It ain't no lie, Fortnite has just added an epic new emote for Marvel fans. On Monday, Fortnite's official media accounts announced that a "Bye Bye Bye" Emote is officially available in the game's Item Shop. The dance, which was first created for *NSYNC's 2000 hit song "Bye Bye Bye", recently reached a whole new audience thanks to its use in this summer's Deadpool & Wolverine. The emote is currently available in the Fortnite Item Shop for 500 V-bucks.

More specifically, the song was utilized in Deadpool & Wolverine's opening credits sequence, as Wade Wilson / Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) violently murdered a swath of Time Variance Authority agents with the Adamantium corpse of Logan Howlett / Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). The needle drop helped the song have a resurgence on social media, as well as charting on the Billboard and Spotify charts.

All good battles need choreography

Say bye to your opponents with the Bye Bye Bye Emote - out now: https://t.co/ix7B9rZIqd

?: @nsync pic.twitter.com/IeyflakKUJ

-- Fortnite (@FortniteGame) September 24, 2024

What Is the New Marvel Fortnite Season About?

In "Absolute Doom", wielding the ancient power of Pandora's Box, Marvel's armored despot Doctor Doom has transplanted his Latvarian domain to the Battle Royale Island and seized a foothold with his army of loyal henchmen. Once his empowered armor is complete, he'll reap total control. Doctor Doom and his lieutenants must be defeated! Whatever it takes.

Marvel's War Machine, Gwenpool, and the Wakandan royal Shuri join Captain Jones and Peelverine as first on the scene to defend against Doctor Doom and his forces. They'll need all the help they can get!

What Is Deadpool & Wolverine About?

In Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) will change the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). The film also stars Matthew Macfadyen as Paradox, and Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, with the return of Deadpool alums Morena Baccarin as Vanessa Carlysle, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Stefan Kapi?i? as Piotr Rasputin/Colossus, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Rob Delaney as Peter, and Lewis Tan as Shatterstar.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D'Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy. Deadpool & Wolverine was released exclusively in theaters on July 26th.

To paraphrase Fight Club: "In Project Thunderbolts*, we have no names." But rather than Robert "Bob" Paulson, his name is Robert "Bob" Reynolds. "I'm Bob," stammers Lewis Pullman's Bob in the just-released trailer for Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*, where Black Widow (Florence Pugh), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) draw their weapons on the disheveled, patient gown-clad Bob deep within an underground vault.

The trailer is set to the Pixies song "Where is My Mind" which, not coincidentally, also features in Fight Club, David Fincher's 1999 cult classic about a seemingly unassuming man (Edward Norton) whose mental illness manifests as a split personality: his dark and violent alter-ego, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). If glimpses of an "S"-shaped belt buckle and an "S" symbol didn't tip you off, these are all references to The Sentry, Bob's solar-powered superhero persona in the comics.

Are you ready for the secret of... The Sentry? You asked for it, loyal readers! Introducing the greatest hero of them all -- The Golden Guardian of Good!

Introduced in the pages of 2000's Sentry #1 by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee, Bob Reynolds was the greatest Marvel hero you'd never heard of. A Jack Kirby-inspired Silver Age comic book-within-a-comic, titled Startling Stories featuring The Sentry, revealed the Sentry's origins as high school freshman "Robby" Reynolds. After drinking a vial of an enigmatic professor's secret formula -- an experimental chemical serum that granted him the "power of a million exploding suns" -- Bob took the name Sentry, as it was his duty to "watch over the world."

You want to remember, Sentry, but you can't. Something happened... it was something very bad.

Only Bob Reynolds remembered his heroic exploits saving the world alongside the likes of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Hulk. As the forgotten hero investigated what made everyone forget he ever existed, Bob warned of the return of his arch-nemesis: a dark entity known only as The Void.

Now is a time for vigilance.

After Bob triggered the memories of Reed Richards, the 2001 one-shot Sentry/The Void #1 revealed the truth about the Sentry: Bob Reynolds is the Void. By ingesting the Golden Sentry Serum, Bob's mentally ill psyche created two personas -- the golden boy superhero and his villainous alter-ego -- and as the Void, Bob subconsciously killed a million people in an attack that destroyed half a city.

The Sentry. If we ever remember him... in the name of humanity, promise me you'll do whatever you can to make us forget.

To prevent the end of existence, Bob conspired with Reed and the sorcerer Doctor Strange to make everyone forget the Sentry existed using a mesmeric induction device to transmit a virus that effectively erased him from existence. As the antithesis of the Sentry, the Void vanished alongside Bob's superhero alter-ego.

That's Robert Reynolds. He went by the name of The Sentry. He's, maybe, according to Reed Richards, the most powerful superhero on the planet Earth.

Bob resurfaced as a prisoner of The Raft, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s maximum security prison for supervillains, in New Avengers #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch. The Sentry's return unleashed the Void, who fought the combined forces of the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Inhumans, and S.H.I.E.L.D. until the mutant psychic Emma Frost was able to penetrate Bob's psyche and reveal how the mutant named Mastermind used his psionic powers to effectively retcon Sentry's existence in the public's mind.

The 2005-2006 miniseries Sentry Vol. 2 eventually revealed that Bob Reynolds' true personality is the malevolent Void, and that the Sentry is the manufactured persona. In Sentry #8, by Jenkins and artist John Romita Jr., Sentry's secret origin was altered again with the revelation that the serum that gave him his powers was the creation of "Project Sentry," an attempt to recreate the super-soldier serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America.

"Robby" Reynolds was really a diagnosed schizophrenic with generalized anxiety disorder and agoraphobia who stole the Professor's vial of serum to get high. Becoming addicted to the power, Void told Sentry: "If it could turn a meek young freshman into both the greatest hero and the greatest threat the planet had ever known, it could do the same to everyone. That's the big secret, Sentry: we're nothing special. That serum would have worked on anybody."

And this is how it goes for you: always the Sentry, ever the Void. So it will be until the end of time... you must remain vigilant, for you are humanity's only hope.

After former Thunderbolts leader Norman Osborn assembled a H.A.M.M.E.R. squad of villains misappropriating the likenesses of Earth's mightiest heroes, including Spider-Man (Scorpion), Hawkeye (Bullseye), Wolverine (Daken), and Ms. Marvel (Moonstone), the Sentry joined Osborn's Avengers*: the Dark Avengers. When the Void returned during Osborn's siege on new Asgard in the four-issue series Siege, the New Avengers battled the Void, who briefly reverted back to Bob upon defeat. The Void pleaded with the Avengers to kill him, so Thor summoned a bolt of lightning that killed Bob, and the thunder god laid his remains in the heart of the Sun.

One of the people behind-the-scenes at Marvel Studios reveal which Ghost Rider they'd like to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ghost Rider may not be as much of a household name like Captain America or Spider-Man, but the Spirit of Vengeance has a loyal legion of fans. We've seen Nicholas Cage portray Johnny Cage's Ghost Rider on the big screen, with Gabriel Luna playing the Robbie Reyes version of Ghost Rider on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. There's been some debate amongst fans on which Ghost Rider should show up next in the MCU, but Marvel's head of television has chimed in with his opinion.

Collider spoke with Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, for Agatha All Along, where the end of the interview turned to the topic of Ghost Rider. When asked if he could snap his fingers and greenlight any series, Winderbaum chose Ghost Rider. However, instead of selecting the most popular Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, Winderbaum went with Blaze's brother-in-hellfire, Danny Ketch.

"I would wanna do the Danny Ketch era of Ghost Rider. I think there are a lot of people who would be here for some Ghost Rider," he said.

Of course, this doesn't mean that fans should expect Danny Ketch's Ghost Rider to appear whenever the Spirit of Vengeance makes his MCU debut. While Brad Winderbaum is over Marvel's streaming output on Disney+, someone at Marvel Studios could decide Ghost Rider would make the perfect addition to a feature film.

A major Marvel villain is the new Ghost Rider

Over in the comics, a villain took over the role of Ghost Rider. Earlier this year, Marvel released a new series titled Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance, after teasing that Johnny Blaze would be losing the Spirit of Vengeance. In a surprising turn of events. Parker Robbins, aka The Hood, is consumed by the Spirit of Vengeance named Zarathos and turned into Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance concluded with a showdown between Johnny Blaze and The Hood, setting the stage for the next evolution of Ghost Rider.

Next week sees the release of Ghost Rider: Robbie Reyes Special #1, part of the Marvel's Voices line celebrating Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month. There will be three stories written and drawn by a host of acclaimed talent and rising stars including the return of Robbie Reyes' co-creator Felipe Smith. In addition, Ghost Rider: Robbie Reyes Special #1 brings back Fantasma, the Ghost Rider created by Luciano Vecchio for last year's New Champions variant cover program. This will mark Fantasma's official Marvel debut inside a comic.

Iron Man star Jeff Bridges may have just teased his Marvel Cinematic Universe return in a new interview. Bridges played the very first MCU "big bad" Obadiah Stane, the man who helped Howard Stark turn Stark Industries into a corporate powerhouse. When Tony Stark developed the Iron Man armor, Stane (and his puppets, the Ten Rings) developed the dreaded Iron Monger armor out of Tony's original Iron Man prototype. In the final battle between Iron Man and Iron Monger (known as the "Duel of Los Angeles") Stane (seemingly) is fatally electrocuted by his prototype arc reactor when it explodes under him. He fell into the reactor, which then exploded.

