This week, Agatha Harkness returns in Scarlet Witch Annual (2023) #1! We cover the issue in our main review but beware of SPOILERS. For less spoiler-y reviews, scroll on down to the Rapid Rundown and check out our blurbs for Ultimate Invasion #1 and Avengers #2.

What did you think of this week’s fresh Marvel Comics releases, True Believers? We’re waiting to hear from you! Give us a shout-out, right here in the comment section or over on social media @comicsbeat, and let us know what you’re thinking.

Scarlet Witch AnnualScarlet Witch Annual (2023) #1

Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Carlos Nieto
Color Artist: Tríona Farrell
Letterer: Cory Petit
Main Cover: Russell Dauterman

Just as House of M had major implications for Marvel Comics’ 616, so does the Scarlet Witch Annual (2023) #1 – and if we are to believe Agatha Harkness, maybe even more so. This Wanda stan gives this issue two chaos-magick encircled thumbs up!

Wanda’s Year

The ongoing Scarlet Witch series written by Orlando, with art by Sara Pichelli and Russell Dauterman, recently completed its first major arc, wrapping up a Wanda Maximoff story that took major steps in “tone, characterization, and thematic plotting to move her far and away from her time in the 2000s as an event comics punching bag,” to quote Comics Watch. 

With the Scarlet Witch Annual setting up the next phase of Wanda’s newest adventure, writer Steve Orlando, artist Carlos Nieto, colorist Tríona Tree Farrell, letterer Cory Petit, and editor Alanna Smith find the perfect balance between new reader accessibility and Easter eggs for the hardcore Wanda stans. So if you haven’t been following the ongoing Scarlet Witch but might want to start (eh? eh?), the Annual is a great place to jump back into the Scarlet Witch storyline.

This issue sets up a crossover conflict that will continue across various annuals this summer. But because Agatha is the only character in the Marvel Multiverse who can believably best the Scarlet Witch, the issue feels like it has legitimate stakes. Even better, between Wanda, Agatha, and Darcy, it easily passes the Bechdel Test.

New Salem

New Salem in the Scarlet Witch Annual

Furthermore, I was particularly excited to see the return of New Salem. Considering this location played a key role in one of my favorite Scarlet Witch stories, Vision and the Scarlet Witch, its surprise return (along with plenty of other Easter eggs) had me laughing and clapping my hands while I was reading the issue. 

Finally, artist Nieto explains on Twitter that he utilized new artistic techniques for this issue. That paid off big time, as this annual is a delight to look at!

Verdict: An absolute delight for a Wanda stan like myself.

Rapid Rundown!

  • Avengers #2
    • I know it’s early in the run but I’m very into this Avengers lineup with its bright, bold artwork, tight plotting, and engaging dialog. Writer Jed Mackay and artist C.F. Villa are building something interesting with this Avengers team loaded with heavy hitters and icons, foreshadowing cosmic threats. This issue has the Avengers being warned by Kang of the coming threat, in exchange for their help he will give them information that will save 1,000 lives. The stakes are simple and there are a bunch of great action scenes in this issue as the Avengers go about saving the day, but the highlight for me was Captain America’s solution to saving lives, simple and full of heart. — GC3
  • Ultimate Invasion #1
    • The story: The Maker escapes and the Illuminati reunite to try to stop him. They don’t and the Ultimate Universe seemingly begins anew. This issue is largely set-up for what’s to come, and the story itself doesn’t totally pick up until the rather short epilogue on, judging by the title page, Earth 6160. The brunt of the issue reads like a further exploration of Jonathan Hickman’s New Avengers run, picking up the characters right where they were left off eight years ago, though acknowledging what’s happened in that time span. The art here is well done, if a bit flat. Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie are great, though it honestly would have been nice to see a more contemporary take on this world and these characters. The panels feel rather stiff, with tighter poses and layouts that feel a bit restrictive to the story. Alex Sinclair and Joe Caramagna’s colors and letters are stellar, if also somewhat tame with the story that’s being presented. Admittedly, there isn’t a lot to this issue, and I’m surprised by that in a 50 page first issue. The character work is fun but the actual story doesn’t get going until the end, but even then it’s rather minimal. Bringing back the Ultimate Universe eight whole years after it ended and twenty three years after it started is one thing, making it work and feel just as modern as the original initially felt is another. I’m hopeful for this creative team going forward, but as of now, the shape of this is rather unclear. — CB

Next week brings Deadpool #8, Thor #35, and Silver Surfer: Ghost Light #5! Catch up on past entries in The Beat’s Marvel Rundown archive.

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