The Truth Will Set You Free, Maybe: Reviewing ‘Scarlet Witch’ #8

They often say that the truth hurts. It most certainly does. Guess that’s why Loki was the King of Lies. Lying to others or ourselves sure comes with less of a sting.

Come on down for a razor-sharp battle of truth as Scarlet Witch #8 pits its magical protagonist against the Asgardian trickster. Another well-crafted issue from Steve Orlando, Lorenzo Tammetta, Sara Pichelli, Frank William, and Cory Petit.

Most of this issue is just a handful of characters, chiefly Wanda and Loki, having conversations. A bit of action is featured here or there in the space where Joseph is fighting off creatures in Jotunheim as Wanda is with Loki. Because it’s a heavy dialogue/chat issue the visuals need to be on point to sell all this emotion. Good thing they most definitely are.

Tammetta handles the bulk of this issue, as Pichelli tackles the final pages (more on them later). There is a ton of depth and detail to what Tammetta brings to the page. It has a very whimsical fun sort of appeal to it as well that plays into the fantasy of this whole series. Panels are placed precisely in a way that really keeps the eye moving while allowing the characters space to breathe.

Many of them are close-ups, keeping us tight on these characters. As Wanda and Loki begin their dance of truth, we’re right there with them. Embedded in the moment feeling the emotions wash over them as they pour their hearts out trying to cut deep with those words. It’s a truly intimate comic in many ways as it’s about these two characters and the artwork sells that.

Jotunheim is an icy cold place, it is the home of the Frost Giants after all. William uses that to the advantage of having the blue and whites filter into the various panels, mixed with the reds and purples that Wanda brings. In this moment it keeps a somewhat cold tone to everything happening with flashes of warmth. Teases of something that could be more, as Wanda alludes to during the verbal dual.

It’s not flashy colors, but there is enough vibrancy to make things stand out from those colorful backgrounds. While the beings involved are superpowered with bright costumes everything is a more neutral level afforded to the fact that this is a more human, so to speak, moment.

I love what Orlando has been doing with this series. He’s not afraid to really explore various realms and types of stories, never shying away from the character development angle. Wanda has some of the most depth that she’s had in decades here. A fully formed human being with needs, desires, fears, and so much more. Playing her and Loki off one another is brilliant, especially in the way that Orlando chooses to do that.

Two misunderstood characters that have shadowed depth to them, baring their souls to one another. Truly something that is beautiful and sad at the same time.

Sliding Joseph in, one of my favorite 90s characters, has been very fun. There is a twist now that will harm Wanda in the long run, but we can see the cracks that she’s making within him without even knowing of his betrayal.

Pichelli comes in with such adeptness, creating something that is dark and foreboding but also supervillain-colorful at the same time. There is an innate roughness to some of her artwork that is swirled around with deep beauty. Even without her providing art to the main bulk of the book, it’s great to see the involvement still to help set up what is to come.

As noted, before, this is a talky issue. That means that Petit has a lot on his plate, but one would never know that. Making sure that we the reader gets all the dialogue we’re meant to but in a way that never overwhelms is truly a skill. Every bubble dances around the pages just like the characters, filling spaces with all their words but at the same time guiding us through the pages alongside the rest of the artwork. Each word is dripping with emotion and intent, allowing us to hear and feel the characters perfectly as we read along.

Scarlet Witch #8 is now available from Marvel Comics.