What was Scarlet Witch/Wanda like?

[Effect]

I started getting into Marvel comics (most of my knowledge and enjoyment was based on the TV shows and a comic here and there before) with Ultimate Spider-man and New Avengers and have sense branched off a bit. I've never read any of the pre-NewAvenger Avenger titles so I really don't know much of anything about the characters before that.

What I know of Wanda is what I saw of her in House of M but there she was pretty far gone and I'm guess nowhere near what she was originally like when she was an Avenger. With her going crazy and everything it's understandable. So I really didn't have any negative or positive feelings toward her and what she did in House of M. I knew she was crazy due to her powers so while what she did was horrible, I couldn't really get made at her due to the situation but do think she should have to answer for it.

Still I'm curious about the character. I do like her character design from what I've seen of images from past issues, how she appeared in Ultimate X-men. She has a design that I thought as a character she looked nice, sexy basicly but she didn't come off as being to much of a sex object, not like her main focus was her breast. This is from the images I saw so I might be wrong.

What was she like (kind, no nonsene, loveable, bitchy, easy going, shy, angry, elitist, etc?)? Positives and Negatives? How big of an impact did she make with the Avengers and the Marvel univese (beside House of M)? Was she a popular character (with males or females or both)? How well was she liked by her team mates (relationships, marriages, etc?)?

Did you agree with the direction her character was taken? Do you want her back as an Avenger, but redeemed? Could it be done?

You know things like that. I tend to get interested in certain characters for some reason, enough to make me want to go back and collect stories about them after learning certain aspects about them, even though I know nothing about them. Wanda seems like she'll be one of those characters, and for some reason I just want to know more about her.

Another reason is that I plan on getting the 40 Years of the Avengers DVD-ROM when it comes out (ordered the X-men one) and would like to be somewhat prepared for this character. Spoilers are completely okay with me. I don't get to hung up about things. I mean, due to House of M, I already know how things ended up for her, though her current status is really up in the air.

Thanks

[Nomad]

My first favorite Avenger was Vision and through him I came to love the Scarlet Witch more than any other female character in the MU. I loved her hex powers, which most of my pals thought were gimicky. Just the ability to influence things in such subtle ways added a nice dynamic to the team. Unfotunately, I missed a bunch inbetween because I had no idea that she'd lost that much control. But I guess it's understandable given her loss, she' always been a passionate, (although sometime niave) character. Quicksilver is kind of that way too the more that I think about it. And Magneto.

[DDM]

The Scarlet Witch has been one of the most stable Avengers. Key issues are Avengers #185-187 (Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's origin links them to Magneto, although the characters do not connect the dots until The Vision & Scarlet Witch #1-4). The Vision & Scarlet Witch #1-12, West Coast Avengers #42-57, West Coast Avengers Annual 3 or 4, Avengers Forever #1-12, & Avengers #1-55 (volume 3) are essetial reading...

The Scarlet Witch in Avengers Dissassembled & House of M is not the real Wanda; she is an empty plot device, a deus ex machina, to fulfill Brian Michael Bendis' half written story. Bendis is heavy on the Deus Ex Machinas since he regularly uses them in the Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, & Layla Miller.

[Effect]

In what version of the Avengers and issue did she first join the team?

[tangentman]

Scarlet Witch's history: part 1

The Scarlet Witch actually first showed up in the earliest X-Men issues, back in the early 60's, as a member of Magneto's original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. With her brother Pietro/Quicksilver, Wanda fought the X-Men to repay what they felt was a debt to Magneto. Sometime in their past, Magneto rescued them from an angry lynch mob in Eastern Europe after Wanda's powers accidentally burned down a house. In exchange for rescuing them, Magneto demanded their absolute loyalty.

Although the two young mutants helped Magneto, they didn't agree with his brutal methods. During this brief period, Wanda was very demure and needed Pietro's protection from Magneto's temper or Mastermind's lechery. It wasn't long before Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch betrayed Magneto and helped the X-Men survive. Shortly afterward, they joined the Avengers after the original members took a leave of absence. They joined with Hawkeye as part of "Cap's Kooky Quartet" in a team that was comprised of 3/4 reformed criminals!

Wanda became a staunch member of the Avengers and stayed with them for many years. At first, Wanda had a crush on Cap and acted dependent on Pietro. Her powers manifested as "hexes" that caused "bad luck" phenomena that plagued enemies. This increased her dependence on Pietro for protection. However, the dynamic between them began shifting when the Vision joined the team.

The synthezoid slowly came to realize that he possessed emotions and Wanda saw this potential within Vision. They slowly fell in love, which bothered Pietro to no end. Also, Wanda started outgrowing her dependency on her brother and becoming more assertive. Soon, she and Vision admitted their mutual love and began a controversial romance.

Their love received a major test when the mysterious Mantis showed up with the Swordsman (an ex-Avenger who was crook) in two. At first, Mantis was welcomed with open arms by all the Avengers--including Wanda. However, as questions simultaneously arose about Mantis' past and Vision's true origins, the female martial artist became infatuated with Vision. Admittedly, the Vision felt fascinated by Mantis, although he had no intentions of leaving Wanda. Unfortunately, Wanda felt very threatened by Mantis and tensions brewed within the team. Part of these tensions came from Wanda's insecurities over her contribution in light of Mantis' skill and knowledge.

