EntertainmentTVAction ShowsMarvel TV ShowsWandaVisionWho is Agatha Harkness? The MCU star’s comic book history explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVAction ShowsMarvel TV ShowsWandaVisionWho is Agatha Harkness? The MCU star’s comic book history explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Marvel Entertainment)
It’s been Agatha All Along - Agatha Harkness, of course. And with Agatha’s long-awaited starring streaming series which brought Kathryn Hahn back to her Emmy-nominated role nowreaching its finale, Agatha has a whole new MCU status quo that reflects her comic book history.
But what’s left for Agatha after theWitches' Road, and what will become of her following the series finale? Furthermore, what does Agatha’s comic history tell us about her MCU future? Read on for the answers, but be aware - we’ll be getting intospoilerterritory!
Who is Agatha Harkness?
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
In comic books, Agatha Harkness is the very picture of an old lady with a witchy secret – but the truth about Agatha’s nature is even weirder than it appears from the outside.
In the 1700s, Harkness settled in Salem, Massachusetts, starting a witch coven that became the targets of the Salem Witch Trials in the Marvel Universe’s version of those historical events – an occurrence that Harkness later described as a “culling” of the weaker practitioners from her coven, showing the dark side that Harkness has occasionally displayed, despite being a usual ally to Marvel’s heroes.
Oddly enough, as in WandaVision, Agatha has an unseen husband who plays a key role in her history. Little is known about her long-dead husband – including his name, which may have been Harkness. They had one son, named Nicholas Scratch (more on him momentarily), who has been a key part of many of Agatha’s stories over the years.
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The rest of Agatha’s family is somewhat mysterious. Weirdly, she’s been shown to have connections to a French magical dynasty known as Clan D’Arqness, which has a penchant for summoning demons.
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
Harkness often watched over Franklin while the Fantastic Four were on missions, which often led her to get involved in their adventures, eventually leading her to help Franklin control and harness his own burgeoning superpowers.
However, her astral form survived, and recognizing the magic potential in Wanda Maximoff thanks to her connections to the ancient Marvel deity of chaos Chthon, she became a mentor to Wanda. When Salem’s Seven used their own magical abilities to duel Wanda, she absorbed a large portion of Harkness’s magical power to defeat them.
Later, Wandaused this power to create her twin sons William and Thomas, though they were ultimately revealed to be the products of the demon Mephisto, who was channeling his own dark magic through Harkness’s witchcraft.
Agatha Harkness in the MCU
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
In the MCU, Agatha Harkness’s history is somewhat different from the comic book origins we just laid out. Here’s where we’ll get into some serious spoilers for Agatha All Along, including the two-part finale.
As it turns out, Agatha is also responsible for the existence of The Ballad of the Witches' Road, which she wrote with her son Nicholas Scratch to lure in witches so she could kill them and steal their power - a con that worked for Agatha for hundreds of years beforeBilly Kaplan/Wiccanunwittingly used hisreality-altering powersto bring the road into actual existence.
However, Billy arrives in full Wiccan mode, allowing Agatha to absorb some of his power. With her abilities restored, Agatha fights Death, but it’s futile. Death says either Billy or Agatha has to come with her. In the end, Agatha sacrifices herself, kissing Death and dying in a cloud of black energy. Her body instantly decays into a bed of flowers.
Later, Agatha returns as a ghost, coming to an agreement with Billy where she will become his ghostly mentor, much like she did for Wanda Maximoff in comics. They set out together to find Tommy - presumably leading to wherever they’ll appear next, which could be the upcoming Vision streaming series.
For everything coming to the big and small screen, check out our list of the most excitingupcoming moviesin 2024 and beyond, or, skip right to the good stuff with our comprehensive list ofmovie release dates.
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