helmut Zemo, a long-time adversary of Captain America, adopted the Citizen V identity after the fall of his Masters of Evil team. He orchestrated the formation of the Thunderbolts, a group of supervillains posing as heroes, with the Citizen V persona serving as Zemo's public face and strategic lynchpin. Zemo's Citizen V was portrayed as a charismatic leader fighting for global security, a stark contrast to his previous villainous roles. His true identity was initially concealed, allowing him to manipulate both the public and his own team.

John Watkins III, a British operative, was recruited by Zemo and physically transformed to resemble the original Citizen V. He later became the second, more overtly heroic, individual to use the name. Watkins and his team fought against the true intentions of Zemo and were a more genuine force for good.

The Citizen V identity provides a vehicle for exploring themes of deception, redemption, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. It allows characters to operate outside of established moral boundaries while presenting a respectable image to the world. The use of the name by multiple individuals further complicates the legacy and adds depth to the character's overall impact within the Marvel Universe. The character's symbol is often associated with a stylized "V", incorporating elements of nationalistic or patriotic imagery depending on the specific Citizen V incarnation.