MCU fans have kept a spark of hope alive that Obadiah Stane could make a comic book-style return, with his death (and SHIELD's whole cover story about it) getting debunked by a surprise return. With the Iron Man side of the MCU about to get rebooted through projects like the Ironheart TV series and Armor Wars movies, now would be the suitable time for Obidiah Stane to re-enter the chat.

While talking to Josh Horowitz during the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Jeff Bridges not only acknowledged that there's room for Obadiah - or any multiverse variant of him - to return in the MCU ("Who knows? It's all science fiction and I could maybe pop up again..."), he explained that an original version of the Iron Man script set that up that very scenario:

"Well when I read the script, Obadiah Stane falls into that vat at the end," Bridges explained. "In the script that I read and agreed to do, they pulled it [the armor] out and they opened it and I'm not there."

It doesn't sound like Iron Man director Jon Favreau ever shot that sequence of Iron Man, but that doesn't mean a future MCU project can't reveal it as a major flashback twist. It would be interesting to see what Stane has been up to in the years since Iron Man, given the reveal that the Ten Rings wasn't at all what it seemed.

Then there's the more obvious and timely scenario of having an Obadiah Stane variant from another MCU reality appear in an upcoming MCU Multiverse Saga project. A lot of fans will instantly jump to the idea of seeing Bridges and his Iron Man co-star Robert Downey Jr. reunite onscreen. Avengers: Doomsday will see RDJ's Doctor Doom menace the MCU Multiverse - it would be interesting to see Bridges' Stane playing a different kind of role in and a different reality - maybe where he's a heroic industrialist (iron Man?), and RDJ as the archvillain.

Bridges seemed excited by Downey's MCU return ("But he's playing a bad guy! I love that!") so who knows?

Iron Man is now streaming on Disney+.

"There are good guys, and you're bad guys," Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine remarks in the new Thunderbolts* trailer. "But there are worse guys." Before Marvel Studios assembles the anti-Avengers -- a motley crew of anti-heroes and reformed villains that includes Black Widow Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Bob Reynolds/Sentry (Lewis Pullman) -- Marvel Comics is assembling the comics that inspired the movie*.

* New trade paperbacks set to release in 2025 include Thunderbolts: The Saga of Yelena Belova, which compiles the earliest appearances of the Red Room's top assassin-spy in the Marvel Universe, and Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers, collecting the complete 12-issue run of the Bucky Barnes-fronted Thunderbolts Vol. 3 by Jim Zub and Jon Malin.

Out March 4th, 2025, Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers sees the non-lethal Thunderbolts squad led by Winter Soldier --Atlas, Moonstone, Mach-X, Fixer, Kobik, and Songbird -- battle S.H.I.E.L.D., the Squadron Supreme, and the original Thunderbolts: Baron Zemo and the Masters of Evil, a group of supervillains who posed as superheroes in the absence of the Avengers.

Thunderbolts: The Saga of Yelena Belova, on sale March 11th, includes Natasha Romanoff/Natalia Romanova's first self-titled solo series, 1999's Marvel Knights: Black Widow limited series by Devin Grayson and J.G. Jones, which pit Black Widow against Black Widow when Natasha met Yelena for the first time during a mission to Rhapastan. Also included in the 376-page trade paperback is 2001's Black Widow Vol. 2, co-starring both Black Widows, the 2020 one-shot comic Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova, the four-issue limited series Winter Guard (featuring White Widow, Red Guardian, and Russia's premiere super-team), and the four-issue "I Am the Black Widow" arc from Kelly Thompson and Elena Casagrande's 2020 Black Widow run.

Also slated for release in May is the Marvel Epic Collection Thunderbolts: Targeted for Death, which follows Hawkeye's Thunderbolts during writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley's run on the '90s first volume.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers

The Winter Soldier leads a new team of Thunderbolts!

Out of the ashes of AVENGERS: STANDOFF, Bucky Barnes recruits a squad of renegades -- but are they heroes or villains? Do even they know for sure?! They're on a rampage across the Marvel Universe, hunting down and destroying bizarre, mind-bending threats -- all the while harboring one of their own! And among their number is the serial manipulator Moonstone! What could go wrong? How about a gut-wrenching battle for leadership, an alien threat and super-team showdowns with the All-New Inhumans and the Squadron Supreme?! As CIVIL WAR II rages, the Winter Soldier takes on Spider-Man! But Steve Rogers wants to know where Bucky's loyalties lie. Plus: The Thunderbolts used to be the Masters of Evil -- and if Baron Zemo has his way, their villainous legacy will be reclaimed with the infinite power of a Cosmic Cube!

COLLECTING: Thunderbolts (2016) 1-12

Thunderbolts: The Saga of Yelena Belova

Yelena Belova's journey from adversary to ally of the Black Widow!

Natasha Romanoff's time as the Black Widow may be running out -- because Yelena Belova is gunning for the mantle! Yelena is the first student in Red Room history to exceed Natasha's skills -- and now she's determined to eliminate her predecessor and claim the title for her own! It's a war of the Widows that will rage from the Middle East's deserts to New York's Upper West Side! But Yelena's path will soon place her square in the crosshairs of her home country, alongside Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian! Together, they face a race across Russia...pursued by the Winter Guard! And Yelena finds her destiny as the White Widow, helping Natasha protect San Francisco from a terrible threat!

COLLECTING: Black Widow (1999) 1-3, Black Widow (2001) 1-3, Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova (2020) 1, Winter Guard (2021) 1-4, Black Widow (2020) 7-10

Thunderbolts Epic Collection: Targeted for Death

Marvel's villains turned heroes, the Thunderbolts, continue their quest for redemption!

For the good of his team, MACH-1 gave up his liberty to atone for his sins. Now he's in prison, surrounded by the super villains who used to be his peers -- and who now want him dead! Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts have a new leader in Hawkeye, a new headquarters, a new ship and a new mission: to prove themselves heroes by taking down the biggest villains at large! But with Graviton next on their list, will Archangel join the team? Citizen V returns, the T-Bolts have a rematch with the Hulk, Scourge targets Baron Zemo, and you won't believe the identity of the new Beetle! Clint Barton leads the T-Bolts into hell and back for a fallen Avenger -- but when he locks lips with Moonstone, there's only one word for it: uh-oh! Plus: Enter, Sandman!

COLLECTING: Thunderbolts (1997) 26-41, Thunderbolts Annual 2000, Avengers Annual 2000

Marvel's Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

Deadpool and Wolverine are taking their lovefest from the big screen to the comics page with a new series featuring the two X-Men characters. Audiences have wrapped their arms around Deadpool & Wolverine to the astounding sound of box office records being broken. Marvel Comics has provided stories for Deadpool & Wolverine audiences to seek out, such as the Deadpool/Wolverine: WWII miniseries and the Weapon X-Traction backup story, but an upcoming ongoing series will pair the Merc With a Mouth and Logan together as they battle a returning X-Men villain and uncover mysteries involving their shared history.

Marvel's ongoing Deadpool/Wolverine series comes from writer Benjamin Percy and artist Joshua Cassara. Deadpool/Wolverine is a reunion between Percy and Cassara, who were the creative team that launched X-Force during the X-Men's Krakoa era. X-Force featured Wolverine in a main role, with Deadpool also making appearances during its run. As Cassara's cover for Deadpool/Wolverine #1 illustrates, fans can expect the same bloody and violent action that moviegoers witnessed in their MCU film.

"Josh and I really hit it off when we were working together on X-Force and became great friends," Percy told IGN. "When he made the jump to X-Men, it was honestly a little traumatic for us both--but if you get the opportunity to draw a flagship title, you have to go for it. And he drew the living shit out of that series. We never stopped texting or hanging out at cons. We're always trading stupid jokes (and many hundreds of Arnold Schwarzenegger GIFs). I even helped his wife locate one of the elusive 12-foot Home Depot skeletons recently, so we'll both be celebrating Halloween like bosses. This is all to say: we were both so damn excited to get the band back together. Deadpool/Wolverine is us cartwheeling onto the stage and shredding our guitars once more while smoke machines churn and pyrotechnics explode all around us."

Along with writing X-Force, Percy also penned Wolverine's solo series and was a writer on the Wolverine: The Long Night podcast, so he has extensive knowledge and experience penning Logan's extreme adventures.

"Well, in some ways it simply feels like business as usual," Percy said. "Since 2017--with the Wolverine: The Long Night podcast--I've never stopped writing Logan for Marvel, and this is simply the next chapter in his journey. But of course things have changed for the mutants, and we're leaning in to this new normal in the series."

How Deadpool/Wolverine comic is different from MCU movie

Percy also revealed how Deadpool/Wolverine was in development long before Deadpool & Wolverine found its way into theaters, and while fans of the movie will find much to enjoy, the comic is its own separate beast.

