How Scarlet Witch's Threat Could Fulfill Agatha's Original Comic Role

The threat that Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) made to Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) at the end of WandaVision could lead to the latter fulfilling her role from Marvel Comics as a mentor. The MCU utilized the sorceress as a villain in WandaVision, but the comic book character of the same name was actually a key ally to Wanda in the comic books.

It was eventually revealed in the Disney+ series that Wanda’s neighbor was secretly the show’s real antagonist. A musical sequence humorously explained it was “Agatha all along” that was pulling the strings. Apparently, she came to Westview to figure out how Wanda created the Hex. It was also through Agatha that WandaVision dropped its huge Mind Stone retcon and Chaos Magic reveal. Upon realizing the full extent of Scarlet Witch’s capabilities, Agatha schemed to take her powers for herself but was ultimately defeated by Wanda, who chose to spare her life in the season finale.

Numerous theories surrounding her character circulated for a long time, with the most common one of them all proving to be correct. It was speculated before the show began that Agnes was Agatha Harkness, who has a strong connection to Scarlet Witch in the comics. What was uncertain was whether or not she’d be an ally or a villain. In the end, it turned out – as many had suspected – that Agatha did indeed have evil intentions for Wanda. However, Marvel picking this direction for Agatha doesn’t necessarily rule out her taking the path of her comic book counterpart. Despite their many differences, the MCU’s Agatha can still be Scarlet Witch’s magical mentor.

Agatha Harkness In Marvel Comics Explained

Agatha Harkness's first appearance in Fantastic Four #94

While a member of the Avengers, Scarlet Witch encountered a snare in her superhero career. She began to find it difficult to control her mutant hex powers. As a result, Fantastic Four character Agatha Harkness came to Avengers Mansion to tutor Wanda. Agatha, an accomplished magic user who lived through the Salem Witch Trials, used her knowledge of the mystical arts to train Wanda, believing that she was capable of becoming a powerful sorceress. The two spent a great deal of time together, with Agatha doing her best to teach Wanda how to properly cast spells.

Thanks to Agatha’s continued presence in Avengers Mansion, Marvel was able to develop Scarlet Witch’s power set. Prior to Agatha’s arrival in her life, Wanda’s primary use in Avengers comics was to alter probabilities with her hex bolts, but Agatha changed her role in a big way, and gave a new literal meaning to Wanda’s superhero codename. Wanda evolved into a magical powerhouse, and became even stronger as the years rolled by.

Agatha Harkness maintained her connection to Wanda in later Marvel Comics stories. She helped protect Wanda from Immortus (an alternate timeline version of Kang the Conqueror) when he schemed to take her powers. Agatha’s experiences have come in handy in other instances as well, as it was she who first mentioned Chaos Magic to Wanda and told her the truth about her twins being created from the soul of Mephisto. For these reasons, Agatha has a reputation as one of the most important figures in Scarlet Witch’s comic story.

WandaVision Finale Set Up Agatha's MCU Future

Agatha Harkness questions Immortal in WandaVision

WandaVision didn’t utilize Agatha in this way, but that doesn’t mean her being Wanda’s mentor is off the table for good. Her last scene with Scarlet Witch set up her having a different role when they next meet. After losing the fight, Agatha pointed out that Wanda would need her in the future. Wanda didn’t dispute this, and simply remarked, “If I do, I know where to find you.” She then used her abilities to make Agatha go on living as the “nosy neighbor”. The fact that this dialogue about Wanda potentially seeking her out later was included in the episode suggests that such a scenario could occur in the future. Scarlet Witch is naturally more powerful than Agatha, but being an older and more experienced sorceress, Agatha could have her uses to her. A later incident could force Scarlet Witch to pay Agatha a visit and wake her up from her trance.

Agatha Could Become Scarlet Witch's Mentor

If Marvel makes a WandaVision season 2, Agatha could be called on to help Wanda with her magic (especially if the Sorcerer Supreme is busy or unavailable after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). This could happen regardless of the violent and bitter history they now share. It’s true that the MCU’s Agatha is motivated purely by self-interest, and would care less about helping Wanda that the comic book character did. That being said, the WandaVision season finale gave Agatha a very compelling reason to assist Scarlet Witch in her adventures.

It was made clear to Agatha in the season finale that Wanda’s vast amount of power far exceeds her own. She knew that she was powerless to stop Wanda from doing what she was wanted with her, and is smart enough to understand that opposing Wanda in the future can only lead to trouble. Plus, being trapped in the role of Agnes could instill in her a great degree of desperation. If Wanda temporarily removes the spell, Agatha will likely agree to whatever Wanda says to avoid going back to that fate. Marvel Comics’ Agatha trained Wanda in magic because she wanted to, and the MCU’s take on the character could go down the same road – but not for the same reason. She could help Wanda develop a mastery of Chaos Magic out of self-preservation.

Agatha’s role in the MCU’s future could also be linked to the ominous warning she gave Wanda. According to Agatha, Wanda doesn’t realize yet what she has “unleashed” on the world. It’s possible that what she’s talking about is Chthon, the imprisoned demonic entity that imbued her with Chaos Magic powers and wrote the Darkhold in the comic books. It could be that becoming the Scarlet Witch and unlocking her full power has awakened him, which isn’t too far off from what happened in the Marvel Universe. If Agatha is right about Wanda needing her, finding out about Chthon – or whatever threat Agatha was referring to – could cause Scarlet Witch to set her free of the spell. Once that happens, Agatha Harkness may begrudgingly follow in the footsteps of the sorceress from Marvel Comics by becoming a guide for Scarlet Witch.

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