You’ve seen the spikes. The black leather. That aggressive, almost predatory stance that feels totally wrong for the Marvel Universe’s favorite "Team Mom." Honestly, if you’ve been playing Marvel Rivals lately, you’ve probably been flattened by a Sue Storm player wearing the Malice skin. It’s everywhere.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t just some edgy "what if" costume cooked up by a concept artist. It’s actually one of the most traumatizing, game-changing moments in Fantastic Four history.
People love a good villain arc. However, the story behind the Malice skin Invisible Woman variant is way darker than your typical "hero gone bad" trope. It’s about suppressed rage, a literal psychic assault, and the moment Susan Storm stopped being the "Invisible Girl" and started being the most terrifying member of her family.
Where Did Malice Actually Come From?
If you want to understand why this skin matters, you have to go back to 1985. Fantastic Four #280. John Byrne was writing the book, and he decided to put Sue through the absolute ringer.
Basically, two villains—Psycho-Man and Hate-Monger—decided to weaponize Sue’s internal emotions. They used a machine to amplify every bit of resentment, anger, and bitterness she’d ever felt. And let's be real, being married to Reed "I’m too busy staring at a microscope to notice my wife" Richards probably provided plenty of fuel.
The result? Malice, the Mistress of Hate.
She didn't just get a wardrobe change; she became a sadist. She used her force fields to suffocate people. She crushed her own teammates. It was brutal. Eventually, Reed had to do the unthinkable to snap her out of it—he provoked her into a genuine, unfiltered rage to break the artificial "hate" spell.
It worked, but Sue was never the same. Shortly after this, she officially changed her name from Invisible Girl to Invisible Woman. She realized that her powers were essentially limitless if she stopped holding back. That’s the energy the Malice skin brings to the game.
💡 You might also like: What Most People Get Wrong About Epic Games Mystery Games 2025
Getting the Malice Skin in Marvel Rivals
If you’re looking to grab this look in Marvel Rivals, you’ve probably noticed it’s not exactly a "freebie" you get for just showing up. NetEase knows a high-demand item when they see one.
The Cost of Being Bad
Most players ended up picking this up through the Malice Bundle. Back in January, it launched for around 1,600 Lattices (the in-game currency). If you just want the skin solo, it usually sits at 1,400 Lattices.
Is it worth it?
Kinda depends on if you care about the extras. The bundle usually throws in:
- The "Malice" Legendary Skin.
- The Malicious Whirlwind MVP animation (which is honestly top-tier).
- A "Inner Turmoil" emote.
- The "Malice Will Rule" spray.
If you're a "Free-to-Play" purist, you're mostly out of luck here. Unlike the Blood Shield skin, which you can grind for by hitting Gold Tier III in Competitive mode, Malice is a "swipe the card" situation.
Why the Design Hits Different
The Marvel Rivals version of the Malice skin is a bit more polished than the 80s comic version. In the original books, it was... well, it was very 80s. Spikes everywhere, a lot of exposed skin, and a cape that looked like it belonged in a gothic club.
The game version keeps the spiked collar and the signature "M" mask but gives it a more tactical, high-poly finish. It looks intimidating when you’re hovering over a capture point, raining down orbs.
How Malice Changes the Gameplay Vibe
Technically, skins in Rivals don't change your stats. You aren't "stronger" as Malice. But anyone who tells you that "skin-timidation" isn't real hasn't played enough ranked.
When you see a default Sue Storm, you expect a protector. You expect shields and heals. When you see a Malice skin Invisible Woman, you expect someone who knows how to use the Force Physics pull-and-push combo to ledge you.
Mastery Tips for the Malice Aesthetic
If you’re rocking the skin, you might as well play like the Mistress of Hate.
- Aggressive Invisibility: Use Covert Advance not just to run away, but to reposition behind the enemy backline. Malice wouldn't hide; she’d ambush.
- The "Orb Projection" Dance: Her primary fire heals allies and hurts enemies. In the Malice skin, focus on that piercing damage. Line up shots so you’re hitting the enemy tank through your own diving teammates.
- The Ultimate Bait: Invisible Boundary is a game-changer. Drop it right as the enemy team commits to an engagement. Watching a confused Punisher spray bullets into a void while your team deletes him from the shadows is peak Malice energy.
The 2026 Resurgence: Beyond the Game
What’s wild is that the popularity of this skin actually forced Marvel’s hand in the comics. Because so many people were talking about Malice in Marvel Rivals, the 2025/2026 comic run by Ryan North introduced a "variant" called the Invincible Woman.
✨ Don't miss: Mario Kart World Baby Daisy: Why This Lightweight Diva Still Divides the Fanbase
It’s basically an homage to the Malice persona. It proves that fans are tired of Sue being the "quiet" one. They want the version of her that can crack a Celestial’s armor.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to add the Malice skin to your collection or just level up your Sue Storm game, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the Rotation: If the bundle isn't currently on the front page of the Marvel Rivals shop, don't panic. These legendary bundles usually rotate back in during "Fantastic Four" themed events or Season refreshes.
- Farm Your Units: If you’re close to the 1,400-1,600 mark, focus on finishing your daily and weekly challenges. Every bit of currency helps if you’re trying to avoid spending real cash on the full Lattice amount.
- Practice the "Push": Spend 15 minutes in the practice range mastering the Force Physics "push" distance. A true Malice player wins by using the environment as a weapon.
- Read the Source: If you want the full lore, look for Fantastic Four #280-284 or the Secret Wars II tie-ins. It'll give you a lot more appreciation for why Sue looks so grumpy in that mask.
The Malice skin isn't just a cosmetic; it’s a reminder that the most dangerous person in the room is usually the one everyone overlooks. Or in Sue's case, the one they literally can't see.