D23 Exclusive Q&A: Marvel Tōkon: First Strike #1 Writers on Fighting Souls Lore

ComicsMoody 16:9 RCG comics/gaming thumbnail of interlocking chrome arena rings around an ink-splash crystal with violet smoke, no text or logos.

Marvel Tōkon: First Strike #1 is the comic companion — not a new game launch.

A D23 exclusive Q&A published around September 15–16, 2026 sits down with writers Steve Orlando, Tom Waltz, and Josh Trujillo about the anthology one-shot that expands the mythology of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Art is by Bruno Büll, Áthila Fabbio, and Ryusei Yamada. D23 frames the comic as starring the game’s breakout teams — the Fighting Avengers and the Unbreakable X-Men — and digging into antagonists the Promoter and the Champion.

Comic out now; game already live

Per D23’s closing note, MARVEL Tōkon: First Strike #1 is now available on Marvel Unlimited and at comic shops. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls launched August 6, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam / Epic) — a Marvel.com July 2026 preview had already set the comic on sale August 5 as a launch-week tie-in. Do not read this as a new game release; the D23 piece is lore and creative process after both products are out.

What the writers say (high level)

  • Orlando — Champion / Promoter / Silver Surfer tragedy lane; connective tissue between classic Champion inspiration and the game’s tournament world.
  • Trujillo — “The Battles Ahead,” Unbreakable X-Men with Storm as lead; prequel with long-reaching stakes for the launch game and beyond.
  • Waltz — Fighting Avengers prequel (Cap POV) explaining a team rift ahead of the in-game manga-style cutscenes; Cap / Thor / Iron Man / Hulk core.

Marvel.com’s earlier one-shot announcement also notes 20 MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls variant covers on select Marvel titles beginning in August 2026.

As-of: evening September 16, 2026 (2026-09-16 ~5:30 PM CDT (America/Chicago)). Comic-available-now + Aug 6 2026 game launch + writer/artist credits + Fighting Avengers / Unbreakable X-Men / Promoter / Champion framing verified against D23 Q&A; Marvel.com July preview used for Aug 5 comic street / Aug 6 game + variants context. Not a new game launch story.