Summary
The supernatural side of the Marvel universe expands as the ultra-powerfulScarlet Witchis tasked with training a mysterious young sorceress. When Agatha Harkness is seemingly frightened by the brand-new character, she calls upon Wanda to teach her as a new pupil. With a tragic past and still-unknown origins, Wanda’s new student may bear a striking resemblance to her in more ways than she could imagine.
Making her comics debut after originally appearing in a New Champions variant cover by Jen Bartel,Amaranth will join Wanda’s solo series inScarlet Witch (2024)#6, writtenby Steve Orlando with art by Lorenzo Tammetta.AsMarvel redefines one of its most powerful Avengers, she will take on an all-new protégé.
Variant Covers:
Meghan Hetrick, Leirix, Iván Talavera
Introducing Amaranth! The Scarlet Witch takes on a mysterious new pupil—at Agatha Harkness’ request. But where did the young sorceress known as Amaranth come from? And what could have spooked Agatha into giving up the chance to mentor her?
The word “Amaranth” has been used to describe a reddish-pink or purplish color, highlighted in the sorceress’ costume seen in Russell Dauterman’s cover and other variants. Perhaps representing another color on the spectrum of Marvel’s witches,Amaranth could exist to directly contrast the Scarlet Witch.
Quicksilver Teams Up With His OTHER Sister to Rescue Scarlet Witch
Polaris and Quicksilver reunite years after their last team-up, with the Scarlet Witch in need of her siblings' help as she faces the Witches’ Road.
Scarlet Witch Trains A Young Sorceress at Agatha Harkness' Request
WithMarvel’s announcement of Amaranth’s debut inScarlet Witch, writer Steve Orlando revealed some key details about the new character and her magical ties to Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff. Though Agatha has tutored high profile and extremely powerful characters in the magic arts in the past, including both Franklin Richards and Wanda herself, Agatha needs the Scarlet Witch’s help with Amaranth.Since Marvel revealed that Agatha is scared by Amaranth for some reason, one has to wonder just how powerful the young sorceress could be and if her power has the possibility to even rival Wanda’s godlike abilities.
While details about her backstory are still scarce, Orlando unveiled some key information about Amaranth that further emphasizes her connection to Scarlet Witch and proves why she is a fitting new protégé for the Marvel hero:
“Bringing Amaranth through the Last Door gives us a chance to upend Wanda’s dynamic with a scenario where Wanda’s faced with a powerful, mysterious being she struggles to figure out—an inverse of her own dynamic earlier in her life,” Orlando said. “Amaranth’s unique gifts hint towards an auspicious parentage and impressive power, but her life has been tinged with tragedy. There might be no one in the Marvel Universe that can help her, but if there was one—it would be the Scarlet Witch.”
The Scarlet Witch’s complicated life in the Marvel Universe could parallel some issues Amaranth faces, consideringWanda’s messy family tree and relationship with Magneto,along with the traumatic events that coincided with her occasional descents into villainy.As another mysterious magic-user with “auspicious parentage and impressive power,” as well as tragedy in her past, Amaranth draws many similarities to her new mentor’s history.
Another New Champion Makes Their Official In-Universe Debut
Superstar artist Jen Bartel created the character of Amaranth last year on a variant cover forScarlet Witch#9, as part of the New Champions variant series that spotlighted what were, at the time, hypothetical sidekicks for their major superheroes. Many of these characters have since joined Marvel’s multiverse, includinga young Storm-like mutant named Maystorm, created by Peach Momoko in her ownUltimate X-Men, as well asvarious others appearing in Spider-Woman’s solo title.Amaranth will make herScarlet Witchdebut this fall along with another New Champion, Fantasma, a new protégé for Ghost Rider.
Given the extreme levels of power that are being hinted at for the character, Amaranth has a chance to be the most impactful New Champion to make the leap over to the Marvel universe so far. If Agatha Harkness is fearful of the young sorceress, and she trained the Scarlet Witch herself, there’s no telling just how formidable of a threat she could truly be. With the chance to stay a pupil or transition to mega-powerful villain status, Amaranth could seriously shake up the Marvel Universe and prove to be an important addition toScarlet Witch’s lore.
Source:Marvel
Scarlet Witch
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Scarlet Witch debuted, along with her twin brother, Quicksilver in X-Men #4 (March 1964). Also known as Wanda Maximoff, she first appears as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, before she eventually became a member of the Avengers. In the comics, she is a mutant who uses chaos magic to alter reality.Scarlet Witch is played by Elizabeth Olsen in the MCU, having debuted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