"The film was both a hit and a hoot, but we started working on this series long before we ever saw Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds tear each other apart in a Honda Odyssey," Percy said. "So I can't say it was an influence, but I can say the dynamic between the characters will feel familiar to theatergoers: fun, thrilling, and both adversarial and bro-mancey (not to mention violent as hell)."

Finally, Percy ended with a tease of the X-Men villain that will be the antagonist in Deadpool/Wolverine. "That's a big crazy reveal at the end of Issue 1, so I'm not sure I should say just now," he teased. "But both the future and the past are coming together in the present in a cataclysmic way, and it's up to our favorite superhero odd couple to save the day (and maybe the world)."

Marvel's Thunderbolts* teaser trailer has dropped and it reveals that Scarlett Johansson is making a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a very unexpected way. That's because the cast and crew listings for Thunderbolts* have revealed that Johansson is part of the film... as an executive producer! That makes sense, as Johansson was an executive producer on Marvel's Black Widow (2021) - one of several MCU projects being pulled together for this Thunderbolts* ensemble film and having Johansson back as EP on Thunderbolts* - which will continue the stories of Key Black Widow characters - tracks.

As Variety shared in its synopsis for Thunderbolts*:

Based on Kurt Busiek's comic series of the same name, "Thunderbolts*" is directed by Jake Schreier, with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D'Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez and Scarlett Johansson serve as executive producers. The screenplay is written by Eric Pearson ("Black Widow," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Transformers One," "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"), "Beef" creator Lee Sung Jin and co-showrunner of "The Bear" Joanna Calo.

Back in 2021, news broke that Marvel President Kevin Feige and Scarlett Johansson were working together as producers on an MCU project:

"We are already working with Scarlett on another non-Black Widow-related top-secret Marvel Studios project with her as a producer," Feige said at the time. "Scarlett is one of the most talented, versatile and beloved actors of our time. It has truly been a pleasure to work with someone of her caliber. From those epic training sessions preparing for the hallway fight in Iron Man 2, to the around the world press tour in Avengers: Endgame to partnering with you as a producer on Black Widow, working with you Scarlett has truly been one of the most memorable and rewarding collaborations of my career."

Johansson fielded questions about the project whenever she was doing press - including in 2023 when she confirmed that her MCU project "It is still happening. Yes. It is still happening, [but] not currently because nothing is happening right now [due to the WGA Strike]. We're all sort of in this holding pattern... Right before the strike, we were in the middle of developing it, and now everything is at a simmer."

Looking back now, it's easy to fill in the gaps and surmise that Scarlett Johansson was making references to Thunderbolts*. The film started production in June 2023; the Writers' Strike delayed it, and then the Actors' Strike. Now, with the reveal that Johansson is getting an EP credit for Thunderbolts*, this may be one MCU mystery we can put to bed. There will be some fans who are upset that Johansson wasn't

The just-released trailer for Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* featured a funny final moment -- but some fans have noticed that in addition to being amusing on its face, that moment was a callback to one of the most popular movies in the whole of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the final seconds of the trailer, Bucky Barnes is tailing a vehicle in which the rest of the Thunderbolts are riding. He fires a shot at them, and it totally destabilizes the entire rear end of the car.

That's because he's using the same gun he used to take out Nick Fury's car in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It's not exactly an Easter egg -- I mean, he's just using gear that is established to be part of his canonical arsenal -- but it's certainly a cool thing to see back in action after a decade away.

Thunderbolts* brings together a batch of former Marvel antagonists, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell). They're gathered, seemingly, by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the team up...doesn't seem to be a smooth one, as evidenced by the cannon shot in question.

The characters' competing interests and loyalties repeatedly boil over in the teaser trailer, but it does seem like Val (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is both the person who currently owns (or at least operates) Avengers Tower, and that she is putting together her own, darker version of The Avengers. Could that be what the Thunderbolts asterisk is about?

Depending on timing and cutting, it could be that the former villains are screwing each other over throughout, or just that all this fighting happens before the team actually comes together. It's hard to guess what is more likely at this point.

It's definitely smart to expect some kind of twist, though; the Thunderbolts brand is built largely on a single, spectacular twist from back in the first-ever Thunderbolts #1. After being introduced as a fairly generic superhero team made up of new and original characters, the Thunderbolts retired to their HQ in the last few pages and revealed themselves to be a group of existing villains who were running a long con.

"We are not the good guys," Harbour said in a recent interview. "We are not capable. [We're not] Captain America responsible. We don't show up on time. Punctuality is not our strong suit."

Thunderbolts* will arrive in theaters on May 2nd.

One thing Marvel fans may be asking themselves after watching the first trailer for Thunderbolts* is, "Why is there an asterik at the end of the name?" It's definitely an interesting question, especially because the asterik was added last year after Marvel Studios made some adjustments to its release calendar. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige even confirmed the asterik was an official part of the Thunderbolts* title, though he didn't elaborate on exactly what it means. Of course, that isn't going to stop us from speculating, and there are some clues that point us to some adaptations from the comics that are tied to the Avengers.

Thunderbolts* features a diverse cast of characters, headlined by Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier), David Harbour (Alexei / The Red Guardian), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine). As Yelena referenced in the trailer, every member of the Thunderbolts has a shady past. After the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, there doesn't appear to be an official team of Avengers operating in the MCU. This leaves a void that the Thunderbolts are perfectly suitable to fill. Valentina may also be the person who purchased Avengers Tower, which is another clue to the Thunderbolts* asterik. What if the Thunderbolts are meant to replace the Avengers, even taking on their name?

Are the Thunderbolts really the Dark Avengers?

Following the Secret Invasion event, which saw the alien Skrulls infiltrate and attack Earth, Marvel Comics transitioned to its "Dark Reign" publishing initiative, with Norman Osborn put in charge of the global peacekeeping entity known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Norman renamed S.H.I.E.L.D. into H.A.M.M.E.R. and dressed up some of Marvel's most infamous villains as fan-favorite heroes, dubbing them the Dark Avengers. Norman gained this rise in prominence by helping to defeat the Skrulls during Secret Invasion.

The Dark Avengers roster included Norman Osborn as Iron Patriot, Venom (Mac Gargan) as Spider-Man, Bullseye as Hawkeye, Noh-Varr as Captain Marvel, Moonstone as Ms. Marvel, and Logan's son Daken as Wolverine. The whole point of the Dark Avengers is so Norman can gain the public's trust and adulation, even though he's widely known as the villainous Spider-Man nemesis the Green Goblin.

Something similar could be at play in Thunderbolts*. Ever since Julia Louis-Dreyfus made a surprise appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, she seems to be making connections to individuals with the sole purpose of putting together a team. So far she's recruited US Agent, and was a handler for Yelena Belova when she was sent to murder Clint Barton in Hawkeye. Is this all leading to the end-credits of Thunderbolts* revealing the title is merely a stand-in for Dark Avengers?

Or are the Thunderbots the Secret Avengers?

Another Avengers team the Thunderbolts could be stand-ins for are the Secret Avengers. Once the Avengers reassembled to take down Norman Osborn, the "Dark Reign" publishing initiative gave way to the "Heroic Age." Steve Rogers took over Norman's role as the person responsible for the United States' security and law enforcement. Along with that came the reformation of the Avengers, but Steve also created a black ops team that worked in the shadows called the Secret Avengers.

Heroes like Black Widow, Beast, Moon Knight, Nova, and Sharon Carter make up the first Secret Avengers team, with several characters coming and going during its run. A version of the Secret Avengers have already operated in the MCU. When Captain America, Black Widow, and Falcon went rogue against the Sokovia Accords following Captain America: Civil War, they continued to fight the good fight and take down terrorists by working under the radar of the government. Fans quickly dubbed them the Secret Avengers, and the group was also adapted for the Avengers Assemble animated series. If the Thunderbolts were the Secret Avengers, they would come off as slightly more heroic than being the Dark Avengers.

The Thunderbolts asterik is a huge MCU mystery

Dark Avengers and Secret Avengers are only two of the theories floating around regarding the asterik in Thunderbolts*. David Harbour, who returns as Red Guardian in Thunderbolts*, recently teased what the film is about, while adding fuel to the fire with the asterik speculation.

"I mean, they retroactively put the asterisk [in]," Harbour said while speaking to ComicBook about his role as BoxLunch's brand ambassador. "The asterisk was an idea that that someone had.....What can I say that's not going to get me in trouble? ...The asterisk is very cool. I understand why people might put an asterisk there. I'm excited for the viewers to see that as well. But I, again, I just can't say anymore."

The mystery behind the asterik should be revealed when Thunderbolts* arrives in theaters in May 2, 2025.

For years, fans have wondered what happened to Avengers Tower -- originally Stark Tower -- once Tony Stark was gone and the Avengers were no longer using the place. What seemed at the time like a fairly lightweight bit of trivia quickly took on a life of its own when producer Kevin Feige started dodging the question, implying that there was something more to know. Recently, he said that the owner would soon be revealed -- and that Marvel had always known the character's identity and plans for the storied building. It now appears the revelation will come in Thunderbolts*, Marvel's next team-up movie.

