Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will continue the MCU journey of the Scarlet Witch, and it’s clear from the trailers that the movie will continue to mine her Marvel Comics history. Fans looking for some hints to where her story is going in the MCU will discover clues in some of the best Scarlet Witch comics, which detail her tragic losses, colossal failures, and triumphant redemption.
The best Scarlet Witch comics to read before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness detail her deep and powerful connections to the X-Men, something the movie may capitalize on. It seems Patrick Stewart is going to play some version of Professor X, opening a door to major Scarlet Witch family connections and stories from the comics that fans will want to explore ahead of the movie.
Avengers #503
The focus of the upcoming movie will be the relationship between Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch, making Avengers #503 not just one of the best Avengers comics of the 2000s, but one of the most important comics to read before the movie.
This issue closes out the epic Avengers Disassembled storyline that saw Wanda go mad with grief after learning her children never existed. Doctor Strange incapacitates her with the Eye of Agamotto, bringing an end to a violent battle that led to the death of Hawkeye.
Avengers vs. X-Men #7
Avengers vs. X-Men #7 is one of the best Scarlet Witch comics to read before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness for showcasing numerous versions of the Scarlet Witch in a battle against some major Marvel characters, including Namor the Sub-Mariner. Though the circumstances are different, it’s a possible preview of events in the movie.
Wanda uses her magic to create many duplicates to find the Phoenix Five, including Namor. Namor is interesting because he is likely a member of the MCU version of the Illuminati, which comic book fans know brings together some of the most powerful Marvel heroes.
The Trial Of Magneto #5
The Trial Of Magneto #5 brings the Scarlet Witch back into the fold of the House of Magnus in a moving way and also reunites her with the world of mutants after nearly two decades of exile after House of M. That makes this issue key to read before the movie, as it could open the door to the same thing.
The announced runtime for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may not leave a lot of time to explore every possibility, but there’s a chance that Wanda discovers her true or alternate lineage in the multiverse and the fact that her father is actually Magneto. If Ian McKellen (or Michael Fassbender) appears alongside Patrick Stewart, Wanda’s MCU origin could be retconned as it has been in the comics.
X-Men #4
A key comic in the relationship between the Scarlet Witch and Magneto and in the history of Marvel Comics is X-Men #4 from 1963. This is a foundational issue in the character of Wanda and a must-read for any fan, especially ahead of Doctor Strange 2.
This issue introduces both Wanda and her brother Pietro Maximoff, better known as Quicksilver. Their relationship has been at the core of Wanda’s MCU journey and it’s likely to continue to be in the movie and perhaps beyond, depending on the outcome.
Avengers #187
It is highly likely the Scarlet Witch is using the Darkhold, the magical tome she acquired from Agatha Harkness at the end of WandaVision, in the movie. Her connection to it and its author, Chthon, makes Avengers #187 an essential piece of lore for the MCU.
Comic book fans know Chthon is the source of Chaos Magic and Wanda’s power. He could be the ultimate villain in the movie, or perhaps more closely aligned with a variant of her, using her as his avatar as he did in this fantastic issue of the comic.
Avengers West Coast #61
It may not be Chthon that the Wanda variant seen in the trailers is in league with. She could be connected to Immortus, one of the most powerful variants of Kang The Conqueror, and a character sure to have some connection to the multiverse goings-on in the Doctor Strange sequel.
This issue is likely to be key in many respects for Wanda, Kang, and the multiverse in the MCU, as this is the story where Immortus identifies Wanda as a Nexus Being, a person of enormous cosmic and mystical power and singular in the entire Marvel Universe.
Avengers West Coast #52
Avengers West Coast #52 is a critical comic book in the ongoing story of the Scarlet Witch and her children, making it a key cornerstone of her character’s likely future in the MCU. Trailers have revealed Billy and Tommy Maximoff will appear in the movie and the grief Wanda feels is created here.
Master Pandemonium destroys Wanda’s life by revealing that Billy and Tommy were created from fragments of Mephisto’s soul and they aren’t real. They’re reabsorbed into Mephisto and their loss sets Wanda on a path that ultimately leads to decades of tragedy.
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #6
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #6 resolves the tragedy of Billy and Tommy in some ways, and could be instrumental to how the MCU brings back the Maximoff twins in the movie. This issue concludes the story that brings the twins back together with their mother.
Billy and Tommy have been reincarnated as Wiccan and Speed, members of the Young Avengers team. It’s likely this is their destiny in the MCU as well, especially since the twins wore the Wiccan and Speed costumes in the Halloween episode of WandVision.
House Of M #7
House Of M #7 is a landmark issue in the history of Marvel Comics. It’s key for Scarlet Witch fans, especially ahead of the movie, where she could easily cross paths with a version of Professor X and set off the potential introduction of the X-Men in the MCU.
In House Of M #7, Wanda wipes the majority of mutants from existence after her desperate attempt to alter reality to restore her children fails. It could be the opposite in the MCU. Wanda may discover the existence of mutants in the multiverse and could be key in their integration into the MCU.
Scarlet Witch #1
While much of the Scarlet Witch’s comic book history is tinged with tragedy, some of it isn’t. The first issue of her 2015 solo series kicks off a storyline where Wanda explores herself and her power, making it a great issue to read before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Wanda is on the same journey in the MCU and the movie may borrow some elements from this run, written by James Robinson. This issue seeks to define Wanda apart from her grief and sets her on a path that ultimately leads to her redemption in the most recent comics.
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