The key numbers of the Scarlet Witch:X-Men #4(1964, first appearance — in the series of another franchise),Avengers #16(1965, his passage among the heroes) and House of M #1(2005). Special feature: its real key numbers are disasters it causes, not victories.
This character occupies a rare position in the catalog: his importance is measured by damage that it causes, and not what it accomplishes.
Her two most consequential stories show her destroying a team, then altering reality. This particularity entirely guides its collection: the numbers to aim for are numbers of event, no first appearance.
Origins (1964-1965)
X-Men #4 (1964)
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby— First appearance, on the opponent's side, alongside his brother.
⚠️ This number belongs to X-Men market: it contains the first appearance of a group of antagonists founding in this series, and its price is set by this demand. She appears there without having any of the traits that would make her interesting.
Avengers #16 (1965)
The complete renewal of the team's composition. The founders leave; she arrives, with her brother and another former adversary.
It is le number of this file. She changes sides there, and the character we know begins here. It remains significantly more accessible than the first appearance.
The Vision period (1968-1985)
Avengers #57 (1968)
First appearance of the Vision, with whom his destiny will be permanently linked. Major indirect key, carried by a specific request.
Giant-Size Avengers #4 (1975)
Le marriage. Special issue - therefore lower circulation, poorer conservation, lower census than numbered issues.
Favorable configuration for the attentive collector: a major event in a format that the indexes do not follow well.
Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1982 and 1985)
Two consecutive limited series, the first of four issues, the second of twelve. This is the only period where the character holds a title.
They complement each other completely for a modest budget, and constitute a coherent set that few collectors own.
Disasters (2004-2005)
Avengers #500-503 (2004)
Brian Michael Bendis— “Avengers Disassembled.” The character destroys the team to which she belonged for forty years.
This is the number that redefines her place in the catalog: she ceases to be a member to become a threat.
House of M #1 (2005)
Bendis and Olivier Coipel— It rewrites reality, then revokes part of it. The aftermath of this event structured the mutant franchise for a decade.
It's probably the most important issue of his career, and it contains no debut appearances.
What is special about this file
An observation which explains the entire structure of this selection.
For most characters, the key numbers are distributed between beginnings(first appearance, first costume) and summits(the most successful story). Here the decisive numbers are destructive events.
This produces an interesting market consequence. Event numbers are sought after — but for the event, by a broad audience who do not necessarily collect the character.
The collector of the Scarlet Witch therefore finds himself in an unusual position: his most important numbers are already valued, but by others than him. There are no hidden sources here like in other cases - the essential is identified, and can be paid for.
The compensation is favorable: these issues are recent, widely read, and therefore accessible despite their notoriety.
Two characters, same key numbers
A particularity of this file deserves to be exploited rather than suffered.
The Scarlet Witch and her brother appear in the same number, on the same side, and changed sides together a year later. Their key numbers are therefore identical on the two most important milestones.
The consequence is directly favorable to the buyer, and rare: a single purchase covers two characters.
It is doubly so, in reality. Two separate requests relate to the same numbers, which makes them support each other: when interest in one falls, the other continues to carry value.
This corpus has observed on several occasions that a number supported by several audiences behaves better in the troughs than a number sought by only one, even a very large number. This is the case here, and this is the main structural advantage of the file.
One nuance, however. This inseparability only applies to origins. From the 2000s onwards, the trajectories diverged clearly: the disasters of 2004-2005 belonged to him, and his brother played no comparable role.
A collector who would target both characters therefore buys a common core, then two separate branches.
Pitfalls to be aware of
Foreign Demand on X-Men #4. The main trap. You'll pay a price set by X-Men collectors for an issue where she does little.
The special format from 1975. Check the annual or giant-size, not just the title — these posts are poorly organized and listed roughly.
The 2004-2005 prints. Periods of abundant supply: only buy almost new, the only condition that retains value in this segment.
Alternative covers on recent events, numerous and with significant differences in both directions.
As always, condition and gradation determine value; relying on real recent sales is strongly recommended.
Where to start based on your budget
Tight budget—Avengers #500-503 and House of M #1. The two catastrophes, recent and abundant, which contain the essence of the modern character.
Intermediate budget— Add the two limited series from the 1980s, complete in full, then Giant-Size Avengers #4 for the wedding.
Comfortable budget— Avengers #16 (1965), the real narrative key. Then, eventually, X-Men #4 knowing what you're paying for.
To learn more, see ourcollection guideand ourtier list of key issues.
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