A number of shots in the Thunderbolts* teaser trailer appear to show the team at Avengers tower, particularly a shot toward the end of the trailer that appears to take place in a partially-dismantled version of Tony Stark's skyline bar. You can see the trailer above, and a screenshot of the moment in question below.

One user on social media used geography to confirm it appears to be the same building, noting that Avengers Tower in the MCU takes the place of the real-world MetLife skyscraper in New York. The view here, Bejt on Twitter argued, appeared to be the same given how it is located relative to the United Nations building and Gotham Point.

The film brings together a batch of former Marvel antagonists, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell). They're gathered, seemingly, by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the team up...doesn't seem to be a smooth one.

The characters' competing interests and loyalties repeatedly boil over in the teaser trailer, but it does seem like Val is both the person who currently owns (or at least operates) Avengers Tower, and that she is putting together her own, darker version of The Avengers.

"We are not the good guys," Harbour said in a recent interview. "We are not capable. [We're not] Captain America responsible. We don't show up on time. Punctuality is not our strong suit."

The obvious comparison to draw with Thunderbolts* is to DC's Suicide Squad -- a group of captured villains who are working for good becuase they don't have any choice. In Thunderbolts*, though, it appears that at least most of the characters enjoy some level of autonomy outside of the team, and that they feel drawn to heroism as a way of giving their lives meaning.

Thunderbolts* will arrive in theaters on May 2nd.

Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has revealed Psylocke as a new playable character. The reveal took place on the Marvel Rivals discord over the weekend, following a trivia event. In an interesting twist, this version of the character is not the longtime X-Men team member Betsy Braddock, or even the current version Kwannon. Instead, this version is Sai, an alternate universe take on Psylocke that was first introduced in Demon Days: X-Men. That version was created by Peach Momoko, and the writer/artist's influence can be seen in the brief glimpse provided so far.

An image of Psylocke's in-game design can be found below.

So far, reception to this Psylocke design has been quite positive, with a lot of fans sharing their enthusiasm on social media. As of this writing, NetEase has not offered much else in the way of details regarding Psylocke, or how she'll play in the game. Hopefully that means we'll get a gameplay trailer sometime in the near future, outlining more details. The one thing we do know is that Sai will be voiced in the game by Alpha Takahashi. Following a tease from the Marvel Rivals X/Twitter account, Takahashi wrote "guess who's joining the Marvel Universe." The voice actor has previously had credits in games like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and Killer Instinct.

Psylocke has a long history in video games, appearing as a playable character in titles like Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3. While those versions were specifically based on the Betsy Braddock version of the character, it makes sense for Sai to show up in Marvel Rivals. After all, the multiverse plays a role in the game's narrative, and we've already seen some alternate versions of characters confirmed, including Peni Parker. Given the convoluted nature of Psylocke's backstory, it actually makes a lot more sense to go with this specific take on the character. It will be interesting to see if this leads to more interest in Demon Days, and if it results in this version of Psylocke appearing in more media!

Are you planning to check out Marvel Rivals when it releases later this year? How do you feel about this version of Psylocke showing up in the game? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

[H/T: Miller Ross on X/Twitter]

Marvel Studios has released the first teaser trailer for Thunderbolts*. The upcoming movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a bunch of familiar faces, but the trailer makes it a point to let the viewer know that this is not the Avengers. Sure, they've got Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier on the team, and Black Widow's sister, Yelena Belova, but there's definitely a different vibe amongst the anti-heroes than what one would find with Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This appears to be the same Thunderbolts trailer that was screened to fans at San Diego Comic-Con a few months ago, but now all fans can witness it for themselves.

The Thunderbolts trailer begins with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) paying a visit to her Dad, Red Guardian (David Harbour). After cleaning up his dirty house, Yelena asks Alexei if he feels fulfilled. Both characters appear to be trying to find some purpose in the world, which is tough when all you've been is a contract killer. We then see the main cast start to interact with each other, as Yelena faces off with John Walker / US Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). It's not until they meet Lewis Pullman's Bob (who is reportedly Sentry) that things take a turn for the worst.

You can check out the Thunderbolts* trailer in the video player above.

Bucky Barnes has a new look in Thunderbolts*

Out of all the Thunderbolts, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier is the seasoned veteran as far as appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes. While we don't know how he gets involved with this cast of misfits, what the first Thunderbolts* trailer reveals is that Winter Soldier is back to sporting a familiar look from his past.

Winter Soldier is back to wearing his hair long in Thunderbolts*. Following Avengers: Endgame, Bucky Barnes cut his hair short for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but it appears his original look will be returning. This isn't the only change the MCU is making to the Winter Soldier. Speaking to ComicBook at San Diego Comic-Con, Thunderbolts* stars Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell responded to questions based on the film footage shown to the Hall H crowd. When asked about Bucky using his dishwasher to clean his vibranium arm, Stan joked that its "efficient."

"One has to at some point make sure that things do get clean, and so that's a very efficient way of doing it fast," Stan joked. "He uses a lot less water too, a lot less water in the dishwasher."

Russell chimed in briefly after that, sharing something notable.

"He's a congressman," Russell responded.

The ComicBook Nation crew review Transformers One, and it's Peak Geek TV time again with Agatha All Along, The Penguin and Zack Snyder's anime Twilight of the Gods all premiering this week!

PLUS: The Clue movie reboot may have a director; the Transformers & G.I. Joe movie gets an update; Zack Snyder's 300 TV series is happening - and Netflix's One Piece Season 2 drops some major casting surprises!

Transformers One Review

Here's what ComicBook Nation's Anime Initiative host Evan Valentine had to say about his 4-star review of Transformers One:

I would be remiss by not calling this the best Transformers film since the 1980s animated film. If this is the future of the Transformers franchise, then Autobot and Decepticons fans have a bright future to look forward to indeed.

The Penguin Review

ComicBook's Jenna Anderson had the following to say in her 4.5 out of 5 star review of The Penguin:

Across its eight episodes, The Penguin redefines what verisimilitude can mean in the world of comic book adaptations. The grittiness, violence, and double-crossing that fans would expect from the title are abundantly present, but balanced with a truly heartfelt take on loss, rebirth, and personal agency. The series is not only one of the better crime dramas in recent memory, it is one of the best examples of how to branch out decades of beloved lore.The Penguin is simply a show about people trying to thrive in a world much bigger and weirder than they can even comprehend - a subject that would be universal nonetheless, but transforms into something special with its engrossing performances.

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Agatha All Along takes Marvel fans back to Westview and it seems as though the citizens of that town still can't quite say Wanda's name. Yesterday, viewers were treated to the first episode of the new Disney+ series. Marvel clearly knows that the fans want to know what's going on with the Scarlet Witch and made multiple teases to her possible resurrection during Episode 1. Despite all the breadcrumbs though, A lot of the people living in Westview can't bring themselves to under the words Wanda Maximoff after the events of WandaVision 3 years ago. Agatha Harkness brings up the events of the previous MCU show multiple times and each time she edges close to the truth, someone warns her that they dare not speak her name out loud after everything that's happened.

For those who need a WandaVision refresher, the series began with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany's Avengers moving into a sleepy New Jersey town to start their lives as newlyweds. However, from the early frames of WandaVision, it's clear that something is amiss in their new home. Creepy and unsettling details make themselves more pronounced as the episodes go by. In fact, time starts moving unnaturally fast and the residents of Westview begin to cry out for help from Vision as the facade keeps cracking. Unfortunately for our friend the synthazoid, Agatha has become aware that he's a construct as well. So, she uses Wanda's attachment to him and the boys to trigger the final conflict of that series.

In the last episode of the Marvel TV series, the residents are finally free from "The Hex" that Wanda had placed them in for an unspecified amount of time. Agatha Harkness did battle with the Scarlet Witch and then our hero let everyone go while she flew off to Wundagore mountain. However, that wasn't easily smoothed over for the people of Westview. Rightfully, they were upset and traumatized at being controlled by Wanda for any amount of time. Essentially being held prisoner was not very fun and as a result, the people on the ground basically look at her like she's Voldemort now. So, that's really kind of prickly. (It also casually allows Marvel Studios to dangle the Scarlet Witch, while also making sure we remember she's been on a bit of streak over past few years in the MCU.)

So, Can We Expect To See Wanda Back Soon?

Elizabeth Olsen really can't go a single interview without being asked about Wanda Maximoff. Right now, she's on a media tour for His Three Daughters over at Netflix, and the question has come up multiple times. The fact that a direct WandaVision sequel is airing on Disney+ right now with Agatha All Along also doesn't help matters very much. Olsen previously talked to Entertainment Tonight during Variety's Power of Women event, and got asked about a cameo in the upcoming Marvel project.

"I mean, no, but I would love to pop up. I love Kathryn, I don't want to leave her side ever, I'm so grateful she's here tonight," Olsen shared months ago. The star added that she would love to reunite with Hahn as well as Paul Bettany (Vision). "We do think, 'Gosh, we just gotta do it again!' We just had a really great time making that show, and with Paul, it was really a special time, so we would love to get the gang back."

