Winter Soldier co-creator has “mixed feelings” about new Disney+ show

Given the popularity of Marvel and DC on TV and at the movies, it stands to reason that comic book creators would share in the success their characters are having onscreen. Not so, according writer and cartoonist Ed Brubraker, who co-created the character of Bucky Barnes (aka the Winter Soldier) with Steve Epting in 2004’s Captain America #1.

The pair haven’t enjoyed the spoils you’d expect would come with having their character as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and even in his own Disney+ show, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Per Variety, Brubraker wrote in his newsletter that he has “very mixed feelings” about the situation. “Everyone at Marvel Studios that I’ve ever met (all the way up to Kevin Feige) have been nothing but kind to me,” he wrote, “but at the same time, for the most part all Steve Epting and I have gotten for creating the Winter Soldier and his storyline is a ‘thanks’ here or there, and over the years that’s become harder and harder to live with.”

The co-creator of the Winter Soldier is on the other side of Marvel’s success

Brubraker’s comments are representative of a larger issue between comic book creators and the movies inspired by them. The only trickle down that creators see is organic and happens when fans who haven’t read the comics want to explore them after seeing the movies, something Brubaker himself alluded to. “I have a great life as a writer and much of it is because of Cap and the Winter Soldier bringing so many readers to my other work,” he wrote. “But I also can’t deny feeling a bit sick to my stomach sometimes when my inbox fills up with people wanting comments on the show.”

Harley Quinn comic book writer Jimmy Palmiotti has been a vocal advocate of more interaction between studios and comic book writers, and appreciated the support Warner Bros. and Margo Robbie gave him while they were making movies like Birds of Prey.

James Gunn is an example of a director who understands the importance of bringing in the experts to help bring his stories to life. He met with writer Dan Abnett and artist Andy Lanning on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy. Gunn also read every comic book featuring the characters he was working into his script for The Suicide Squad.

Gunn is the exception to the rule, but there’s hope that shining a light on the issue will help bring comic book creators into the mix. It helps knowing that Ava DuVernay’s The New Gods movie will feature a script written Tom King, the guy behind Batman and Mister Miracle for DC Comics. King also wrote The Vision for Marvel, which played heavily into WandaVision’s story.

Though Brubraker is rightfully frustrated by the lack of trickle down from comics book movies to comic book creators, he’s still very supportive of the actors and his character. “I’m sure I’ll watch it, and you should too if you’re a Marvel movie universe fan,” he wrote. It might take him a while to get to it, though, so don’t send him spoilers.

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h/t The A.V. Club