The rumors were true. After years away, Brian Michael Bendis returns to Marvel Comics with The Avengers #800. It’s a 14 page backup story in collaboration with Mark Bagley, but still. It’s only the beginning of some special projects with Marvel.
What I appreciate about this anniversary issue is the current creative team isn’t being stopped cold. While Bendis has been historically important to Avengers history, his back-up will be a nice guest spot. It also seems this doesn’t get in the way of other work he has been doing with Dark Horse Comics. The steady growth of the Jinxworld catalogue continues.
To offer some perspective on that historical importance: Joe Quesada recognized Bendis’ talent and plucked him from a career writing terrific independent crime comics. Some of his major accomplishments for Marvel: co-creating Miles Morales and Jessica Jones, incorporating The Sentry into The Avengers, building The House of M event, and the list goes on. If I were to point to one creator most important to the development of Phases I and II of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s Bendis. (And beyond — Thunderbolts* owes a lot to his work, too.)
Last Saturday night, I ran into him at the Comic Creators Block Party held at Revenge of Comics and Pinball. I didn’t think to ask about this rumor. In the long run, I’m happier we talked briefly about old times and how much time has passed. No matter what era, Bendis still rocks.
From Marvel:
A major milestone for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes calls for the return of one of their mightiest creators!
This January, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS returns to the Marvel Universe in AVENGERS #34, the landmark 800th issue of AVENGERS. The issue by current Avengers creative team, writer Jed MacKay and artist Farid Karami, will feature a special 14-page backup story written by Bendis and drawn by superstar artist Mark Bagley, reuniting the powerhouse pair known for their work together on Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble.
For nearly a decade, Bendis redefined Avengers storytelling, revitalizing the franchise for the 21st century. Always at the center of the Marvel Universe and at the pulse of modern pop culture, his groundbreaking run launched now-classic Marvel events like House of M, Secret Invasion, and Dark Reign, and his transformative work on the Marvel mythos is still heavily felt today. Now he’s back, starting with AVENGERS #34 and continuing with more exciting new Marvel stories just on the horizon!
Taking place on the anniversary of the founding of the Avengers, the all-new story brings together the “Big Three,” Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, for a high-stakes mission to take down Hydra’s latest weapon of mass destruction. They’re soon joined by many more teammates—past and present—for a thrilling showdown that exemplifies the team’s mission and impact!
“Returning to the pages of Marvel Comics has been an incredible experience,” Bendis shared. “To reunite with the Avengers on the occasion of an anniversary is doubly wonderful because anniversary issues are where we really celebrate our love of the characters and legacy. I made my Avengers debut on Avengers #500. I love the symmetry.
“AND I get to reunite with my dear longtime Ultimate Spidey AND Avengers collaborator Mark Bagley. Just reuniting would be magical enough, but him coming out of retirement to do this story with me was an incredible gesture. He has already penciled magical pages. It’s been a wonderful reunion between us AND the characters.
“Thanks to everyone at Marvel for having me back for such an auspicious occasion,” he added. “This is the first of some truly special Marvel projects that I will be part of in the near future. Stay tuned…”
Check out Mark Bagley’s variant cover and preorder AVENGERS #34 at your local comic shop today! Stay tuned for more news about Bendis’ return to Marvel Comics in the months ahead.
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