DC Comics is celebrating the summer with a swimsuit issue like no other: G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1. Packed with pinups, a true fold-out centerfold, and two stories, the 48-page one-shot celebrates the beach and chilling out before the autumn takes over. Is the $5.99 price reasonable with only two shorts and lots of great art?
This issue opens with two pinups, one by W. Scott Forbes and another by Sweeney Boo. Printed on standard non-glossy comics paper, the one-shot has a nice feel.
The issue dives right into the first story, “Baewatch,” written by Julie Benson and Shawna Benson, with art by Meghan Hetrick, colors by Marissa Louise, and letters by Steve Wands. It’s a fun story, with Huntress, Poison Ivy, Black Canary, Batgirl, and Vixen trying to relax on the beach but quickly realizing Penguin is quite angry that his private beach was turned public. The creators creatively utilize each character’s powers with a fun and fancy-free vibe. The beachy feel to the story leans into big smiles, soaking up the sun, and a classic over-the-top Penguin.
Hetrick and Louise add a lot to the carefree and fun aesthetic. The waves are quite smooth and kinetic and the characters are detailed. The colors are bright and super summery.
Credit: DC Comics
After a handful of pinups, the issue cuts to an interview with G’Nort about his doing the pinup for the issue. There are some silly jokes about him being a dog, and the chaotic nature of the character rings through. The pinup I got, which you can see in the preview, is all kinds of great by Simon Bisley. Two other pinups are depending on which issue you get.
Directly after the centerfold is the Midnighter and Apollo story “Out There.” Written by Steve Orlando, the two are soaking up the sun when they pick up a distress call off the coast. Orlando nails each character and laces the dialogue with sultry nods to their relationship. Turns out Monsieur Mallah is trying to break out his love, the Brain.
The story edges into Mallah and the Brain just wanting to be together as Mallah pleads to let them be. There seems to be potential to dig more deeply into this or make a connection between them and Midnighter and Apollo, but there isn’t much time to have our heroes reflect. The ending is happy on some scale for everyone, though.
Paul Pelletier draws the story well, with good action and dramatic beats. Apollo must pull a giant ship back together while Midnighter gets to fight Mallah. The heroes look superb in their suits.
Closing out the book is a slew of more fantastic full-page pinups. I honestly can’t say a single one is bad or half-baked. Personally, I’m not into pinups in a comic, but I could see teens cutting up their one-shots and plastering these beauties on their walls.
Celebrate the summer with G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1, which packs many great full-page pinups featuring your favorite heroes and two beachy stories. Sometimes balmy and serene with plenty of steamy pinups, it’s a fun way to celebrate the summer.
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