I’m not 100% convinced that no clue means no release, because they usually tell us that there’s no release the rare times that happens. I’m more inclined to believe that enough people were at conventions and on vacation (like Brigby) that it simply slipped through the cracks. But I guess time will tell.
I’m hoping for two short PVP seasons. The “half-seasons” we’ve had in the past. Do one after the current season to get us through September, then another for Anniversary (with the events like “Class of 201X” where the previous year’s new characters are boosted and Dino PVP, as well as Anniversary tokens for an Anniversary vault).
Theoretically, the September 21st would come out during the first short season, and would rotate into tokens at the start of the Anniversary season, which would get them into tokens faster (should the two half-seasons actually be a thing)
Excited for 5* Anniversary potential, because last Anniversary had Gwenpool, and the previous event announced 5s, but the event itself was between Surfer and OML, and there are no MCU tie-ins, so it gives them a chance to really do something spectacular. I don’t see them doing another limited character (I mean I do, just not for Anniversary). Definitely going to see a new boss event (2nd got us Galactus, 3rd had Boss Rush, 4th will AT LEAST have “Boss Rush that hopefully doesn’t suck”, if not a full blown new event). If that Sept 21st 4 is delayed a week, then I’d bet it, and the following 5*, and the new event all tie together. Like, Boss Doom, 5* God Emporer Doom, 4* Infamous Iron Man (aka Doom).
Last October’s late-October character was a Blade variant as a rough Halloween tie-in. I predict a 4* Ghost Rider (Robbie if they go for the TV tie-in, but Danny would be acceptable). If we get a new character, maybe one of the Midnight Sons? We have GR, a second one, Hellstorm, maybe Morbius. An artist interested in a new (2017 onward) team suggested a roster of Moon Knight, Blade, Strange, Ghost Rider, and Hannibal King. Long shot of Hannibal as a shoutout? Who knows, I started with a prediction, now I’m rambling.
Next release is Nov 2nd 4*, but that’s Ragnarok time. I expect a 4*/5* flip (like Spidey/Vulture) to put a 5* Thor out alongside his movie. Following that, a 4* Loki or Hulk MCU version seems likely, for the characters, the MCU tie-ins, and the fact that they are variants. I know people want Hela or Valkyrie, but experience with MPQ says they’re “Yondu” characters. We’ll keep saying how much we want them, they’ll be a hit in the movie, the Devs will go “Oh snap, we should add them!” and we’ll get a 4* Valkyrie when the Ragnarok home release happens. (Hela will be saved because of possible ramifications in the MCU at large, she could be relevant later on)
tl;dr
21 September 4* - My bet is that the clue is missing. This character is delayed to tie into an Anniversary theme, at best.
5th October 5* - Ties into an Anniversary theme. Someone big, probably someone people want, very likely NOT an MCU tie-in, simply because they don’t get to do many non-MCU 5*s. (so I would rule out Thor, Hela, Adam Warlock, a possible Ant-Man & The Wasp combo, etc, as they may fit alongside an MCU theater/home release in the future)
19th October 4* - Halloween-ish release. Non-Johnny Ghost Rider is my bet, but another Midnight Son (or even one of Fury’s Howling Commandos? :D)
2 November 4* - 5* Thor. They’ll pull another Vulture/Spidey swap to get Thor out with his movie.
16th November 5* - 4* Loki/Hulk, MCU version, almost certainly Ragnarok, second movie tie-in.
), but I know it’s in October. So my guess is that October would be Anniversary month and November would be Thor month.