The legendary screenwriter returns home with his inseparable Mark Bagley to celebrate an anniversary in style
Marvel confirmed what many fans have suspected for weeks: Brian Michael Bendis officially returns to the House of Ideas. The architect behind The definitive Spider-Man, New Avengers or M’s house will return with a special story in Avengers #800 (legacy issue #34), which will hit stores next January.
The comic will score a milestone for the Avengers and for Bendis himselfwhich debuted in the collection exactly twenty years ago with the explosive bow Avengers disassembled. On this occasion he will share the pages with the current creative team of Jed MacKay and Farid Karami, as well as reunite with his most emblematic battle partner, the cartoonist Mark Bagleywith which he redefined Peter Parker in the 2000s.
The return of a legendary duo
The story written by Bendis will be a companion story of 14 pages inside the main issue, with Bagley’s art and a variant cover signed by himself. Marvel promises to epic mission led by Iron Man, Thor and Captain Americafacing a new threat from Hydra that will test the group’s legacy.
“Returning to the pages of Marvel Comics has been an incredible experience“, confessed Bendis in the official press release. “Reuniting with the Avengers in a celebratory anniversary issue is doubly special, because it is in these issues that we celebrate our love for the characters and their story. I debuted with Avengers #500. I love symmetry.
The screenwriter also revealed that Bagley, who had announced his retirement, has returned specifically to accompany you in this story: “Meeting again was already magical, but seeing him come out of retirement for this was an incredible gesture. His pages are pure magic. It was a wonderful reunion with him and the characters.”
Homage and new beginning
While Marvel didn’t reveal any further details about what projects Bendis has “on the horizon,” the writer confirmed it Avengers #800 It will only be the beginning of his new stage at the publishing house. “Thank you to everyone at Marvel for having me for such a special occasion. This is the first of several very special projects you will see soon,” he said.
The comic will also serve as a tribute to Bendis’ two-decade impact on the Marvel Universewhere he redefined the group’s narrative with phases that gave rise to events such as Secret invasion or Dark Kingdomand this also affected the MCU. His style, more focused on natural dialogues and internal tensions between the heroes, forever changed the way the Avengers are written.
A party for the fans
In addition to the return of Bendis and Bagley, the issue will include a main story by Jed MacKay and Farid Karamicentered on the anniversary of the team’s founding. Classic and current members are expected to appear, with a choral battle that will highlight the mission of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Marvel confirmed it Avengers #34 (Legacy #800) will arrive in stores on December 3rdwith a wraparound cover by Russell Dauterman and multiple variations, including Bagley’s.
For longtime readers, this issue holds promise a mix of nostalgia and renewala reminder of why Bendis was a key piece of the Marvel Universe in the 2000s. For newcomers, a perfect opportunity to discover how this whole phenomenon of flawed heroes, sharp dialogue and impossible decisions began.
Because if Brian Michael Bendis has proven anything throughout his career, it’s that when the Avengers face the impossible, the real battle always happens between them.
