Marvel Comics announced today that it is honoring LGBTQIA+ creators and characters this June for the fifth consecutive year with a giant-size anthology: Marvel United: A Pride Special #1, from queer creators such as Al Ewing, Kei Zama, and former Comics Beat contributor Zoe Tunnell.
The 2025 Pride issue will offer readers four thrilling adventures featuring beloved heroes uniting “against hate and fear,” including characters from the Avengers and X-Men. Showcasing diverse voices, the 2025 edition unites creators from across the comic book industry, including seasoned Marvel writers and up-and-coming talent, some of whom will be making their Marvel debut.
Although this year’s June issue seems to be marking the end of Marvel’s Voices Pride issues, created and edited by Angélique Roché, it’s exciting to see that the 2025 issue highlights the Marvel Universe’s transgender characters, including Aaron Fischer, Captain America of the Railways, and Sera, as well as the inclusion of transgender creators, including Zoe Tunnell. These trans characters, along with the Pride Progress and Transgender Pride flags, are featured prominently on Cover A and the variant covers. Given the attack on trans rights by the Trump Administration and that many companies (including Marvel Studios’ parent company, The Walt Disney Company) are halting their DEI practices and removing LGBTQ+ characters and scenes from upcoming releases, it’s heartening to see Marvel Comics choose to have its heroes unite against the hate and violence experienced by the queer community in 2025.
Here’s what fans can look forward to in this year’s Pride Special, according to the press release from Marvel Comics:
- From visionary writer Al Ewing and acclaimed artist Kei Zama, see Aaron Fischer, Captain America of the Railways, bravely confront the inimical and despicable Hate-Monger!
- Groundbreaking character Arnie Roth fights alongside Captain America against Hydra during the height of World War II in a story about the past that will reshape the future from the superstar team behind the hit Avengers Academy Infinity Comic series, writer Anthony Oliveira and artist Pablo Collar. Also arriving just in time for Pride Month, Avengers Academy: Assemble #1 collects the first six issues of Oliveira’s Avengers Academy Infinity Comic series in print for the first time.
- Last year’s Pride special celebrated Mystique and Destiny’s marriage. Now, experience a new chapter in the iconic mutant couple’s decades-spanning romance that touches on parenthood and co-stars their son, Nightcrawler, by author Wyatt Kennedy and artist Bayleigh Underwood in her Marvel Comics debut.
- In another exciting Marvel Comics debut, writer Zoe Tunnell teams up with rising star Federica Mancin for a Black Cat heist gone haywire as the super thief finds herself alongside heavenly hero Sera in a dark battle against the fear-inducing demon D’Spayre!
- And more, including interviews and insightful essays.
Check out the issue’s stunning variant covers by Lucas Werneck, Jan Bazaldua, Ernanda Souza, Luciano Vecchio, and Rickie Yagawa below:
Preorder Marvel United: A Pride Special at your local comic shop, and stay tuned for this year’s Pride variant covers in the weeks ahead. For more information, visit Marvel.com.
