The last time Marvel's choice in variant covers became a topic of conversation, we were talking about a Spider-Woman pose that would be fit for Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" video and the overt sexualization of female superheroes. This time, things are a bit different (and better).
Marvel’s anti-bullying covers are beautiful and heartbreaking
Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at The Atlantic.
Marvel has released images of upcoming variant covers — covers that are special commissions and rarer than an issue's regular cover — that address bullying in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, celebrated in October. It's a partnership with STOMP Out Bullying, a national bullying and cyberbullying prevention organization.
“The center of Marvel’s storytelling history is the eternal struggle between good and evil, with many of its greatest superheroes having to contend with — and rise above — bullying, in all its forms,” Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics, said in a statement.
The comics feature some of Marvel’s iconic heroes talking about being bullied or comforting bullied kids. This Star-Lord one hits the perfect tone:
Star-Lord, a Guardian of the Galaxy, comforts a young alien boy (Marvel)
As does this cover featuring the Hulk:
The Hulk variant cover (Marvel)
And this cover featuring Gamora, of the Guardians of the Galaxy, is stunning:
Gamora variant cover(Marvel)
There will be eight variant covers in all, and they will go on sale in October.
For a full list of the comics included in the anti-bullying campaign, head on over to Marvel.
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