In a surprise move to all, Brian Michael Bendis has signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics. After over a decade of being one of the major scribes at Marvel, he now takes his talent to DC in a “multi-year, multi-faceted” deal.
Which projects he’ll be working on haven’t been released as of yet, or when his tenure with Marvel will actually end. What we do know is this is the end of an era for Marvel Comics.
Bendis tweeted “This is real. I love you all. Change is good. Change is healthy.” For Marvel fans, change is good indeed. This move opens up a lot of creative space for new voices.
While not every title he’s currently writing could use a shakeup, one in particular could greatly benefit. Having created Miles Morales, the character has almost exclusively been written by Bendis.
Spider-Man has been a book trending in the wrong direction. Miles Morales is an amazing character but his solo title hasn’t lived up to the Ultimate Spider-Man series since bringing him over to the 616 following Secret Wars.
This is a major opportunity for somebody new to come in and right the ship for our beloved web-slinger. Perhaps the new creative team will finally address some of the lingering questions fans have had about the Morales family, post-Secret Wars.
For Bendis’ other Marvel titles, it means characters like Riri Williams and Jessica Jones will also be getting new voices. His Defenders series is by far the strongest in his current lineup, as well as one of Marvel’s most well-received comics. There are a number of holes for the publisher to start filling.
This change could potentially be the shakeup Marvel needed. Losing a major player like Bendis gives way to some of their other talented writers. Creators like Charles Soule, Donny Cates, Al Ewing, Kelly Thompson, and Tom Taylor should all be considered when replacing the Bendis output.
A shift like this could mean bringing back some fans as well, not everybody in the comic community is a huge Bendis fan. With him moving on, Jason Aaron’s role as the Geoff Johns of Marvel should be solidified.
At the end of the day, DC gains a powerhouse writer and Marvel doubles down on Marvel Legacy’s mission statement. This is a new era for Marvel, it’s up to them to push forward and continue down the right path with fresh blood and a new direction.
How do you feel about Bendis leaving for DC? What does it mean for both Marvel and DC? Who should be the first to takeover Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments below!
