Malice

• In one bolded sentence, Malice is most famously a malevolent, non-corporeal psychic entity that possesses and corrupts powerful women, but the codename has also been used by a mutant Marauder and a vengeful Wakandan warrior.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Malice functions primarily as a tool of psychological warfare and corruption. The psychic entity, its most prominent form, is a parasite that feeds on and amplifies the negative emotions of its hosts, serving as a deeply personal antagonist for heroes like the Invisible Woman and Polaris.
• Primary Impact: The possession of Sue Storm was a landmark moment, forcing the character to confront her inner darkness and mature significantly. Its subsequent, long-term possession of Polaris became a defining trauma for the character, impacting her mental stability and relationships for years.
• Key Incarnations: It is critical to distinguish between the three main versions: the psionic entity controlled by mister_sinister; the original mutant Marauder with possession powers; and Nakia Shauku, a former dora_milaje who became a villain obsessed with destroying the Black Panther. The character, in any form, has not appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The identity of Malice is one of the most fragmented in the Marvel Universe, with three distinct characters sharing the name, each with a separate origin and creative team. The most famous version, the psychic entity, was conceived by writer and artist John Byrne. It first manifested in Fantastic Four #280 (July 1985) during Byrne's transformative run on the title. This era was known for pushing the boundaries of Marvel's First Family, and the introduction of Malice served as a vehicle to explore the repressed frustrations and darker aspects of Susan Storm Richards' personality. The concept was a powerful personification of her inner turmoil, given a sinister, external form. A year later, a completely separate character named Malice was introduced by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita Jr. in Uncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986). This Malice was a mutant member of the original Marauders, a team of assassins assembled by mister_sinister. Her appearance was part of the seminal “Mutant Massacre” crossover, a grim and violent storyline that had a profound impact on the X-Men and the wider mutant community. The third and most distinct Malice was introduced over a decade later by writer Christopher Priest and artist Mark Texeira in Black Panther Vol. 3 #1 (November 1998). This version was Nakia Shauku, a member of Wakanda's dora_milaje. Priest's critically acclaimed run redefined the Black Panther for the modern era, and Nakia's transformation into the villain Malice provided T'Challa with a deeply personal and tragic antagonist, born from obsession and betrayal.

The in-universe origins of the various individuals known as Malice are entirely separate, rooted in different corners of the Marvel Universe, from psionic manipulation to Wakandan court intrigue.

The prime comic universe is home to all three primary incarnations of Malice.

The true origin of the psionic entity known as Malice is shrouded in mystery, but its modern activities are intrinsically linked to the machinations of the master geneticist, mister_sinister. It is not a living being in the traditional sense, but rather a non-corporeal consciousness composed of pure negative emotion—hatred, envy, and rage. It is a parasite that requires a host to survive and exert its influence, preying on individuals with strong powers and deep-seated emotional vulnerabilities. Its first major appearance came when it targeted Susan Storm Richards. The Sub-Mariner's kingdom was attacked by monstrous creatures, causing Sue to suffer a miscarriage. While grieving and feeling neglected by her science-obsessed husband, Reed Richards, she became a target for the manipulative villain Psycho-Man. He used his Control Box to amplify her latent insecurities and negative emotions, twisting her into an aggressive and hateful version of herself. This emotional turmoil created a psychic “opening” that the Malice entity exploited. It bonded with Sue's amplified darkness, fully possessing her. This new persona adopted a spiked, revealing costume and the name Malice, turning on her family with terrifying fury. Sue eventually fought back, using her love for her family as an anchor to mentally and physically expel the entity, but the experience left a permanent scar, forcing her to acknowledge the darkness she was capable of. Years later, Mister Sinister captured Lorna Dane, the mutant Polaris. Seeking a powerful new host for his weaponized entity, Sinister forcibly bonded Malice to Lorna. This possession was far more complete and insidious than Sue's. Malice took over Lorna's body and, using her magnetic powers, became the new field leader of the Marauders. The entity's signature choker appeared on Lorna's neck, a physical symbol of its control. For a long period, Malice completely sublimated Lorna's personality, speaking and acting through her body. Even after Lorna began to regain some control, the entity remained a malevolent “passenger” in her mind, tormenting her and her lover, Havok. This prolonged mental violation caused severe psychological trauma for Lorna, leading to years of instability and a struggle to reclaim her own identity.

