Marvel Rivals' Malice Skin Predicted the Biggest Hero Death Of 2025

Warning! Spoilers ahead for One World Under Doom #8!

Marvel just delivered its most shocking death of the year, and some fans believe the popular video game Marvel Rivals saw it coming a year ago. The game’s inclusion of “Malice,” a dark version of Fantastic Four’s Sue Richards, seemed to prefigure the design’s return in the comics, following the latest tragic development for Marvel’s First Family.

One World Under Doom #8 is written by Ryan North, with art by R.B. Silva. The issue ends with Doctor Doom shockingly causing the death of his “goddaughter,” Valeria Richards.

Losing Valeria was original catalyst for Sue’s transformation into Malice; now it seems Marvel history is rhyming, if not repeating itself, and Marvel Rivals predicted it.

Marvel Rivals’ “Malice” Version Of Invisible Woman Hinted At Valeria Richards’ Shocking Comic Death

Panel From One World Under Doom #8; Written By Ryan North; Art By R.B. Silva

One World Under Doom #8, Valeria Richards staggers forward, shards of Doom's armor embedded in her body — One World Under Doom #8, Valeria Richards staggers forward, shards of Doom’s armor embedded in her body.

It didn’t raise any eyebrows when Malice was added to Marvel Rivals in January 2025. Part of what has made Rivals a hit is its willingness to look beyond the most recognizable versions of Marvel heroes and villains. The game incorporates alternate designs and incarnations of Marvel characters, and Invisible Woman’s Malice look certainly qualifies as underrated.

When Marvel announced in September that the Invisible Woman would become Malice again in an arc later this year, fans quickly connected it to the design’s Marvel Rivals success. However, now Valeria Richards’ death in One World Under Doom #8 provides the missing piece of the puzzle. It seems her daughter’s death will push Sue to adopt her dark persona once more.

In response to Valeria’s death, some readers were quick to note that Malice’s introduction in 1985’s Fantastic Four #280 came when Sue was still grieving her miscarriage, in which she lost the baby that would have been Valeria. Now, in a clear parallel, Sue will confront her Malice identity while experiencing grief over losing Valeria yet again.

Malice’s Comeback Hints At A Coordinated Effort Between Marvel And The “Rivals” Development Team

“Invincible Woman” Concept Art By Humberto Ramos

Sue Richards as Malice in concept art for Fantastic Four #6

As teased by Marvel, Fantastic Four #6 will introduce “the Invincible Woman,” an alternate version of Sue Richards who wears the Malice costume. The question on readers’ minds is how this will connect back to Valeria’s death in One World Under Doom. It may be that confronting a darker version of herself is how the main Invisible Woman will process her loss.

The return of Sue Richards’ alternate Malice design, and Valeria’s death, could be entirely coincidental. Still, it’s also possible that the plan for One World Under Doom, which would presumably have been mapped out a year ago, if not more, informed the decision to add a Malice skin to Marvel Rivals.

That is, it is certainly a possibility that Marvel could have suggested the inclusion of Malice, knowing the character was due for a comeback. This raises the question of what other teasers for the future of Marvel Comics might subtly be hidden in the current and future roster of Marvel Rivals playable characters.