Still theorizing about every little thing you saw in “WandaVision” potentially being an Easter Egg? Same. The Emmy-nominated series has wrapped up, but there are definitely episodes that still have some fans puzzled, and the great thing about streaming is that you can always go back and re-watch episodes. The first Marvel series for Disney+ follows Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlet Witch) and Paul Bettany’s Vision (aka the humanoid super-computer who seemingly died in “Avengers: Infinity War”) living in wedded, suburban sitcom bliss through the decades. And while aficionados know all about the characters’ comic book pasts, casual Marvel Cinematic Universe viewers might not. If you’re not already signed up for Disney+, you can subscribe for $7.99 a month, or $79.99 a year. The subscription lets you stream countless shows including original Marvel series such as “WandaVision,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” and “Loki.” For fans of the MCU, Disney+ is a one-stop destination for your favorite TV shows and films from the MCU.
But if you want to learn more about the characters, indulging in comic books and graphics novels is your best bet. To get started, immerse yourself with this list of essential Wanda Maximoff and Vision comics that have helped serve as inspiration for “WandaVision,” compiled by IndieWire creative producer Leonardo Adrian Garcia.
“House of M” by Brian Michael Bendis
While there are plenty of storylines from which “WandaVision” drew inspiration, the most obvious the series is riffing on is this one, where Wanda creates alternate versions of reality — first where mutants are in charge of everything, and then where there are no mutants.
“Avengers: Disassembled” by David Finch and Brian Michael Bendis
Brush up on the events that lead up to “House of M,” which — spoiler alert! — includes Wanda killing both Hawkeye and Ant-Man.
“The Saga of Wanda and Vision” by Steve Englehart, Bill Mantlo, and Don Heck
This collection of older comic runs features Wanda and Vision getting married, moving to the suburbs, and having kids. Sound familiar? The comics in question come from the ’70s and ’80s.
“Vision: The Complete Series” by Tom King
Kevin Feige has mentioned that Tom King’s run on Vision‚ including the cover that imagines Vision in a “Leave It To Beaver”-esque sitcom, was the original inspiration for WandaVision’s TV trope. Speaking with CinemaBlend, he said, “Those comic covers in particular were very much the inspiration that led us to connecting this sort of childhood, unhealthy… psychological comfort that I found from sitcoms in my youth, and still do today on MeTV when I can’t sleep at night, and Wanda and Vision and continuing to evolve their story. [It was] those covers of Vision standing in a suburban doorway, the white picket fence and a mailbox with ‘The Visions’ on it, that was the spark for that. And there were still a few other things that we pulled from that run as well. But as is always the case, it’s very collaborative and a melting pot, and is inspired from many runs.”
“Scarlet Witch” by James Robinson
There are three books in this run, which follows Wanda as she solves magical crimes and figures out why witchcraft is broken. Vol. 1 is called “Witches’ Road,” Vol. 2 is “World of Witchcraft,” and Vol. 3 is “The Final Hex.” (Though you can buy them in this just-published complete collection.) The series also features Wanda working alongside Agatha Harkness, the witch many “WandaVision” viewers suspect Kathryn Hahn is playing.
“Avengers West Coast: Vision Quest” by John Byrne
This collection of Avengers stories from the 1980s and ’90s features a story arc where Vision’s memory is wiped clear and he loses his marriage to Wanda.
“Marvel-Verse: Wanda & Vision” by Alec Siegel, Steve Englehart. J.M. DeMatteis, Kyle Higgins
This collection, published in late 2020, collects various comic arcs from 2011, 1972, and 1974 that feature Vision and Scarlet Witch — including their wedding in Giant-Size Avengers #4.
“Avengers: The Children’s Crusade” by Allen Heinberg
The Young Avengers take center stage in the story arc of “Avengers: The Children’s Crusade.” The story follows twin brothers Wiccan and Speed, whose powers begin to spiral out of control, leading the team to track down the Scarlet Witch for help (she also may be the twins’ mom). The story weaves through different time periods, reuniting the twins with long-lost friends, and pitting them against powerful enemies.
“Avengers: Scarlet Witch” by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Read up on the solo adventures of the Scarlet Witch in this classic comic from Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. The story finds Wanda confronting those pesky personal demons, pitting her powers against a warped version of the West Coast Avengers.
“Avengers: Vision and the Scarlet Witch” by Steve Engelhart
If you’re a fan of the “WandaVision” storyline, here’s an extended chapter to the saga. The “Avengers: Vision and the Scarlet Witch” series shares the Vision and Wanda matrimonial tale, and more details about their past. Find out what happens when the superhero love birds finally tie the knot, and settle down in the suburbs. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
