REVIEW: ‘Scarlet Witch,’ Issue #1

Scarlet Witch #1 is written by Steve Orlando, illustrated by Sara Pichelli with Elisabetta D’Amico providing inking assistance, colored by Matt Wilson, and lettered by VC’s Cory Petit. Marvel Comics publishes it. After her death and resurrection, Wanda Maximoff — known to the world as the Scarlet Witch — embarks on a new path. She uses her magical abilities to battle all manner of threats while also running a bookstore called Emporium.

But Emporium isn’t just any old bookstore. It contains a “part seeking spell, part portal” called the Last Door that brings those at their lowest to Wanda, where she can help them. And the first person to walk through the door seeks her help in freeing a town from the grip of the supervillain known as the Corruptor.

Wanda’s been put through the wringer in recent years. Not only was there the aforementioned death, but the specter of House of M, the story where she depowered most of the mutant population, has hung over her head for years. And there’s the fact that no matter what medium she stars in, her trauma almost always takes center stage. Thankfully, Orlando sidesteps these tired tropes and delivers a story about a woman who wants to help others. Even when the Corruptor confronts her about her past sins, Wanda defies him, saying, “I know who I am.” Orlando also brings in a supporting cast for Wanda that includes her brother Pietro/Quicksilver and her assistant Darcy Lewis who fans might remember from WandaVision.

The book also looks extremely stunning, thanks to the art team. Though she’s best known for co-creating Miles Morales, Pichelli is just as adept at tackling witchcraft as web-slingers. She delivers splash page after splash page that shows the immense power Wanda wields at her fingertips, which will no doubt stun readers. A truck is transformed into water, and a massive sea serpent is teleported into another dimension. All of it feels as big and bombastic as any other superhero movie.

Pichelli, with the help of Russell Dautermann, also gives Wanda a new outfit. Though she still has the same red and black color scheme and her signature tiara, she’s ditched the cape and tights for a flowing robe. And in perhaps the most stunning visual sequence, Wilson gives Wanda’s hair a long flowing crimson trail whenever she’s in Scarlet Witch mode. The end result makes it feel like a long trail of fire follows Wanda wherever she goes. Red obviously is the most prominent color, from Wanda’s magic to specific words within Petit’s lettering. But the best coloring decision that Wilson makes is to give Wanda and Pietro tanned skin, further reinforcing their Romani heritage.

Scarlet Witch #1 finally returns Wanda Maximoff to her heroic roots as she tackles the mystical threats of the Marvel Universe. Not only is this a perfect intro for new comic book readers, but it’s also the story that longtime Scarlet Witch fans have been clamoring for. Whatever side of the street you’re on, you’ll want to pick this book up and get lost in the magic.

Scarlet Witch #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.