Before the entity co-opted the name, there was another Malice. This woman was a mutant with the power of psionic possession. She was recruited by Gambit on behalf of Mister Sinister to form the original Marauders. Her abilities allowed her to take control of another person's body, making her a perfect infiltrator and assassin. She took part in the infamous “Mutant Massacre,” the systematic slaughter of the Morlocks living in the sewers beneath New York City. During the chaos, she was believed to have been killed by the X-Man Dazzler, but like many of the Marauders, her fate remained ambiguous due to Sinister's cloning technology. It was after her apparent demise that the psychic entity, now bonded to Polaris, adopted her codename and role within the team, causing significant confusion for their enemies.

Nakia's origin is a tragedy of unrequited love and obsession. Chosen from a Wakandan tribe as a young girl, she was inducted into the Dora Milaje, the personal bodyguards and “wives-in-training” for the King of Wakanda, T'Challa. While the “wife” title was largely ceremonial, Nakia developed a deep and dangerous infatuation with her king. When T'Challa's old flame Monica Lynne re-entered his life, Nakia's jealousy grew into a murderous rage. In a fit of passion, she attempted to kill Monica, a crime that resulted in her immediate disgrace and exile from Wakanda. Cast out and left for dead, she was found by one of T'Challa's greatest enemies, Achebe, and later tortured by Erik Killmonger. Killmonger used ancient alchemical processes and potent mutagens to grant her superhuman abilities, reshaping her into a weapon of vengeance. He cultivated her hatred for T'Challa, giving her a new purpose and a new name: Malice. Reborn, Nakia became a formidable foe, using her intimate knowledge of Wakanda's security and her newfound powers to systematically attack T'Challa's life, his throne, and the people he loved.

The character of Malice, in any of her comic book incarnations, does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The name and its villainous connotations have not been used. However, the name Nakia is used for a major character in the film Black Panther (2018), portrayed by actress Lupita Nyong'o. It is crucial to understand that the MCU's Nakia shares only her name and Wakandan origin with the comic book character who becomes Malice. In the MCU, Nakia is a member of the River Tribe and a War Dog, an elite undercover spy for Wakanda. She is portrayed as a heroic, compassionate, and fiercely independent woman who is T'Challa's former lover and one of his closest and most trusted allies. Her primary motivation is using Wakanda's resources to help oppressed people around the world. She fights alongside T'Challa against Erik Killmonger and is instrumental in his victory and his decision to open Wakanda to the world. Her character arc is the polar opposite of her Earth-616 counterpart; she is a hero and a force for good, not a villain driven by obsessive jealousy. This adaptation was likely made to provide T'Challa with a strong, capable female lead and love interest, rather than adapting the tragic and villainous arc from the comics.

The powers associated with the name “Malice” vary dramatically depending on the incarnation, ranging from ethereal psionic control to superhuman physical prowess.

The primary version of Malice is a unique and terrifying threat due to its non-physical nature and insidious method of attack.

• Nature: Malice is a purely psionic being, a disembodied consciousness that appears to be composed of negative psychic energy. It has no physical form of its own and must inhabit a host to interact with the physical world. It is a parasite in the truest sense, feeding on the host's dark emotions like anger, fear, and jealousy to sustain and strengthen itself.
• Possession: Its method of possession is its primary ability. It seeks out powerful individuals, particularly those experiencing emotional turmoil, and merges with their psyche. Once bonded, it does not simply puppet the body; it amplifies the host's own negative traits and insecurities, twisting them into the worst version of themselves. The host is often aware but unable to fight the overwhelming influence. A key physical manifestation of its control is the appearance of a black leather choker on the host's neck, which seems to be a psychosomatic projection of the entity's presence.
• Power Amplification: Malice does not grant new powers but can influence how the host uses their existing abilities. Under its control, hosts like Sue Storm and Polaris used their powers with a ruthlessness and destructive creativity they would never normally employ. This can make them appear more powerful, as all moral and psychological restraints are removed.
• Weaknesses: Malice cannot possess just anyone. It requires a “crack” in the host's psyche—a pre-existing well of darkness or insecurity to latch onto. An individual with an exceptionally strong will and a stable emotional center, like Jean Grey or Professor X, could likely repel it. It can be fought and expelled from within by a host who finds a strong enough emotional anchor, as Sue Storm did with her love for her family.

