Marvel Rivals loves to throw in new skins for its various characters every other month or so. But do you know the lore behind these cosmetic options? We’re here to clue you in on the deep history of the most popular ones.
Marvel Rivals burst onto the scene as an ever-evolving live-service shooter and captured everyone’s hearts with fan-favorite superheroes. The creators also continued to expand their roster of heroes and new skins for their players each season. These skins, however, were more than slight cosmetic alterations; each one tells a new story.
These new costumes would portray a different incarnation of the character that the players experience. A lot of these popular versions come from different source material and comic book runs. Almost every skin has its own origin. Whether it’s the iconic black Spiderman suit or an otherworldly Dr. Strange. We’re here to celebrate these characters and uncover their rich history, so be ready to geek out with us now.
First Appearance: Doctor Strange (2015) #384
Dr. Strange has always been a master of the mystical arts; however, he was far from a god. However, all that changed when Loki came to cause him trouble. During Donny Yates' run with the character in 2015, Stephen Strange lost all his magical powers to the God of Mischief and became ordinary. So, to defeat him, he used the Ygdrassil tree to great effect and reached the status of a divine being.
This version of the character showcases Dr. Strange at his most powerful state. The third eye represents him achieving a higher power. If you’re using this version of the character, then everyone on the playfield is going to be intimidated by his grand presence.
First Appearance: Ultimate Comics Ultimates (2012) #2
Mr. Fantastic is known as one of the smartest characters in the entire Marvel universe. However, the Maker took that moniker to a whole other level. Reed Richards is not just smart anymore; he's viciously cunning and scheming. He’s allowed his intelligence to take him down a darker path and has turned his back on his family and friends.
The Ultimates Universe in Marvel provides a dark tale about the misuse of your gifts through the story of the Maker. While Reed looks to perfect humanity and build a utopia for it, he becomes its greatest threat. You can use the Ultimate Reed Richards in Marvel Rivals and spell doom for all of your foes by having them meet their maker.
First Appearance: Fantastic Four (1961) #250
You’d normally picture Sue Storm as the nurturing member of the Fantastic Four when you picture her. However, underneath all her kindness hides an aggressive monster, waiting to strike. Malice was a result of the manipulation by the villain Psycho-Man, which triggered a striking transformation.
Malice’s look is a huge contrast in looks and behaviour from her normal counterpart. It represents the raging storm of repressed anger and frustration burning deep within her. She then chooses to take out all of her raw aggression and hate on her fellow members. Storm’s powers are also amplified after this transformation. While Malice’s skin is an attractive sight to look at for players, it also embodies the conflict of good and evil within her.
First Appearance: Thunderbolts (2012) #1
The recent MCU Thunderbolts movie gave fans an entertaining look at the ragtag group of morally grey mercenaries. But the Punisher wasn’t anywhere to be found, so you wouldn’t be mistaken for forgetting him when you think about the group. However, Frank Castle has had his own time with the team, bringing his flavor of anti-hero justice.
The Punisher was a member of the Thunderbolts in the comics, which was led by Thaddeus Ross (aka Red Hulk). The 2012 version of the group also featured favorites such as Deadpool, Elektra, and Agent Venom. While Castle wasn’t much of a team player for the group, as he preferred to work alone, he did prove to be a vital part, briefly. You can channel some level of synergy with your friends by picking this version of the Punisher.
First Appearance: Thor (2018) #6
Loki is usually shown as a nefarious character in the Marvel Universe, but he showed the true depths of his evil self as the maniacal All-Butcher. This future version of the God of Mischief set out on a mission to rule everything as he looked to bond with the powerful All-Black Necrosword. He defeated Ego the Living Planet for ownership of the weapon.
After grabbing hold of the Necrosword, Loki made it his one goal to torture his brother for eternity. As the All-Butcher, Loki shows no mercy to any of his foes and slaughters everything in his way. His display of newfound strength is devastating for Asgard and sets the world in a cosmic conflict. Many payers are huge fans of the All-Butcher skin in Marvel Rivals, as it represents destruction for anything in their path.
First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #253
The black suit iteration of Spider-Man is perhaps one of the most iconic costume changes for a comic book character ever. Peter Parker’s initial dark suit was a living alien symbiote that bonded with his costume. While Parker was hesitant at first, he embraced the look after tearing his regular suit in battle.
Parker would discard the look after he discovered the symbiote had malicious intent and was affecting his behaviour as well. This decision gave birth to another iconic character, Venom. However, it wasn’t the last of the black suit, as the writers brought it back for several storylines, such as Kraven’s Last Hunt. The black suit represents a darker shade of Spider-Man as he takes his gloves off and looks to do some real damage.
First Appearance: Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #10
While Wolverine is usually shown as an aggressive beast, hunting down his enemies, this version sees him in another light. Logan took up the alias of ‘Patch’ as he lived on the island of Madripoor. He learned to tone down his violent tendencies and only bring out the claws when necessary. He did this to operate in secrecy while the X-Men were in hiding.
Logan’s attire is hugely different from his usual outfit, as he chooses to lead with more class. He sports an eye-patch along with a white tuxedo while engaging in drinking and gambling. Wolverine only brings this identity out in Madripoor and seemingly enjoys it while dishing out his brand of vigilante justice.
First Appearance: 1872 (2015) #2
Natasha Romanoff is a married woman in this altered wild-west reality in the Marvel Universe. You’ll find her on the other side of the law. However, even during this storyline, she turned up the charm and fell in love with Deputy Bucky Barnes.
While Natasha Barnes had settled down into the role of a civilian after her marriage, all that would change. Following the death of Deputy Barnes, she owns up to the moniker of Mrs. Barnes and looks to avenge her fallen husband. Mrs. Barnes is ruthless in her pursuit of vengeance and isn’t afraid to stand up to anyone.
First Appearance: Marvel Legacy (2017) #1
The King of Wakanda has always been chosen to accomplish great things as the Black Panther. So, it’s no shock that an Egyptian deity named Bast deemed him worthy and chose him to lead the Wakandans to Glory. Bast is represented as an Egyptian cat goddess, which is entirely apt for Black Panther.
In the 2017 comic run, the origins of Bast are further explored, and show us the earliest Black Panther around 1,000,000 BC. The first panther warrior unlocked the secrets of Bast and became a part of the Stone Age Avengers. This version of the character marks the start of a very long line of Black Panthers.
First Appearance: House of M (2005) #6
The House of M storyline was one of the best runs in X-Men comic book history. It also featured one of the most powerful iterations of Magneto as King Magnus. This reality shows a timeline where the mutants are the superior species, with Erik Magnus as the ruler. Magneto led his gang of mutants to overthrow the human government and finally ascended the throne to become king.
As King Magnus, he rules with an iron will from the island of Genosha. He possesses a deep sense of security for his fellow mutants and makes sure the humans witness the evolution of mutantkind. He’s presented in all of his royalty in Marvel Rivals in his prestigious garb as the head of a legitimate monarchy.
Marvel Rivals makes sure to treat the addition of skins as an opportunity for storytelling. It provides a glimpse at the nature/origin of these cosmetic options. This pushes the players to explore deeper into the universe rather than treat it as a simple visual upgrade. So, remember every time you don a new suit for these heroes, you’re taking a step into their rich history in the Marvel Universe.
