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Marvel Rivals has had over 50 million players since its 2024 launch. That’s a lot of potential new comic book readers, and Marvel hopes they can capitalize on it. However, the publisher knows that decades of continuity can seem daunting to fans of the free-to-play combat game. Marvel Comics editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski says he’s constantly thinking of these potential new readers and wants to make sure they don’t feel intimidated.

“We really focus on the fact that we want every Marvel Comic to be new reader friendly,” C.B. Cebulski says during an appearance at Singapore’s Marvel Makan Masterworks 2025 event. “I understand how daunting it can be for a new fan to become a fan of Miles Morales or become a fan of something that’s happening at the Rivals video game, and they go into a comic shop and they say, ‘Oh my god, where do I start?’ It’s 65 years of history and it can be difficult to figure out where it should be. But every Marvel Comic we produce is made so that it could be somebody’s first comic.”

Cebulski reminded the audience that there is nothing unusual about comic readers starting an ongoing title with the current issue. The editor used himself as an example, saying it made him a lifelong fan.

“I started with X-Men #120. Not X-Men #1, but I knew what was going on. We try to remember that, and we try to remind our editors and our creators that every comic could be somebody’s first. So just make sure you name the characters, there’s a little recap of what’s going on, which Stan Lee did so brilliantly when he was writing. Don’t make comics impenetrable. Make sure that when you’re telling your story, your story is accessible.”

Marvel Rivals has over 50 million players. If just one percent of those players samples a Marvel Comic, that’s 500,000 new readers. For context, a popular comic book series rarely sells over 200,000 copies unless it’s a big crossover or part of a relaunch. Introducing gamers to the characters is one battle but getting them into comic stores is another.

Want more? Make sure you've read our list of all the best Marvel Comics stories of all time.