This Malice's abilities were the result of a mutant gene, not a supernatural entity.

• Powers: Her sole known mutant power was the ability to psionically possess the bodies of others. This appeared to require close proximity or physical contact to initiate. Once in control, she had access to her host's body and memories, making her an expert infiltrator. The exact limits of her power, such as how long she could maintain control or if she could possess multiple people, were never fully explored before her apparent death.
• Skills: As a member of the Marauders, she was a trained combatant and assassin, skilled in stealth and teamwork to accomplish Mister Sinister's deadly objectives.

Nakia's transformation from a skilled royal guard to a superhuman villain gave her a formidable set of physical powers and deadly tools.

• Superhuman Physiology: The alchemical and mutagenic experiments performed by Erik Killmonger enhanced her physical attributes to superhuman levels. This includes superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and reflexes, making her a physical match for the Black Panther.
• Master Martial Artist: Even before her enhancement, Nakia was one of the finest warriors in Wakanda. She was trained from a young age in the unique fighting style of the Dora Milaje, making her a master of armed and unarmed combat.
• Expert Toxicologist: Her signature weapon is Jufeiro, a rare and toxic Wakandan herb. She became an expert in its use, creating poisons that could induce paralysis, extreme pain, or death upon contact. She often coated her blades and other weapons with these toxins.
• Equipment: As Malice, she utilized an array of Wakandan technology, including energy-dampening boots for stealth, and a variety of bladed weapons. Her primary weapons were daggers that she wielded with lethal precision.

The network of Malice, particularly the psychic entity, is defined by manipulation, control, and the deep-seated conflicts it creates.

Malice rarely has true allies, only masters and pawns.

• Mister Sinister: Nathaniel Essex is the undisputed master of the psychic entity Malice. Whether he created it or simply found and weaponized it, he has demonstrated the most control over it. He used it as a psychological weapon against his enemies and as a tool to control powerful mutants like Polaris, turning her into his loyal enforcer and the leader of his Marauders. His relationship with Malice is purely one of a master to a tool.
• The Marauders: As the leader of the Marauders while possessing Polaris, the entity commanded this team of mutant assassins. It directed them on missions for Sinister, most notably hunting down those with knowledge of his past. The other Marauders, such as Sabretooth, Scalphunter, and Arclight, followed its commands without question, recognizing it as the voice of their master.
• Psycho-Man: While not a true ally, Psycho-Man was the unwitting catalyst for Malice's first major attack. By using his technology to manipulate Sue Storm's emotions, he created the perfect psychic environment for the entity to invade and take hold. He had no knowledge of Malice itself, but his actions directly enabled its emergence.

The enmity Malice inspires is deeply personal, targeting the very soul of its victims.

• Susan Storm Richards (Invisible Woman): Sue is Malice's most famous “victim” and one of the few to have decisively defeated it. The conflict was a brutal internal war for Sue's identity. Malice represented all of Sue's repressed feelings of being overlooked, her anger, and her desire for more power and respect. By confronting and expelling the entity, Sue integrated this dark side of herself, emerging as a more complex and powerful character. For Malice, Sue represents a significant failure.
• Lorna Dane (Polaris): Lorna was Malice's longest-term host and its greatest success. The entity's possession of Lorna lasted for years, causing untold psychological damage. It used her body to commit terrible acts and manipulated her relationship with Alex Summers (Havok), nearly destroying them both. The struggle to free herself from Malice's influence and the subsequent trauma became a central part of Polaris's character arc for over a decade, defining her struggles with mental instability and control.
• T'Challa (Black Panther): T'Challa is the sole focus of Nakia's hatred. Her transformation into Malice was born entirely from her obsessive love for him turning into a venomous need for revenge after her exile. She knows his strengths, weaknesses, and the inner workings of his kingdom, making her an incredibly dangerous and personal threat. Her attacks are not about power or conquest, but about making T'Challa suffer for rejecting her.

