Fortnite’s New ‘Hot Bat Summer’ Skins Have Fans Buzzing

Fortnite is gearing up for a sizzling summer with a fresh twist. Epic Games and DC have announced a collaboration that brings Gotham’s heroes and villains to the beach in some eye-catching swimwear. On Tuesday, Epic teased a new lineup of skins that’s turning heads with its unexpected flair.

And no, it’s not about a topless Batman skin making its debut.

In the artwork showcasing Fortnite’s upcoming Hot Bat Summer, we see beach-ready versions of Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn, all while Batman sports just his cowl, trunks, and flip-flops. Ace the Bat-Hound joins the fun, marking the introduction of Fortnite’s latest Sidekick pet. While players familiar with summer-themed skins from other games like Marvel Rivals and Overwatch might not be shocked by Fortnite’s decision to embrace a more revealing aesthetic, the reveal has certainly stirred up some reactions. The pearls have officially been clutched.

Fortnite, rated T for Teen, has typically played it safe with its cosmetics. Characters from franchises like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter have faced backlash for their more revealing outfits, with Kitana appearing in bike shorts and Cammy’s legs covered with leggings. However, it seems DC is more than willing to let its female villains and antiheroes don beach attire that reflects real-world swimwear.

This shift towards a more sultry style has raised eyebrows among some fans. One comment on Fortnite’s post about Hot Bat Summer sarcastically questioned the choice to sexualize characters in a game aimed at younger audiences, while another fan on the subreddit expressed surprise at the inclusion of underboob.

On the flip side, many players are welcoming Epic Games’ bolder approach nearly nine years after Fortnite Battle Royale’s launch. Some are even hoping for a revisit of older skins to align them more closely with their original designs, while others credit Marvel Rivals for setting a precedent. A few fans have pointed to the success of last year’s Kim Kardashian skins as a potential catalyst for this change. Only a handful have noted Fortnite’s most revealing skin to date.

While Fortnite’s Hot Bat Summer skins may be a new venture in gaming, DC’s characters have long embraced sultry swimwear in the comics. Over the years, DC has released swimsuit variant covers, including one that seems to have inspired Batman’s look in this new skin line.

For instance, artist Mikel Janín’s alternate cover for Batman #126 featured Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle enjoying a day at the beach in appropriate attire.

DC has recently rolled out a series of swimsuit variant covers for titles like Batman, Supergirl, Catwoman, and Lobo, with Marvel also following suit. Swimsuit covers have been a staple in the comic world, as publishers often lean into more provocative designs to attract readers.

Despite this history, Fortnite’s decision to loosen up its character skins is being interpreted by some as a desperate move. Following a price hike on V-Bucks, Fortnite’s premium currency, the introduction of racier skins is seen as a strategy to boost sales. Whether this initial backlash will impact Fortnite’s reputation in the long run is uncertain, but the early response to Epic’s new direction suggests one thing: sex sells.