These feelings led to Wanda beginning tutelage under Agatha Harkness to learn Witchcraft. Wanda's studies would make her a witch in truth, not just as a colorful codename. Showing natural talent for magic, Wanda learned enough to become a full-fledged witch. Although she would never be the "Sorceress Supreme", Wanda would still be a competent witch. During this time, Wanda became one of the most powerful members on the team. She also married the Vision and the two remained with the team after a brief honeymoon LOA.

After their return, Wanda became more a part of the Avengers' inner circle. She was considered a mainstay of the team, enough so that Ultron considered her a major threat and the U.S. government declared her a member when federal guidelines pared the team down to 7 members. Wanda developed close friendships with certain team members during this time, particularly Wasp, Wonder Man, and Ms. Marvel.

[Babylon23]

Great summary Tagentman.

As the other posters have pointed out, Wanda was one of the more stable and reliable members of the Avengers. She really came into her own under the pen of Steve Englehart during the Celestial Maddonna Saga. During Busiek's run, she even became team leader, and served very much as the heart of the team.

She did go crazy once, during John Byrne's run on West Coast Avengers. The catalyst for this insanity was the manipulation of Immortus, the loss of her children, the dismanlting of her husband The Vision, and the return of Magneto. However, she regained her sanity, and came to terms with the losses she'd endured.

Disassembled/House of M Wanda is a joke, and a bad one at that. The less said about that debacle the better. I think DDM summed it up perfectly.

[Frank]

She was totally a ho. That`s what D-Man said anyway.

[streator]

http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/spotlight/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=90

the above is a good summary of her character up until house of m.

[DDM]

Many people are confused about the Scarlet Witch's mutant powers. The Scarlet Witch is not a reality warping mutant (i.e. she cannot transform a unliving rock into a horde of living marauders). The Scarlet Witch's hex spheres manipulate probability fields; therefore, she seemingly make impossible things happen. For instance, when Magneto saved Wanda & Pietro from the angry villagers, Wanda accidently used her hex sphere to make a house catch fire. She simply altered the probability of the house catching fire.

The Scarlet Witch did train with Agatha Harkess, but this did not make her a true witch. Wanda cannot perform magic spells as say Amanda Sefton, Ilyana Rasputin, Doctor Strange, Umar, & other sorcerers can. Wanda gained more control over her hex spheres to affect certain specific probabilities.

In Avengers Annual #10, the Scarlet Witch seemed to alter reality when she transformed Pyro's fire beast into stone; however, the Scarlet Witch poured multiple hex spheres to do this feet (Wanda was left drained of power for a short time afterwards, nearly passing out from the fatigue). She did cast one more hex sphere to trap the Blob before she was spent.

If the Scarlet Witch were written correctly, Brian Michael Bendis would have never used her as his deus ex machina. Wanda, to be in character, would have to cast literally billions upon billions of hex spheres to alter reality. This feat would also more than likely kill Wanda because she does not have the ability to truly warp reality at all. All she can do is alter probabilities.

[JulianPerez]

Many people are confused about the Scarlet Witch's mutant powers. The Scarlet Witch is not a reality warping mutant (i.e. she cannot transform a unliving rock into a horde of living marauders). The Scarlet Witch's hex spheres manipulate probability fields; therefore, she seemingly make impossible things happen. For instance, when Magneto saved Wanda & Pietro from the angry villagers, Wanda accidently used her hex sphere to make a house catch fire. She simply altered the probability of the house catching fire.

The Scarlet Witch did train with Agatha Harkess, but this did not make her a true witch. Wanda cannot perform magic spells as say Amanda Sefton, Ilyana Rasputin, Doctor Strange, Umar, & other sorcerers can. Wanda gained more control over her hex spheres to affect certain specific probabilities.

In Avengers Annual #10, the Scarlet Witch seemed to alter reality when she transformed Pyro's fire beast into stone; however, the Scarlet Witch poured multiple hex spheres to do this feet (Wanda was left drained of power for a short time afterwards, nearly passing out from the fatigue). She did cast one more hex sphere to trap the Blob before she was spent.

If the Scarlet Witch were written correctly, Brian Michael Bendis would have never used her as his deus ex machina. Wanda, to be in character, would have to cast literally billions upon billions of hex spheres to alter reality. This feat would also more than likely kill Wanda because she does not have the ability to truly warp reality at all. All she can do is alter probabilities.

An excellent assessment of the Scarlet Witch's rather head-scratching powers, DDM.

However, I must point out that the Scarlet Witch under Agatha Harkness did indeed learn real magic. For instance, in GIANT-SIZED AVENGERS #4 (1974) it was explained that Wanda's magic was strong against earth, fire, wind and water and natural materials like rope, but weak against metals, especially cold iron - a limitation that would make no sense if all her powers did were alter probabilities.

Wanda while studying under Harkness, did things that no amount of probability control would make happen: for instance, while practicing, she caused a chair to come to life.

Kurt Busiek had Wanda engage Morgan Le Fay in a magical duel, where Le Fay pointed out that "...you have only half-forgotten lessons in magical tricks!"

