According to the latest statistics, there are over 8,000 characters in the Marvel universe, so naturally, not everyone can earn a spot on Marvel Rivals' roster. Marvel Rivals has just been officially announced as a new 6v6 hero shooter. Bearing a strong resemblance to the likes of Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals will task teams with completing objectives as various iconic Marvel heroes and villains, each coming equipped with a unique set of abilities and attacks that closely resemble their powers from the source material.

Currently, an impressive total of 18 playable heroes and villains have been confirmed for Marvel Rivals, with characters coming from teams across the franchise, including The Avengers, the X-Men, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. While Marvel Rivals will have fan-favorite characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, and Black Panther, its starting roster will also include a number of lesser-known Marvel heroes, such as Magik, a hero that might not have made it into the game if it wasn't for 2022's Marvel's Midnight Suns.

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Midnight Suns Is Likely to Thank for Magik's Inclusion in Marvel Rivals

Magik Has Been in Marvel Comics for Decades

Illyana Rasputin, better known by her superhero alias Magik, has been in the Marvel universe a lot longer than many fans might realize, debuting all the way back in 1975's Giant-Size X-Men #1, though she wouldn't receive her Mutant powers until 1982's The Uncanny X-Men #160. The younger sister of X-Men roster staple Colossus, Magik was kidnapped at a young age by a demon named Belasco, and imprisoned in Limbo, a horrifying pocket universe. While in Limbo, Magik becomes a powerful sorcerer, capable of opening up portals between the Earth's normal realm and Limbo, projecting psionic shields, and manifesting a powerful weapon known as the Soulsword.

Magik's First Big Break Was In Midnight Suns

But despite first appearing almost five decades ago, Magik didn't receive her first proper on-screen debut until 2020's The New Mutants. Played by Anya Taylor-Joy, The New Mutants' version of Magik was a genuinely solid depiction of the character and one of the biggest highlights of the entire movie, but unfortunately, that wasn't enough to save The New Mutants. Widely regarded as one of the most disappointing X-Men movies, The New Mutants was a critical and financial disaster that Disney quickly swept under the rug, meaning that Anya Taylor-Joy's Magik probably won't ever see the light of day again.

Thankfully, though, that wasn't the last major appearance Magik was destined for. Back in 2022, Marvel's Midnight Suns introduced a packed roster of mystical superheroes, and along with the likes of Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, and Blade, Magik made the cut. In fact, Magik actually plays quite a vital role in Marvel's Midnight Suns' story. Her relationship with Wanda Maximoff is a core part of the first third of the game's narrative.

Midnight Suns gives Magik plenty of time to shine, both in terms of characterization and in terms of gameplay. For many Marvel fans, this serves as an excellent first introduction to the character. Though it can't be known for sure, it would make sense if Midnight Suns' portrayal of Magik internally paved the way for her inclusion in Marvel Rivals.