Disney and Marvel announced WandaVision a while back. Originally expected for a late 2020 release, the show hits Disney+ on January 15th. It will be a part of the MCU and the events take place after the events of Avengers: Endgame.
While we are familiar with the movie versions of the characters, their comic book origins vary quite a bit.
Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The X-Men #4 way back in March 1964. Originally a villain along with her twin Pietro (Quicksilver), Wanda was a founding member of The Brotherhood of Mutants. She possesses the ability to alter reality in ways not completely defined, originally being Hex magic or Chaos magic. Either way, the comic book counterpart is way stronger than she’s been depicted in the movies. She later goes on to become a member of the Avengers.
Vision was created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and John Buscema. Interestingly he is not the first Marvel character known as Vision. The original Vision was introduced in 1940, and was almost brought back. However, Stan Lee was adamant that a new Vision be introduced, an android. This Vision first appeared in The Avenger #57 in October 1968. In the comics, Vision was created by Ultron. A synthezoid for use against Ultron’s own creator, Hank Pym (Ant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, Giant-Man), and his wife Janet Pym (Wasp) who were part of the Avengers. He was created using the brain patterns of the then-deceased Simon Williams (Wonder Man), on learning the truth, Vision turns on Ultron and joins the Avengers.
Wanda and Vision first began their relationship in 1970 when Wanda was reintroduced to the Avengers comics. They were married in 1975’s Giant Size Avengers #4. They would go on to have adventures with the Avengers, the West Coast Avengers, and in their own series. As time went on, they would become parents to twin boys, William and Thomas, who go on to become Wiccan and Speed of the Young Avengers. Until John Byrne’s 1989 run — Vision Quest, the events of which would lead to The House of M storyline.
Ok, so that’s enough of a history lesson, let’s get on to the juicy stuff. That is, what comics should you be reading to get ready for WandaVision.
House of M
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Olivier Coipel
Let’s start with the big one. There is arguably no storyline as important as this for Scarlet Witch than House of M. After losing Vision as well as her children, Wanda is driven mad. And with someone with her level of power that can prove to be disastrous. She is blamed for the death of fellow Avenger, Hawkeye. In response, the Scarlet Witch turns the world white in the act of self-preservation, and once again, she builds legions of golems to try and protect her friends.
Avengers: Vision and Scarlet Witch — A Year in the life
Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Roy Howell
Their second starring role, with the first being the surprisingly successful Avengers: The Vision & The Scarlet Witch. Roy Howell and Steve Englehart teamed up for a 12-part series. As the couple settle into their new home in Leonia, New Jersey they find themselves with members of their complex families. Ultron, the Grim Reaper, Quicksilver, and Magneto. Wanda uses her powers and those of a village of witches to give birth to two sons William and Thomas. This series explores all the trials and tribulations of this fairly odd couple trying to be a family of four. This will definitely be one of the inspirations behind the upcoming show.
Scarlet Witch Vol 1: Witches’ Road
Written by James Robinson
Art by Vanesa R. Del Ray, Marco Rudy, Steve Dillon, Javier Pulido
Witchcraft is broken, and Scarlet Witch is on a journey across the globe to fix it. From Manhattan to Greece to Ireland, Wanda must face myths and legends, and learn about her weird family tree more than most of us are comfortable to learn. Follow her as she solves magical crimes and mysteries while piecing together the broken shards of witchcraft. But who broke it in the first place?
Fun fact: One of the colourists on this series was Chris Visions… VISIONS!
The Vision (2015)
Written by Tom King
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta
The Vision has had quite a run till now. Now he wants to be human (how Pinocchio like), and what’s more human than having a family?! Vision heads back to the beginning, the lab where he was created. Where he was created to be a weapon. The place he rebelled against his envisioned destiny and became a hero. Where he first imagined he could be more. He builds a wife, Virginia, and two children, Viv and Vin. They’re like him, they have his powers, and they all have an unrelenting obsession to be an ordinary suburban family. Meet the Visions… what could possibly go wrong?!
So now that you’ve got your reading list figured out, get ready for WandaVision on Disney+
Words: Anant Sagar