There have been other instances of Wanda's magic being used, pre-Bendis, to do things other than influence chance. For instance, the conception of her children, which has over and over again been stated as being "by magic."

Though I agree with the assessment that her actions in House of M would not have been possible if she was written correctly.

[Haunt]

An excellent assessment of the Scarlet Witch's rather head-scratching powers, DDM.

However, I must point out that the Scarlet Witch under Agatha Harkness did indeed learn real magic. For instance, in GIANT-SIZED AVENGERS #4 (1974) it was explained that Wanda's magic was strong against earth, fire, wind and water and natural materials like rope, but weak against metals, especially cold iron - a limitation that would make no sense if all her powers did were alter probabilities.


well it doesn't make sense because it's a retcon. the issue of the Thing where Magneto discovered his link to the twins had Wanda changing a shield of metal Magneto had crafted with his powers into flowers. she wasn't straining.

[JulianPerez]

well it doesn't make sense because it's a retcon. the issue of the Thing where Magneto discovered his link to the twins had Wanda changing a shield of metal Magneto had crafted with his powers into flowers. she wasn't straining.

Well, it would be a "retcon" if Englehart said something like "Wanda did magic all along." No - he had her learn magic as her running subplot in AVENGERS during his run, "on camera." This was something she acquired instead of something she always had.

[Leogam]

Wandas powers of probability suck, I say either just maker her a human who studies magic like Dr.Strange or just kill her character off.

[Steven F.]

Wanda DID become a true magic user, this was seen many times as mentioned above.

[Phrozen]

Wandas powers of probability suck, I say either just maker her a human who studies magic like Dr.Strange or just kill her character off.

Wow, such thought and grace rolled up into one post.

Tell me, what is your favorite character?

[Haunt]

Well, it would be a "retcon" if Englehart said something like "Wanda did magic all along." No - he had her learn magic as her running subplot in AVENGERS during his run, "on camera." This was something she acquired instead of something she always had.

so she acquired a weakness against metal?

[Effect]

The magic thing. So even if she was depowered via M-day through her own actions she'd still be able to be used as a character, if she were ever accepted back into the Avengers for example, due to learning magic. Just how powerful were her magic powers?

Any idea of what type of situations or battles she'd be able to carry her own weight and do some damage?

[Haunt]

The magic thing. So even if she was depowered via M-day through her own actions she'd still be able to be used as a character, if she were ever accepted back into the Avengers for example, due to learning magic. Just how powerful were her magic powers?

Any idea of what type of situations or battles she'd be able to carry her own weight and do some damage?


if it's situation involving the murder of teammates, Wanda should do fine. :)

[Nonentity]

The magic thing. So even if she was depowered via M-day through her own actions she'd still be able to be used as a character, if she were ever accepted back into the Avengers for example, due to learning magic. Just how powerful were her magic powers?

Any idea of what type of situations or battles she'd be able to carry her own weight and do some damage?


Well, off the top of my head, during the "Ultron Unlimited" storyline, everyone was trying to give Wanda some space to perform her spells, since they were the only thing that could do, well, anything against Ultron's adamantium body.

She works pretty well as a plot device, it seems.

[JulianPerez]

Well, off the top of my head, during the "Ultron Unlimited" storyline, everyone was trying to give Wanda some space to perform her spells, since they were the only thing that could do, well, anything against Ultron's adamantium body.

She works pretty well as a plot device, it seems.

I think you misunderstood what was going on there. Ultron and Alkhema's bodies are kept from freezing up by their internal molecular arrangers. The Scarlet Witch's hex powers make things more likely to go haywire - thus, if the Scarlet Witch cast a hex on a car, it would cause the car's wiring to blow out, and so forth.

Ultron and Alkhema had, at that time, shielded their molecular arrangers from the Witch's hex powers. However, they had forgotten to take into account that since the battle on Morgan Le Fay's world, the Witch was more powerful than ever.

[Nonentity]

Ultron and Alkhema had, at that time, shielded their molecular arrangers from the Witch's hex powers. However, they had forgotten to take into account that since the battle on Morgan Le Fay's world, the Witch was more powerful than ever.

Hence my point about Wanda being the only person who could actually do anything significant against Ultron. I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear (and looking at the post, it was worded a bit.... confusingly).

[JulianPerez]

so she acquired a weakness against metal?

The Scarlet Witch's magic is by nature, weak against metal and strong against the four elements and things made from natural materials. When the Scarlet Witch got her magic by training under Agatha Harkness back during Steve Englehart's run, that weakness presumably was part and parcel of it.

Presumably, the Witch's natural mutant power (which has many times worked on metal objects) is as effective against metal as it ever was. Only her magic has the problem with metal and non-natural materials.

[Exodus]

Well as i understand it as some others have pointed out also, Wanda has a Mutant ability to shoot Hex bolts that alter the propabilty of its targets, and she has learned magic from Agatha Harkness apart from this. In Infinity Crusade she helps the heroes by making a portal to "the Godesses" homeworld toghether with some other magic users.

And she also has some Martial training from USAgent.


As for her character i always found her to be boring as hell, untill she became a much stronger person in Avengers, but every now and then a new writer would reduce her back to her previous state.


