Marvel Rivals: Duel of Kings #1 – Bad Influences Can Get You Rich

T’Challa and Namor meet up to sign a treaty sharing many of Wakanda’s creations and wealth with Atlantis. Unfortunately, the treaty does not include what Namor truly wants, chrono-vibranium. As the negotiations begin and T’Challa welcomes Namor to Wakanda’s Space Station, all may not be as it seems.

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Creative Team

Writer: Paul Allor
Artists: Salvador Espin and Jethro Morales
Colorists: Dee Cunniffe
Cover Artist: Stephen Segovia
Cover Colorist: Rain Beredo

Writing

I love Paul Allor working on the Marvel Rivals comics. Allor does a great job utilizing the freedom of not being tied to years of established lore to their benefit. The story in this issue really threw me for a loop. I thought I was getting into a drawn-out battle between kings, and instead found myself falling face-first into a heist story. Allor brings such depth and warmth to the characters.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Allor’s work on the Marvel Rivals comic is that Allor is a master of picking out what makes each character. Namor is different in Allor’s comics and on Marvel Rivals from the Namor of the traditional 616 universe. Allor shines, however, at including the perfect parts of the character’s personality to make readers connect with this different version of their favorites. It means understanding what makes T’Challa as a character, and Allor captures that perfectly.

Art

Salvador Espin, Jethro Morales, Dee Cunniffe, and Rachelle Rosenberg really did a monumental job with this issue. I feel like the art team did a perfect job balancing art that excites comic purists while also capturing the styles, shapes, and colors of the Marvel Rivals video games.

Cunniffe deserves particular praise for beautiful choices of colors and palettes that make Wakanda feel both grounded and majestic despite being a space empire. Espin and Morales craft looks for Namor and T’Challa that are distinct but feel equal parts regal and powerful. Joe Sabino does a great job handling the narrative device of Galacta without allowing her to draw you away from the main story.

Final Thoughts

Marvel Rivals comics continue to be some of the best comics being put out by Marvel at the moment. They are fun and fresh, providing an amazing gateway for new fans to explore their newfound favorite characters in unique ways. This part diplomacy and part heist story crafted a fun backdrop that leaves me desperate to see what Allor has up their sleeve next

Overall Grade: 10/10

Have you been checking out the Marvel Rivals comics? Let us know in the comments below!