Agatha All Along: the series versus the comics of inspiration

A spin-off from WandaVision entirely dedicated to its antagonist witch, Agatha All Along explores a little-known mystical part of the Marvel universe. The series draws on an ancient figure from comics and the mythology of witchcraft. Source-by-source decryption.

As in each article in this series, only verified information (creators, distribution, dates, comic numbers) is stated; the comparative analysis is ours, without reproducing dialogue or protected images.

Fantastic Four #94 (1970): Agatha, the ancestral witch

Agatha Harkness first appears in Fantastic Four #94 (1970), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first as governess to young Franklin Richards and ally of the Fantastic Four. Beneath her old lady exterior hides one of the most powerful and ancient witches in the Marvel universe, survivor of the Salem trials, and later mentor of the Scarlet Witch in matters of magic. The series faithfully takes up these foundations – the ancient and formidable witch, her link to Salem, her mastery of magic – while evolving her from the status of antagonist ofWandaVisionto that of an ambiguous protagonist. Kathryn Hahn, who revealed the character in WandaVision, offers him a central role here, between malice, cruelty and vulnerability.

This transition from the role of foil to that of heroine (or anti-heroine) is a success of writing: the series takes a secondary figure from the comics, known only to those initiated, and makes it the heart of a story in its own right. It's an example of how shows can explore characters that movies would never have brought to the forefront.

Young Avengers #1 (2005): Wiccan, the son of the Scarlet Witch

The young wizard who accompanies Agatha, first referred to as "The Teenager", is revealed to be Billy Kaplan, aka Wiccan. The character appears in Young Avengers #1 (2005), created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung: a founding member of the Young Avengers, he is the reincarnated son of the Scarlet Witch, endowed with powers to manipulate reality through incantation (he just needs to repeat what he wants to see come true). The series faithfully adapts this character and her connection to Wanda, directly extending the plot of WandaVision, where Wanda's twins — Billy and Tommy — were created and then "lost". Billy seeks to find his twin brother, a narrative thread that connects the series to the tragedy of the Scarlet Witch. This continuity makes Agatha All Along much more than a simple spin-off: a chapter in the saga of Wanda's children.

Salem, the Darkhold and the mythology of witches

The series develops the rich but little-known mythology of Marvel witchcraft. Agatha, survivor of the Salem trials, embodies this ancient tradition. The series features a coven, a group of witches, some of whose figures come from the comics – like Jennifer Kale, a witch linked to the universe of Man-Thing, or Lilia Calderu – while others are creations or reinventions, like Rio Vidal, endowed in the series with a major mythological dimension. The series also draws on concepts of black magic such as the Darkhold, a recurring evil grimoire from the comics. This dive into the supernatural, through an initiatory “Witches’ Route” specific to the series, offers a separate story, between gothic tale and black comedy, which explores a mystical territory rarely highlighted in the saga.

The characters, from paper to screen

• Agatha Harkness— True to Fantastic Four #94: ancient witch of Salem, here ambiguous protagonist.
• Billy Kaplan / Wiccan— True to Young Avengers #1: Reincarnated son of the Scarlet Witch.
• Lilia Calderu and Jennifer Kale— Witches from the comics, integrated into the coven.
• Rio Vidal— Reinvented as a major mythological figure specific to the series.
• The Red Witch— Absent but omnipresent, via Billy's link to Wanda.

A story about witchcraft and mourning

Agatha All Along continues the themes of WandaVision — mourning, loss, magic as an expression of pain — while exploring a more gothic and fantastical register. The series makes witchcraft a metaphor for feminine power and transmission, through its coven of witches with diverse stories. Billy's journey, in search of his lost brother, anchors the story in the tragic continuity of the children of the Scarlet Witch, whose fate has irrigated the Marvel universe since "House of M". The series assumes a unique tone, between dark humor, emotion and terror, which clearly distinguishes it from the rest of the saga. By giving the spotlight to a witch and a coven, it explores a feminine and mystical side of Marvel that has remained on the margins for too long.