-Exodus

[DDM]

Well as i understand it as some others have pointed out also, Wanda has a Mutant ability to shoot Hex bolts that alter the propabilty of its targets, and she has learned magic from Agatha Harkness apart from this. In Infinity Crusade she helps the heroes by making a portal to "the Godesses" homeworld toghether with some other magic users.

And she also has some Martial training from USAgent.


As for her character i always found her to be boring as hell, untill she became a much stronger person in Avengers, but every now and then a new writer would reduce her back to her previous state.


-Exodus


Wanda has not learned true magic. She was trained by Agatha Harkess, a witch, to better control her hex spheres. After some basic training, Wanda gained better control over her powers. Before, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were wildly unpredictable in that she could have done more harm than good on the team. After her training, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were more directed toward her target, but she still did not know the outcome of her hexes.

Despite her name, the Scarlet Witch is not a witch.

[Babylon23]

Wanda has not learned true magic. She was trained by Agatha Harkess, a witch, to better control her hex spheres. After some basic training, Wanda gained better control over her powers. Before, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were wildly unpredictable in that she could have done more harm than good on the team. After her training, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were more directed toward her target, but she still did not know the outcome of her hexes.

Despite her name, the Scarlet Witch is not a witch.

True, but she does have some knowledge of magic, and has casts minor spells and performed rituals in the past. If a writer wanted to bring her back, they could use her as a low-level apprentice witch. Alternatively, she could use her time away to learn something more substantial. Also, despite what Bendis says, a writer could work with her connection to Chthon and chaos magic.

[tangentman]

Just as importantly, Agatha Harkness declared Wanda a witch. She told the Avengers that "Wanda will never be a great sorceress, but she will be a good witch." Wanda has indeed cast minor spells and used mystic techniques to control her powers or help cast rituals.

[Babylon23]

Just as importantly, Agatha Harkness declared Wanda a witch. She told the Avengers that "Wanda will never be a great sorceress, but she will be a good witch." Wanda has indeed cast minor spells and used mystic techniques to control her powers or help cast rituals.

Exactly. The potential is there, if a writer wants to bring her back.

[Haunt]

Wanda has not learned true magic. She was trained by Agatha Harkess, a witch, to better control her hex spheres. After some basic training, Wanda gained better control over her powers. Before, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were wildly unpredictable in that she could have done more harm than good on the team. After her training, the Scarlet Witch's hex spheres were more directed toward her target, but she still did not know the outcome of her hexes.

Despite her name, the Scarlet Witch is not a witch.


correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Wanda tutor another witch at one point? this would have been during the Vision/Scarlet Witch series.

[tangentman]

correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Wanda tutor another witch at one point? this would have been during the Vision/Scarlet Witch series.

You're right! She tutored a young woman from the neighborhood in witchcraft. It was the "Christmas" episode, or thereabouts in Marvel time. IIRC, Wanda educated her about the origins of the Yule log. Too bad Busiek didn't bring back this character while he was exploring the "Chaos Magick" plot with Wanda.

[Babylon23]

The Vision and the Scarlet Witch miniseries shows Wanda doing all sorts of magic rituals and spells. In issue 5, she performs a ritual to contact the spirit of Agatha Harkness, and gets dragged into the underworld for her efforts.

[tangentman]

Wanda also invoked a ritual to rescue missing teammates in WCA #100.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Well there you have it, Effect. Wanda, before the House of M, was extremely interesting and fascinating to read. The development of her magic use and the better control of her powers made her formidable without becoming an official goddess.

[Hombre]

Well there you have it, Effect. Wanda, before the House of M, was extremely interesting and fascinating to read. The development of her magic use and the better control of her powers made her formidable without becoming an official goddess.

As she herself told Ultron in Avengers #161, he'd been a fool to underestimate her, because she was the most dangerous of all.

[jmc247]

This was in the comments section.

“I was only 14 [when he read his first Scarlet Witch story during a stay in the hospital], and through all the ups and downs, I have always looked forward to Wanda and company coming to my doorstep. I don’t know, I guess I just relate to her. Ups, downs, whatever, she always perseveres and survives, and has, in a wonderful way, been an inspiration to me. Wanda has kind of been my best friend and ally, telling me I can make it through the worst…”

“I guess it seems silly to you. I know she probably only seems like a comic character to you, but so much love has been put into her evolution over the years that to me she is much more. So thanks for not killing the Scarlet Witch in AVENGERS #502. In saving her life you really gave me more time also.”

I was reading the comic the other day and I saw this. Its is sad considering Bendis did worse then kill her (which would have meant a year later she would be back like her father) instead they turned her into an insane killer.

[Quasar's Bands]

This was in the comments section.



I was reading the comic the other day and I saw this. Its is sad considering Bendis did worse then kill her (which would have meant a year later she would be back like her father) instead they turned her into an insane killer.

I'm still holding out that she was possessed by the demon that granted upon her a "magical curse" the day she was born on Wunderg.... Mountain.

She IS a mutant, but she also has ties to magic thanks to the demon from beneath. Because of that tie, she was able to study magic and learn a great deal - making her a real witch. The question has always been, where does the mutant power stop and the magic begin?????

[DDM]

I'm still holding out that she was possessed by the demon that granted upon her a "magical curse" the day she was born on Wunderg.... Mountain.

