Written by Fawaz Qashat
SDSU Biology Major, 2021
A re-watching of WandaVision is richly rewarded since Marvel is known to bury clues and Easter eggs for fans of the MCU and of the comics to find and enjoy. And this enjoyment kicks in at the very start of Episode 1, in 1950s sitcom land where Wanda and Vision are living blissfully in Westview. Episode 1’s opening theme shows Wanda and Vision driving in their car as a newlywed couple. This shot is similar to a panel in the comics in which Wanda and Vision are driving to get to their new home. Later in the episode, we meet Agnes, Wanda’s neighbor whom any reader of the comics knows to be Agatha Harkness. Agnes/Agatha can be seen giving Wanda a plant as a housewarming gift which is a direct nod to Tom King’s The Vision #7 (2015) where Agatha gives Wanda and Vision a magical plant as a gift which allows a person to see into the future. Not only is the plant a nod to the comics, but so is the brooch which she can be seen wearing. Later on, as Agnes and Wanda are planning Wanda’s anniversary, the phone rings and Wanda answers, “Vision residence.” This is a reference to Tom King’s The Vision where Vision’s mailbox reads, “The Vision” symbolizing that the family has taken on his name rather than the Maximoff last name. If Wanda had taken Vision’s last name in the show, she would be Wanda Vision, which is why the title of the show is so creative.
The first commercial in WandaVision Ep. 1 advertises the Toast-Mate 2000 by Stark Industries. This commercial has so much significance to unpack. First off, it represents the missile that destroyed Wanda and Pietro’s childhood home as seen later in the show. Second, it is part of the six commercials which can be compared to the infinity stones due to their nature, which would make this commercial the mind stone. The reason for that is because that event led Wanda to go to Hydra and get in touch with the mind stone. Finally, it is a nod to the comics where Wanda calls Vision a toaster after getting into an argument with him in Tom King’s The Vision #7.
During the dinner party scene, which itself is a nod to the Vision and the Scarlet Witch #6 by Steve Englehart (1986) where the couple host a Thanksgiving dinner, Vision is called dense by his boss as a way of referencing Vision’s ability to alter his density. Furthermore, Wanda calls Vision a meat tenderizer and hands him the tenderizer which looks like Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, referencing Vision’s ability to lift the hammer. The label of the wine bottle reads Maison du Mepris which translates to House of Misery in french and is a reference to House of M by Brian Michael Bendis (2005), a comic where Scarlet Witch loses her mind and creates an alternative reality where everyone gets what they want. This show is heavily based on that comic. Mr. Hart tells Vision that there is chaos in his household because everything is going wrong and that is a nod to Wanda’s powers in the comics, called chaos magic, that allow her to make this alternate reality. Towards the very end we see a hexagonal shape which references the shape of the town Wanda has controlled as well as the name of her powers in the comics, called hexes.
Image of Scarlet Witch from Google Images
Vision and the Scarlet Witch #6 (1986) by Steve Englehart
Having knowledge of the comics allows the viewer to have a sense of connection with the show. It helps provide the viewer a better understanding of the characters as well as the plot. They understand more of what is going on in the show and do not have as many questions as a viewer who has no knowledge of the comics. Furthermore, it provides this rush of excitement to see something on screen that you have read about in the comics. You feel more experienced than the average viewer and can start to understand the direction of the show before anyone can guess it. Finally, it helps you develop a greater appreciation for both the comics and the show because of the way their elements have been incorporated.