“Marvel Winter Break Special” Issue 1 (2026) Features an Avengers vs X-Men Ice Hockey Game!

Marvel is treating fans to a new Marvel Winter Break Special one-shot later this year. And this time around, one of the two stories will have the Avengers and X-Men facing off against each other in a competitive game of ice hockey.

Marvel Comics decided to return to releasing a bunch of pin-ups last year through the Marvel Winter Break Special Issue 1 for 2025 as well as a Marvel Swimsuit Special. Looks like the 2025 Winter Break Special offering was received so well that we are getting a second release come December 2, 2026.

The upcoming Marvel Winter Break Special for 2026 will be written by Ryan North & Christina Strain with art by Javier Garron, Pete Woods, Lucas Werneck, Farid Karami, and many more.

One of the stories will have Logan organizing an ice hockey match between the Avengers and the X-Men. I mean, I will be very surprised if a reference to Heated Rivalry doesn’t pop up. There will also likely be a reference or two to the actual Avengers vs X-Men event that occurred back in 2012.

From what I remember, the Marvel Winter Break Special comic book issue for 2025 had a bunch of X-Men and Avengers traveling to The Savage Land to deal with an issue created by the Roxxon Energy Corporation. Storm was part of the group. So that was nice. However, she did experience trouble using her powers to control the unnatural winter environment in The Savage Land due to what the Roxxon Energy Corporation had created, as well as because of a power-up given to the life force-absorbing Sauron. But oh well, that one-shot was more focused on selling readers on enticing pin-ups of heroes in swimsuits. The story wasn’t really a priority.

Having said that, the upcoming Marvel WBS issue housing two stories instead of only one does make me think there might be more narrative meat on the bones. But then again, let’s see.

As for the looks, heroes will be dressed up for New Year’s Eve. A bunch of winter outfits will also be highlighted.

The stunning main cover is by the iconic David Nakayama. Winter Break variant covers will be shared in upcoming weeks.

I will likely pick up this one-shot after confirmation that Storm will indeed be part of the stories being told instead of her just being used on the main cover.

How about you?

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(via AIPT)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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