She IS a mutant, but she also has ties to magic thanks to the demon from beneath. Because of that tie, she was able to study magic and learn a great deal - making her a real witch. The question has always been, where does the mutant power stop and the magic begin?????

She's linked to Chthon, one of the most powerful demons in existence. All Elder Gods are powerful given they were the first created on Earth long before mankind ever existed.

When Chthon possessed the Scarlet Witch in The Avengers #185-187, he only had to place a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of his essence in Wanda to possess her. If Chthon tried place the totality of his being in Wanda's body, her body would have destroyed from the possession; therefore, leaving Chthon without a pawn.

The Scarlet Witch's powers is to alter probability, but not alter reality itself.

[Rio_de_Janeiro]

AVENGERS vs. JLA
(spoilers for those who haven't read it)

















Busiek wrote that she was highly powered by that very very powerful magic from DC. Also, it has been mentioned that there would be real consequences from this crossover.

I think the blue egg has showed up, hasn't it. Maybe another consequence would be her powers becoming unbelievably enormous.

(and with the new age of magic there at DC, maybe it triggered something in wanda....)

[Babylon23]

Busiek wrote that she was highly powered by that very very powerful magic from DC. Also, it has been mentioned that there would be real consequences from this crossover.

I think the blue egg has showed up, hasn't it. Maybe another consequence would be her powers becoming unbelievably enormous.

(and with the new age of magic there at DC, maybe it triggered something in wanda....)

In JLA/Avengers, Wanda was influenced by Chaos Magic, which is more powerful in the DCU due to the Lords of Chaos. She was susceptible due to her link to the Elder God Chthon.

Of course, according to Avengers Disassembled, there is no chaos magic in the Marvel U. That ridiculous throwaway comment has unnecessarily complicated Wanda's history, and flies in the face of her established link with Chthon. Naturally, none of this has even been hinted at since AD, so the mistake hasn't been explained/rectified.

While Chthon, the egg, the DC magic situation, etc. could be made into perfectly reasonable explanations for Wanda's action in AD, Marvel seems happy to go with the absurd "suddenly crazy because she remembers her children" explanation.

[Kirk G]

In what version of the Avengers and issue did she first join the team?
Wanda was a villianess over in the original X-men for about 11 issues until the first story arc with Magneto was resolved with the wild card of the Stranger. When she was left with Pietro on Earth, the X-men offered her santuary, but they declined the offer, for a reason I can't recall. (help anyone?)

They weren't seen again until issue #16 of the original Avengers, when "the old order changeth." The classic cover of Cap crying "Avengers Assemble" signaled a new direction for the book.

The sequence of Wanda and Pietro deciding to journey back to NYC to join up is beautifully edited and pared down in the coda (or afterward) reprinted in Avengers #503 the final chapter of "Avengers Dissembled". If you compare the appearances of the original artwork in Essential Avengers volume 1 or Marvel Masterworks, you'll find the editor did a supremely excellent join of picking and choosing pannels from above five pages or so to assemble into a three page sequence that works beautifully as a tribute to them/Wanda.
(No matter whether you agree or detest Dissembled, you have to agree it was a nice tribute, well done at the end of #503 that hit the right emotional note for long term fans.)

Anyway, Wanda was written as a weak, soft-willed individual through the X-men and into the first, say, two dozen Avengers appearances, with not many major scenes, except for resolving a couple of robots into junk, etc. She also expressed in her thoughts, an attraction for Captain America. Pietro expressed a possessiveness for her and rose to her defense against Hawkeye, Capt and many others at the drop of a hat. This was Cap's Kookie Quartett, the first team she choose to join.

It seemed that Wanda was always a pawn, being forced into action by others, though she was being "trained in combat" by Cap. Even when Magneto returns in about Avengers #47-49, she is used as a pawn by him, being graised by a bullet by his design and being wounded, to keep Pietro in check.

Even at the end of the conflict, in Avengers #53, it would appear that she, Peitro and Toad are fleeing rather than confront the error of their ways. And we don't see them again until Avengers #67 or so, when Peitro returns and explains that they crashed in the Andronick mountains of upstate New York and hung out there for years. Once Wanda is kidnapped by Aaron the Magnificent and again held as a pawn or barganing chip, she begins to show some independence, and starts to grow as a character. The rest of the development with a romance for the Vision has been well documented by others in this thread.

So, to answer your question,"What was Wanda originally like"... you've got a pretty good portrait between the responses here.

I never enjoyed the re-interpretation of her hex-probability altering spheres as we saw during the Hulk cross-over circa Hulk #148.. when the Avengers try to stop him from triggering the San Andreas faultline accidentally. But, different writers interpreted her powers differently.

May I suggest you pick up the back issue summary of her development by Roger Stern in volume 1, Avengers #234 "Seasons of the Witch". It's really quite a good primer for newcomers. You can find it cheap on ebay or in back issue bins.

[gyrich.]

There is little to add concerning Wanda's abilities....

The misinformation given by Strange about the total absence of "chaos magic" was as twisted as Xavier's explanation. All we have is their word despite continuity. Was this nothing more than another Illuminate move - only this time they went after Wanda instead of the Hulk? Her abilities could have twarted/warped their efforts, thus creating HoM with Quicksilver as a scapegoat?

