Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the comic company’s new homage to its classic beat ’em up video games of the past, features the surprising inclusion of a lesser-known queer character.

A 90-second trailer dropped alongside the game itself on Monday (1 December), offering fans a frantic first look at what’s in store for gamers.

Developed by Tribute Games, Marvel Cosmic Invasion sees 15 Marvel superheroes traverse a plethora of locations from the comics as they attempt to thwart an oncoming invasion by the interdimensional insectoid Annihilus.

Featuring classic beat ’em up style gameplay, Marvel Cosmic Invasion was inspired by arcade classics including Golden Axe and the Streets of Rage series.

Alongside the eclectic roster of fan-favourite Marvel characters, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Venom, and Ghost Rider, is the Titanian-Kree hybrid Phyla-Vell, who is canonically a lesbian.

Who is Marvel Cosmic Invasion’s Phyla Vell?

The daughter of Mar-Vell, aka Captain Marvel, and the genetically engineered Titanian, Elysius, Phyla-Vell is a super-powered hybrid warrior with cosmic abilities.

First appearing in the 2003 comic Captain Marvel Vol. 5 #16, Phyla was introduced after her brother, Genis-Vell, destroyed and recreated the universe with subtle differences.

For a time, Phyla used the name Captain Marvel, as she is depicted in Marvel Cosmic Invasion, eventually going on to use the moniker Quasar and, eventually, the title Martyr.

Her sexuality was confirmed in the 2004 comic Captain Marvel Vol. 5 #25 after she admits she is attracted to the character Moondragon and asks if she would like to tour the “spiral nebula near Renault VII.” The two are then seen wandering through a portal together.

A live-action version of the character appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The reimagined character is one of the Star Children who joins the Guardians of the Galaxy after they freed her from the High Evolutionary.

The mainline comic universe version of the character died in the 2010 issue of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 during a fight with Maelstrom.

Phyla-Vell can be unlocked in Marvel Cosmic Invasion by completing the Hala stage and defeating her while she is possessed.

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