Marvel Rivals Season 2: The Glamorous Battle for Krakoa

Season 1 of Marvel Rivals introduced a family of extraordinary heroes taking on vampires, but the imminent launch of its second season promises even more excitement as players head to Krakoa. This morning, Netease unveiled a sneak peek at Season 2 of their hero shooter, confirming Emma Frost and Ultron as the latest characters to join the expanding roster. Given the thematic focus, it’s likely some new maps will transport players to the enchanting realm of Krakoa, the mutant sovereign nation located on a living island.

Krakoa first appeared in 1975’s Giant Size X-Men #1, crafted by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum. Initially, Krakoa posed a threat to the X-Men, prompting Charles Xavier to assemble a new team of international mutant heroes to rescue his original students from the island’s clutches. However, its role evolved significantly in Jonathan Hickman’s 2019 X-comics relaunch, House of X and Powers of X, where Krakoa became an ally to mutants and a foundation for their sovereign state.

The “Krakoan Age” emerged, revitalized by the breakthrough of combining exceptional mutant abilities and psionic backups, effectively enabling resurrection, and creating miracle drugs from Krakoa-grown plants. Diplomatic events known as the Hellfire Galas marked this era, which is where the theme for Rivals’ second season derives. These lavish parties highlighted mutant-human diplomacy, showcasing Krakoa as a global power, until tragedy struck during the third Gala when the human supremacist group Orchis attacked, ending the first Krakoan Age in chaos.

The Hellfire Galas were famous for their extravagant attire, which of course led to drama typical of X-Men lore. Season 2 will introduce new skins inspired by these events, alongside classic choices like Magik and Psylocke’s blue-and-yellow training gear, and Wolverine’s stylish white suit from his “Patch” days in Madripoor. After all, as Emma Frost famously stated in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, they must be nothing less than fabulous.

As the April 11 launch of Marvel Rivals Season 2 approaches, fans eagerly anticipate how Emma Frost and Ultron will integrate into the game’s tank-healer-support dynamic. More revelations about their roles and Krakoa-themed content are sure to follow.