How Scarlet Witch’s MCU Costume Compares To Its Origin In The Comics

WandaVision episode 9 shows Scarlet Witch finally wearing the movie version of her comics costume – for real, this time – but how does the final MCU look compare to its comics origin? The Disney+ series finale features the showdown between Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness and, during their confrontation, Wanda manipulates reality and defeats Agatha while taking on her superhero-costumed appearance. At first, an energy crown appears over Wanda's brow, and then she uses her powers to clothe herself in an MCU approximation of the original Scarlet Witch outfit from the comics.

Fans wait eagerly to see the adaptation of costumes from Marvel Comics into the MCU and follow their evolution closely – one example being Tony Stark's development of the Iron Man suit from Mark 1 to Mark 42 and beyond. The outfits of Marvel superheroes as depicted on the big screen have been part of subplots and comments in the past – both in canon MCU movies and other Marvel adaptations – including the development of Captain America's costume from stage performer to superhero, and Cyclops's riposte to Wolverine's critiques of the team's uniforms in X-Men: "What would you prefer, yellow spandex?"

While Scarlet Witch has featured in several MCU films so far, her costumes have been muted and more casual than in the comics. WandaVision offered the first hints at the full look when Wanda, Vision, and "Quicksilver" donned their classic Marvel comics costumes in the Halloween-themed episode 6 – in which Wanda calls hers a "Sokovian fortune teller" costume. A further glimpse came in the memories explored in episode 8 when the Mind Stone showed Wanda a vision of her future. But this is the first time Scarlet Witch has worn a complete outfit as it appeared in the comics, with significant alterations. So how does the MCU interpretation compare to the original?

How Wanda Gets Her Final Costume & What It Means

Wanda in her Scarlet Witch costume standing in Westview in WandaVision

The entirety of WandaVision has been an opportunity for Wanda to grow in both power and understanding of herself. Throughout the show, she struggles to control her powers, essentially torturing the residents of Westview without even realizing it in order to create a home for her family. The creation of the Hex around the town was the result of an outpouring of grief after the death of Vision, the extent to which it takes Wanda some time to fully comprehend.

Through her interactions with Agatha Harkness, Wanda learns more about her potential and takes on lessons like the use of runes to inhibit another witch's power. Her realization of the pain she was causing the town's residents forced her to confront her abilities. In the finale episode, Wanda gains more control over her own power, and eventually alters her appearance from her relaxed sweatpants and hoodie to full-fledged Scarlet Witch attire: crown, boots, gown, and gloves included. It shows Scarlet Witch maturing and recognizing her own power, partly as a result of Agatha's threat to Wanda herself and her family as contained in Westview.

Scarlet Witch's Crown Explained

WandaVision episode 9 scarlet witch mcu costume crowns comparison

As Wanda exerts her power over Agatha, a red energy crown appears at her temples and connects over her brow. It's the first hint of Wanda gaining some control over her powers and suiting up, and it echoes the blue crown Agatha's mother, Evanora Harkness, wears in WandaVision episode 8. Whether it's a side effect of Wanda's exertion or a deliberate effect is unclear, but Wanda incorporates a similar physical crown into her outfit. Scarlet Witch's crown symbolizes Wanda coming into her own and claiming her identity. Agatha has been Wanda's unintentional teacher throughout their time together. “Thanks for the lesson," says Wanda, as the energy crown appears on her brow. "But I don’t need you to tell me who I am.”

It's unclear whether the Mind Stone first inspired Wanda to create the Scarlet Witch costume in this manner, or whether, by showing her a glimpse of her own future, it really is Wanda's original creation – it's somewhat of a chicken-or-egg situation. Whichever version of events viewers take to be true, though, it's clear that Wanda Maximoff is finally recognizing her own power, potential, and assuming her identity as the Scarlet Witch, and the comics-inspired costume signifies that.

How Wanda's Costume Compares To The Comics

Scarlet Witch casting a hex in Marvel Comics

The costume we see in WandaVision is an updated version of its comic-book origin. Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch first appeared in 1964, in the comic The X-Men #4, and times have changed since then. In the comics iteration of Scarlet Witch's costume – as with many superhero depictions in comic books, not just Marvel – the curves, muscles, and shape of Wanda's body are emphasized. It's part of the style of the universe, but the sexualized nature of the outfits wouldn't translate well to the realism of the screen. Part of what makes MCU characters so compelling is how their humanness is emphasized alongside their power. Relaxing the costumes and portraying the heroes as real people, in sweatpants, hoodies, or '50s swing dresses is one part of what highlights that humanity. Elizabeth Olsen addressed Wanda's comics costume in an interview with ELLE after Avengers: Infinity War, criticizing the comic's depiction compared to the MCU's: "You look at where it started in the comic books and it was a leotard and a headband so…oh, it's horrible, it’s so horrible. So at least they know that’s not cool."

Now, the comics version of the Scarlet Witch costume is made official in the MCU and it appears someone at Marvel was listening to Olsen's comments. As with most MCU versions, including Agatha Harkness's costume, the outfit emphasizes practicality, appears to be made of some kind of hardy material and has a higher neckline. The long gloves, boots, and curly hair are intact, though the cape now appears more like a gown from the waist down. There's a lot less skin showing, less skintight pink material, and the style matches the rest of the "enhanced individuals" in the MCU. It's a strong look, as pointed out by Agatha-as-Agnes in WandaVision's final episode: "Say, that's some kinda getup you're wearing. Did I leave the oven on or is that just you, hot stuff?"

Next: WandaVision Ending Explained: Biggest Reveals & MCU Future Setup