After years away, celebrated writer Brian Michael Bendis is making a high-profile return to the Marvel Universe, kicking things off with a special story in the landmark Avengers #800 alongside long-time collaborator Mark Bagley.
TL;DR: Quick Summary of the Big News
- Brian Michael Bendis is officially returning to Marvel Comics, with his first project being a 14-page backup story in Avengers #34 (Legacy #800).
- He's reuniting with superstar artist Mark Bagley, known for their iconic work on Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble, for a story featuring Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America against Hydra.
- This Avengers story is just the beginning, as Bendis teases "more exciting new Marvel stories just on the horizon" for the near future.
Remember that feeling of flipping through a new comic and seeing Brian Michael Bendis's name on the cover, knowing you were in for a wild, character-driven ride that would shake up the entire Marvel Universe? For many fans, that was a staple of comic book reading for nearly two decades. Well, get ready to feel that excitement again, because after a significant absence, Bendis is officially returning to Marvel Comics!
The news broke on November 10, 2025, confirming earlier speculation. Bendis is making his grand comeback with a special 14-page backup story in the highly anticipated Avengers #34, which also carries the impressive legacy numbering of Avengers #800. This marks his first Marvel Comics work since 2018, and it’s a reunion that feels perfectly timed to celebrate a major milestone for Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The issue is slated for release on December 3, 2025 (Source: Marvel.com, "Brian Michael Bendis Returns to Marvel Comics in 'Avengers' #800", November 10, 2025).
The Dream Team Reunites for an Anniversary Mission
What makes this return even more special? Bendis isn't coming back alone. He's bringing along his long-time creative partner, artist Mark Bagley. For many, the Bendis and Bagley duo is synonymous with groundbreaking storytelling, particularly their legendary run on Ultimate Spider-Man. Their collaboration defined a generation of readers, making their reunion a truly exciting prospect.
Their upcoming story in Avengers #34 will feature the "Big Three"—Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America—on a high-stakes mission. The target? Hydra's latest weapon of mass destruction. As the story unfolds, they'll be joined by other Avengers, both past and present, for what's promised to be a thrilling showdown. The narrative itself takes place on the anniversary of the Avengers' founding, adding an extra layer of celebratory significance.
"Returning to the pages of Marvel Comics has been an incredible experience. 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."
— Brian Michael Bendis
Bendis himself expressed his excitement, noting the "symmetry" of returning for an anniversary issue, much like his Avengers debut with issue #500. He also highlighted the "incredible gesture" of Bagley coming out of retirement to collaborate on this specific story. Their shared history on Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble makes this particular pairing a fan-favorite event.
A Legacy That Redefined the Marvel Universe and Pop Culture
For those new to comics or who might not be familiar with the full scope of Bendis's work, his impact on Marvel Comics is immense. For nearly a decade, he was a pivotal force in shaping the Avengers franchise, revitalizing it for the 21st century. His visionary runs launched now-classic Marvel events such as House of M (2005), Secret Invasion (2008), and Dark Reign, all of which left an indelible mark on the Marvel mythos and continue to influence stories today (Source: Bleeding Cool, "Brian Bendis Officially Back At Marvel Comics On The Avengers", November 10, 2025).
Beyond the Avengers, Bendis’s groundbreaking work included defining runs on Daredevil, X-Men, Alias, and Iron Man. He also co-created fan-favorite characters like Jessica Jones, Miles Morales (the Ultimate Spider-Man), and Riri Williams (Ironheart). His contributions weren't limited to comics; he was a co-executive producer and pilot writer for the 2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, a writer for the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series (debuting in 2012), and even wrote the after-credits scene in the first Iron Man movie, which famously introduced Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. This demonstrates a deep, cross-media influence (Source: Bleeding Cool, "Brian Bendis Officially Back At Marvel Comics On The Avengers", November 10, 2025).
The Journey Outside of Marvel: A Look at His Recent Endeavors
In 2017, Bendis made headlines by signing an exclusive publishing deal with DC Comics. During his time there, he took on iconic characters like Superman, revealing his secret identity as Clark Kent to the world. He also launched Legion of Super-Heroes and his own Wonder Comics imprint, which introduced characters like Naomi, quickly adapted into a TV series by Warner Bros. His creator-owned work also moved to DC, with new series like Cover and Pearl.