All these comments, plus all the hints about Scarlet Witch's in Episode 1 of Agatha All Along, have fans believing that a return is imminent. Marvel Studios has been adamant since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that Wanda Maximoff is completely off the board. However, all the fans know that The Multiverse Saga means that any and all characters can come back as variants. Not even 2 months ago, Robert Downey Jr was announced to be returning to the MCU as Victor Von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. So, hope springs eternal, as it usually does when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Will Wanda be redeemed? Do you think that Agatha All Along's post-credits scene is a return for Scarlet Witch? Check out all the pop culture discussion at @ComicBook!

Agatha All Along is now streaming on Disney+, and the two-episode premiere left Marvel fans with plenty of new theories to discuss. (SPOILERS FOLLOW) In the first two episodes, Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) frees herself from the spell Wanda Maximoff left her trapped in and addresses the problem at hand: her magic powers are gone. The first two episodes followed Agatha as she began to gather a coven of 'mad' witches that could help her embark on a journey down the Witches' Road - but to what end?

With Agatha All Along being a sequel to the events of WandaVision, it's only natural that this new show is inheriting one of the biggest Marvel Cinematic Universe fan theories from the previous one: that Marvel's top devil, Mephisto, will (finally) be revealed in the show.

...However, we've been here before. WandaVision kept Mephisto's name trending every week it was on - and pretty much ever since, whenever a new MCU project with any kind of mysticism or supernatural elements (Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Moon Knight) is released. It's already looking like Agatha All Along will be no different - but how about we look at another possibility?

What If Mephisto has nothing to do with this?

It's clear that Agatha All Along is opening a wider door into the supernatural/occult side of the MCU - a lane that is populated with some very powerful dark lords and demons.

Child of Mephisto

One popular fan theory is that Aubrie Plaza's character, Rio Vidal, is actually more than the "warrior witch" that she initially seems to be. It's clear that there is a history between Agatha and Rio, and a lot of fans think it involves how Agatha eventually got the Darkhold - with a little help from an inside woman. And if you're stealing something hellish from a devil, who better to help than the devil's kid?

Marvel's Blackheart is a demonic entity (or "Hell-lord") that Mephisto created out of the evil energy built up around a town in New York where murder and bloodshed had occurred for centuries. However, when Blackheart tries to make his own bid for power, Mephisto banishes him to Earth, where Blackheart tried to corrupt souls and recruit them for his war against his father.

Having Aubrey Plaza play Blackheart would be a fun twist on the character - and also a great Easter egg for Marvel fans. Plaza starred in the X-Men spinoff show Legion, where she was eventually revealed to be playing another major evil entity from the Marvel Universe (SPOILERS), the Shadow King.

Agatha All Along showrunner Jac Schaeffer has teased a potential name-drop of a long-awaited Marvel character coming in the show: whether it is played by Plaza or presented as another character entirely, Blackheart would be able to name "Mephisto" without the villain being directly involved, while still teeing up Mephisto for a later story arc or project. Mephisto's kid would also be more on the scale of a Marvel TV project.

Chthon

The practice of witchcraft in the MCU has had another entity attached to it: Chthon, the first demon. Like Blackheart, Chthon is an entity that has been in Marvel lore for quite a while. He was an Elder God who became the first master of black magic and, who with his brother Set became a demon. Chthon wrote the Darkhold as a link between Earth and his home realm, the source of his power. Chthon is also the progenitor of the demonic creatures (goblins, harpies) and monster races (vampires, werewolves, zombies) that exist within the Marvel Universe.

In the MCU, Chthon created Wundagore Mountain and first inscribed its walls with the prophecies and magic spells that would later be transcribed into the Darkhold book. That includes the prophecy of the Scarlet Witch, which guided Wanda's fate in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With Wundagore gone, and Agatha needing to rekindle her black magic abilities, maybe the Witches' Road is leading to the one who made witchcraft possible.

-

Wanda All Along

It would be a big twist (or not...) to find out that the only way Agatha can re-empower herself is by bringing back the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Marvel Studios producers have played coy about where Wanda ended up when Wundagore Mountain fell - whose to say she didn't land at the end of The Witches' Road?

Agatha All Along streams new episodes on Wednesdays on Disney+.

Agatha All Along Episodes 1 and 2 took viewers down The Witches' Road for the first time this week. And, the song that Kathryn Hahn, Shasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp and Patti LuPone sang in the season premiere is the secret key to this series. Marvel Studios has now posted "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" on multiple platforms. With some increased time with this delightful song, fans are noticing how closely the lyrics mirror what's been going on in the series so far. From the fact that Agatha Harkness's makeshift coven has to sing this ballad together to open the portal to The Witches' Road to the danger that's obviously lurking behind them with each passing step, these lyrics provide a guide for the viewer to be prepared for whatever comes their way.

The first line shows the gamble that Agatha and these witches are taking trying to use the road in the first place. (Seekes thou the Road / To all that's foul and fair) Right after that, each of these witches get an element assigned to them. Jennifer Kale is Water, Alice Wu-Gulliver is Fire, Lilia Calderu is Air and poor Sharon is Earth. Agatha and Teen are left out of this sorting bit. It truly is the witches' darkest hour as desperation has led them to the road in the first place. But, they're going to have to work together to get what they want. Kale wants her powers unbound, Alice is looking for what happened to her mother, Calderu is searching for riches to keep herself afloat and Sharon just wants some friends. (Darkest hour, wake thy power / Earthly and divine / burn and brew with coven true / And glory shall be thine)

Sharon's core desire is reflected in all of these women and Teen in some way. Showrunner Jac Schaeffer gave a recent interview where she talked about forging bonds for these characters, and how it powers this story. Witches in pop culture always endure some sort of scrutiny. Agatha All Along's chaotic coven is no different in that regard.

"A lot of what the story is about is the power of community, the power of tribe. All of these characters are loners to various degrees, and they are people who are disconnected from their own internal sources of power," Schaeffer explained. "Through the circle of togetherness and through harmonizing--both literally and figuratively--they are able to reconnect with their naturally existing internal power."

Agatha All Along Sees The Fan Favorite At Her Lowest

Agatha Harkness might have the most desperation of any witch represented here. During her last MCU appearance, Kathryn Hahn's witch lost her power at the hands of Wanda Maximoff. So, when we meet her now, she doesn't have any of the potent magical abilities she displayed during WandaVision. But, Agatha has a way to get it back: The Witches' Road. That all sounds good, but she'll need a team of magic-users to travel the road. These women are all from different times and places, and united by these unique circumstances. Hahn talked about her character's return to glory and how her relationship with her fellow witches begins in Agatha All Along during the same interview.

"At the beginning she's kind of a twisted ringleader. If this was a circus, she would definitely be the Barnum or Bailey. She's got the smarts--maybe an almost Tin Man quality, if Tin Man had major character energy," Hahn explained. "And I think that she has to be the most confident one who gets all these little scared witches running behind her. She has to show a lot of bravado and kind of fake it 'til she feels it. Remember, she still has no powers, so she has to manifest power through her actions and her words. She's leaning a lot on appearing powerful to these other witches."

Do you think all of the witches will reach the end of the road? Check out all the pop culture discussion over at @ComicBook!

Thunderbolts* star Sebastian Stan compared his upcoming Marvel movie to a surprising classic film. Variety asked The Apprentice actor about what's waiting for him in the MCU and he said Thunderbolts* was like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That 1975 movie stars Jack Nicholson in a psychological drama set in a mental health facility. He transfers there from a prison and inspires his fellow inmates to assert themselves in the face of mistreatment. Marvel Studios has been billing Thunderbolts* like a meeting of the island of misfit toys, so maybe that kind of camaraderie out of a stressful situation is what Stan is shooting for in these comments. Still, a lot of movie fans raised their eyebrows when the comments started making the rounds on social media.

Stan argued that Thunderbolts* "was kind of like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest -- a guy coming into this group that was chaotic and degenerate, and somehow finding a way to unite them." Clearly, this new MCU team isn't going to work together perfectly off of first blush. Honestly, most of them have never interacted in these movies before now anyway. With some of the larger rumors about the surprises in this film swirling, they'll probably have to get their act together pretty quickly.

Thunderbolts Brings Back Some Fun Characters

When it comes to Marvel Studios' 2025, Thunderbolts* is the title shrouded in the most mystery. San Diego Comic-Con brought some new looks at the team of MCU antiheroes. But, not everyone could make the pilgrimage to California to see that footage for themselves. Luckily, the cast did some interviews after the big Marvel Studios presentation. In fact, The Official Marvel Podcast caught up with a bunch of the main players from Thunderbolts* to ask what they've been up to since we all have seen them last. Let's just say, it's been a journey for all of these characters before they got thrown together.

When it comes to the sad state of affairs with various Thunderbolts*, David Harbour had jokes, "None of us are in a good place. I'm eating something disgusting out of a bowl. Gaining weight as you watch the film in real time." Wyatt Russell chimed-in with some zingers of his own. It seems the US Agent has spent the last couple of years getting shot at more than the recommended amount. Harbour smirked, "We do see you scrolling through your phone, looking for bad press! Like Googling himself and saying, 'If I don't find the nasty comments, then I'm not finished."

