Marvel's Summer of Symbiotes approaches, as Venom's extended family prepare to overrun comic shelves everywhere. However, their most bizarre new target is one no-one expected - Marvel's iconic '90s swimsuit special, which showcased a range of heroes flexing in their best beachwear.
Marvel's promotional wraparound advertisement from Philip Tan, Scott Williams, and Brad Anderson pays homage to what came before yet finds the symbiotes assembled several light years away on an alien world. Featured on the sneak peek cover are Scream, Black Cat, Red Goblin, Carnage, Agent Venom, Sleeper, a non-Symbiote Eddie Brock, and a host of other Klyntar heroes, villains, and antiheroes. Even Jeff the Land Shark makes a subtle appearance.
X-Men's Swimsuit Special Gets a Symbiote Redesign
The original Marvel Swimsuit Special originally found its footing in 1991's X-Men #1 from Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, acting as a closing pin-up to help conclude the events of the incredibly successful issue. The pin-up drawn by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Joe Rosas found the all-new Blue and Gold X-Men teams soaking in the sun and enjoying their time away from superhero activities. The inclusion of the X-Men #1 pin-up led to Marvel's first full swimsuit special encompassing the entire Marvel Universe of heroes, which arrived in the summer of 1991 and continued for several years.
Summer of Symbiotes Unleashes Venom's Family
This summer will bring an abundance of symbiote-based books to eager fans, beginning in May. Released under the Summer of Symbiotes banner are a number of comic titles featuring Venom and his supporting cast. The first will be writer Al Ewing and artist Cafu's ongoing Venom series followed by Extreme Venomverse, Carnage, Red Goblin, Carnage Reigns, Cult of Carnage: Misery, Edge of Venomverse Infinity Comic, and Death of the Venomverse. It seems the event won't just explore Venom's place on Earth, but across the entire multiverse!
The cover includes some great moments, from Forge being replaced by the terrifying Meridius to give his roar new meaning, to Eddie Brock spinning his symbiote partner in an imitation of Cyclops' volleyball. This isn't the first time that Marvel's swimsuit specials have made a comeback in recent years, but the Summer of Symbiotes looks to be the company's most memorable reinvention of the cheesy '90s series yet. While Venom's symbiotes may be brain-eating, world-ending threats to existence, it's clear from this swimsuit art that Summer of Symbiotes will embrace the potential of how fun these ultimate alien monsters can be.
Marvel's Summer of Symbiotes begins this May!
Source: Marvel