Following executive changes at DC, Bendis transitioned his creator-owned line to Dark Horse in 2021, where he launched series such as Joy Operations. He also secured a first-look deal with Prime Video to develop television shows based on his earlier works like Jinx, Murder Inc., and Pearl, and released a graphic novel series, Phenomena, through Abrams. Throughout this busy period, he also taught graphic novel courses at the University of Oregon and Portland State University, and published an instruction book, Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels. This illustrates his continued dedication to the craft and his diverse creative interests.
What This Return Means for the Future and Potential Tradeoffs
Bendis's statement, "This is the first of some truly special Marvel projects that I will be part of in the near future. Stay tunedâ¦", clearly indicates that this Avengers backup story is not a one-off. It’s a foundational piece for a broader return, which began with speculation of a 2026 return (Source: Bleeding Cool, "Brian Bendis Officially Back At Marvel Comics On The Avengers", November 10, 2025).
However, it's important to set expectations. While exciting, this initial return is a 14-page backup story, not an immediate takeover of a main title. It's a taste of what's to come, a strategic reintroduction. Furthermore, given his active creator-owned projects and TV deals, it's unlikely this return signifies an exclusive deal with Marvel akin to his previous DC contract. He still has Powers 25 from Dark Horse releasing in November 2025, for instance (Source: The Beat, "Bendis returns to Marvel for AVENGERS #800", November 11, 2025). This multi-faceted approach means fans might see Bendis's work across different publishers and media, offering a wider variety of stories but perhaps not the singular, concentrated output seen during his initial long Marvel run.
Example: Imagine a long-time fan, let's call her Maya, who started reading comics with Bendis and Bagley's Ultimate Spider-Man in the early 2000s. She followed Bendis's work through New Avengers, House of M, and Secret Invasion, truly feeling connected to the evolving Marvel Universe he crafted. When he left for DC, it felt like a significant shift in the comic landscape. Now, seeing this announcement, Maya feels a wave of nostalgia and renewed hope. She’s already pre-ordered Avengers #34, excited to see her favorite creative team back together, even if it’s just for a backup story initially. For her, it's a symbolic homecoming, a chance to rekindle that original spark of discovery.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
- Get Ready for Avengers #34 (Legacy #800): Mark your calendars for December 3, 2025, to grab your copy. This issue is a big one, not just for Bendis's return but also as a milestone for the Avengers series, featuring current creators Jed MacKay and Farid Karami on the main story.
- Reunion of Legends: The Bendis-Bagley collaboration is a huge deal. If you loved Ultimate Spider-Man or Avengers Assemble, prepare for that classic magic to return on the page.
- Stay Tuned for More: This Avengers story is just the tip of the iceberg. Bendis has confirmed more Marvel projects are coming. Keep an eye out for future announcements about what other corners of the Marvel Universe he might explore.
- Revisit His Classics: While waiting for new content, now's a great time to dive back into Bendis's extensive Marvel back catalog. Several omnibuses and collections are being re-released in 2026, including Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 5 and New Avengers Omnibus Vol. 2 in November 2026 (Source: Bleeding Cool, "Brian Bendis Officially Back At Marvel Comics On The Avengers", November 10, 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Return
Sources
- Marvel.com: Brian Michael Bendis Returns to Marvel Comics in 'Avengers' #800
- Bleeding Cool: TOLDJA: Brian Bendis Officially Back At Marvel Comics On The Avengers
- IGN: Comics Icon Brian Michael Bendis Returns to Marvel for The Avengers #800
- The Beat: Bendis returns to Marvel for AVENGERS #800
- CBR: Brian Michael Bendis Returns to Marvel Comics in Avengers #800
- AIPTComics: Brian Michael Bendis returns to Marvel for 'Avengers' #34, the 800th issue milestone
- Comic Book Club: Brian Michael Bendis Returns To Marvel For ‘Avengers’ #800, With More To Come…