It happened fast. One minute, everyone is theory-crafting team comps for the Marvel Rivals closed beta, and the next, the internet is in a full-blown meltdown over a costume. Specifically, the Malice Invisible Woman skin. If you’ve been following NetEase’s hero shooter, you know that Sue Storm isn't just a support character; she’s a heavy hitter with some of the most complex lore in the Fantastic Four mythos. But when the developers reached into the 1990s grab bag to pull out her "Malice" persona, they sparked a debate that touches on everything from comic book accuracy to modern character design.
It's a weird one.
Most people see a skin and think, "Cool, a palette swap." Not this time. This isn't just Sue in a different color spandex. It represents a specific, somewhat traumatic era for the character. It’s a manifestation of her suppressed anger, manipulated by the Hate-Monger and Psycho-Man. Seeing it rendered in high-fidelity graphics in 2026 feels both nostalgic and slightly jarring.
The Problem With Bringing Malice Into 2026
Context is everything. Back in Fantastic Four #280, written and drawn by the legendary John Byrne, the transformation into Malice was a massive deal. It was a psychological breakdown. Sue was tired of being the "mom" of the group. She was tired of being sidelined. Malice was her shadow self—aggressive, spike-clad, and dangerous.
When you translate that to Marvel Rivals, you’re dealing with a different set of expectations. Some players absolutely love the edge. They think the spiked choker and the dominatrix-lite aesthetic is a refreshing break from her usual "super-scientist" vibe. Others? Not so much. They argue it feels out of place in a game that leans heavily into a stylized, almost "heroic" art direction.
Honestly, the Malice Invisible Woman skin highlights a recurring tension in hero shooters. Do you stay 100% faithful to the source material, even the parts that haven't aged perfectly? Or do you sanitize it for a modern audience? NetEase chose the former, and honestly, I kind of respect the boldness. They didn't just give her a black suit; they went full 90s.
How the Skin Changes the Gameplay Feel
It’s psychological. You play differently when you’re wearing the Malice skin. When I’m in the standard Future Foundation or Classic Blue threads, I feel like a protector. I’m focusing on those bubbles, keeping my teammates alive, and playing the backline.
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Put on the Malice Invisible Woman skin, though? Your mindset shifts.
Suddenly, you want to be the aggressor. You want to use those force fields to trap enemies in corners and overwhelm them. Even though the hitboxes and the frame data remain identical to the base model, the visual feedback of the darker effects and the more "menacing" silhouette makes the character feel heavier. It's a placebo effect, sure, but in high-stakes competitive gaming, the "vibe" of your hero matters more than we like to admit.
- The visual clarity of her shields changes slightly with the darker tint.
- It’s harder for some players to track her movements against darker maps like Yggsgard or Tokyo 2099.
- The "spike" motifs on her costume can actually make her silhouette appear slightly larger, though the hurtbox stays the same.
The devs have been pretty transparent about how skins shouldn't provide a competitive advantage. But if you’ve ever tried to pick out a Malice-skinned Sue Storm in a chaotic 6v6 team fight, you know that the "invisible" part of her name gets a literal boost from the darker color palette.
A Brief History of Sue's Dark Side
To understand why this skin exists, you have to look at the 1980s and 90s. This wasn't just a "costume change." It was a pivotal moment where Sue Storm proved she was arguably the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four. When she became Malice, she wiped the floor with her own team.
The skin in Marvel Rivals captures that specific "Mistress of Hate" energy. It’s a callback to the time she was possessed by the negative emotions amplified by Psycho-Man. For long-time comic readers, seeing the spiked collar and the cape-less silhouette is a deep cut. It shows that the design team at NetEase isn't just looking at the movies; they’re digging into the long-boxes of comic shops.
The Controversy Over Sexualization vs. Accuracy
Let's get real for a second. A huge part of the discourse around the Malice Invisible Woman skin is the design itself. In the original comics, Malice was intentionally designed to look "villainous" and provocative—a stark contrast to Sue's usual modest appearance.
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In Marvel Rivals, the skin is undeniably one of the most "daring" designs in the game. Some corners of the community have criticized it as being "fan service," while the counter-argument is that it's a literal carbon copy of her comic book appearance from nearly forty years ago.
It’s a weird hill for people to die on.
If you look at the 2026 gaming landscape, we’re seeing a shift back toward "comic book accurate" designs, even if they’re a bit campy or over-the-top. The Malice skin fits right into that. It’s not trying to be grounded. It’s not trying to be realistic. It’s trying to be a comic book cover brought to life.
Why Some Players Are Avoiding It
Interestingly, despite the hype, you don't see Malice in every match. Why?
Part of it is the "Targeting Tax." There is a legitimate theory among the player base that wearing high-profile, "edgy" skins makes you a primary target for the enemy team’s flankers. If you’re a Spider-Man or Black Panther main, and you see a Malice Sue Storm, you’re going to focus her. She looks like a threat. She looks like a boss fight.
The standard blue suit? It blends into the background. It looks like a support. But Malice? Malice looks like someone who is about to ruin your day.
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Unlocking the Potential: Is It Worth the Grind?
If you're looking to grab the Malice Invisible Woman skin, you're usually looking at a high-tier Battle Pass reward or a premium shop rotation.
Is it worth the credits?
If you’re a fan of the Fantastic Four history, absolutely. It’s one of the most detailed skins in the game. The way the light catches the metallic bits of the costume, and the way her "invisibility" effect is rendered with a slightly purple, oily sheen, is top-tier work. But if you prefer the "heroic" version of the character, you might find the Malice vibe a bit too aggressive for your playstyle.
Basically, it’s the ultimate "love it or hate it" cosmetic.
Moving Forward With Sue Storm
Whether you love the Malice Invisible Woman skin or think it’s a relic that should have stayed in the 90s, its inclusion is a good sign for the game's future. It shows that the developers are willing to take risks. They aren't afraid of the "weird" parts of Marvel history.
If we’re getting Malice, does that mean we might get the "Red Hulk" version of Ghost Rider? Or maybe the "God Emperor Doom" skin for Victor Von Doom? The floodgates are open.
Next Steps for Players:
If you decide to run the Malice skin, lean into the aggressive support role. Use your shields not just for defense, but to cut off enemy retreats. The darker visual cues of the skin actually make it easier to see your own bubble boundaries in bright environments, so use that to your advantage for precise placement. Check your graphics settings too—turning up "Effects Detail" makes the unique Malice-themed animations pop significantly more, which helps with timing your cooldowns during the absolute chaos of a 12-player brawl. Keep an eye on the shop rotations, as NetEase has hinted at "variant" versions of these iconic skins that might tweak the color palette even further.