NRAMA: Let's talk about a couple of "shared universe" things...it's hard not to notice that, like many other Marvel books, this issue of Captain America carried the indicia/trade dress for Secret Invasion, and the cover for Cap #39 reveals another Cap approaching Bucky. How much will you be bringing Captain America (both the character and series) into Secret Invasion? After all, with things as they are, there are several characters in your current storyline who could be Skrulls, given what's been said about the Invasion, that is, to destabilize the country and superhero community...
EB: Well, I don't want to spoil anything about Secret Invasion, or Brian's plans in it... but this Cap storyline is its own thing. We're so deep into this, that I really can't see breaking off in the middle and tying into a huge event. I wish I could play in it, to some degree, but there's just no way to make it happen. If you see the new Cap involved in Secret Invasion at all, it's going to have to be in one of Brian's books.
NRAMA: Another "shared" aspect here - Black Widow in Cap doesn't quite match up with Widow in the Avengers titles - the Avengers version has shorter hair and was fiercely opposed to letting Luke Cage walk in New Avengers #38, but in Cap, is willingly working on a very grey side of things with a very unregistered hero. Given the character changes, as Brian has said could be a clue to who's a Skrull - is the Widow in Cap the same character as the one in Avengers?
EB: Yeah, she is, they're just drawing her a bit different. She's working with Bucky because they have a history, and because Tony asked her to. The registered and non-registered stuff isn't an issue on this one, not for her, at least.
......
NRAMA: So, is the “sharing†something you even worry about?
EB: Not really. Ideally, every book should be able to be completely understood even if it's the only Marvel book you read, so I'm fine with that. Like I said, I'm in the middle of a huge epic, so just keeping my own story moving forward is enough to worry about. Worrying about other people playing in it isn't much of a concern.
________________________________________________
I get the feeling that creators like Brubaker aren't going to let Bendis **** with their work.
So really, it's a win-win for me. If Secret Invasion is bad, then three of my top five Marvel titles (Cap, Daredevil, and Iron Fist) don't get affected... and if it's good, then, hey, cool, a good crossover to read.