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THE SWIMSUIT SPECIAL RETURNS! Roxxon Comics is at it again when they release their own UNAUTHORIZED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL! Wasp is on the case and seizes the opportunity for Marvel's heroes to do their OWN swimwear fashion shoot all over the world! But fear not, True Believers, we know what you're REALLY here for! This super-sized special features splash page after splash page of gorgeous art, but with a story so you can pretend you're "reading it for the articles"…
When the sun is blazing and the summer gets hot, The Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes, & Rivals is a very cool spot! Read Full Review
Some of the best artists in the business lend their pencils and paints to this issue and each swimsuit layout is beautifully drawn and perfect for the characters in them. There are great images from Mirka Andolfo, Adam Hughes, David Marquez, Aaron Kuder, Marguerite Sauvage and more throughout the issue. Read Full Review
This isn't the most "substantial read, but it updates the Marvel Swimsuit for the era of Marvel Rivals and Chat GPT. Read Full Review
We all know this is a cash grab for collectors or the inquisitive casuals. But most of all, this is a sidestep towards silliness and fun! Outside of the messaging and stance by the writers against Artificial IntelligenceI and the ethics of using someone's likeness there's not much regarding canon, lore, continuity, or any of that sort of thing. This is mostly a fun issue for you to enjoy some art with your favorite Marvel heroes sporting their favorite swimming garments. Read Full Review
Plot
This comic tells the story of Janet Van Dyne, who becomes upset because the Roxxon Corporation created a swimsuit magazine featuring Marvel heroes using AI.
Annoyed, Janet convinces the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and every Marvel hero to pose for a real-life version of the swimsuit magazine.
It includes many SPECTACULAR splash pages featuring heroes from various important artists in the industry today. It's a comic full of comedy and self-awareness, showcasing the media's criticism of the swimsuit issue.
Summary
Hilarious, daring, and self-aware.
so dumb that I liked it.
The plot here is far too shallow to necessitate a swimsuit, but it was moderately fun. Most of the art is very meh, but there are a few standout pages. As a Rivals player, I probably enjoyed the concept art at the end more than the story itself.
Nick Bradshaw”s art is always fun to look at. However, the frame story is too thin and illogical in the end. By the way, I can’t remember the old swimsuit specials even having a story. Weren’t they simply collections of pinups? That would probably have worked better.
Speaking of the pinups, if you produced a swimsuit issue, wouldn’t you want to involve mostly artists that produce sensual, fun, anatomically pleasing art? Some of them like Adam Hughes fit this profile, but there are some real stinkers here too - barely capable of drawing a human body or composing a fun beach scene.
It could have been fun, but it turned out to be a nothingburger.
Spoilers!
The writers sum this issue up best on the last page when Wasp #3 says "Nobody cares about swimsuit issues anymore".
They're right, because apart from a couple pages of decent art (Copiel & Hughes), this book stinks.
Minus points for any Avenger ever recruiting Punisher for a swimsuit photo instead of a mug shot. Ugh.
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