 Remender stopped writing Venom in August 2012 (after issue # 22) to work on Captain America and the launch of Uncanny Avengers. He was replaced by Cullen Bunn, who had periodically worked as co-writer during Remender's term. The Venom character remained a member of the Secret Avengers, a series still written by Remender. In September 2012, Bunn said that Thompson would be moved from New York to Philadelphia from Venom # 28. This relocation would allow the introduction of a new love interest, the superhero Valkyrie. Editor Tom Brennan explained "His superhero career almost cost him everything ... this is a good man with a troubled past who needed a fresh start ... to take his next steps in becoming the hero he was born to be." Marvel editor Stephen Wacker said the location change reflected Marvel's desire to expand the Marvel universe beyond New York City. Bunn's run introduced the new character Mania, one of Thompson's students who is empowered by part of the Venom symbiote. In August 2013, Marvel announced that Venom would end with issue # 42 in October 2013. Bunn was informed of the decision while writing Venom # 31- # 38, which he stated gave him time to bring some plot threads to a conclusion, but having originally outlined thirty issues worth of stories, there would be some ideas left to be told.
