SDCC ’25: Marvel reveals RIVALS: KING IN BLACK, Season 3 updates & swimsuit variant covers

On Friday morning at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Marvel Comics hosted its “Marvel Rivals” panel with the NetEase creative team: art director Dino Ma; lead character concept artist Peilin Zhong; principal environment artist Weitai Luo; principal 3D character artist Zhen Li; and the Marvel Games creative team: executive producer Danny Koo; creative development manager Dakota Maysonet; and senior art director Dan LaDuca. The panelists gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the hero creation process and revealed content from the ongoing Marvel Rivals Season 3: The Abyss Awakens.

The panelists also announced Marvel Rivals: King in Black, a new comic series which reflects the game’s current season drawing on the 2020 King in Black event. Written by Paul Allors and drawn by Nico Leon, the story takes place across Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic issues #13-18. It goes live digitally on July 31 in Marvel Unlimited and will be released in print this October.

Here’s the synopsis:

KLYNTAR KILLS!

When a galactic vacation goes awry, our beloved heroes – Jeff, Rocket Raccoon, Thing and Squirrel Girl – find themselves on the symbiotic shores of Kylntar, home of the symbiotes! As allies are transformed, their darker halves join the side of the symbiote-bonded Hela, and her growing symbiotic army! Only two heroes are capable of defeating this growing menace: Blade and Phoenix! But with their forces scattered, can the daywalker and the mutant psychic pull their friends out of this Klyntarian nightmare?

Check out the cover by Federico Vicentini and solicit info below.

MARVEL RIVALS INFINITY COMIC #13-18

• Written by Paul Allor
• Art by Nico Leon
• Cover by Federico Vicentini
• KLYNTAR KILLS!
• When a galactic vacation goes awry, our beloved heroes – Jeff, Rocket Raccoon, Thing and Squirrel Girl – find themselves on the symbiotic shores of Kylntar, home of the symbiotes! As allies are transformed, their darker halves join the side of the symbiote-bonded Hela, and her growing symbiotic army! Only two heroes are capable of defeating this growing menace: Blade and Phoenix! But with their forces scattered, can the daywalker and the mutant psychic pull their friends out of this Klyntarian nightmare?
• Available on Marvel Unlimited on July 31*
  • *Current Marvel Unlimited subscribers and new members who sign up by August 7 can receive a redeem code to unlock an exclusive in-game spray featuring Blade.Join with a special discount code at Marvel.com/mu-25rivals.

MARVEL RIVALS: KING IN BLACK #1

• New One-Shot, Collecting MARVEL RIVALS INFINITY COMIC #13-18 in Print, On Sale October 2025

MARVEL RIVALS SWIMSUIT VARIANT COVERS BY NETEASE GAMES

• Five Variant Covers Spotlighting New Swimsuit Skins Available in Marvel Rivals, On Sale September 2025
• On Sale 9/17
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #3 NETEASE GAMES MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT
  • NEW AVENGERS #4 NETEASE GAMES MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT

• On Sale 9/24
  • JEFF THE LAND SHARK #4 NETEASE GAMES MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT
  • THOR #2 NETEASE GAMES MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT
  • X-MEN #22 NETEASE GAMES MARVEL RIVALS VARIANT

Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from SDCC ’25.