“I can think of only one place to find the answer…if this is the dark work of a fellow witch, the road will lead us to her” -Wanda Maximoff, “Scarlet Witch” No. 3 (2016)
“Although I am a witch I confess that the witches road isn’t a path that I’ve walked too often…but fearful or not, here I stand upon it today in search of a great evil” -Agatha Harkness, “Scarlet Witch” No. 4 (2016)
The witches of the vast Marvel comics universe have been gaining popularity recently thanks to television adaptations like “WandaVision” and “Agatha All Along.” While there are some notable differences between the series and the comics, those interested in learning the complex backstories of leading characters Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff (the Scarlet Witch) can find their origins in dozens of comic books published over the span of several decades. Using the Library of Congress comic book collection as our guide, let’s dive deeper into the history of the characters who dare to walk the witches’ road.
When and Where is the Witches’ Road?
According to Marvel, the Witches’ Road is “a mysterious mystical dimension that only certain magic users and those summoned by them can enter…and exists outside of space and time.” The road first appears in the “Scarlet Witch” No. 3 (2016), when Wanda Maximoff and the ghost of her former mentor Agatha Harkness seek the road in order to find “the cause of witchcraft’s sickness.” I won’t spoil the details of their journey for those who’d like to read or watch it for themselves, but to understand the significance of the witches’ road, it’s essential to explore the complex shared history between Wanda Maximoff and Agatha Harkness in Marvel comics.
Wanda Maximoff: The Scarlet Witch
The series “WandaVision” premiered in 2021, but Wanda Maximoff made her debut as the Scarlet Witch over 60 years ago in “X-Men” No. 4 (1964). Wanda begins her arc a villian, a member of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Wanda doesn’t stay on the dark side for long, and her story takes a dramatic turn when she joins “The Avengers” in issue No. 16 (1965) where she meets her husband, the android Vision. The couple got their own comic book series with “The Vision and the Scarlet Witch” (1985) and their twin sons Billy and Tommy Maximoff first appeared in issue No. 12 of the series (September 1, 1986). Wanda headlined her own stand-alone comic, “Scarlet Witch”(1994), and “The Scarlet Witch” series of February 2016. Whether you believe Wanda to be good, evil, or something in between, her power is undeniably formidable. But how did Wanda Maximoff meet Agatha Harkness?
Agatha Harkness
Agatha Harkness is one of the most powerful witches on earth, making her debut in the Marvel universe in “Fantasic Four” No. 94 (1969). In her first apperance, the heroes from the Fantastic Four seek out Agatha as a governess, hiring her to protect their new child Franklin Richards. When the Fantastic Four and the Avengers join forces in “The Avengers” No. 128 (1974) Agatha and Wanda meet for the first time. Sensing the potential of the Scarlet Witch, Agatha leaves the Fantastic Four in order to become a mentor to Wanda. The mentorship formally ended in “Giant-Size Avengers” No. 4 (1975), although they continue to have a close relationship. Viewers of “WandaVision” might assume that Agatha is evil, or that her relationship with Wanda has always been antagonistic. However, in the comic books the morality of Agatha Harkness and her relationship to Wanda Maximoff is much more complex.
Agatha’s Grandchildren: The Salem’s Seven
Through issues of Fantastic Four and the Avengers, Agatha’s past is slowly revealed, and readers discover that she is centuries old, having governed the witches of Salem in the 17th century. Agatha led the witches to found New Salem in Colorado, where her son Nicholas Scratch was born. Nicholas Scratch debuts in “Fantastic Four” No. 185 (1977) and becomes the father of the Salem’s Seven in “Fantastic Four” No. 186 (1977). The Salem’s Seven are: Vertigo, Brutacus, Gazelle, Hydron, Reptilla, Thornn, and Vakume. They go on to appear in subsequent issues of the Fantastic Four, as well as issues of Marvel Knights and the Vision and the Scarlet Witch. The Salem’s Seven will play a key role in the story of Agatha and Wanda, but to avoid spoilers, I will leave their chilling exploits for readers to discover on their own.
See Agatha & Wanda Comics on Display
Through the month of November, stop by the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room to enjoy a display of comics that feature Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff. The final day to view the display will be November 30th, 2024, at which time the exhibit will rotate to feature some winter and holiday related comics from the collection. Researchers can also request comic book titles in the reading room, or enjoy our selection of comic book titles available to browse. Not sure where to start? Have a question before you visit? Ask a librarian for assistance. We’d love to hear from you!
When and where will the witches’ road turn next? Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just beginning to explore the extensive Marvel multiverse, you can discover the magical exploits of Wanda, Agatha, Billy and the Salem’s Seven in the comic book collection at the Library of Congress.
Discover More
- Read more about the Library comic collections in Headlines & Heroes: Let’s Talk Comics and Picture This: Archive for the Cartoons Category
- Find Comics in Historic American Newspapers on Chronicling America. You can find comics by searching using general keywords like “comic books,” or by using the name of a particular comic or character, like Little Orphan Annie. We also recommend searching using the name of the comic artist or creator, such as Jackie Ormes.
- Browse online comics exhibitions like Geppi Gems, Cartoon America, or Comic Art: 120 Years of Panels and Pages
- Explore comics in the Library web archive collections: Small Press Expo Comic and Comic Art Web Archive and the Comics Literature and Criticism Web Archive