In any event Wanda was a true class act. She carried herself with dignity and was a major part of what made the Avengers the greatest team in the MU! She was an incredible Forceworks leader and deputy chairman. She is a confident, capable, warm, intelligent, and beautiful heroine. She has the whole gypsy grace and charm going for her too. She is a loyal, devoted, and faithful friend...despite Bendis.

[curefreak]

As you can see mr effect wanda's powers and magical abilities fluctuate greatly between writers, it seems too that shes been used as a pawn by a lot of people.
and that along with her greatly fluctuating powers is in my mind of the reasons why she went crazy.

[Frank]

When topics like that come up, I always question why readers liked Wanda and so forth. I guess to me it's because she was like a close sister. The second generation of the Avengers in particular with Wanda, Clint, Vision, Simon and so forth became like a family as much as the X-Men have been, even more. You know Wanda wasn't the hot dame, she wasn't the troubled bad girl. She was part of the Avengers, stick by them and was there during their best run. I guess a more appropriate answer would be she had a role in the scheme of things, especially when she was sort-of the royal couple of this elite group. She never had the most interesting powers or costume, name or whatever but she felt, looked, smelled "Avengers" and why we liked those adventures. Especially that family aspect and all the crazy soap operas with tragedies, etc...

[Alan2099]

Scarlet Witch has always been a good second tier Avenger.

At the top of the heap you've got Captain America, Ironman, and Thor.

The second tir guys are Hank Pym, hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Wasp, and maybe one or two others.

Everybody else ranks in a distant third.

[curefreak]

Scarlet Witch has always been a good second tier Avenger.

At the top of the heap you've got Captain America, Ironman, and Thor.

The second tir guys are Hank Pym, hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Wasp, and maybe one or two others.

Everybody else ranks in a distant third.The only reason for that is because she was a second generation Avenger, as far as power she outclasses them all.

[estee]

When topics like that come up, I always question why readers liked Wanda and so forth. I guess to me it's because she was like a close sister. The second generation of the Avengers in particular with Wanda, Clint, Vision, Simon and so forth became like a family as much as the X-Men have been, even more. You know Wanda wasn't the hot dame, she wasn't the troubled bad girl. She was part of the Avengers, stick by them and was there during their best run. I guess a more appropriate answer would be she had a role in the scheme of things, especially when she was sort-of the royal couple of this elite group. She never had the most interesting powers or costume, name or whatever but she felt, looked, smelled "Avengers" and why we liked those adventures. Especially that family aspect and all the crazy soap operas with tragedies, etc...

Nicely said.

Its hard to think of the Avengers without Wanda. I'm sure if fans had to pick their dream team, she'd be on it.

[jmc247]

Its hard to think of the Avengers without Wanda. I'm sure if fans had to pick their dream team, she'd be on it.

Bendis in interviews always seems to regard Wanda as not fitting the mold of a real Avenger given her father being a mutant terrorist.

[curefreak]

Bendis in interviews always seems to regard Wanda as not fitting the mold of a real Avenger given her father being a mutant terrorist.
Wtf ?!?!?!?! what does Magneto have to do with her actions?

[jmc247]

Wtf ?!?!?!?! what does Magneto have to do with her actions?

In Avengers Dissembled and House of M he made it almost textual that her history with the Brotherhood and her lineage doomed her.

[curefreak]

In Avengers Dissembled and House of M he made it almost textual that her history with the Brotherhood and her lineage doomed her.The only reason she was in the Brotherhood is because Magneto saved her life and he made her pay back that dept by joining his club, they never liked being there and didnt like the stuff that Mags made them do, but if they left im sure they would have been in fear for theyre lives.

[jmc247]

The only reason she was in the Brotherhood is because Magneto saved her life and he made her pay back that dept by joining his club

The way I think Bendis sees it is that it was a little bit genetic, a little bit how she was raised, and a little bit bad luck, but the factors came together to doom her.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/5357/ff4b.jpg

[curefreak]

The way I think Bendis sees it is that it was a little bit genetic, a little bit how she was raised, and a little bit bad luck, but the factors came together to doom her.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/5357/ff4b.jpg
Well yeah her insanity can be tied to her genetics, but that has nothing to do with the Brotherhood who they were only in for a very short time, but i thought his reasoning was that her powers were making her crazy somehow.

[jmc247]

, but i thought his reasoning was that her powers were making her crazy somehow.

Bendis blamed alot of things in House and M and Dissembled for her problems, some things he blamed seemed to have more validity then others.

[curefreak]

Bendis blamed alot of things in House and M and Dissembled for her problems, some things he blamed seemed to have more validity then others.So basically throw a bunch of things at the wall and see what sticks? :rolleyes: thats incredible man what a genuis he cant even figure out his characters motivations.

[jmc247]

So basically throw a bunch of things at the wall and see what sticks? :rolleyes: thats incredible man what a genuis he cant even figure out his characters motivations.

The thing is he had a belief that the Scarlet Witch shouldn't be a part of the New Avengers and he wanted to reorder the universe to get rid of the millions of excess mutants. He killed two birds with one stone, but he built his story around getting Wanda to that point instead of taking her there slowly by a more natural progression.

