Marvel Rivals to Add Swimsuit Skins This Summer, Tied to Comic Book Special

Image via Marvel

Marvel Rivals players have something special to look forward to this summer as NetEase Games plans to introduce swimsuit-themed skins to the popular hero shooter. This news comes alongside Marvel's announcement that they're reviving their fan-favorite Marvel Swimsuit Special comic series after a three-decade hiatus.

The new comic, titled "Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes, and Rivals #1," will hit shelves on July 9, 2025, and will feature a unique connection to the game. According to information shared on the Marvel website, the comic will include a sneak peek at designs for upcoming Marvel Rivals swimsuit cosmetics.

The special comic will center on a storyline where Janet Van Dyne (The Wasp) organizes a worldwide swimwear photoshoot for Marvel's heroes. As described in Marvel's announcement, "Roxxon Comics is at it again when they release their own UNAUTHORIZED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL. Wasp is on the case and seizes the opportunity for Marvel's heroes to do their OWN swimwear fashion shoot all over the world!"

While NetEase hasn't officially confirmed which characters will receive swimsuit skins, preview art for the comic features several playable Marvel Rivals characters like Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, and Black Widow.

This timing aligns perfectly with Marvel Rivals' upcoming seasonal schedule. The game recently launched Season 2, which introduced Emma Frost and the Hellfire Gala event. With Season 2 expected to run for about three months, the swimsuit cosmetics will likely arrive with Season 3 around July or August – just in time for peak summer.

Marvel Rivals community manager Miller Ross has hinted that the swimsuit skins will feature a balanced approach, with male and female characters receiving similar treatment. The preview art supports this, showing male characters in trunks or speedos and female characters in one-pieces or bikinis.

Since its December 2024 launch, Marvel Rivals has maintained strong player numbers, reportedly reaching 40 million players across all platforms. The free-to-play hero shooter has become one of Marvel's most successful gaming ventures outside the MCU, which explains why Marvel Comics is putting such effort into supporting it with this special tie-in.

The game's revenue model relies entirely on cosmetic items, making these special summer skins an important addition to NetEase's monetization strategy. While pricing details haven't been announced, players can expect the skins to be available through direct purchase or possibly included in the Season 3 battle pass.

Starting with Season 3, NetEase is also adjusting its content schedule. Instead of three-month seasons, Marvel Rivals will shift to shorter two-month seasons with at least one new playable hero joining the roster every month.