We were pretty stoked to see Cullen Bunn taking over on “Wolverine” back in January, but with Jeph Loeb and Simone Bianchi’s “Evolution” sequel around the corner that doesn’t appear to be a mainstay. It was then announced in February that Bunn would be joining Remender on “Venom” for what could possibly maybe be Remender’s final “Venom” story, if not the end of the title all together now that the character has joined the Secret Avengers.
Now it looks like Bunn has something to add to his comic book resume: in addition to the Captain America team-up book, it looks like Cullen Bunn is joining Ed Brubaker on “Captain America”. Marvel: Bunn’s Universe!
This is an interesting turn of events. See, Marvel has this thing that they do: they’ll bring on a younger writer to an established book with an established author and “mentor” that writer into taking over. We’ve seen it tons of times, especially recently: Kieron Gillen took over for Matt Fraction on “Uncanny X-Men” after a short gig together (with Fraction inherited from Brubaker via the same co-writership) and Sam Humphries has just taken the “Ultimate Comics Ultimates” baton from Jonathan Hickman. It’s a good way to segue titles, and Marvel has recently been putting forth an effort to bring new names to established titles and characters.
Now, as critically praised as Brubaker’s “Captain America” run has been, he’s been writing the character since 2004. That’s a long time to be working with one character, even in addition to all the other work Brubaker has done over the years at Marvel. With his upcoming work in the “game-changing” event “AvX”, as well as other big name Marvel writers leaving their respective franchises soon (Bendis off “Avengers,” Hickman off “FF” and this rumor floating around that the upcoming “Long Way Down” arc is Fraction’s last Iron Man story). Perhaps it’s time for him to pass that torch to someone who likes apple pie, eagles and baseball just as much as he does? (Besides, Brubaker would still have “Winter Soldier,” and we’re in love with that title.)
Either way, congrats to Bunn on joining up on the gig. We’re looking forward to it.