Florence Pugh would also add, "To be able to come back again. But, show another side of what it is to be a human, going through life in the way that she does, that may not necessarily be the way that we would assume that they live, is beautiful for me." "

What do you want to see from Thunderbolts*? Check out all the pop culture discussion at @ComicBook!

Captain America: Brave New World is coming up next year and Marvel Comics might have just hinted at a surprising MCU return with their new title. This week, fans got to see Sam Wilson: Captain America, a limited series featuring the talents of Greg Pak, Evan Narcisse and Eder Messias. Interestingly enough, our hero is tangling with Red Hulk, just like in the upcoming movie. But, there's another sneaky addition that MCU fans might want to keep an eye on. Taurin Clarke's dynamite cover for Sam Wilson: Captain America also features Eli Bradley's Patriot as part of the story. Isaiah Bradley has been confirmed to appear in the upcoming Marvel movie, but there's been no word of his grandson making a return appearance in the franchise. Could this be the first hint at Eli's role in the film?

Back in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, audiences were introduced to Isaiah Bradley, the first Captain America. Also included was his grandson Eli, played by Elijah Richardson. The American government experimented on Bradley and used his blood to try and replicate the Super Soldier serum that gave Steve Rogers his powers. It's clear that Isaiah still has the raw physical power afforded to him by those experiments, as he's jumping through windows in the Captain America: Brave New World trailer. But, it was never specified if his grandson inherited some of those powers. Could he be another burgeoning superhero in waiting for the MCU?

In Marvel Comics continuity, there's a long-running story featuring Eli as the hero Patriot fighting alongside the Young Avengers. As the team's Captain America surrogate, he helps them navigate the early days of their team-up after being trained by Steve Rogers. Of course, the MCU would probably like to streamline his origin as it gets pretty complicated with Patriots powers originating from a superhuman drug and then later replacing those sketchy abilities through a blood transfusion from Isaiah Bradley later on. With so many other young heroes rumbling about the MCU at the moment, it wouldn't be too strange to see Eli join-up with the rest of the Young Avengers that Kamala Khan is recruiting right now. We'll have to wait and see.

Young Avengers Slowly Assembling During All Of These Movies

From the early moments of Phase 4, Marvel fans have been expecting the Young Avengers to form. WandaVision featured Scarlet Witch's kids Billy and Tommy. From there, more young heroes just kept cropping up. Things came to a head in The Marvels when Kamala Khan got a hold of a SWORD information tablet. With access to their database, she could look up any young superhero on-file and find them. She approached Hawkeye Kate Bishop in the movie's post-credits scene. Iman Vellani joined ComicBook's Phase Zero podcast to talk about Ms. Marvel. She is looking forward to the Young Avengers assembling like the rest of us.

"I just want to see them interact. I think they've left so many of the younger character stories open-ended, and to see fans start shipping people together, it would be something like, I want to see Kamala interact with America," Vellani shared. "I want to see Kamala interact with Patriot, I don't know. Just all these random people. And so yeah, I think there's so many different avenues you could take with this."

At the time, it was a little bit curious to see the Ms. Marvel actress mention Patriot as he hasn't been discussed too much by Marvel Studios since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. To be fair to Vellani, she was probably just listing the Young Avengers lineup that fans know from the comics. But, with Cassie Lang, America Chavez, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel and more already teased for whatever Marvel Studios has cooking, there is room for another couple members of the team. (A lot of MCU fans believe we're about to get another foundational member really soon in Agatha All Along...) At any case, with Marvel doing more cross-comics synergy than ever before, maybe this new Captain America book is a subtle hint.

Do you think Stan is right about Marvel? Check out all the pop culture discussion at @ComicBook!

Agatha All Along has reintroduced Kathryn Hahn's witch, but her powers aren't exactly like they were in WandaVision. Agatha Harkness was causing some serious chaos the last time we saw her in the MCU. However, Wanda Maximoff triumphed over her and sealed her inside of a sitcom prison back in Westview. For three years, Agatha lived inside of her own reality until she was able to claw her way out with some prodding from Rio Vidal and a mysterious "Teen." Now, she's free, but she also doesn't have access to her magic because the Scarlet Witch siphoned off her powers during their climactic battle at the end of WandaVision. There's an easy way for Agatha to get her powers back, but she hasn't had the opportunity to capitalize yet.

If you remember back to WandaVision, Marvel explains the core of Agatha's powers. Kathryn Hahn's witch was present for the Salem Witch Trials in 1963. Her mother, Evanora Harkness, discovered her daughter was practicing dark magic as a part of their coven. Upon learning this information, Evanora cornered Agatha and the women bound her and interrogated her. As things broke down, the viewer learns that the evil witch's true skill is siphoning off magic from other witches. But, only when they actively attack her. This becomes key in Agatha All Along as her coven has to be careful not to use their magic in a battle against her. If they do, she'll just leech it all away and Agatha will be more dangerous.

To add to her powers, Agatha previously held the Darkhold, which gave her power even more of a boost, at the cost of her own sanity and goodness. (Wanda took that evil book at the end of WandaVision and it didn't really end well for her either!) Once she has that magic back, the "evil" witch will have access to illusions, transmutations, and of course, the ability to steal more magic than she started out with before. It seems as though she and Rio Vidal have a bit of a history and the second those powers are back in place, there will be a massive throwdown. Green witch versus our lady of chaos. But, some fans think that Aubrey Plaza's antagonist could be a red herring. Agatha's powers are yet another way this series builds off of what happened in WandaVision.

Agatha All Along Builds Off Of WandaVision

WandaVision was nothing short of a sensation and Agatha All Along picks up where its sister series left off. Still, despite the runaway popularity of Wanda Maximoff and near-universal acclaim, there were some Marvel fans perplexed when Agatha's show got announced. But, when ComicBook spoke to Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum, he likened the Agatha All Along viral moment to some other high-profile Marvel character debuts. You just really never know what's going to strike a chord with audiences. When they saw how much everyone loved Kathryn Hahn's witch, it was a no-brainer to continue her story. (Also, it might have given the MCU a path back toward Scarlet Witch being in-play, so that's exciting too.)

"I mean, I would say that if you know the MCU, it might justify a few things that happen in kind of a prologue way," Winderbaum told us. "But if you're coming to it straight from WandaVision or you're coming to it, frankly, never having watched another Marvel show before, you get the information you need about the characters you need for the journey."

"Well, it really comes down to Jac [Schaefer, showrunner]. And Jac brought that world to life in WandaVision. And Kathryn Hahn embodying that role, I mean, she became an icon on screen," Winderbaum added. "Agatha was always a side character. She's a villain in WandaVision. But like Wolverine showing up in an issue of Incredible Hulk, you never know what the audience is going to respond to. And Agatha was no different. So, as soon as Jac became inspired, we all just went down the road with her."

How do you think Agatha will get her powers back? Check out all the pop culture discussion over at @ComicBook!

If there's one thing that Marvel has done with its Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's trained fans to sit through the credits. After all, many of the entries in the MCU have mid or post credits scenes tucked into them offering little teases of things to come. It's because of the promise of that little bit of tantalizing extra content that fans stay seated as the credits roll and while Agatha All Along doesn't have any tricks or treats hidden at the end of its first two episodes, that doesn't mean there's not something fun for fans just the same. Agatha All Along's credits are packed with all sorts of witchy references and visuals -- including some iconic pop culture witches as well.

Consider them Easter Eggs of their own: the credits feature a blend of more historical references to and images of witches and witchcraft as well as plenty of spooky aesthetics, but there are also nods to things like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bewitched, and more. We've rounded up as many of the references to pop culture we caught in the credits to Agatha All Along. It's possible that we've missed a few -- Marvel is really good at those Easter Eggs, after all -- but there are some pretty great nods to the great witches of entertainment here to enjoy.

Bewitched

That animated purple clad dark-haired witch riding her broomstick across a moonlit sky? Sure, it's likely meant to represent Agatha, but it's a direct ode to the iconic television series Bewitched. Bewitched aired on ABC from September 17, 1964, through March 25, 1972, and followed a witch who married an ordinary man, choosing to live an ordinary, magic-free life in the suburbs, something her family doesn't agree with. As you can imagine, hijinks ensue. Interestingly, WandaVision also referenced Bewitched.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The second pop culture witch referenced in the credits is Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in her witch form, commonly referred to as the "old hag". Not only does this reference serve as a nice nod to Disney broadly -- Snow White is a beloved Disney animated classic and Agatha All Along is streaming on Disney+ -- but it is also a nod to how many stories present witches: old, sinister, creepy, and sometimes with warts and, as Patti LuPone's Lilia puts it, poisoning apples and eating babies. Oh, and in the clip in the credits, the witch is descending into a hidden space under what appears to be a heavy door in the floor. Feels like a nod to the Witches' Road to us.

The Wizard of Oz

The third reference isn't a reference to a witch per se, but to a story with an iconic witch. We mean, of course, The Wizard of Oz. The reference here is art from L. Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and sees Dorothy Gale meeting the Cowardly Lion. The Wizard of Oz reference actually happens twice in the credits, however. Later in the credits there's a figurine dressed in black witch attire with green skin, a description befitting the Wicked Witch of the West.

