By: Aurora Willis

On December 6th, 2024 Marvel Rivals went live. Based around the Marvel Universe and their expressive roaster of heroes and villains, Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 shooter game where you are able to pick a character and are placed into a team with other players. Based on the map, your team is given a mission objective that you must compete against another team to win the game. Since its release, Marvel Rivals has continued to grow in both its gameplay and popularity, with even non-marvel fans playing. But what makes Marvel Rivals so special? Is it the fact that the game is free to play? That no matter what level of a player you are you audiometrically have access to all playable character, including new release? That first time players get the option to practice using different kinds of characters on a solo training map? Who knows, its probably a combination of all three.

Personally, I believe that Marvel Rivals popularity is due to its characters, their unique abilities, and the fact the game is heavily inspired by Marvel’s comic history rather than its cinematic universe, although the game does honor that to with skins. Though unique character interactions and maps, players can see bits and pieces of this comic book history. I know comics can be daunting to say the least, which is way I have created this list, so you have a starting point if you want to get to know your favorite character better. Full disclaimer, I have not read all these books. But I have done extensive research on each and every story. If I missed any or you have any suggestion, please let me know in the comments. Without further a due welcome to my Marvel Rivals comic book list part 1 of 50 with the rate this game is adding new characters.

Loki: The God Of Mischief who’s only loyalty is to himself, As Loki players are able to multiped illusions of themselves, fire energy projectiles that injure the opposing team while healing his own, and even take on the form of other heroes. Loki is a complicated character to say the least. While mainly portrayed as a villain in the comics, especially for his foster brother Thor, Loki does have the potential to be good, at least when he wants to.

Trials Of Loki: This comic serves as a origin story for the God Of Mischief, though these comic we see the events that shaped Loki into the trickster we know today. Not only is this a great comic to read to better understand Loki’s character, it also is able to blend stories from actually Norse Mythology that the character is based one. Including a myth based on how Thor got his hammer.

Thor And Loki: Blood Brothers: This comic is set in an alternate timeline where Loki finally gets the thing he wants the most, the throne of Asgard. Marvel Rivals actually follows a similar storyline as their vison of Loki became king of Asgard by usurping the throne. Through Shakespearean style storytelling Blood Brothers see Loki learning about the powers and responsibility that come with the throne. As well as the complexed relationship with his brother Thor, who’s approval he might care for more than he lets on.

Loki Agent Of Asgard: If your looking for a comic that shows Loki in a more heroic light, in Agent Of Asgard we see a newly reincarnated Loki travel across time, space, and dimensions to make up for the mistakes of his past. This comic not only features redeem Loki that audience are use to seeing in movies and tv shows, but we also see Loki take up a new title as he sheds his former one of God Of Mischief.

Honorable Mentions: Vote Loki (President Loki Skin), Mistress Of Mischief (Lady Loki Skin), Thor: God Of Thunder Reborn (All-Butcher Skin)

Storm: An Omega-Level Mutant with goddess-like power, through Storm players can attack enemies from above the map with flight, hurl winds and lighting bolts, and create targeted massive hurricanes. Storm is probably one of the most popular X-Men characters out there, because of that there are many comic-book storyline with her at the center, and even more to come. As powerful and beautiful as the weather she commands with a true heroes heart, fighting for all life, Storm is the blueprint all heroes aspire to be.

Uncanny Origins Storm: I remember finding this comic at my local comic book store as a kid and not letting it go. Uncanny Origins follows Storm from her birth to her joining the X-Men. As readers we learn about the events that shaped Storm into the hero we know today. We learn about her parents, why she is a claustrophobic, how she is connected to the Black Panther, and how she came to be worship as a goddess in Africa. Most impotently this comic give an inside to Storm’s character and what drives her.

X-Men: Worlds Apart: After marrying T’Challa and become Queen of Wakanda, Storm has to deal with the responsibility she has as both a ruler of one of the worlds most powerful nations, her heroic work fighting for mutant equal rights with the X-Men, and her and T’Challa’s relationship. All things are put into jeopardy when a villain from her past, the Shadow King, makes her two world collide. Though character driven storylines, readers see how Storm balances power and different parts of her identity, as well as highlighting her relationship with the X-Men and Wakanda, which are both present in Marvel Rivals.

Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant: In this new solo series, we see Storm set off to do good work on her own, rather than part of a team. From the first issue we see Storm’s power and strength of character, even in the most dire of circumstances. From saving a whole town, to handling a completed situation with integrity instead of ego, and even creating a base of operation where she has allowed all living things to take refugees. People begin taking notice of Storm, including Eternity itself.

