Marvel Comics is going full-on arcade mode with a series of special variant covers celebrating the upcoming video game, MARVEL Cosmic Invasion. These covers, dropping across various comic titles in January and February, feature the stunning retro-style pixel art straight from the game.
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is set to be a massive event for fans of classic arcade brawlers. Developed by Tribute Games and published by Dotemu (the acclaimed teams behind the hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge), this game is a love letter to the ’90s side-scrolling genre.
This game is more than just a nostalgia trip; it’s a cosmic beat ’em up where up to four players can team up in local or online co-op. The core gameplay features an innovative Cosmic Swap System, allowing players to select two heroes and tag between them instantly mid-fight, creating powerful combos and more tactical gameplay. The game boasts a massive roster of 15 playable Marvel heroes, including fan favorites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Venom, as well as deeper cosmic cuts like Nova, Phyla-Vell, and Cosmic Ghost Rider.
The epic plot sees these heroes join forces to stop the terrifying Annihilation Wave, led by the villain Annihilus, as the battle rages from New York City to the depths of the Negative Zone. The comics’ variant covers spotlight this incredible roster with vibrant, full-color pixel art that perfectly captures the retro spirit of the game and the classic comic-era look of these Marvel characters.
Collect All 12 Cosmic Invasion Variant Covers
You can snag these awesome covers on select titles beginning in January. Plan your pull list to grab all the action:
Four covers arrive on January 7, featuring BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #3, NOVA: CENTURION #3, VENOM #253, and WOLVERINE #14. A week later, on January 14, look for the cover on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: TORN #4. Mid-month, the variant hits CAPTAIN AMERICA #7 on January 21, followed by IRON MAN #1 on January 28. Moving into February, you can find one on STORM: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT #1 on February 4. The variants continue on February 11 with PLANET SHE-HULK #4 and X-MEN #25. Finally, the last wave hits on February 18 for FANTASTIC FOUR #8 and on February 25 with two more: BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #3 and THOR #7.
Which hero’s pixel art variant are you most excited to add to your collection?
