The wait is over: Scarlet Witch finally has her own ongoing series! Written by Steve Orlando (don’t miss his X-Men Monday discussing this series) with art by Sara Pichelli, the series launches after decades of the character languishing as a broken person or not getting any stories. Now fully herself as she was decades ago and in charge of a new emporium, she embarks on being the magical hero she was born to be.
Scarlet Witch #1 feels like a new approach to superhero storytelling. She’s not part of a team or getting vengeance for any one act, but instead trying to do some good in the world with her new shop. By her side is Darcy and – for much of this issue, anyway – Quicksilver, as she reveals a red door where anyone can come through if they are in need. It’s a neat balance as she is trying to make a buck with the store but also offering her services to those most in need. Think of lawyers and pro bono work.
From cover to cover, a few things ring loud and clear. Orlando and Pichelli genuinely love this character and treat her with respect. She’s kind, powerful, wise, and not be trifled with. We get to see her take out a giant kaiju monster, navigate her brother as sisters do, and help a woman whose community has had their mind kidnapped. You get the full measure of who she is and an emphatic reminder she is an A-list hero.
Wanda is both powerful and kind-hearted in this book.
Credit: Marvel
The general pace of this issue is slow but measured. Orlando allows Pichelli to capture the attitude and emotion of each character in each panel. Much of this issue is set in Scarlet Witch’s shop, either talking to Quicksilver or sussing out what happened with the woman’s town in Italy. That’s okay, though, even in the face of comics that transverse hundreds of years in a few pages. That’s because this narrative is more about people in a private way. That goes for Scarlet Witch and the Italian woman seeking help, or Quicksilver. This is a character piece; each character feels real and important in their own private stories.
Pichelli shows off Scarlet Witch’s abilities a few times, though it’s a bit slim. My favorite might be turning a truck into water, depicted well in a horizontal panel of water splashing about. One neat effect is how Pichelli and color artist Matthew Wilson turn Scarlet Witch’s hair into red smoke. It’s a neat effect and an indicator she’s using her powers. The strengths in the visuals reside in the characters, be it the humanity you see in their eyes, the subtle hairy chest poking out in the villain costume design, or the piping in Quicksilver’s costume that has a bit of volume, making his usually spandex looking costume look a bit more realistic.
Scarlet Witch is a good comic that approaches its characters with care and respect. Every scene has a deeply human aspect as we peer into a magical adventure of people doing their best and unpacking incredible mysteries. Scarlet Witch is memorable due to its heartfelt characters and fantastic magical abilities on display.
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