The Hood’s 7 Most Underrated Appearances in Marvel Comics

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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Hood first appeared in the Disney+ show “Ironheart”. Known for leading his gang as a family-like unit, he presents a complex villain, a trait that fans of the comic book character are familiar with. However, unlike his portrayal in the series, Parker Robbins in Marvel Comics has an even more intricate backstory. He governs his gang with kindness, making him the antithesis of characters like Wilson Fisk. The series subtly suggests that his hood possesses demonic qualities, a trait that in the comics was influenced by Dormammu’s temptations, eventually leading to his transformation into something sinister.

If you’re curious about the key tales involving the Marvel Comics character known as the Hood, there are numerous points where you can dive in. From his beginnings as a rising criminal figure, to his reign as New York City’s crime kingpin, and ultimately his defeat by an Avenger, here are some top stories that offer valuable insights into this Marvel villain. Enjoy your exploration!

1) Beyond #1-6 (2006-2007)

In this unique take on The Hood’s domain, readers get an alternate perspective. This series is reminiscent of Secret Wars, as it seems to revive The Beyonder, who gathers Earth’s superheroes and villains for a lethal battle royal. Among the villains summoned is Parker Robbins. Predictably, he was eager to strike first, but Kraven thwarted his plans swiftly. Interestingly, it was Mac Gargan’s Venom who went berserk instead, targeting Spider-Man. However, The Hood maintains fairness towards the heroes present, such as Hank Pym, Wasp, Medusa, and others. This engaging tale offers a fresh perspective on Parker, distancing him from his gang and criminal empire, allowing him to engage with some of Marvel’s vibrant heroes over six issues.

2) New Avengers #33-37 (2007-2008)

In the comic series New Avengers, the Hood truly established himself and rose to prominence as one of the team’s recurring antagonists. It was here that he initially assembled his criminal crew, proving himself worthy of trust among other villains. The narrative spanning issues #33-37 from New Avengers unfolds after it is revealed that Skrulls have infiltrated Earth’s key teams, providing an opportune moment for the Hood to seize control. However, Wolverine uncovered this deception, which placed the Hood directly under the scrutiny of the New Avengers.

3) New Avengers #46 (2008)

In this narrative, the pivotal event that transformed Parker Robbins’ character and position as The Hood occurred during the Secret Invasion storyline. Although Parker was predominantly a villain to the New Avengers at this point, he was also a somewhat honorable leader of the criminal underworld, showing respect towards his associates and providing them with a sense of belonging.

However, this period was significant because Parker learned about the Skrulls, which led him to realize the importance of protecting his people. Yet, he also understood that he was not yet ready to face extraterrestrial threats. This realization marked a crucial turning point in his character development, prompting him to demand knowledge about the power controlling his hood.

It was at this moment that Dormammu made his first appearance, leading to a dramatic shift in The Hood’s life forever.

4) The Hood: Dark Reign #1-5 (2009)

In essence, many Marvel Comics enthusiasts came to know the character known as the Hood while he was trying to grow his criminal organization, amassing a group of supervillains under his command and aiming to fill The Kingpin’s vacant position after his imprisonment. For those eager to learn more about Parker Robbins, his 2009 miniseries is an excellent place to begin. This series presents both the best and worst aspects of Parker, as he treats his gang with dignity and involves them in heists on equal terms. Yet, it also reveals that he kills his associates to safeguard secrets and deceives his wife about his criminal activities. Furthermore, this storyline showcased Parker’s struggle against Dormammu when the demon sought dominion, making the villain appear more compassionate. Additionally, this series gains merit for being part of the “Dark Reign” period, during which Norman Osborn integrated the Hood into his Cabal.

5) Invincible Iron Man #595-600 (2018)

In the Ironheart Disney+ series, it could come as a surprise to some viewers that the Hood is portrayed as a villain. However, in the comics, he has had a significant history with Ironheart. This narrative unfolded from Invincible Iron Man #595 and continued through to issue #600, starting during the “The Search for Tony Stark” storyline. While Riri Williams was assisting in finding Tony Stark, the Hood was pursuing Doctor Doom, who had taken on the role of Iron Man temporarily. The irony is that the Hood and his gang aimed to rob Doom and steal his wealth, but ultimately set their sights on stealing Tony Stark’s company. This subplot provides a lighthearted, amusing twist to the main storyline focusing on Stark’s return.

6) Hawkeye: Freefall #1-6 (2020)

By 2020, the Hood had largely taken a backseat in the storyline, but he regained prominence due to Hawkeye’s intervention. In the limited series “Hawkeye: Freefall”, Hawkeye felt it was necessary to pursue and bring down the Hood permanently. By this point, Parker Robbins had strayed far from his early days as a conflicted villain, transforming into a cold-blooded killer – a role he had previously shunned. This is why Hawkeye chose to infiltrate the Hood’s latest criminal enterprise and engage him in a war when he discovered that the Hood always managed to elude justice for his crimes. The confrontation between Hawkeye and Parker Robbins turned out to be an intellectual chess match, and to add another layer of complexity, a new Ronin has emerged on the scene.

7) Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond #1 (2022)

In the finale of the Hawkeye series, the Villain known as the Hood, lost his iconic garment when he purchased a cursed sack from Nefaria. This bag mysteriously consumed the hood, rendering Parker Robbins powerless on multiple levels. In Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond, a desperate Robbins appeared at a hospital, taking an injured Peter Parker captive and threatening to kill him if the Black Cat couldn’t retrieve his hood. The hood may not have been central to the plot, but it served as the catalyst for Black Cat and Mary Jane’s actions, and it ultimately led to another comeuppance for Parker Robbins.

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2025-07-06 17:40