The Simpsons

Here's one you probably didn't expect to see: The Simpsons. We get an appearance from Lisa Simpson dressed as a witch in the end credits, likely from the "Treehouse of Horror XIX" episode since that episode sees Lisa dress in a witch costume for Halloween, though The Simpsons has had a number of episodes that reference witchcraft and Wicca over the years.

The Craft

Perhaps the briefest but most unique reference in the credits is to 1996's The Craft. It's the only live-action clip in the credits that appears to be directly from another entertainment property and in this case, it comes from the iconic scene in which Nancy (Fairuza Balk) goes full witch to deal with Chris (Skeet Ulrich) -- we'd recognize those boot tips anywhere.

Agatha All Along is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes arrive on Wednesdays.

Agatha All Along has arrived on Disney+ and already the Marvel series is casting its spell on viewers with its follow up to the events of WandaVision. Just two episodes in, the series has not only brought the fan-favorite Agatha Harkness (played by Kathryn Hahn) back, freeing her from Wanda's spell, but also given viewers new witches as Agatha assembled her coven and started off on the Witches' Road. But while Agatha All Along is a mere two episodes into the journey, the new series is not only answering some major MCU questions (and creating some new ones, too) but it's also weaving elements of real-world magic and witchcraft lore into the mix as well. That's right, the premiere of Agatha All Along had some interesting references to magic outside of the comic books that you might have missed -- and we're breaking them down as well as their general meanings.

Warning: spoilers for the first two episodes of Agatha All Along beyond this point. Read on only if you want to know.

In the first two episodes of Agatha All Along, quite a few things happen. First, the spell that Agatha has been under that kept her clueless to her true identity is broken thanks to Wanda Maximoff presumably being dead and then, encouraged by Teen, she decides to walk the Witches' Road to regain her powers and has to assemble a coven in order to do so -- though assembling that coven is easier said than done as Agatha doesn't have the best of reputations. Across these actions, however, there are some elements that are both important to the story being told but also references to real world witchcraft and lore. The first of these is the locket that Agatha picks up when reporting to the discovery of a dead woman in the first episode. Fans may have recognized the piece of jewelry as something that Agatha wore in WandaVision, but there is more to it than just that. The locket actually is a representation of the Triple Goddess, also known as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Historically, the concept goes back to numerous ancient civilizations -- deities appearing in groups of three are not uncommon in ancient religion, think the Graces, the Horae, or the Fates in Greek mythology --but the specific idea of the Triple Goddess as presented here is more contemporary and part of larger Neopaganism with the Triple Goddess aligning to different phases of the moon and different phases of womanhood.

Another witchcraft reference in the Agatha All Along premiere is the thing keeping Joe Locke's character from revealing his real name. When Agatha asks Teen who he is he answers, but Agatha can't hear him because his mouth is closed by what appears to be some sort of script across his mouth. His lips are, literally (at least in magical terms) sealed. What that is a sigil which is explained as a spell meant to conceal, but that's a little bit of oversimplification, at least in terms of real-world magic. While the word sigil is derived from the Latin term meaning seal, in their most basic form sigils are merely magical symbols that represent a specific idea or intention of the person using them. Their creation and uses in magic can vary by practitioner's tradition, but some common ones are things like protection sigils on doors, prosperity sigils on candles lit for various purposes, etc. Ultimately, they are about intention -- which, of course, in the case of Agatha All Along really makes one question the intention of whoever used this one on Teen.

The third most obvious -- and perhaps most ominous -- reference to magic and lore in the Agatha All Along premiere involves the appearance of a crow or a raven that Agatha sees and is visibly unsettled by. This is another one of those "your mileage may vary" type of things as many who follow magic practices see birds from the Corvus family -- aka ravens and crows -- as good symbols, they can also be associated with darker elements -- including death, transformation, and the unknown. For some, it comes down to the number of crows or ravens sighted -- and a single bird can be considered bad luck. Clearly, Agatha thinks so.

As with any belief system or symbols of those beliefs, elements of magic and witchcraft can vary based on tradition. The three highlighted here may have deeper meanings based on practice, practitioner, and tradition. What is interesting, however, is how Agatha All Along is incorporating these aspects of real-world belief into the series and using it to enrich the story and deepen the mystery -- and it will be even more interesting to see how much deeper things will go the further we get down the Witches' Road.

Agatha All Along is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes arrive on Wednesdays.

Agatha All Along isn't shy about the needle drops from the word go and the songs are probably going to keep flowing throughout the series. Marvel Studios began a trip down The Witches' Road with the fans this week and there's quite a road trip playlist brewing. Clearly, they knew that "The Ballad of the Witches Road" would be a hit. But, the viewers are really loving some of the throwback inclusions as well. "The Season of the Witch" seems to be in full swing after that first episode of Agatha All Along. People are digging in to figure out what artists were featured and what might be coming up in the following weeks.

In the promotional tour for the new Disney+ show, the focus might have been on WandaVision's viral earworm "Agatha All Along." But, this new show is leaning more heavily on real-world songs for its soundtrack. (Let's not mince words here, the theme songs for every "era" of WandaVision was one of the most memorable parts of the series.) Besides the previously mentioned Donovan hit, there were plenty of interesting choices like Kuljit Sing Bhamra, Blackhand, and Natalie Poole to tide you over until our trip down The Witches Road continues next week. Check out each of these songs as they got stuck in your head right here down below!

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road"

D23 brought a ton of Marvel surprises this year. But, for Agatha fans, it also brought our first real peek at this sweeping musical number. Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, and the entire cast came out to sing this one live. "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" forms the backbone of Agatha All Along. It's both the story condensed and the key for the character to enter their perilous journey. Patti LuPone singing in a Marvel show??? Sign us up.

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road (True Crime Version)"

Episode 1's main hook is that Agatha Harkness is still stuck in the spell from the end of WandaVision. As a condition of her punishment, she's been living in a fake reality themed like a gritty police procedural. Detective Agnes O'Connor is a tough customer, and this "credits treatment" of the series' central song is hysterical to think about upon rewatch.

"The Night Is Ours" - David Gerard Lawrence and Charles Morton

Judging by the teasers for Agatha All Along, we should expect 70s pop and lite-FM jams across the entire length of The Witches' Road. This little song sounds like it's playing out of an AM/FM radio that takes no less than 4 D batteries. It's a perfect fit for the witchy aesthetic that Marvel Studios and showrunner Jac Schaefferare crafting on this project.

"Season Of The Witch" - Donovan

As the credits roll on Agatha's first episode, "Season Of The Witch" plays more like a mission statement than a song choice. (Bonus points for staying with our genre as the album this track hails from is titled Sunshine Superman.) The 1967 jam has a big pop culture footprint to boot. Perhaps one of the essential psychedelic pop songs from any era, it's nice to see audiences that might not have been aware get a big introduction in Agatha All Along.

"On My Mind" - Blackhand

Now, this band isn't a newcomer to the Marvel universe! One of their songs appeared in Ms. Marvel too! This time we're getting spookier. Unfortunately, Blackhand got dealt a wild hand here as their song plays when Teen's "BF" calls and launches a million Hulking theories on social media.

"Visions" - Plastic People

Plastic People's first album leans all the way into 70s aesthetics. This song and others are recorded with the technology of the time. Andre Frutuoso, Joao Goncalo and JT come together to create a driving alternative ditty that incorporates plenty of synthesizers to tickle a retro fancy. The entire Visions album is worth a listen if that sounds like it would be up your alley at all.

"Karakoram" - Kuljit Singh Bhamra

Kuljit Singh Bhamra's instrument of choice is the tabla and "Karakoram" drips drama from that opening note. With all the other touches of psychedelia and the genre's inherent debt to Bhangra and Indian Classical music, it's nice to see this song make its way to the soundtrack for Agatha All Along.

"All Odds" and "The Gallery" - Wild Signals

No?l Brydebell, Nicole Ridgely, Josh Renkow, and Ben Keysaer bring us a mixture of dream pop and shoegaze. The creative team must be fans of their work as they end up in Episode 2 multiple times. It's a good listen overall and fits with the larger aesthetic goals of the show. So, this one goes down easy. Interestingly enough, both of these tracks are from 2020. Big year for developing all of these projects at Marvel Studios.

"The Road to Happiness" - Natalie Poole

Something tells me that The Witches' Road isn't exactly going to be the "road to happiness" for our clandestine coven. This one is a little bit harder to find at the moment. But, maybe we see more of the singer-songwriter on the soundtrack later?

"There's a Road" - Kinney

I'm beginning to sense a theme here. Singer-songwriter vibes again here as Kinney dials up some more of the countryside witch ethos that powers Agatha All Along. If you're looking around on social media and streaming platforms for the artist, 2020's So Glad You Exist might be worth a spin if electronically-tinged atmospheric folk interests you!

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)" - Kathryn Hahn, Shasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp and Patti LuPone

"Down, down, down the road. Down the Witches Road." This is one of the versions that is stuck in everyone's heads after Episode 2. Here's to a fun journey.

