Thaumaturgy Tuesday: Scarlet Witch Through the Ages

by Rebecca Kaplan · December 22, 2020

Photo Collage of Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Avengers cover art from Marvel Comics

Marvel Studios released ANOTHER WandaVision trailer over the weekend, which you can watch below, ya know, in case you missed it with the holiday hustle-and-bustle. It looks like the creators really did get caught up in the excitement surrounding the newlyweds, and said “yes, all the trailers.”

Did you dig the trailer for the upcoming WandaVision series or was it one too many? As a die-hard Wanda fan, I cannot decide!

So rather than writing-up rundown of the same scenes AGAIN, let’s try something a bit different for MarvelBlog readers who want to learn more about the Scarlet Witch before the series premieres on Disney+. As a former local comic book shop employee, here are some Scarlet Witch comics to read and enjoy so that you can get started on the couple’s “story” before the series premieres on January 15, 2021!

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #4

In Uncanny X-Men #4 by Stan Lee (writer), Jack Kirby (penciler), Art Simek (letterer), and Paul Reinman (inker), the most unusual teenagers ever, the X-Men, battle another group of gifted mutants, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, for the first time! More importantly, the Scarlet Witch first appeared in this issue along with her brother, Quicksilver.

The Scarlet Witch asked, “But is it necessary to plant such fear in the hearts of the people, Magneto?” Photo: Marvel Comics

Giant-Size Avengers (1974) #4

In Giant-Size Avengers #4 by Steve Englehart (writer), Petra Goldberg (colorist), John Tartaglione (inker), and Don Heck (penciler), Vision must travel to the Dark Dimension to fight Dormammu and save the woman he loves, the Scarlet Witch! But can an artificial man made of science fight the universe’s self-proclaimed greatest mystic?

“Don’t you see love is for souls, not bodies? Yes, Vision. Yes, I’ll marry you!” Photo: Marvel Comics

Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1982) #1

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1 by Bill Mantlo (writer), Rick Leonardi (penciler), Joe Rosen (letterer), Ian Akin (inker), Brian Garvey (inker), Bob Sharen (colorist) is the first issue in a four part mini-series. In the first issue of the odd couple’s mini-series, they have to face prejudice and a gaggle of demonic foes on All Hallows Eve.

“The 20th Century has no use for so ancient an evil,” said the Scarlet Witch. Photo: Marvel Comics

Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1985) #1

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1 by Steve Englehart (writer), Janet Jackson (colorist), Andy Mushynsky (inker), Lois Buhalis (letterer), and Richard Howell (penciler) is the start of a twelve issue mini-series about the Marvel Universe’s strangest couple as they adjust suburban life in New Jersey.

“SSHHIKK!! I’m the SCARLET WITCH!” Photo: Marvel Comics

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (2010)

In Avengers: The Children’s Crusade by Allan Heinberg (writer) and Jim Cheung (penciller), the Young Avenger Wiccan (AKA Billy Kaplan) begins to see his powers spiral out of control, or that’s what the people in power would like him to believe, and he sets out to find the one person who might be able to help him – his mother, the Scarlet Witch. However, his quest pits him against the Avengers and the X-Men.

“I’ve only ever been Pietro’s twin…Magneto’s daughter…the Vision’s wife. Its time for me to take responsibility for myself…and be there for my children,” said the Scarlet Witch. Photo: Marvel Comics

Avengers (1963) #185

Avengers #185 is by Steve Grant (writer), David Michelinie (writer), John Byrne (penciler), John Costanza (letterer), Dan Green (inker), and Roger Slifer (colorist). After the Scarlet Witch is plagued by dreams of her past, she and her twin brother return home to the land of sugar plums. However, when they arrive at Wundagore Mountain, the twins learn their childhood memories might not be what they seem!

“I feel very safe here. Almost as though…I’ve come home.” Not ominous, Wanda, not ominous at all. Photo: Marvel Comics

Avengers (1963) #188

To see what happens after Wanda is whisked away like firefly mist through the skies of Transia pick up the next three issues in the series after Avengers #185. With WandaVision premiering next month, however, Avengers #188 by Bill Mantlo (writer), John Bryne (penciler), Bob Sharen (colorist), Dan Green (inker), Frank Springer (inker), and Gaspar Saladino (letterer) is of particular interest because in this issue the Scarlet Witch considers motherhood, and whether she can have a baby Vision.

Wanda thought, “I am a mutant…and my husband, the Vision, is an android. Could we have a child? Do we dare try? More, do I truly want to? Or do I think I want children because I fear they may be denied me?” Photo: Marvel Comics

Vision #7 (2015)

Vision #7 by Tom King (writer), Michael Walsh (guest artist/penciller), Jordie Bellaire (color artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer/production), and Mike Del Mundo (cover artist/recap page artist) re-tells the greatest relationship moments of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch during the last 45 years: (1) the couples first All Hallows Eve as suburban newlyweds, (2) stolen kisses during great battles, (3) parenthood and the twins, (4) Wonder Man and the Grim Reaper, and (5) and the not-so-happily-ever-after.

Vision #7 Cover art with Scarlet Witch and Vision

“And I love you too, you talking toaster,” said Scarlet Witch. Photo: Marvel Comics

West Coast Avengers (1985) #2

In West Coast Avengers #2 by Steve Englehart (writer), Petra Scotese (colorist), Kim Demulder (inker), Joe Sinnott (inker), Tom Orzechowski (letterer), and Al Milgrow (penciler), the origin of Simon Williams (AKA Wonder Man) and the Grim Reaper’s childhood together is revealed! And Scarlet Witch and Vision join the rest of the West Coast Avengers to save Vision’s brother, Wonder Man.