Honorable Mentions: Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 (Goddess Of Thunder Skin), Uncanny X-Men #173 (Mohawk Rock Skin), Ultimate Black Panther (Ultimate Wind-Rider Skin), Civil War Ceasefire: Black Panther #18 (Queen Of Wakanda Skin), X-Men #1 1991 (Ivory Breeze Skin)

Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme and Master of the Mystic Arts, in Marvel Rivals, Doctor Strange has the ability to launch projectiles, create shields, create portals, and separate the the opposing teams souls from their bodies. Using ancient magical artifacts and other magical allies, Doctor Strange defense the Marvel Universes from any and all kinds of mystical threats. Armed with his training by the Ancient One and the skills he learned as world-renowned neurosurgeon Strange is charged with looking the Sanctum Sanctorum, an ordinary looking townhouse on Bleecker Street that housing the most powerful and dangerous magical artifacts in the universe.

Doctor Strange: Strange Origin: This comic is a modern interpretation of Doctor Strange origin and how he went from greedy arrogant neurosurgeon to powerful mystical Superhero. The book establishes impotent characters like Strange teacher the Ancient One and his friend and fellow sorcerer Wong. The character of Doctor Strange has been around since 1963, If you want a comic that shows how Strange learned to use his power, how he came to possess the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agamotto, and how he came to be the guardian of the Sanctum Sanctorum this comic is a great starting point.

Doctor Strange The Oath: Probably one of Doctor Strange most well know storyline, The Oath follows Strange as he tries desperately to find a magical cure for Wong, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Throughout this comic we see Strange take on interdimensional demons, assist in an operation on himself through the astral plane after he was shot by a magical gun, and even confront a figure from his past that shaped him into the man he is today. Through this character driven storyline, readers are shown not just what kind of hero Doctor Strange is but also how far he has come from being that arrogant neurosurgeon to the sorcerer supreme.

Doctor Strange Surgeon Supreme: After regaining the use of his hands again, Doctor Strange makes the decision to go back to being a neurosurgeon on top of being a superhero. Given this second chance, Strange tries to be a better doctor this time around. Helping those who truly need his help, not just the rich and powerful. However Strange is not the same man he was years ago, and given what he knows now about the universe, it will be a challenge balancing both the mystic and scientific world. Especially when they end up clashing in his ER.

Honorable Mentions: Doctor Strange by Donny Cates (God Of Magic Skin), Doctor Strange: The Best Defense #1 (Old Man Strange Skin), Doctor Strange: Across The Universe (Sorcerer Supreme Of The Galaxy Skin), Doctor Strange Epic Collection: Master Of The Mystic Arts (Master Of Black Magic Skin)

Magik: A mutant who’s powers are sourced from literally Limbo itself, As Magik players are able to wield the blade Soulsword, launch projectiles at enemies, create portals that act as shields against damage, and can become Darkchild a demon form that increases her speed and strength. Starting off as just a kid sister to the X-Men Colossus, Magik soon became a hero in her own right joining the X-Men team the New Mutant. And even went on to be the ruler of Limbo. While her powers do come with a dark side that she is constantly at war with, this doesn’t stop Magik from using her powers for good. Magik has gone by many titles Darkchild, Master of Limbo, Phoenix, Teacher, Captain, but one thing reminds constant: she is a survivor.

X-Men Magik: Storm and Illyana: This comic fellow Magik as she goes through hell and back, literally. Serving as an origin story for how Magik got her powers and her fame sword Soulsword. Following a seven year old Magik, Storm and Illyana tells the story of Magik seven years in Limbo after she is kidnapped by the demon Belasco. The comic depicts what Magik had to do to survive, including learning black magic. This is the comic to read to understand Magik character and abilities. For all its supernatural elements Storm and Illyana is really a story about a young women going through hell, and coming out the other side.

New X-Men: The Quest For Magik: In an attempt to reclaim Magik for himself again, Belasco pulls Magik back into Limbo, but this time she is not alone. Joined by the X-Men, the team fights to keep Belasco from getting Magik again as well as return home. While Magik fights to get parts of her soul back that she lost to Limbo the first time she was taken. This story re-establish Magik role as Master of Limbo, a role she has in Marvel Rivals.

Magik: Unleashed: A new solo series starring Magik, Unleashed follows Magik as she travels around the world hunting down demons. During this journey she ends up meeting a teenager with a connection to dark magic, just like her. It soon becomes Magik job to take this youth under her wing as an apprentice, teaching them how to control their magic as the fate of the world is at stack. All while Magik struggles to control her dark side, which is itching to return.

Honorable Mentions: New Mutants #65 1983 (Eldritch Armor Skin), Avengers Vs. X-Men (Phoenix Demon Skin), X-Men: New Mutants Classic (Retro X-Uniform Skin)