As popular as the musicalWickedis in reality, theMarvel Universehas its own version of the show focusing onthe young heroWiccan, son of the Scarlet Witch, as its star character. Musical fans everywhere are gripped by the feature-length film adaptation ofWicked, but on Earth-616, it’s all about Billy Kaplan’s spin on the classic tale.
This bombshell twist on reality was delivered in a blink-and-you-miss-it Easter Egg, inUnbeatable Squirrel Girl #15by Ryan North and Erica Henderson. The issue sees Doreen (the titular rodenty heroine) and her associates to New York City, to secureupgrades for Squirrel Girl’s heroic crew. When the plan goes awry and leads to a hijacking of microchip-controlled animals, the wild residents of the Central Park Zoo are unleashed to storm down Broadway. As the animals run amok, posters for various shows are seen in the background, parodying or spoofing several real-world plays. Laughs are earned byFantomex of the OperaandLes Mize, but the standout among them isaWicked-inspired poster dubbedWiccan, recreating the iconic poster for the show substitutingWiccan smirking as his boyfriend Hulklingwhispers into his ear.
‘WICCAN’ is Marvel’s Own Version of The Wicked Broadway Musical
Fate BroughtWickedand Wiccan Together at the Perfect Time
The originalWickeddebuted on Broadway in 2003, and was a loose adaptation of the Gregory Maguire novel,Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The play serves asa prequel to the classic storyThe Wizard of Oz, but told from the perspective of Elphaba (the so-called ‘wicked witch’) during her younger years. As the poster highlights, the story reveals the surprising friendship with Glinda the good witch, before the unfair demonization by society alters Elphaba’s path.Wickedwas a smash success and, after over two decades, is finally being adaptedinto a two-part feature film franchise.
I’m Even More Excited For The MCU’s Young Avengers After Marvel’s Latest Release
Billy’s transformation into Wiccan in the Agatha All Along finale reveals that the MCU’s Young Avengers are one step closer to assembling.
It’s fortuitous that Marvel has its ownWicked-inspired show about Wiccan, particularly after Billy has skyrocketed in popularity sincehis starring role in Marvel’sAgatha All Along. IfWiccanis anything likeWicked, it presumably focuses on Billy and Tommy’s relationship (especially since many critics viewWickedas a queer-coded show). One also has to wonder if the entire Broadway scene is entirely influenced by Marvel heroes (perhaps the biggest show isThe Panther King?). Wiccan might be a one-off gag, butit’s hard not to wonder if Marvel might take note for a real-worldWiccanin the future.
What Else is Playing on Marvel’s Broadway?
Real-Life History Would Be Fun to Explore
It’s impossible to bring up Marvel Comics and Broadway musicals without first thinking ofSpider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Or, more accurately, the many real-life problems that faced the Spider-Man Broadway show. With this suggestion that Broadway exists within the Marvel Universe, could the comics (or films) show howq that disaster played out in a world where the actual Spider-Man watched it happen in real time?
Broadway is full of blockbuster hits that earn film adaptations of their own, so there’s no question these tales could blend seamlessly with the Marvel Universe’s heroes.Wiccan’s take onWickedhad the good fortune of both properties being culturally relevant at the same time, so it’s up to Marvel Comics to decide if this Easter Egg deserves a closer look.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