This thematic and tonal audacity illustrates the freedom that series offer: by moving away from action blockbusters, they can explore more intimate, stranger, more personal stories. Agatha All Along, by deepening the mythology of witches and giving a secondary figure from the comics unexpected depth, proves that the Marvel universe still contains unexplored territories - and that its less obvious characters can carry the most original stories.

Kathryn Hahn, the revelation who became a star

The very existence of the series is due to a phenomenon: the unexpected popularity of Agatha Harkness, revealed in WandaVision. The character, played by Kathryn Hahn, stole the show to the point of becoming one of the most commented on elements of the series, in particular thanks to a famous musical moment which gives its title to this spin-off. This public support justified giving Agatha her own story - a rare case where a secondary character, taken from a little-known figure in the comics, gains enough popularity to carry an entire series. Hahn's performance, between malice, cruelty and fragility, transformed a simple antagonist into a complex and endearing heroine.

This journey illustrates a strength of series: their ability to reveal and deepen characters that films would have left in the background. Agatha Harkness, who appeared in 1970 as a witch-governess in the service of the Fantastic Four, would probably never have had the honors of the big screen as a protagonist. Television offers her this chance, relying on the enthusiasm aroused by an actress and on the richness of a long-neglected witchcraft mythology. In this way, Agatha All Along is also a celebration of the power of secondary characters, these figures that comics have patiently constructed and that adaptations can, in turn, propel to center stage. For the reader, it is an invitation to rediscover a witch whose story, scattered across decades of comics, deserved a story in its own right.

Where to start reading

To discover Agatha, we can go back to Fantastic Four #94 (1970), then follow her role as mentor in the Scarlet Witch stories, notably “Vision and the Scarlet Witch”. For Wiccan, Young Avengers #1 (2005) by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung is the source, followed by "Young Avengers" by Kieron Gillen (2013). Those curious about Marvel witchcraft will explore the stories linked to the Darkhold and the different covens. From 1970 to 2005, this journey covers the sources of a series anchored in the supernatural from Marvel.

Chronology of comics to know

• 1970— Fantastic Four #94: First appearance of Agatha Harkness.
• 1980s— Agatha, mentor of the Scarlet Witch (“Vision and the Scarlet Witch”).
• 2005— Young Avengers #1: First appearance of Wiccan (Billy Kaplan).

Collection side: what numbers to aim for after the series

Agatha All Along highlights various keys.Fantastic Four #94(first appearance of Agatha Harkness) is a sought-after Bronze Age issue, whose popularity benefited from WandaVision and then its own series.Young Avengers #1(Wiccan's first appearance) is a modern issue whose interest has soared with the character's growing importance. These targets cover various budgets. As always, condition and gradation determine value; relying on real recent sales is strongly recommended. Fantastic Four #94 is a great target for a collector interested in Marvel's mystical characters, whose visibility continues to grow on screen.

Its place in the saga and for the collector

Agatha All Along deepens the mystical side of the saga and extends the tragedy of the children of the Scarlet Witch, while establishing Wiccan as a character of the future. For the collector, the series has revived interest in Fantastic Four #94 and Young Avengers #1, two first appearances whose prices are increasing with the visibility of the characters. It illustrates the effect of series on the market, including for secondary figures. Beyond speculation, the series invites us to explore the mythology of Marvel witchcraft, rich and little-known, and to rediscover Agatha Harkness, a witch who appeared in 1970. By giving unexpected depth to a supporting figure, the series confirms that series know how to highlight characters that the big screen would have neglected.

The verdict: Marvel sorcery in the spotlight

• Loyalty:Agatha Harkness, her connection to Salem, Wiccan and witch mythology come from the comics.
• Freedoms:the Witches' Route, the coven mixing comics and creations, Rio Vidal reinvented, the gothic tone.
• Collectible numbers:Fantastic Four #94 (Agatha), Young Avengers #1 (Wiccan).

Agatha All Along extends WandaVision by giving the spotlight to a witch, exploring a little-known mystical part of Marvel. Faithful to Agatha Harkness and Wiccan while inventing its own coven, the series assumes a gothic and original tone. For both the reader and the collector, it is an invitation to discover Marvel sorcery and two first appearances whose visibility continues to grow.

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