Marvel Comics has rolled out its new line-up for 1 July 2026, and the headline release resurrects a traditional relic of the 1990s: the swimsuit edition. The publisher is attempting to bring back a classic format while balancing modern expectations for representation and inclusivity.
Leading the charge is Marvel Swimsuit Special: Brand New Beach Day (2026) #1, featuring a cover by J. Scott Campbell. The issue features four lighthearted, short stories from across the Marvel Universe. The promotional copy addresses the return with self-aware humour, noting that the content is currently pending an internal Standards and Practices review.
Beyond the beach theme, the 1 July releases focus heavily on alternate timelines and long-standing rivalries. Alex Paknadel and CAFU are exploring a timeline where the original Ultimate Universe survived the Secret Wars event in What If…? Secret Wars (2026) #1. The story follows Peter Parker as he attempts to survive in a harsh environment after losing everything.
In Earth-616 continuity, writer Al Ewing and artist Mike Henderson launch Challenges of Doom: Mr. Fantastic (2026) #1. The bimonthly series explores the early psychological conflicts between a young Victor Von Doom and Reed Richards, tracking the events that led to Doom’s transformation into a supervillain.
Meanwhile, Ryan North and Andrea Sorrentino handle Fantastic Four (2025) #13. The plot features Johnny Storm convincing his sister, Sue, to use her powers to make his skull flesh invisible so he can impersonate Ghost Rider to settle old scores.
Readers can find these new titles at local comic book shops or digitally via the Marvel Unlimited app (iOS) (Android).
This superhero-themed post is from 2026’s Superhero Week. Made any good superhero discoveries online recently? Share them in the comments below or teleport to a new superhero article and keep reading.
