5 Unbelievable Marvel Comics Covers That Turned Fans’ Heads

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Marvel Comics is a huge name in the comic book world, and over its many years, it’s produced some truly strange and unusual cover art. While everyone remembers iconic covers like Amazing Fantasy #15 and Infinity Gauntlet #1, and most of their covers are well-received, Marvel isn’t immune to missteps. Over the decades, they’ve occasionally released covers that are embarrassing, odd, or even offensive. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s definitely occurred.

Marvel Comics has a history of memorable cover art, and sometimes those covers are shocking or unexpected. Some gained attention for showing a bit too much, like a cover from Sensational She-Hulk #40, while others responded to current events, such as the original cover of X-Statix #15. Each cover has its own story, but certain images make you wonder how they were ever approved. Here are 5 Marvel covers that are sure to surprise you.

5. Sensational She-Hulk #40

Comic book covers often exaggerate to attract buyers, but “Sensational She-Hulk” actually lived up to its provocative promise. The cover featured She-Hulk skipping rope nude, partially covered by the Comics Code Authority symbol – a scene insisted upon by the creative team. Surprisingly, this wasn’t just a cover gag; the story began with Jennifer Walters doing the same for several pages before being stopped by the editor. It’s remarkable that Marvel allowed this to happen and even more surprising that it passed censorship standards at the time.

4. The Amazing Spider-Man #601

The cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #601 caused a lot of controversy online. While the image itself—showing Mary Jane Watson and Spider-Man—seemed harmless, fans quickly pointed out that Mary Jane’s body was drawn with unrealistic proportions, particularly her waist. They began sharing their own altered versions of the cover, which upset the original artist, J. Scott Campbell. The situation sparked a wider discussion about how female characters are portrayed in comics and whether it’s acceptable to change an artist’s work.

3. Spider-Woman #1

The cover you see wasn’t the originally intended design for Spider-Woman #1, but it received much more attention. Artist Milo Manara created a cover showing Jessica Drew climbing onto a rooftop, posed in a way that emphasized her figure. The cover was released with the series title strategically placed over her curves, which sparked controversy. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction online, criticizing the overly sexualized depiction of Spider-Woman, and ultimately Marvel decided to withdraw two other covers by Manara from future publication.

2. Edge of Spider-Verse #2

The variant cover for Edge of Spider-Verse #2 itself isn’t a problem, but the situation surrounding it upset some fans. Artist Zoe Thorogood was commissioned to design the character Zarina Zahari, Spider-UK. However, Marvel then used that same design as a variant cover without her knowledge, leading to criticism directed at her. While the artwork is good, many feel bad for Thorogood, as she was misled about how her work would be used.

1. X-Statix #15

It’s hard to believe this actually happened! Years after Princess Diana’s death, Marvel Comics announced plans to bring her back as a mutant character in their universe. The news, reported by The Daily Mail in the UK, understandably caused outrage. At the last minute, Marvel changed the cover of X-Statix #15, replacing the character intended to resemble Princess Diana with Henrietta Hunter. Though the original cover was never released, the incident still caused a significant stir.

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2026-02-23 02:10