There’s Something Scary About Joseph: Reviewing ‘Scarlet Witch’ #9

Sometimes even those who spend all their time trying to help the hopeless can use a bit of help themselves. The problem is, what happens when you cannot trust that help to be on the up and up? Guess Wanda Maximoff is about to find that out.

The end is in sight as Scarlet Witch #9 is the penultimate issue in this series that has brought redemption and purpose for the former Avenger. A tale woven by Steve Orlando, Sara Pichelli, Lorenzo Tammetta, Frank William, and Cory Petit. Alongside this main tale is a backup story centered on Strange Academy student Eva Quintero from Juan Ponce, Ig Guara, Triona Farrell, and Petit.

I’m going to miss this title. Just had to get this out there. Yes, we’re getting more, with the recently announced at New York Comic Con four-issue Scarlet Witch And Quicksilver series, but I’ll still miss monthly Wanda adventures. She’s one of my favorite characters and I wasn’t happy with the way she was treated at Marvel for years. This series as well as the preceding Trial of Magneto fixed this issue.

One thing that we could have used is more time. A bit more time with the Joseph/Wanda dynamic, Wanda’s growth, the door, Darcy, and so much more.

Within this issue, we get the comic book equivalent of a montage episode. Basically, the plotlines are sped up as actual time passes, each segment leaping us around to showcase the various realms and people that Wanda has encountered or helped in this series. A few new things are also thrown in, perhaps beats that would have been full stories if only the series was continuing.

We’re catapulted around the Marvel Universe through most of this issue, and Tammetta does a tremendous job making it all flow. Tons of great visual depth and emotional elements are crystal clear, and genuine movement can be felt on every page. Magical kinetic energy seeps into every panel as we feel the weight and presence of each space and character.

Choices in paneling help to maximize this aspect. Even when things are a bit bigger in scale, we’re kept relatively close to the action. Right down amongst the characters, able to really feel what is happening whether it be a fight or a conversation/emotional beat. Such tight framing and pacing in action, keep us engaged with every single piece on the page. Nothing is extraneous or without purpose.

It pairs well with the colors that William brings to play. Big vibrant splashy colors are reserved for moments befitting them, while the rest of the palette hues more on the toned-down and even shadowy, darker side. Each space they visit keeps to the same palette tone overall but has a uniqueness as the colors shift around to fit the space’s personality.

On a second read-through, I began to notice something interesting with the colors. As the issue progresses there is a bold permeating lighter aspect to everything. Almost hopeful, as Wanda and Joseph and others go about their heroic business. As we begin the crest towards the cliffhanger though, it changes. Various scenes naturally call for darker colors in that space, but it adds to a tonal shift that culminates with the darker ending with Hexfinder’s arrival.

Having Pichelli, who kicked off this series, still on board to bring in some of the framing pages is a nice touch. This allows the book to keep some of that early feeling even if she isn’t able to handle the whole issue. It’s quite helpful that Pichelli and Tammetta have similar complementary styles. Capturing those same elements, bringing the same sort of feelings and depth to the pages.

Emotion drips from every single word as Petit makes sure to capture these voices in every moment. Tons of talking goes on as the characters bounce around the universe, and beyond, and it is all heavy while light at the same time. Punching with impact as it gracefully flows around the page.

Orlando manages to juggle it all smoothly, giving us plenty of great character beats and new bits to chew on along the way. It reminds us just how much Wanda accomplished in her time going solo again. Funny enough it speaks volumes about one of the things I loved about this series: the pacing. Sure, there were little arcs and an overall story direction, but the proclivity of stand-alone adventure stories allows this issue to work. Were it not for the number of adventures experienced, this would be an issue full of rapid-fire new content that would feel slightly hollow. New bits being mixed into those in which we have a vested interest help make the whole thing work.

Even though our time with the plot was short, and it might have used a bit more cooking time, the Joseph reveal (to Wanda, as we already knew) still hits. Chiefly because we know what it cost Joseph, and the choice is not something made lightly. Hexfinder might have brought him actual physical life, but Wanda offered him an actual true chance at life. Of course, one can’t live and explore/expand if they aren’t breathing/functioning anymore.

Seeing Strange Academy characters beyond their book is a delightful new feeling. What makes this backup story work is how it’s connected to that student series but stands alone. Trying to mirror the tone/feeling of that series would be a mistake. It was so unique that it’s a bit tough to just replicate. This creative team doesn’t try, instead, they cater the story to fit the personality of student Eva Quintero and of course Wanda herself.

I’m not familiar with any of Ponce’s work, but there is a real depth and solid nature to be found here. Within just this handful of pages, there is a lot done and said, all while making sure that anyone new to this character knows her before all is said and done. Guarra and Farrell make sure that this is a very fun albeit very dark, both in color tones and some plot beats, story. Space is used well to tell a complete story within the allotted page count, making sure to never overwhelm with content.

An overall very solid story that made me want to see even more of this character than we already have. I’d be very interested to see what they could do with more of the young characters, as the voice and tone feel very appropriate for a story featuring teenagers. Not always an easy tone to strike.

Scarlet Witch #9 is now available from Marvel Comics.