Casual Comics Character Primer – Avengers 2: Who is the Scarlet Witch?

Let’s take a look at the “better half” of my favorite Marvel couple – The Scarlet Witch.

At least I hope it’s “The Scarlet Witch”… (Checks the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe)

Curse you, Marvel! According to their guide, it’s just “Scarlet Witch”, no “The”. I had the same problem with her hubby, Vision.

In the upcoming movie, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, Marvel will finally be bringing my favorite mutant to the big screen. For those of you who may not know who she is, you’re in luck. I’m about to lay some information on you. And I think most of it is accurate.

Where necessary, I’ll consult The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe because, as far I’m concerned, Marvel continuity ended in 1983.

Origin: Wanda, and her brother Pietro (aka Quicksilver) are the children of Magneto. However, because Fox still owns the rights to X-Men, you won’t see that in the movie. There will probably be an inside joke or two you might get, though, now that you know that.

Wanda’s mother was afraid of Magneto after she found out he was a was a mutant with villainous tendencies – understandable, really. So, before she delivered the babies, she ran away to Mount Wundagore where (and this is going to sound silly) she met a half-woman, half-cow creature named Bova.

This is not a joke.

 

After delivering the twins, she ran away (presumably to die in the freezing cold) and left them to be raised by the cow-woman. Her “World’s Worst Twins’ Mom” title would later be assumed by Princess Amidala.

Fast forward through terrible gypsy step-parents, and The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver became villains, working for Magneto – and none of the three even knew they were related.

 

Later, she switched allegiances and joined the Avengers – which is where she met her main squeeze, Vision.

Powers: The Scarlet Witch has three main powers (listed from least to most impressive).

1. She knows real magic. After joining the Avengers, she trained with Agatha Harkness (an honest-to-goodness witch), so she does have mystical powers. I’m also including her hex bolts here, which are just basically a “magic missile” spell.

2. She can alter probabilities. Her mutant powers allow her to make things that are highly improbable happen, simply by changing probabilities. It might sound lame, but it’s super-powerful. For instance, it’s really improbable that a steel door would rust and crumble in seconds instead of centuries, but she’s made that happen.

3. Hips

How to Identify The Scarlet Witch – a Spotter’s Guide

If you’re looking for The Scarlet Witch, you’re looking for a woman with long, curly, red hair and an upside-down “W” on her head.

Also, she’s likely to be wearing sheer red stockings and an outfit cut up and over her hips.

(Even when she’s pregnant)

 

She’s probably also casting hex fields in-between going on a rampage when someone hints that her synthozoid husband is not a “person”.

Examining her and Vision separately is not as easy as dissecting them as a couple, but their combined family tree is mind-blowing in its complexity.

Be on the lookout for Elisabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch in the upcoming Avengers 2: Age of Ultron. The tease at the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier promises a great onscreen version of Wanda.

 

With the new revelation that the Hulk / Iron Man throwdown in Avengers 2 is because Wanda’s hex powers cause Hulk to get out of control, I’m even more excited for her introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

– CCG