(Image Source: Marvel Comics / J. Scott Campbell)
It has often been joked that some superheroine costumes are little more than swimsuits with capes. Marvel Comics leaned into this with a satiric Marvel Swimsuit Special. Now, the comic publisher is printing another special, featuring popular characters from The Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man.
The first Marvel Swimsuit Special was published in 1991. While containing a number of superhero pin-ups, the magazine was intended to parody the famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Accordingly, the special was also full of mock advertisements. These included The Punisher shilling Death Con Roach Spray and The Watcher promoting Ozone Sunglasses. Marvel subsequently published three more specials from 1992 to 1995.
(Image Source: Marvel / Adam Hughes)
The Marvel Swimsuit Special was revived in 2025, with an additional two specials being published. These specials were printed as comics, with a story built around the pin-ups. The first, Friends Foes and Rivals, had the superheroes printing their own pin-up magazine to counter an AI-generated special created by the Roxxon Corporation. The second, Marvel Winter Break Special, also had the heroes pulling the same stunt, to expose Roxxon’s efforts to destroy the Savage Land.
Who will appear in the 2026 Marvel Swimsuit Special?
Marvel has released two of the covers for the 2026 Marvel Swimsuit Special. The main cover is a wraparound by J. Scott Campbell centered around the Spider-Man family of characters. Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, Spider-Gwen, Silk, Miles Morales and Spider-Woman can all be seen enjoying themselves. Even Aunt May is there, alongside a presumably peaceable Venom. The variant cover by John Romita Jr. showcases the women of the Avengers, including The Wasp, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, and Black Widow.
Both covers may be viewed below.
(Image Source: Marvel Comics / J. Scott Campbell)(Image Source: Marvel Comics / John Romita Jr.)
In terms of writing, the 2026 Marvel Swimsuit Special is shifting gears by presenting an anthology of comic stories. Subtitled “Brand New Beach Day,” the special will present four original stories with a summer theme. Each story will also center around a different family of Marvel heroes.
Hulk, She-Hulk, Doc Samson and new gamma-powered hero Powerlift will share a day at the gym, in a story by Deadpool writer Cody Ziglar.
Namor the Sub-Mariner hosts the most epic beach party of all time, in a story by Loki writer Daniel Kibblesmith
She-Hulk writer Rainbow Rowell spins a tale about the X-Men also trying to organize a peaceful day at the beach.
Spider-Man starts in a slasher-horror story set during a beach vacation, written by Avengers Academy author Anthony Oliveria
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day #1 arrives in comic shops on July 1, 2026.
