With the incredible success of Marvel Studios’ WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff aka the Scarlet Witch has become one of Marvel’s most popular characters. To go with this newfound popularity, she has been given a new ongoing series from the all-star creative team of Steve Orlando, Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D’Amico, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Cory Petit. The first three issues have been nothing but fantastic, and this issue is no different.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Scarlet Witch #4!
Orlando starts the issue by giving us the long-awaited backstory of Darcy Lewis. The way she is reinvented for the 616 continuity is very well done, as it is not a direct adaptation of her MCU counterpart, but she still has the spirit of the character fans have come to love. Her comic backstory and MCU backstory are also similar in that they have connections to god-like figures. Scythia, the new antagonist for Wanda’s rogues gallery, is a reinvention of sorts of an underutilized Marvel character. As someone who has wanted to see more of this character, this reveal excites me as it opens the door for so many possibilities for this character even beyond her role in this series.
The issue also references a long-forgetten piece of lore regarding this character, and I always appreciate a deep-cut such as this. Orlando continues to prove he truly understands Wanda as a character, as she is written as a force to be reckoned with, but she also has moments of compassion and lightheartedness. This issue also features a direct reference to a key part of the WandaVision television series, which was done in an organic way that doesn’t feel like out-of-place fanservice. Orlando ends the issue on a cliffhanger that makes me eager to see Scythia and Wanda face off again in the next issue.
Pichelli, D’Amico and Wilson deliver top-tier artwork in this issue, which is no surprise. Scythia’s design is a great new take on the character’s previous design, as it is similar enough to be recognizable but not identical, which is what any good redesign should be in my opinion. Darcy Lewis continues to have a very personal and unique sense of style, which only adds to her developing character and personality. We also see Darcy with a weapon that is one of the most memorable parts of her origins from the MCU, and that attention to detail is very appreciated by me. Wanda herself looks absolutely stunning, and my favorite detail is how she is given red-glowing eyes when she’s using her powers.
Scarlet Witch #4 is another stellar issue of what is set to become one of the Scarlet Witch’s definitive solo series. Orlando, Pichelli, D’Amico, and Wilson give us the backstory and reveals we have been waiting for while setting up what seem to be very action-heavy future issues. This series continues to add new elements to both the Scarlet Witch’s mythos and the greater Marvel Universe’s mythos, while also staying familiar and accessible to fans of Wanda from both the comics and MCU.
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