Who would you rather see pick up Cap's shield in the MCU: Winter Soldier or Falcon? 

Of course we all want to see Chris Evans carry on as Captain America post-Avengers 4. He's made for an excellent Steve Rogers, and there's no arguing that Steve is the quintessential Captain America. But all things must change. Evans has been hinting lately that he's not coming back after Avengers 4, and Marvel Studios has been not-so-subtly hinting at letting one of his sidekicks take up the mantle.

In the comics, there have been a few Captain Americas. Until the comic version of Civil War, there were mostly forgettable story lines, save for John Walker, who went on to become U.S. Agent. The two most recent incarnations have been Cap's former sidekicks, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson.

With both Bucky and Sam being firmly established in the MCU, it will be no surprise if Steve Rogers falls during the events of Avengers 4. Here are some comics you will want to put on your shopping list as we prepare for the inevitable.

DEATH OF STEVE ROGERS AND THE RISE OF WINTER SOLDIER

Steve Rogers is a guy that's just good at dying. Thanos killed him in the Infinity Gauntlet, but the timeline was reset thanks to Adam Warlock and everyone was resurrected, and then Steve was assassinated at the conclusion of Civil War, shot in the heart by a brainwashed Sharon Carter in Captain America #25.

With Steve's demise came a search for a replacement Captain America. Bucky takes the shield from Tony Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D., whom he blamed for Cap's death, eventually donning the star spangled costume in Captain America #34.

This is what I hope happens in the MCU. As much as I have enjoyed Evans' portrayal of Steve Rogers, Bucky made for a fresh new Cap who carried a sidearm as well as the shield. He didn't have all of Steve's abilities, but this was clearly not meant to be a Steve Rogers ripoff; Ed Brubaker utilized this story to give an extra dimension to Bucky's character, allowing him to grow into the hero that he had been idolizing since 1941.  Steve Rogers would return to take up the shield again because, well, these are comics and everyone dies at least 15 times in comics.

If the MCU follows suit, then you'll see this issue become increasingly popular, not that it isn't already. Since 2014 when Captain America: Winter Soldier hit theaters, this issue has been on the rise. That year, a 9.8 went for as much as $150, a record for the time. That mark was broken two years later as fans prepared for a possible Cap death in Infinity War, and this time Cap #34 brought $170. After a lull last year, the interest in the first Bucky-Cap issue has surged, and it's already sold for $150 this year.

SAM WILSON

After Bucky's death in the Fear Itself story, Steve Rogers reclaimed his shield and it was like he'd never left. As usual, Steve doesn't hang onto the shield for terribly long, this time relinquishing it when he is aged into an old man. He then appoints Sam as his successor, becoming Captain America in All-New Captain America #1. As always, Steve returns and resumes being Cap.

Considering that in Captain America: Winter Soldier, Bucky/Winter Soldier catches Cap's shield and strikes a dynamic pose before he uses the shield against Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War, it seems Marvel has been pushing fans to believe that Bucky will take over as Cap in the MCU.

But could this be a red herring?

Falcon has been having a stronger presence in the movies, appearing in Winter Soldier, Civil War, Age of Ultron, Ant Man, and Infinity War. Could Marvel Studios have set up a major swerve? Just when we're prepared to see Bucky step into his best friend's shoes, could we see Sam take up the shield instead?

In that event, you'll see prices of All-New Cap #1 make a huge leap. It's such a cheap buy that it's worth the investment on the off chance that Sam becomes the MCU Captain America. After all, a 9.8 is only averaging $40.