DC Comics’ swimsuit issue made superheroes sexy — here’s how - Gamezon

The idea of a “superhero swimsuit” is admittedly redundant. Many of them wear swimwear. But that’s the scintillating irony at the heart of the superhero swimsuit special: Everybody knows this is kind of ridiculous from the get-go, so why not have fun?

It’s also demonstrably true that a good superhero redesign can be just as electrifying as a great superhero story, and just as challenging to pull off. DC Comics will be paying tribute to that challenge with — what else? — G’nort’s Swimsuit Edition.

The oversize issue will feature a reprinted story from the company’s 2020 summer special, as well as a new eight-page short featuring the Penguin in, quote, “the tightest bathing trunks you can imagine.” But most importantly, it’ll collect dozens of DC’s summer-themed variant covers — at least, the ones that feature swimsuits — drawn by dozens of the company’s top artistic talent.

We at Polygon wanted to find out: With so many heroes already sporting their trunks and unitards, how can we create a suit that is recognizable (and perhaps even stylish?) Superhero bathing suit or trunks?

So that’s exactly what we asked seven of the artists whose work will feature in this actually illustrated swimsuit special. You can read on to see their work, answers and one exclusive. G’nort’s Swimsuit Special Offers’s new additions: a fold-out pinup poster, just like that Other than that, special issue that rhymes with G’nort’s G’Illustrated.

Dick Grayson shields his eyes, looking up from where he’s standing in sparkling water, with a very small Nightwing-patterened set of drawstring swim trunks on, that highlight his butt very well.

Catwoman, wearing a black bathing suit, gloves, and goggles, pours herself a glass of champagne on a yacht surrounded by unconscious crewmen.

Nicola Scott: I have two different answers, one cheeky, one not, both honest: It’s gotta fit in all the right places, and it really helps if the cut speaks to the character and their taste.

Terry Dodson I try to make a swimsuit that echoes the character’s costume or namesake—so it isn’t hard for the reader to instantly recognize the character. Catwoman’s costume was kept in its shape, plus I used the same black fabric. What I really wanted to do was add a sash behind Selina that looks like a tail of a cat.

Poison Ivy, wearing a fringed two-piece bathing suit, looks over her shoulder and holds up a drink in a coconut shell on a tropical beach.

Wonder Woman shields her eyes from the sun, wearing a bathing suit on the beach as doves flutter around her.

Sweeney Boo It’s all about shapes, what’s flattering but not boring, and sexy without being outrageous. I chose a flowing design with lots of movement to represent the Poison Ivy plant.

W. Scott Forbes: There shouldn’t be a need to overcomplicate a swimsuit — it still needs to serve a purpose. When I was designing Wonder Woman’s swimsuit, it was important to create something that accentuated her strength along with incorporating the visual elements that define her (red, blue, white stars and gold!). The idea of creating a bathing suit with two pieces that at first looked like a single piece was a great one.

In a loud-colored swimming onesie, beast boy tans on the beach, holding an ice pop and accompanied by Krypto the Super-dog and Bat-Cow.

Batman and Superman stand like models, each wearing rather short swim trunks in the colors of their costumes. Batman is wearing sunglasses and a very expensive watch, and his chest hair is subtly trimmed in the shape of the bat symbol.

Francis Manapul I’m not one to give fashion advice, so I’ll give super dad advice. I remember reading an article about color safety in the water; it’s all about visibility. Keep it bright and vibrant! Stay away from earthy tones and avoid blues. Beast Boy certainly got the point across.

Babs Tarra: From the fit to the textures, I wanted my piece to feel like an illustration from 1960s. I was asked by the editors to design the cover for World’s FinestBruce Wayne, a mature man in his 30’s, and Clark Kent are two men who share the same age. What would you wear on the beach …?The thought occurred to me.

Also, I had watched quite a few episodes of White Lotus Season 2, made me remember Bruce, because I felt like he was the kind of guy who would vacation in Italy. He would wear dark clothes, as matching sets have become very popular. I didn’t want to put him in a mask because OH MY GOD ITS THE BEACH IT WOULD BE SO HOT, CAN YOU IMAGINE?! So to make these two men who are VERY similar in character design stand out, I gave Clark his classic hair curl and — for a little bit of the “lols” for myself — I gave Bruce a subtly sculpted bat symbol in his chest hair, just so they stood out from each other a little more. I also gave Bruce an expensive watch and put the Wayne logo on it, plus some very (let’s be real) expensive sunglasses b/c he probably has a stylist that puts him in very nice things.

I was a fan of the short, short swimsuits worn by boys.

Aquaman pushes his hair away from his face, accentuating his many muscles, as he stands shirtless in a tidepool, wearing green pants and a belt with a buckle shaped like his symbol.

David Talaski: Aquaman does not need to wear a bathing suit, a shirt or shoes. Everything’s swimwear when you’re always wet. Is his bathing costume on? He should display his assets. By assets, I refer to his superhero belt.

Poison Ivy, in her bathing suit with a stylish gold belt, reclines on a bed of man-eating plants.

The centerfold for this issue of Poison Ivy is a poster by Jen Bartel, an artist from the United States. It’s one of four random centerfolds readers can find in their copies of G’nort’s Swimsuit Edition. The book will be available on the shelves from 29th August.

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