Marvel Comics has announced longtime Avengers writer Brian Michael Bendis is returning to the series for its 800th issue. He will reunite with Ultimate Spider-Man artist Mark Bagley on a 14-page back-up story, which will see Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America (Steve Rogers) take on HYDRA, where “they’re soon joined by many more teammates — past and present — for a thrilling showdown that exemplifies the team’s mission and impact!”
The comic marks Bendis’s first Marvel story since leaving to go exclusive with DC in 2018. “Returning to the pages of Marvel Comics has been an incredible experience,” he says. “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 [in 2004]. I love the symmetry.”
He continues, saying, “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.”
Bendis concludes his statement by confirming he is returning full-time to the Marvel Universe, saying, “This is the first of some truly special Marvel projects that I will be part of in the near future. Stay tuned…” Avengers #800 (#34 of the current volume) will round out writer Jed MacKay‘s three-year run on January 3, and Marvel has not currently announced any plans for the comic’s future after that point, although they have said Armageddon, Chip Zdarsky‘s upcoming event series, will reshape Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a manner akin to Bendis and David Finch‘s 2004 crossover “Avengers Disassembled.”
In the meantime, issue #3 (of 12) of Bendis’s latest creator-owned series, Powers 25, will be released by Dark Horse on November 19.
