What Inspired the Thing’s Trench Coat Skin in Marvel Rivals?

With the second half of Marvel Rivals’ first season underway, players are thrilled to welcome the non-romantic duo of the Fantastic Four into the mix. Johnny Storm has swooped into the first-person shooter sensation, while Ben Grimm, better known as the Thing, has brought his signature clobbering style to the game. Their arrival isn’t just about fresh faces; they bring along a range of new character skins. Marvel Rivals, thanks to its rich comic book legacy, can offer both unique original designs and skins inspired by the superheroes’ comic book history.

The Thing kicks off with two skins straight from the comics as part of his launch. Just like the rest of the Fantastic Four, each character appears with two skins depicting their classic looks from the comics. One is a timeless uniform inspired by the Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #3 (1961), available to the entire in-game family. Each member is also adorned with their own distinctive skin, which aren’t linked to their customary team outfits but are drawn from unique designs or alternate character interpretations.

When it comes to iconic designs, the Thing’s first solo costume in Marvel Rivals isn’t exactly flashy compared to the others, but it’s certainly memorable. Called the “Trench Coat,” this look features the rock-cragged superhero wearing the titular coat. The importance of this outfit lies in Ben Grimm’s earliest comic book appearances.

The story begins with the Fantastic Four acquiring their powers in an ill-fated spaceflight, which exposed them to cosmic rays that altered their biology. Reed Richards becomes limber, Susan Storm gains the power of invisibility, Johnny Storm turns up the heat with his flaming abilities, while Ben Grimm is transformed into a stony giant. While all of them are deeply impacted, Ben’s transformation is the most overt and physical. In an effort for some semblance of normalcy, he dons a fedora and trench coat in Fantastic Four’s debut issue. Although a trench coat and hat are hardly an effective disguise for such an immense stone figure, this look has endured throughout many Fantastic Four stories and adaptations.

One of the entertaining parts of the comic-centric costumes in Marvel Rivals is not only how they look but also the quotes that come with them. Each costume has its own associated catchphrase or a line that references its comic book origin. For the Trench Coat look, the included quote is: “I’m sorry Mister, I just don’t carry anything big enough to fit a man your size!”

This classic disguise made its first appearance with the Fed and trench combo in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #1 (1961) and popped up in two movie renditions. In the 2005 Fantastic Four film, Michael Chiklis’s Thing sports the distinctive attire when revealing his changed appearance to his fiancée, much akin to the comic narrative where he assumes the nickname “Thing.” In such instances, Ben’s girlfriend gives him this nickname, cementing his new identity.

Meanwhile, the MCU’s forthcoming film Fantastic Four: First Steps will see Ebon Moss-Bachrach stepping into the iconic outfit as well. Teased in the film’s trailer, this entry opts out of recounting the origins of the team, choosing instead to establish the disguise as a favored look for Ben. Given how frequently this costume has been featured across various media, it was an obvious choice for the Thing’s inaugural comic-inspired skin in the game. Eager players keen on the Trench Coat skin can snag it for 1400 units.

Marvel Rivals itself is an engaging team-based PVP shooter where players can gather beloved Marvel characters to craft unique strategies and unleash powerful Team-Up skills amid dynamic, destructible arenas inspired by diverse Marvel landscapes. As seasons roll in, players can expect new heroes and diverse maps, promising exhilarating battles and endless strategies. Whether combining powers or reshaping the battlefield, this game invites players into a constantly expanding Marvel universe filled with thrilling action around every corner.