Marvel Comics, 2026
Writers: Daniel Kibblesmith, Rainbow Rowell, Anthony Oliviera, Dan Schkade, Cody Ziglar
Artists: Alessandro Miracolo, Phil Noto, Pablo Collar, Rachelle Rosenberg, David Baldeon
The original Marvel Swimsuit Special was very much a product of its time. During the early 1990s, American pop culture was saturated with beach-centric entertainment, from Baywatch and MTV Beach House to the immense popularity of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. Marvel, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on the trend, launched its own equivalent through the Marvel Swimsuit Special, an anthology composed primarily of pin-ups featuring superheroes in beach attire.
It was a novelty concept more than anything else, and one that occasionally veered into the absurd (the 1993 Swimsuit Special featuring The Punisher in a skull-shaped thong is apex parody). The series eventually sank in 2015, only to be revived in 2025 alongside Marvel Rivals, bringing with it a significant change in format by incorporating short narrative segments alongside the pin-up illustrations.
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day continues that approach in 2026, with a title that deliberately evokes the naming conventions of the Spider-Man films. Like its immediate predecessor, the special is structured around a collection of swimsuit-themed illustrations connected by brief stories crafted by an extensive roster of Marvel writers and artists.
Obviously, readers should not approach Brand New Beach Day expecting meaningful character development or universe-shaking drama. At its core, this remains a showcase for artwork and costume design. Yet dismissing it as little more than an art book would be doing the issue a disservice. The anthology’s greatest surprise is how enjoyable its lightweight storytelling can be.
Freed from the burden of continuity-heavy events and apocalyptic crossover stakes, the creative teams embrace humor and absurdity. One story revolves around Namor hosting an extravagant beach party solely to attract the attention of Sue Storm, only for his plans to unravel thanks to an overly chatty collection of teenage Spider-heroes. Another follows Beast struggling through a pool party because his thick fur makes the experience far less glamorous than intended. Elsewhere, Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and Johnny Storm find their relaxing beach day interrupted by the appearance of a Venom-type alien symbiote.
Not every joke lands where it should. Some readers may find certain portrayals a bit too exaggerated or out of character, particularly moments where the male X-Men poke fun at Beast’s appearance or where female mutants openly admire their male teammates. This awkward myopia is limited to the X-Men story. The rest of the anthology never push the jokes into uncomfortable territory. The overall tone of the rest of the comic remains playful, breezy, and decidedly non-serious.
The writers also demonstrate an admirable degree of self-awareness about the concept itself. Some of the anthology’s funniest moments come from characters acknowledging the inherent silliness of a superhero swimsuit special. One particularly amusing gag sees various heroes complimenting The Thing’s swimwear, only for Ben Grimm to point out that he is effectively wearing what he always wears anyway: a pair of trunks. It is the kind of joke that recognizes the ridiculousness of the premise while simultaneously embracing it.
As expected from a publication designed primarily to spotlight pin-up artwork, the visuals are the issue’s greatest strength. Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day assembles an impressive variety of artists, each bringing their own stylistic sensibilities to the Marvel Universe. The result is a vibrant celebration of character design, athletic physiques, and summer fashion. While the concept naturally involves revealing attire, the presentation rarely feels exploitative. Instead, it comes across as celebratory, colorful, and energetic, emphasizing personality and visual flair as much as physical attractiveness.
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day succeeds because it understands exactly what it is. It is not attempting to redefine Marvel continuity or deliver a profound superhero narrative. Rather, it serves as a refreshing palate cleanser from the endless cycle of cosmic threats, multiversal crises, and event comics. Packed with attractive artwork, self-aware humor, and charmingly inconsequential stories, it delivers precisely what a modern superhero summer special should: an entertaining day at the beach with Marvel’s cast of icons.