Comic book artist and Marvel alum JL Giles has teamed up with EA Sports to reimagine a fresh batch of footballers as EA Sports FC 24 Heroes cards, once again adding some superhero  FC 24 Coins flair to Ultimate Team.

"I believe both have a significant impact on popular cultures," Giles explained. "Besides their global popularity and iconic status, fans are equally passionate about both the players and the characters.

"They serve as sources of inspiration and role models for millions of people of all ages, as they embody qualities such as determination, leadership and the pursuit of excellence." And we cant really argue with him on that!

Elsewhere in the interview, Giles talked about drawing Alex Scott herself as the first female Hero card - to mark the landmark moment of female players being added to Ultimate Team for the first time. For all that and more, check out the full transcript below!

How does working on Heroes cards differ from traditional comics? Comic book work revolves around sequential storytelling. The key is to ensure that the reader can follow the story clearly. Working on Heroes cards is more akin to what we do with covers.

The priority is to make the characters look spectacular, exude heroism, and make the reader want to grab it and explore what happens inside. We strive for the same effect with the cards – surprising the audience with highly iconic images!

This year sees the addition of female players to Ultimate Team. Was it meaningful to draw the first female Hero, the UK’s Alex Scott? Work in progress artwork of Alex Scott, drawn by JL Giles, as an EA Sports FC 24 Hero. JL Giles / EA Sports How did you come up with the ideas/designs for each character?

I loved the idea! The incredible talent which was displayed at this year’s Womens World Cup, as well as the record-breaking crowds, really showcased the surging popularity of the game. It’s great we can be part of that growth, introducing female heroes like Alex Scott.

EA Sports FC and Marvel are grounded in the story and abilities of each player, and together we aim to create an appearance and superpowers that align with their context. Is it tricky coming up with designs based on each year’s roster of athletes?

I try not to overthink before I start designing the costumes. I simply let myself go, begin buy EA FC 24 Coins  doodling lines everywhere, and gradually interesting things start to emerge. If you come in with too many preconceived ideas, the process becomes slow and cumbersome. I try to avoid that.