• The Marauders: This is the primary affiliation for two of the three Malices. The original mutant was a founding member, and the psychic entity later became the team's leader while inhabiting Polaris. They are Mister Sinister's personal death squad, and Malice's role within the group solidifies its status as a top-tier villainous organization.
• Dora Milaje (formerly): Nakia's past as a Dora Milaje is central to her identity as Malice. Her training provides her with her formidable combat skills, and her betrayal of their sacred oath is the source of her deep-seated rage and shame.
• Fantastic Four & X-Men (as Antagonist): The psychic entity has no official affiliation but has served as a major antagonist to both of Marvel's premier super-teams, attacking the “mother” figures of both the Fantastic Four (Sue Storm) and the X-Men's sphere (Polaris, a long-time X-ally and X-Factor member).

Malice's appearances are often tied to major psychological turning points for the characters it encounters.

This storyline represents Malice's shocking debut. After suffering immense personal trauma and feeling marginalized by Reed, Sue Storm becomes vulnerable to Psycho-Man's emotional manipulations. The Malice entity takes advantage, merging with her and unleashing a darker, more violent persona. Clad in a new, aggressive costume, Malice attacks her own family, using her force fields with lethal intent. The conflict culminates in a psychic battle where Reed forces Sue to confront the entity. In a powerful moment of self-realization, Sue declares, “She is a part of me… the part I've always kept hidden!” before violently expelling the entity, proving her will is stronger than her darkness. The event permanently altered her, leading her to change her codename from “Invisible Girl” to the more mature “Invisible Woman.”

While the psychic entity was not the main focus, this event was the debut of the original mutant Malice. As part of the Marauders, she participated in the brutal slaughter of the Morlocks. This storyline established the Marauders as one of the most ruthless villain teams in the Marvel Universe. More significantly, it set the stage for the psychic Malice's return. After the original Malice was thought killed, Mister Sinister used the opening to place his more powerful entity within Polaris, installing it as the new leader of the Marauders and using the established name to sow confusion.

This long-running subplot showcased the true horror of Malice's possession. After bonding with Lorna Dane, Malice acted as Sinister's spy within the government-sponsored X-Factor team. The entity would periodically seize full control, forcing Lorna to attack her teammates and her lover, Havok. It psychologically tortured her, a constant voice of hatred in her mind. The struggle to break free was arduous, involving the intervention of the psionic-dampening villain Zaladane, who forcibly stripped the entity from Lorna's mind. Even after being freed, the mental scars remained, contributing to years of emotional instability and a defining “dark” period for Polaris.

This storyline details Nakia's return to Wakanda as the villainous Malice. Having been exiled and empowered by Killmonger, she embarks on a campaign of terror designed to hurt T'Challa personally. She targets and kidnaps Monica Lynne, T'Challa's American love interest, and uses her insider knowledge to bypass Wakanda's defenses. Her actions force T'Challa into a series of desperate confrontations. This arc established Nakia as a tragic and formidable villain, whose motivations were not political but deeply, poisonously personal, making her one of Black Panther's most compelling modern rogues.

Unlike major villains such as Doctor Doom or Magneto, Malice is a character deeply tied to specific, long-running Earth-616 character arcs. As such, she has very few notable alternative versions.

• Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610): There is no known version of Malice—neither the entity, the mutant, nor Nakia—in the Ultimate Universe. The storylines that created her, such as Sue Storm's emotional breakdown or Polaris's long-term possession, did not occur in this continuity.
• Age of Apocalypse (Earth-295): Malice is not present in this dark, alternate timeline. Mister Sinister is a key figure in this reality, but his forces do not include a figure named Malice. Lorna Dane is one of Apocalypse's brainwashed horsemen, but her tormentor is Apocalypse himself, not a separate psychic entity.
• X-Men: The Animated Series (1990s): Despite featuring Mister Sinister, the Marauders, and Polaris, the iconic Malice possession storyline was not adapted. The Marauders in the series were a straightforward team of mutant thugs, and Polaris's character was only featured briefly with no hint of her later psychological struggles.
• Wolverine and the X-Men (2009): The Marauders appear in this animated series as agents of Mister Sinister, but Malice is not among their ranks in any of her forms. The show's focus was on a different set of X-Men storylines. The absence of Malice in major adaptations highlights her nature as a more nuanced, psychological villain whose stories are difficult to condense for television.

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