Nearly one year since its release, Marvel Rivals has taken the internet and the X-Men fan community by storm and shows no sign of slowing down. Each new character reveal has been an exciting moment as we get to see them rendered in the game’s distinct art style and study the moveset that defines their unique powers. Seeing Emma Frost chokeslam Hulk, or Magik clear an enemy backline, or wondering what the hell was going on with Jean Grey’s little fiery woman-shaped Phoenix Force, has provided many moments of fun.
Naturally, the fan artists have been having a great year, either drawing characters as they might appear in the game, or going wild with shipping (I doubt Spider-Man/Lin Lie has EVER existed before this game came out). The most recent addition of Gambit and Rogue to the game’s roster has been a real gift for X-fans and gamers.
To celebrate the game’s first anniversary, our team of artists each picked an X-Men character and imagined what they would look like in Rivals. Characters were given roles (Duelist, Vanguard or Strategist, aka attack, defense and support) and costumes to fit the feel of the game. See what our mutant wish list for Marvel Rivals looks like, and follow all the talented artists online!
And for more deep-cut characters who would work in Rivals, click here.
Trae Middlebrooks
Trae.Drew.That on Instagram
My Marvel Rivals design for Sunspot is inspired by Beto’s mid-’90s Adam Pollina X-Force costume, Brazilian Carnival costumes and Ball Culture’s “Body” category. The back part of his harness has a solar panel that he can use when he’s low on power.
I admire how the team at Rivals can translate comic book costumes into a modern video game setting using unique textures, layers and color to pay homage to their comic counterparts.
Joe Pryde
Joe Pryde Art & Cosplay (@JoePrydeCosplay) on X
Art of Joe Pryde! (@artofjoepryde.bsky.social) on Bluesky
Joe Pryde Art on Instagram
My costumes for Shadowcat are inspired by her most recent look in Exceptional X-Men and All-New X-Men, respectively. Peach Momoko’s Shadowkat from Fall of X was also a big inspiration.
Haydn
ThatsSoHaydn on Instagram
Before the introduction of Gambit to the game, the X-Men were in desperate need of a strategist to fill out a well-rounded team. So combining her portal-making abilities, magic healing with her Pixie Dust, damage dealing from her Soul Dagger and high mobility with her wings, there’s no better option to join the Marvel Rivals roster than Pixie!
Jamie Fay
jamiefayx on Instagram
In the world of Marvel Rivals, I see Deathbird as a Vanguard character. She would have fast dash and slash attacks. She would have the ability to launch into the air and glide to the ground. Her Ultimate would let her call on the Brood to attack all characters on the player’s screen regardless of their distance from her. The attack would take half of the character’s HP, with a minimum of 100 HP damage.
Joshua Bruckner
Joshington_bear on Instagram
Joshingtonbear on Bluesky
I wanted to give a Rivals look to a lesser-known character, one who might be an odd fit but could work naturally in a team-based shooter. I took one of my favorite characters from recent years, Eye-Boy, and figured out how to make his strange and sometimes passive seeing powers fit into a fighting game. I figured he’d be able to let his team see and track enemy whereabouts and data.
He’s in X-Men gold colors, so he stands out from the other blond Strategist characters, and the open vest lets you see more of his eyes!
Michael
yourwario on Instagram, X and Bluesky
Enter Dazzler! The pop sensation joins Marvel Rivals as a Duelist, using her mutant powers to blast away the enemy team. I thought she would make a good Duelist to pair with Luna Snow as a Strategist, and to distinguish the two singers in game. For her design, I tried to keep her classic look but add a few more details to make it fit into the world of Rivals.
R.L. White
rlwhitesillustrations on Instagram and Tumblr
RLWhitesArt on X and Bluesky
This is my impressive concept for the ultimate Sentinel Nimrod, which perfectly encapsulates his formidable presence. Drawing inspiration from his modern Krakoa-era design, the addition of vibrant magenta highlights effectively simulates his active, energetic aura as seen in the comics. His assigned four-star difficulty is a judicious choice, reflecting his status as a near-indestructible threat to mutants, as well as other heroes and villains, and a challenging force within the game’s broader roster. The subtle yet meaningful detail of the Omega Sentinel bracelet, worn on his three-fingered wrist, adds a unique, cooperative narrative layer, suggesting a protective charm amid his primary directive: the complete extermination of mutantkind.
Alex Buckland
Blueromanticss on Instagram and Bluesky
I decided to Rivals-ify Pepe Larraz’s design of Polaris from the Krakoan X-Men! I made her a Strategist in opposition to Magneto, so he’s in the frontline and she’s in the back line!
Joshua Bruckner
Joshua Bruckner is a lifelong artist, X-Men fan and scientist, in that order. He lives in Massachusetts and spends his free time reading comics, redesigning X-Men, drawing comics and arguing about X-Men. Follow him at @joshington_bear on most social media.
