Marvel Rivals is already looking past Season 7

Marvel Rivals is still in the middle of its seventh season, but NetEase has apparently decided that one tease at a time is for amateurs. As the game rolls out a major patch packed with a new map, quality-of-life improvements, and bug fixes, it has also begun hinting at the character that could arrive in Season 8.

Season 7, titled "The Hunt Is On," centers on the heroes trying to stop the Alchemax Corporation from taking over Lower Manhattan in New York. The season’s lore has already spotlighted Black Cat and White Fox, both of whom were also added as playable characters in Season 7.

In a social media video running about a minute, the game also revealed the new Lower Manhattan map. The environment is full of small nods to Marvel lore, including references to Wilson Fisk, the Alchemax building, and even a Jeff the Shark statue. Subtle world-building remains one of Marvel Rivals’ favorite hobbies.

A red hood in a glass case gets people talking

Near the end of the map showcase, viewers spotted a red hood floating inside a glass case for a few seconds. That detail strongly points to The Hood, a Marvel supervillain with deep ties to New York’s criminal underworld.

Because the current season is set in Lower Manhattan, the tease has naturally led to speculation that The Hood could be one of the next characters added to the roster, possibly in Season 8. The game’s Season 8 release date is expected to be May 15, 2026.

Fans quickly latched onto the teaser, with many hoping The Hood arrives in the next season update or shortly after. Some are also crossing their fingers for a version connected to Ghost Rider, because apparently one hood is not enough hood for some people.

Marvel Rivals has a habit of planting character references before making anything official. It did something similar ahead of Phoenix’s reveal, so the red hood is not exactly a random decorative choice.

Who is The Hood?

The Hood, also known as Parker Robbins, began as a small-time criminal in New York. After stealing a Nisanti demon’s red hood and boots, he gained superhuman powers and used them to deepen his criminal career, eventually building his own syndicate and taking a shot at becoming New York City’s next Kingpin.

In the comics, The Hood has clashed with major Marvel names such as:

  • Spider-Man
  • Daredevil
  • Green Goblin

He has also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the Disney+ miniseries Ironheart, and there is still a chance he could show up again in future films or shows.

What kind of role could he play in Marvel Rivals?

If The Hood does join Marvel Rivals, he would likely fit best as a Duelist. That would line up with his gunplay, quick movement, and levitation powers, which he uses to strike fast and stay hard to pin down.

On paper, that could make him feel a bit like a mix between Star-Lord’s mobility and Scarlet Witch’s magical threat. In other words, he would probably bring another aggressive option to a roster that already has plenty of them. Some players have already complained that the game leans too heavily toward Duelists, but that has not stopped NetEase from adding more characters in that category before.

For now, nothing is confirmed. But Marvel Rivals has made its point: a red hood in a glass case is never just a red hood in a glass case.