Marvel Comics is back in the business of swimsuit specials, and this week, “Brand New Beach Day” arrives in comic shops. Offering up five tales and plenty of pinups, it’s a celebration of the relaxed vibes of summer mixed with some scantily clad superheroes.
Kicking things off is Daniel Kibblesmith and Alessandro Miracolo for “Beach Bashed,” featuring a beach party hosted by Namor. A great opening page shows off a ton of heroes enjoying a pool, including the Watcher. Kibblesmith gets plenty of nods to Marvel events and character relationships throughout the story, with a main focus on Namor’s attempt to find Sue Storm. It’s a light tale for sure, but one that ends in a way only Namor could pull off.
Three pinups separate the first and second stories, with one by Dan Panosian featuring Thor in a speedo that seems to be a reference to a negative review of the original swimsuit special. Natacha Bustos offers up a striking Storm pinup with a rainbow floaty, and then Valerio Schiti and Romulo Fajardo Jr. pull off a rather lusty Captain America speedy pinup, complete with Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, and Wasp oggling him. Schiti’s pinup has to be the lustiest of the anthology.
Rainbow Rowell and Phil Noto lean into the awkwardness of Beast at the Xavier School pool in “Pool Beast.” The horniness present in most of these tales comes through here, although Beast suffers a bit as he gets teased for being hairy. A heroic full-body shot of him as X-Woman lustily looks at him becomes a heroic moment that makes up for his rather sour mood for much of the short tale.
A great opening panel with lots of characters.
Credit: Marvel
Next up is a pinup by Javier Garron featuring the X-Men on a space beach. Colossus’s flat top is an interesting look, and his shiny body twinkles from David Curiel’s colors. Edwin Galmon delivers on one of the only queer pinups in the story featuring Angela, followed by a great paper doll pinup by Carmen Carnero.
Anthony Oliviera and Pablo Collar tell a tale of a beach excursion between MJ, Peter Parker, and Human Torch. Nothing too untoward goes on with these three, although one has to see Oliviera doing a bit of a threesome thing when Venom covers all three at one point. Moreover, Oliviera leans into the love between Johnny and Peter, and MJ has to brave their inability to connect as two straight men. The art is good here, save for a strange last page where Johnny appears to be standing waist-deep in sand, but I think that’s supposed to be water?
Pasqual Ferry gets a Doctor Strange and Clea pinup in between stories, which leans into the weirdness of the magical realm in the background.
Dan Schkade delivers a one-page, four-panel story of the different swimwear of Moon Knight’s personalities. A bit of a gag, it’s a fun idea, thinking of how four of his personas enjoy the water.
Last but not least is Cody Ziglar and David Baldeon’s “Gamma Glutes” story featuring She-Hulk, Hulk, Dr. Samson, and Dr. Keisha Kwan, aka Powerlift. It’s nice to see the latter two characters since they haven’t popped up much since Ewing’s Immortal Hulk run. This tale has a bit more purpose, as the doctors attempt some relaxation remedies on the Hulks. It leads to a realization about Bruce Banner and the Hulk and how to calm them down, only for the news that they need to commit to these tests so often, comedically bringing their moods down. Baldeon’s art is great, with a fabulous double-page splash of all four having a sword fight with palm trees. The big splashes of water and a final, great Hulk transformation are the icing on the cake.
Two pinups wrap things up, first with Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti offering up a Tigra and Lockjaw pinup, reminding us these two fury heroes are quite different. Last up, Danice Brice and Edgar Delgado, featuring Hawkeye and Jeff on the slopes, possibly teasing a winter special is on the way.
Ariana Maher letters the entire issue, giving the book a bit of a through line. Some of my favorite lettering appears in the Oliviera and Collar tale, particularly when Human Torch flames on, or earlier in the book when She-Hulk shouts, “It’s oglin’ time!” Also, shout out to a “BIFF” sound effect that clobbers Namor in the head with a volleyball.
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day succeeds because it understands exactly what it wants to be: a lighthearted, occasionally horny, and often funny celebration of Marvel’s characters. While not every story lands equally, the anthology’s willingness to embrace absurdity, nostalgia, and summer vibes makes it an enjoyable read throughout. Strong pinup work, standout contributions from Kibblesmith and Ziglar, and a healthy appreciation for Marvel history help elevate the special beyond a simple novelty. Sometimes comics are at their best when they’re willing to have a little fun in the sun.
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