Anthony Ramos Stars as The Hood in Marvel's Ironheart Series

Marvel's Phase 5 concludes with the Disney+ series Ironheart, following the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Dominique Thorne returns as Riri Williams, who heads back to Chicago to craft a new armored suit. She faces a formidable challenge from Anthony Ramos’ Parker Robbins, known as The Hood.

Who is The Hood, and why does he pose such a threat to this emerging hero? Here’s a detailed look at the MCU’s latest villain and his connection to a powerful supernatural force. Topics covered include:

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Upcoming Movies and TV Shows

Who Is Parker Robbins, aka The Hood?

Parker Robbins began as a petty thief, taking on small jobs to provide for his family. A botched heist changed everything when he acquired a mystical cloak and boots from a Nisanti demon, transforming him into The Hood. With newfound power, he set his sights on dominating New York’s criminal underworld.

The Hood has since become a persistent menace to the Avengers and other heroes. His supernatural abilities fuel his relentless ambition, though he struggles to fully master them. He aims to establish himself as the ultimate crime lord in Marvel’s universe.

The Hood's Powers and Abilities

Initially an ordinary man, Parker Robbins gained extraordinary abilities after stealing a Nisanti demon’s cloak and boots. These artifacts grant him powers like levitation, invisibility, and the ability to channel magical energy through his twin pistols. At times, demonic possession turns him into a savage beast with enhanced strength.

The Hood also values alliances, building a formidable crew including The Wrecking Crew, Madame Masque, Jigsaw, Chemistro, and The Wizard to bolster his underworld influence. While his powers may seem modest, his hunger for greater artifacts, like the Infinity Gems and Asgardian Norn Stones, elevates him to an Avengers-level threat.

The Hood's Rise in the Marvel Universe

Introduced in 2002’s The Hood #1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Kyle Hotz, and Eric Powell, Parker Robbins starts as a sympathetic figure driven to crime to support his family. After a failed job leads him to claim a Nisanti demon’s cloak and boots, he’s thrust into a larger, darker world.

In the original miniseries, Parker outsmarts a crime lord called The Golem and evades the FBI, briefly vowing to reform. However, his ambitions grow, and he dives deeper into crime. In Brian Michael Bendis’ New Avengers, he exploits the chaos of the Superhuman Registration Act, assembling a villainous army to seize control as the new Kingpin.

His powers are later revealed to stem from Dormammu, a formidable supernatural entity. The Hood’s influence peaks when he joins Norman Osborn’s Cabal alongside Doctor Doom, Namor, Emma Frost, and Loki during the Secret Invasion crossover. Though the Cabal disbands after Osborn’s fall in Siege, The Hood pursues even greater power, nearly assembling the Infinity Gauntlet.

Though freed from Dormammu’s influence, The Hood remains a cunning schemer, determined to dominate the criminal underworld.

The Hood in Marvel's Ironheart Series

The Hood has had limited appearances outside comics, featured in games like Marvel Heroes and Marvel Puzzle Quest, and voiced by Todd Haberkorn in Marvel Future Avengers. His live-action debut in Ironheart on Disney+ marks a major milestone, with Anthony Ramos portraying the villain.

Ironheart follows Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, after her expulsion from MIT. Back in Chicago, she builds a new suit and confronts The Hood, an aspiring crime lord. His street-level roots make him a fitting foe for Riri, whose life has been shaped by Chicago’s gun violence, giving her battle against his enchanted firearms a personal edge.

The series also explores the science-versus-magic dynamic, echoing Iron Man’s clashes with The Mandarin. The Hood’s mystical powers challenge Riri’s technological genius, setting the stage for a compelling conflict. The trailer hints at Parker grappling with his cloak’s dark influence, raising questions about whether Dormammu or another supernatural force drives him in the MCU.

Ironheart uses The Hood to ground Riri’s story in her urban roots while introducing supernatural elements. Will he evolve into the Avengers-level threat seen in the comics? The answers await when Ironheart premieres on Disney+ on June 24, 2025.

Discover more about Dominique Thorne’s Ironheart and stay updated on all Marvel projects in development when Ironheart debuts on Disney+ on June 24, 2025.