Marvel Comics has announced the return of one of the most iconic phenomena of the 90s: the Marvel Swimsuit Special. The new publication, titled Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals #1 will be released in July and will include designs of new costumes that will be incorporated into the popular video game Marvel Rivals, developed by Marvel Games in collaboration with NetEase Games.
Swimsuits for everyone!
The original Swimsuit Specials were primarily aimed at a teenage male audience and were characterized by featuring characters in swimsuits, accompanied by eye-catching illustrations. However, these issues were not just pinups; they also included storylines. The new special will continue this tradition under the direction of writers like Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs, with illustrations by the prominent artist Nick Bradshaw, focusing on Janet Van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, as the main fashion designer of the Marvel universe.
This revival seems to capitalize on the current interest in content with a higher sexual charge, reflecting contemporary trends in entertainment and, in particular, in video games. It has been reported that in Marvel Rivals, both male and female characters exhibit an increase in their sexual appeal, a change that aims to resonate with the growing demand for more visually striking and exciting gaming experiences.
With the release of the second season of Marvel Rivals, players have already noticed an evolution in character design, showing a notable increase in physical proportions, which likely reflects NetEase’s inclination towards the sex appeal of Marvel characters. As the release of the special approaches, expectations grow about how these changes will be integrated into both the comic and the video game, making this collaboration a point of interest for fans of both platforms.
