Marvel Comics has revealed they will mark Disability Pride Month in July with four back-up stories, all written by Marieke Nijkamp (Hawkeye: Kate Bishop), with art by Andrea Di Vito (Emma Frost: The White Queen). Spotlighting disabled superheroes like Daredevil, Misty Knight, Echo, Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Silhouette, and Finesse, the serialized story will appear in that month‘s Amazing Spider-Man #32, Uncanny X-Men #31, Fantastic Four #14, and Wolverine #24, and see the characters come together to save Misty’s partner Colleen Wing.
Nijkamp states, “It may sound a bit cheesy to say this is a dream project, but for these stories, I got to bring together a roster of spectacular heroes and write an epic adventure that’s all about strength in community. It really is a dream come true.” The writer, who is autistic, last contributed to the Marvel Universe with a story in 2023’s Marvel’s Voices: Pride special starring Gwenpool.
Di Vito adds, “Superheroes are meant to inspire us to be better, but sometimes we forget that the greatest inspirations come from real life. People with disabilities prove to each and every one of us that the true measure of our worth is our spirit and our will, not the limitations of our bodies. I am happy to be working with Marieke Nijkamp. Their work speaks with a true voice and shines through every character they write.”
Each book will come with variant covers for the back-up story. Amazing Spider-Man #32 (out July 1) will have two, by Jamie McKelvie and Leinil Francis Yu. Uncanny X-Men #31 (July 8) will have one by David Mack of his deaf co-creation Echo, Fantastic Four #14 (July 15)’s will be provided by Aaron Kuder, and Wolverine #24 (July 22)’s will come courtesy of Stephen Segovia. You can check out Mack’s cover below in the meantime.