[curefreak]

The thing is he had a belief that the Scarlet Witch shouldn't be a part of the New Avengers and he wanted to reorder the universe to get rid of the millions of excess mutants. He killed two birds with one stone, but he built his story around getting Wanda to that point instead of taking her there slowly by a more natural progression.Well i haven't read any of the issues leading up to Avengers Dissasembled so i dont know what Wanda was going thru to make her go insane exactly.
im not sure why it was up to Bendis to decide to get rid of all the excess mutants maybe it was editorially sanctioned? besides theyres still 198 so thats still a ton of mutants in my book, and its nice to see Xaviers open up there doors to all of them cause ive always wondered what that would be like.
im not sure why he felt that Wanda shouldnt be in the New Avengers but i guess thats his call.

[DDM]

The way I think Bendis sees it is that it was a little bit genetic, a little bit how she was raised, and a little bit bad luck, but the factors came together to doom her.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/5357/ff4b.jpg

Magneto did not raise the Scarlet Witch nor Quicksilver. The children were raised by the Maximoffs after they were born on Wundagore Mountain; the Maximoffs are more the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's parents than Magneto ever will be. Read The Avengers #185-187 for the reference. Magneto did not learn the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were his biological children until The Vision & Scarlet Witch #4 (first series).

Furthermore, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were never evil, despite their debut in Uncanny X-Men #4 as the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with Mastermind, Blob, & Toad. In fact, if you read several of the original X-Men stories, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver helped the X-Men. Their loyalty to Magneto was out of fear & respect for saving their lives after one of Wanda's hexes caused a house to catch fire.

Stan Lee purposely wanted the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver to join The Avengers because the pair proved popular with the readers.

Bendis obviously has not read much of the earlier The Avengers & Uncanny X-Men to miswrite the Scarlet Witch into a terrible reality warping parody.

[curefreak]

Magneto did not raise the Scarlet Witch nor Quicksilver. The children were raised by the Maximoffs after they were born on Wundagore Mountain; the Maximoffs are more the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's parents than Magneto ever will be. Read The Avengers #185-187 for the reference. Magneto did not learn the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were his biological children until The Vision & Scarlet Witch #4 (first series).

Furthermore, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were never evil, despite their debut in Uncanny X-Men #4 as the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with Mastermind, Blob, & Toad. In fact, if you read several of the original X-Men stories, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver helped the X-Men. Their loyalty to Magneto was out of fear & respect for saving their lives after one of Wanda's hexes caused a house to catch fire.

Stan Lee purposely wanted the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver to join The Avengers because the pair proved popular with the readers.

Bendis obviously has not read much of the earlier The Avengers & Uncanny X-Men to miswrite the Scarlet Witch into a terrible reality warping parody.Of course you're assuming he can read...

[Greg]

The Scarlet Witch has been one of the most stable Avengers. Key issues are Avengers #185-187 (Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's origin links them to Magneto, although the characters do not connect the dots until The Vision & Scarlet Witch #1-4). The Vision & Scarlet Witch #1-12, West Coast Avengers #42-57, West Coast Avengers Annual 3 or 4, Avengers Forever #1-12, & Avengers #1-55 (volume 3) are essetial reading...

The Scarlet Witch in Avengers Dissassembled & House of M is not the real Wanda; she is an empty plot device, a deus ex machina, to fulfill Brian Michael Bendis' half written story. Bendis is heavy on the Deus Ex Machinas since he regularly uses them in the Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, & Layla Miller.

I don't usually get annoyed at the treatment of a character, though this particular storyline grated me. It seemed forced.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto did not raise the Scarlet Witch nor Quicksilver. The children were raised by the Maximoffs after they were born on Wundagore Mountain; the Maximoffs are more the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver's parents than Magneto ever will be. Read The Avengers #185-187 for the reference. Magneto did not learn the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were his biological children until The Vision & Scarlet Witch #4 (first series).

Furthermore, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver were never evil, despite their debut in Uncanny X-Men #4 as the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with Mastermind, Blob, & Toad. In fact, if you read several of the original X-Men stories, Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver helped the X-Men. Their loyalty to Magneto was out of fear & respect for saving their lives after one of Wanda's hexes caused a house to catch fire.

Stan Lee purposely wanted the Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver to join The Avengers because the pair proved popular with the readers.

Bendis obviously has not read much of the earlier The Avengers & Uncanny X-Men to miswrite the Scarlet Witch into a terrible reality warping parody.

Which is why Pietro and Wanda downsizing Magneto in House of M #7 was a crime.

[Pyro]

As far as I can tell, Wanda's behavior in AD had absolutely no build-up. It just started happening out of nowhere. It seems to me that Bendis kind of wants to make Wanda his own character, kind of like he's done with Spider-Woman. She's also somewhat different from how she was before Bendis put his own spin on her. I kind of like crazy reality warping Wanda though I must admit I haven't read much of her pre-AD. I believe that such a drastic change of her character was somewhat disrespectful, however.

[jmc247]

I kind of like crazy reality warping Wanda though I must admit I haven't read much of her pre-AD. I believe that such a drastic change of her character was somewhat disrespectful, however.

I would like a more angry, broody, kick ass Wanda like we had in X-Men Evo.

