Why Should DC & Marvel Have All the Fun? VALIANT COMICS' Stunning Swimsuit Covers Ring in Summer

Summary Valiant Comics is releasing swimsuit variant covers for their biggest stars, bringing fun and summer vibes to their universe.

This new line of variant covers pays homage to classic pin-ups, with artists like Guillermo Fajardo and Aleta Vidal contributing.

The swimsuit variants mark a new era for Valiant, celebrating their characters in a new light as they gear up for the Resurgence event.

Swimsuit variant covers are all the rage, and now Valiant Comics is getting in on the act, ringing in the summer with a steamy line of covers featuring their biggest stars. Valiant Comics, in partnership with Alien Books, is experiencing a “Resurgence” that will shake its universe to the core. However, Valiant’s heroes will make time for some fun in the sun in these awesome new variant covers.

Valiant and Alien Books unveiled the covers for the August-shipping titles with their solicitations for that month. Each book will feature a swimsuit variant cover, some of which invoke classic pin-ups of times past. For instance, the cover to Archer and Armstrong: Assassin Nation is a shout-out to Farrah Fawcett’s iconic poster from the late 1970s, whereas The Valiants #4’s cover features Bloodshot in a mockup of a popular Coppertone ad from the mid-20th century.

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Among the artists contributing covers include Guillermo Fajardo, Aleta Vidal and Nobi.

Superheroes in Swimsuits Go Back A Few Decades

Both Swimsuit Specials and Valiant Go Hand in Hand With the 1990s

While Valiant has featured variant covers for their titles in the past, this marks their first foray into the popular “swimsuit” genre. Although a popular theme for variant covers now, the phenomenon can trace its roots back to the early 1990s, when publishers such as Marvel and Image would release “Swimsuit Specials,” featuring their biggest characters, both male and female, posing in exotic locales such as the Savage Land, in skimpy swimwear. The Swimsuit Specials had run their course by decade’s end, but their spirit lives on in variant covers from both Marvel and DC.

A Guide to Valiant's Swimsuit Variants Title & Issue Number Creative Team Swimsuit Variant By On-Sale Date X-O Manowar: Invictus #4 Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad & Fernando Baldo Guillermo Fajardo August 7 Archer & Armstrong: Assassin Nation #1 Fred Van Lente & Emiliano Urdinola Aleta Vidal August 21 The Valiants #4 Ryan Cady & Andres Ponce Agustin Alessio August 14 Eternal Warriors: Last Ride of the Immortals #2 Fred Van Lente & Alvaro Papagiani Nobi August 21 Ninjak vs Roku #3 AJ Ampadu & Emiliano Correa Richard Ortiz August 7 The Darques: Soulside #2 Fred Van Lente & Sergio Monjes Rocio Zucchi August 28

Now, the heroes of the Valiant Universe are strutting their stuff in a series of variant covers, arriving just as the publisher is experiencing an exciting rebirth.

Now, the heroes of the Valiant Universe are strutting their stuff in a series of variant covers, arriving just as the publisher is experiencing an exciting rebirth. Valiant Comics, much like Swimsuit Specials, are synonymous with the 1990s. In that time, Valiant helped change the face of American comics. Along with Image, they challenged the decades-long duopoly of Marvel and DC. Valiant returned in 2012 to great acclaim, retooling their characters for a new era. The company recently joined forces with Alien Books, and together they are charting a new course for Valiant’s stable of characters.

Valiant's New Swimsuit Variants Are a First For the Company

These Covers Give Fans a Fun Look At Their Favorite Valiant Characters

Valiant’s swimsuit variants allow fans to see the publisher’s best characters in a new and fun light. Big things are on the horizon for Valiant Comics in the months ahead, as Resurgence continues to ramp up. This major event promises a new beginning for the Valiant Universe and will put X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Ninjak and the rest through their paces. Valiant’s swimsuit variant covers are giving its heroes a chance to unwind and enjoy themselves before Resurgence hits later this year.