Popular online card game Marvel Snap has been blasted for apparently ripping off fan artwork for a character card. Artist Jason Kiantoro spoke out most recently, claiming that a M’Baku card in the game had utilized artwork he did in 2018. The allegations have angered hordes of fans, who are calling for an explanation and potential monetary payback.
The outcry was over a pixel art rendering within the game of M’Baku with a startling similarity to Kiantoro’s work. The designs are not the same, but the sketches include the character entering in the same or approximately the same stance: storming in on his right leg leading, outstretched left hand, with his staff carried behind. The advocates have pointed out that the pose, attire, and composition are almost the same, and this has made individuals nervous regarding the theft of the work without permission.
A Trend to Grow?
Marvel Snap has also before been criticized for artwork on their cards. Other character artworks, including Wiccan and Sentry cards, caught people’s eyes compared to other inspirations. The allegations have caused further controversy regarding commercial usage of fan art and whether or not it is ethical to license images by game developers.
Fueling further controversy, Marvel Snap had previously already faced a severe issue in 2025. Last January, the title had already temporarily been banned within the US through a congressional ban on TikTok and its owner ByteDance company. Following that, Marvel Snap had emerged from behind ByteDance-owned Nuverse. Despite the fact that the game had been out for only less than two days, the publishing responsibilities were later taken up by Skystone Games, so that it could be brought back to the U.S. market.
To date, neither Second Dinner Studios, the game developer, nor Skystone Games, its publisher, has commented on the plagiarism claims. As the backlash grew from the fans, time will only tell if they would comment on the accusations, edit the offending card, or give the artist of the original art work their just due.
If so, these accusations can damage the reputation of the game and some genuine ethical issues about intellectual property management in gaming.