[Babylon23]

Pyro, you're absolutely correct. There was no buildup at all pre-AD to suggest that Wanda was crazy. Quite the opposite in fact. Busiek especially put a lot of time and effort into showing us just how stable Wanda was.

As for Bendis' justificaiton for Wanda's insanity in HoM, a lot of this seems to have been slapped on at the last minute to justify the absurdity of the AD explanation.

[estee]

Bendis in interviews always seems to regard Wanda as not fitting the mold of a real Avenger given her father being a mutant terrorist.

Wow! I can't believe BMB would ignore thirty years of heroism so easily.

Besides, Bendis used the lame-ass plot that John Byrne concocted in West Coast Avengers some years ago as the basis for AD.

The one where Wanda went looney and joined her father. JB tried to re-vamp Wanda's powers, giving them a connection to time-manipulation, Immortus was thrown in the mix as well.

But JB tanked Marvel before he finished and the story became an unreadable mess soon after.

[DDM]

Wow! I can't believe BMB would ignore thirty years of heroism so easily.

Besides, Bendis used the lame-ass plot that John Byrne concocted in West Coast Avengers some years ago as the basis for AD.

The one where Wanda went looney and joined her father. JB tried to re-vamp Wanda's powers, giving them a connection to time-manipulation, Immortus was thrown in the mix as well.

But JB tanked Marvel before he finished and the story became an unreadable mess soon after.

John Byrne's West Coast Avengers "Darker Than Scarlet" had more than a year's build-up with various seemingly unrelated subplots beginning with the Vision's "death" & rebirth as an emotionaless synthoid compounded by the revelation her children were just pieces of Mephisto's soul given life by Wanda's hexe spheres. Therefore, Wanda's mind cracked & she became temporarily evil.

But Brian Michael Bendis, on the other hand, just pulled Wanda's insanity out of the blue with nothing; it was just tacked on to justify the horribly written Avengers Disassembled & House of M. Bendis flangrantly ignored Wanda's character development from as recent as Kurt Busiek's The Avengers.

John Byrne & Brian Michael Bendis's stories are night & day, no comparison. The only link is Wanda goes insane. One is written by a professional; while the other is written like it was made up on the playground during recess.

[Mikl C]

Wanda was my favourite avenger during Busiek's run and I really loved her character growth and development into a very able leader.

[Kirk G]

John Byrne's West Coast Avengers "Darker Than Scarlet" had more than a year's build-up with various seemingly unrelated subplots beginning with the Vision's "death" & rebirth as an emotionaless synthoid compounded by the revelation her children were just pieces of Mephisto's soul given life by Wanda's hexe spheres. Therefore, Wanda's mind cracked & she became temporarily evil.

But Brian Michael Bendis, on the other hand, just pulled Wanda's insanity out of the blue with nothing; it was just tacked on to justify the horribly written Avengers Disassembled & House of M. Bendis flangrantly ignored Wanda's character development from as recent as Kurt Busiek's The Avengers.

John Byrne & Brian Michael Bendis's stories are night & day, no comparison. The only link is Wanda goes insane. One is written by a professional; while the other is written like it was made up on the playground during recess.

Can't argue with that analysis. It seems to be correct and on the mark!:D

[Omega Alpha]

John Byrne's West Coast Avengers "Darker Than Scarlet" had more than a year's build-up with various seemingly unrelated subplots beginning with the Vision's "death" & rebirth as an emotionaless synthoid compounded by the revelation her children were just pieces of Mephisto's soul given life by Wanda's hexe spheres. Therefore, Wanda's mind cracked & she became temporarily evil.

But Brian Michael Bendis, on the other hand, just pulled Wanda's insanity out of the blue with nothing; it was just tacked on to justify the horribly written Avengers Disassembled & House of M. Bendis flangrantly ignored Wanda's character development from as recent as Kurt Busiek's The Avengers.

John Byrne & Brian Michael Bendis's stories are night & day, no comparison. The only link is Wanda goes insane. One is written by a professional; while the other is written like it was made up on the playground during recess.

The man has spoken, and well:)

[curefreak]

I always felt like there was a sensuality to her that was unspoken especially during the 80s im not sure if anyone else felt that way.

[Babylon23]

I always felt like there was a sensuality to her that was unspoken especially during the 80s im not sure if anyone else felt that way.

There was a hint of it at times, definitely. It was even more apparent during the Busiek/Perez run, though.

[curefreak]

There was a hint of it at times, definitely. It was even more apparent during the Busiek/Perez run, though.Damn i keep needing to get that run ! was she wearing her classic costume in that?

[Babylon23]

Primarily, she wore her gypsy outfit.
http://www.indenter.com/comics/images/artperezsmithswitch98.jpg

[curefreak]

Primarily, she wore her gypsy outfit.
http://www.indenter.com/comics/images/artperezsmithswitch98.jpgYowzaaaaa:eek:

[Babylon23]

Yowzaaaaa:eek:

This is part of what I meant by Busiek/Perez playing up her sensuality.

[curefreak]

This is part of what I meant by Busiek/Perez playing up her sensuality.Well when i was reading comics in the 70's and 80s i always thought she was sexxy.

[hawkeye comeback]

I don't mean to sound sarcastic but if you want to find out how the charecter is read some comics with her in it.