Scarlet Witch #3 review

Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, is on a magical mystery tour, trying to learn why magic is dying. Noting that the land-based aspects of Ireland's economy seem to be under mystical attack, she travels to the no-longer Emerald Isle, where she's joined by her friend Agatha Harkness, witch nanny turned ghostly sarcasm machine. 

Wanda traces the disturbances to a pub in County Wexford but the landlord isn't thrilled to meet an Avenger. 
A customer who introduces himself as Sully persuades the landlord to relent, and soon Wanda is sending out spells to see what she can learn. 

As for what happens next, we're talking ancient, unfriendly ghosts and a trip down something known as The Witch's Road. 

And staying close, but hidden, a very dangerous man sometimes known as the Emerald Warlock. 

So, this is the third issue, I've been banging on about The Scarlet Witch since it debuted, and still it's not a massive hit. I obviously don't have the influence of a major league mage, but I do have a few non-magical words to hopefully persuade you to try this book. 

James Robinson know how to write an engaging series. As well as an intriguing overarcing story, he realises the importance of making each chapter a satisfying read. He knows an intriguing opening scene to make you desperate to read on is a big plus. And good dialogue is worth its weight in gold. These last two combine in our proper introduction to the Emerald Warlock, who showed up at the end of last issue's wonderful Santorini-set tale. 
Having natives of the British Isles write and draw an Ireland-set story is a treat, after a comics lifetime having to put up with the likes of Banshee, Jack O'Lantern and Shamrock. The thick brogue Robinson gives characters rings true, while artist Steve Dillon avoids littering the landscape with leprechauns. There's even a scene commenting on fictional representations of the country. 
After years of abuse at the hands of other writers, Wanda is being rehabilitated as a character - Robinson writes her as a woman who knows she's made mistakes, and wants to quietly restore her reputation. This Wanda is an expert in her field, and as likely to employ dry wit in a fight as enchantments. Simply put, she's great company, and a refreshing lead. 

The understated approach of Dillon, on one of his too-rare forays into Marvel's superhero universe, makes the magical moments all the better; I can't remember when Wanda's spellcasting has looked so elegant. 
Dillon's images of Ireland are spot on, while his spirits emit real menace. Frank Martin's autumnal colour palette for these sequences hits the right note, his choices for Africa are appropriately lush and his magical effects are, well, magical. 

Full-colour illustrator Chris Visions arrives for the last couple of pages as Wanda and Agatha step onto the Witch's Road, an otherworldly path linking magic users. The shift from Dillon's sharp, unflashy work to the appropriately named Visions' more sinewy style effectively conveys the fact we're in a different world. 

Visions is staying for next issue's continuation as Wanda confronts... well, that'd be telling. Buy this one first - it comes with another simply gorgeous David Aja cover, and friendly lettering from Cory Petit - and find out for yourself. You won't be sorry. 

Comments

  1. I wanted to get this series because I love Wanda but with the whole "demutantizing" of her, I don't know if I want to give Marvel any money (past my beloved Jessica Drew). :P

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    1. I don't mind Wanda not being a mutant, stupid as the story-twisting necessary to get there. If it keeps her more Avengers than X-Men focused, fine - her mutant status has never been integral for most of her career. And it's not like she won't be a mutant again within a few years.

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  2. Robinson is hitting it out of the park and the rotating artist thing isn't as annoying in practice as I'd expected it to be when announced. Dead Agatha is more interesting to me now than ever before, tho' I loved Robinson's story set in the past when she did look like she does now as a spectre. He has me wanting her revived and as is! Emerald Warlock is a the one sour note unless he has a side that isn't irredeemable eeeevil. He does illustrate why Marvel is the only home left for Robinson (and Andreyko if he'd realize it). Robinson excels at taking decades of continuity and using it as fuel for new story. He'd be perfect to do an iconic new family background for Wanda if allowed. I don't mind her losing Magneto from her backstory (as much as I didn't mind it being shoehorned in back when) but it'll feel like a waste if one story arc in Uncanny Avengers is the extent to which the story plays out. Why destroy a story engine if you have absolutely nothing in mind to replace it?

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    1. Totally agree with you that Robinson makes the most of continuity to create great stories. DC's loss is definitely Marvel's gain.

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    2. Yes indeedy, I'd love to see Robinson in an Avengers book, he'd hit it out of the park. I suspect Jim Hammond would lead them.

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    3. The Wanda change is annoying, Steve, and I can't believe she won't be re-mutated along with Pietro in time. Did you see Dead Agatha pop up in another book recently?

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  3. Hmm, where else has Robinson written Agatha, Steve, I need to read that! Thinking on, given Robinson's knack for mining superhero history, maybe he'll tie Emerald Warlock and Shamrock together - she's just a sarcastic spell gone wrong...

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    1. The last Uncanny Avengers Annual #1 and Shamrock needs to have been wiped out by Secret Wars. I always found her offensive...

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    2. I felt the same about Jack O'Lantern over at DC.

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