Skybound Games has done what every fighting game publisher should do more often: release a wholesome, utterly absurd cosmetic skin and let the character's personality do the work. The latest trailer for Invincible VS focuses on Rex Splode, the cocky young hero with explosive palm sweat. And in this case, he's wearing nothing but a towel.

The trailer, titled "Invincible VS - Official Rex Splode Towel Skin Trailer," runs just a few seconds of in-engine footage and a voiceover that nails the character's tone. The dialogue is clearly aimed at one of his teammates — likely Atom Eve, given the reference to a past hookup. "Here we go. I won't hold back just because we hooked up," the voiceover begins. "Heads up, lover boy. Stay away from the showers, Rex. I'm way cuter."

Rex, never one to back down, fires back: "Got something for you. NOT SO COCKY NOW, ARE YOU?" Then, after a beeped-out insult, he declares: "MY COSTUME IS [bleep] AWESOME. AND SO AM I, JACKASS."

It's a short, punchy bit of marketing that tells you everything you need to know: the skin exists, it's ridiculous, and it's true to the source material. For anyone who has watched the Invincible animated series or read the comics, Rex Splode's entire identity is a defensive layer of bravado wrapped around a genuinely insecure kid. Putting him in a towel — the one moment he might be vulnerable — and then having him double down on insults is exactly right.

What the skin means for the game

Invincible VS is a multiplayer fighting game that pits characters from Robert Kirkman's universe against one another in 2D-style brawls. It launched in early access on Steam and consoles, and it relies on a roster of recognizable heroes and villains. Cosmetics like this towel skin are part of the monetization model, but they also serve a deeper purpose: they give players a reason to care about a character beyond their moveset.

Rex Splode's standard costume is a red-and-black suit with a visor and gloves that let him charge objects and make them explode. The towel skin strips that away. He's literally wearing a bath towel and nothing else — a visual joke that references a scene from the comics or show where he might be caught off guard. The trailer's dialogue suggests a locker room or shower encounter, and the skin lets you play the entire match with Rex in his most exposed state. It's the kind of silly, self-aware cosmetic that keeps a game's community engaged between major updates.

From a technical standpoint, the skin is likely a simple model swap with the towel textured and animated to flow during moves. The voice lines are reused from existing character clips, probably from the game's stock banter. But the presentation in the trailer makes it feel like a proper event. The camera lingers on Rex's face, the towel draped over his shoulders, and the lighting emphasizes the contrast between his cocky expression and the absurdity of the situation.

Why this matters for the Invincible franchise

Skybound Games has been careful to treat Invincible VS as an extension of the universe's distinct tone: brutal fights, black comedy, and characters who never stop talking. The towel skin is not a serious addition. It's a callback for fans, a present for people who know that Rex Splode is the kind of guy who would wear a towel into battle just to prove a point. And in an era where fighting game skins are often serious, premium-priced bundles, a joke skin that's free or cheap can generate more goodwill than a dozen elaborate armor sets.

The trailer also reinforces that the game's voice acting remains on point. The delivery of "MY COSTUME IS [bleep] AWESOME" sounds exactly like Rex — full of swagger, slightly desperate, and completely unable to read the room. It's the kind of line that will become a meme in the community, and that's a good thing. Fighting games live and die by their social moments: the replay clips, the taunts, the one-liners that become inside jokes.

Broader context: joke cosmetics in fighting games

Joke skins have a long history in fighting games. Street Fighter has had silly costumes, Tekken lets you dress characters in dinosaur suits, and Super Smash Bros. thrives on absurd accessories. But many modern fighting games lean hard into realism or licensing, which makes goofy skins feel out of place. Invincible VS has the advantage of a source material that already mixes ultraviolence with humor. A towel skin fits.

That said, the trailer is clearly aimed at the existing fanbase. It doesn't explain who Rex Splode is or what Invincible VS is about. Newcomers might watch the 30-second clip and wonder why a half-naked man is screaming about his costume. The game's marketing has been relatively niche so far, and this trailer won't change that. But for players already invested, this is a treat.

What comes next

Skybound Games has not announced a release window for the towel skin. It could be a seasonal item, a reward for completing a challenge, or a premium purchase. The trailer doesn't show a price or a date. Based on the pattern of other early access games, it will likely drop alongside a small update or event. The studio has been quiet about the game's roadmap, so any new cosmetic is a signal that development continues.

For now, the takeaway is simple: Invincible VS is committed to being a game that respects its characters' personalities, even when those characters are wearing nothing but terry cloth. And that's more than you can say for most fighting games.