Did you like the music during the first two episodes? Check out all the pop culture conversations at @ComicBook!

Thunderbolts* star Sebastian Stan is sticking up for Marvel in the wake of some recent criticism of the brand. As he boards The Apprentice, he talked to Variety about being Bucky Barnes again and people taking shots at Marvel Studios. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star says that it's become sort of fashionable to blame the massive franchise for all of the movie industry's woes. In some corners of the Internet, Marvel is just a stand-in for "big corporate movies" in popular conversation. But, for a guy who's worked so closely with Kevin Feige and the rest of the studio, he doesn't like them being such an easy target. During the 2020 theater shutdowns and the continuing recovery, a lot of movie houses have been grateful for big tentpole films getting people out to see these projects in theaters. Stan sees some real value in that role.

"It's become really convenient to pick on [Marvel films]. And that's fine. Everyone's got an opinion," Stan argued. "But they're a big part of what contributes to this business and allows us to have smaller movies as well."

Stan continued, "This is an artery traveling through the system of this entire machinery that's Hollywood. It feeds in so many more ways than people acknowledge. Sometimes I get protective of it because the intention is really fucking good. It's just fucking hard to make a good movie over and over again."

For the Winter Soldier actor, some of the missteps last year can be attributed to bad luck industry-wide. It's 2024 now and you still get multiple handwringing articles a month lamenting the fact that movie-going hasn't caught up to pre-2020 numbers yet. (A lot of this analysis ignores the pack of elephants in the room. There are so many reasons that viewership habits have changed in the last four years.) Still, Marvel Studios has the second-biggest release of 2024 in their back pocket with Deadpool & Wolverine. They're hoping that some of that audience fervor from that project can carry over to 2025's releases like Thunderbolts*, Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Thunderbolts* Is Still Shrouded In Secrecy

2025 is looking like another massive year for Marvel. Thunderbolts* might be the MCU title that fans know the least about. ComicBook asked David Harbour about all the fan theories surrounding Thunderbolts*. It feels like he is being very careful not to give anything away. But, he hopes the comics fans are pleased with some of the nods they've managed to get in there.

"I've started to move away from all of that because I feel like I just run into AI articles. I'm like, who wrote this? This isn't even English. But, I think that it can get dangerous because I don't want to hear what everyone's opinion is about all kinds of stuff about me. But we are very comic book true, which I was pleased about," Harbour shared. "I think there might be some speculation of what people understand about the comics as opposed to people that have actually read the comics.

"I think there's a lot of experts out there that get very annoyed at things. And if you go back and you actually look at it, you might see something different. I think that we're very into that idea, and yet it is, of course, very surprising because, you know, I don't think Red Guardian is in any of the Thunderbolts stuff," he mused. "So they are adding things like they are adding and surprising you with things. But, you know, there's a lot of stuff, a lot of stuff that we've done to make it comic accurate as well."

"Making a movie, you can't really look outside for critiques because everybody, everybody sees the poster and they have an opinion. You're like, 'just watch the two hour movie and if you still hate it. Great. Love it? Great,'" Harbour would add. "But, like, you've got to give us a chance. I think all the speculation in the world is like my fantasies about dying or what. I mean, it's like you can fantasize about horrific things or whatever until you actually see the thing. I'm very proud of this movie, what we shot. I hear it's playing well internally and I'm excited for people to see it. I think it's going to really surprise people. I think people have seen from the trailer, from the shots. I think it's a pretty cool direction of the MCU's sort of making now. And I'm excited to be a part of that."

Do you think Stan is right about Marvel? Check out all the pop culture discussion at @ComicBook!

cThe main characters in Captain America: Brave New World are going to headline a new Marvel series before the film hits theaters next year. Promotion and marketing for the fourth Captain America movie has centered on Sam Wilson, who is taking over the mantle of Cap from Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, aka Red Hulk. With Captain America: Brave New World on the horizon, you just knew that Marvel would release a comic that at least had Sam Wilson's Cap in it. This appears to be the case, and Red Hulk and other characters from the film will also make appearances.

Marvel announced Sam Wilson: Captain America, a new limited series by co-writers Greg Pak (Star Wars: Darth Vader) and Evan Narcisse (Wakanda), and drawn by artist Eder Messias (Phases of the Moon Knight). Similar to Captain America: Brave New World, the limited series will see Sam Wilson and Red Hulk on opposite sides of this super spy thriller. When Captain America uncovers a nefarious plot parading itself as a new tech venture, he'll be shocked to find that Red Hulk is running the company's security. The cover by Taurin Clarke reveals other heroes will also take part in the story, including Isaiah Bradley, Patriot (Eli Bradley), War Machine, and Storm.

Sam Wilson: Captain America creators share excitement for Marvel series

"Working with Evan on this book has been an absolute dream. We've spent hours sharing big ideas, finishing each other's thoughts, and cackling out loud over the story we're cooking up. Seeing the pages roll in from Eder has been absolutely mind-blowing," Pak shared.

"It's going to be a fun, fast, high-octane adventure that also explores what it means to feel locked out of the American Dream. I feel pretty confident in saying Sam's never flown through skies like these before," Narcisse said.

Narcisse also gave his thoughts on the character of Sam Wilson: "One of the great things about Sam Wilson is that he straddles the line between everyman and super hero in classic Marvel fashion. The core of "Better Angels" will explore how he navigates that tension and how he and others have expanded the symbolism of the Captain America legacy in a very different way."

"We're pulling out all the stops to tell a story that matters, that goes deep into what it means for a Black social worker from Harlem to pick up the shield - and put on those wings! - while delivering massive action and thrills in the grand tradition of Marvel super spy science fiction," Pak explained. "I particularly love how grounded the book is with characters like Sam's fast-talking cousin Billie, my new favorite character ever, while taking to the sky in ways you've never seen! And yes, that's a big tease! Don't you dare miss it!"

What is Sam Wilson: Captain America about?

When Captain America attends a birthday party for Isaiah Bradley, he catches wind of a new tech venture that sounds too good to be true: magnificent floating platforms in the sky, where the disenfranchised can apply for land grants and establish their own farms. But after Sam discovers the organization's dark underbelly, he'll have to tangle with its head of security: Red Hulk!

Sam Wilson: Captain America #1 goes on sale in January 2025.

Who is in Captain America: Brave New World?

Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America, Harrison Ford as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross / Red Hulk, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres / Falcon, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns / The Leader, Harrison Ford as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, and Shira Haas as Sabra. Xosha Roquemore, Rosa Salazar, and Giancarlo Esposito have been cast in unknown roles, with Esposito recently being added to the film in reshoots. Esposito announced at San Diego Comic-Con that he is playing the Serpent Society villain Sidewinder. Captain America: Brave New World is directed by Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox, Luce), with a script from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showrunner Malcolm Spellman, as well as Dalan Musson and Matthew Orton.

Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Action star Frank Grillo had a great run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the villainous Brock Rumlow (Crossbones) in three of the franchise's films. He became a massive favorite amongst fans after Captain America: The Winter Soldier and continues to be high on the lists of former MCU actors people hope to see make a return. That said, Grillo's tenure with Marvel Studios could've been a little shorter, as the studio apparently came close to firing him for accidentally sharing too much information.

ComicBook recently sat down with Grillo to chat about his new movie, Long Gone Heroes, and we asked about his upcoming work in the budding DC Universe. Grillo will lend his voice to the character of Rick Flag Sr. in the animated series Creature Commandos, before appearing as the live-action version of the character in Peacemaker Season 2 and Superman. He was hesitant to say anything about his role, worried about potentially saying too much, and explained that oversharing almost cost him his job at Marvel -- on more than one occasion.

"You know, unfortunately, there's nothing I can really say that wouldn't get me in trouble. So I kind of have to step back and go, 'I take the fifth,'" Grillo told us. "I am so bad at this. Like, Marvel almost fired me 36 f---ing times because I don't know. I never want to lie. And so, I do that a little too much. But I've been warned."

We're not going to hear any DC secrets from Frank Grillo, but he does appear set for a substantial role in James Gunn and Peter Safran's new franchise. That's not to say he wouldn't take another shot at playing Crossbones, though. When asked if he'd want to return to the MCU at some point, Grillo had nothing but positive things to say about both his Marvel and DC experiences.

"I don't know, at this point in my life, all the things that I thought were real and true, I've learned as a man who's now matured, that if they ask me to do that, I would love to go back and do it. And I'm loving what I'm doing with DC. I love James Gunn and Peter Safran and they've given me an amazing opportunity. But at this point, I'm happy about everything I've done and I'm certainly willing to...if they meet me, if there's something great to go do, I would certainly be ready to go do that."

You can catch Frank Grillo in Long Gone Heroes, playing in theaters this weekend.

[Warning: This article contains mild spoilers for Agatha All Along episodes 1 and 2.] Seekest thou the road to all that's foul and fair? Gather, listeners, and hear "The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)" from Agatha All Along. In "Circle Sewn with Fate Unlock Thy Hidden Gate," the second part of Wednesday's two-episode premiere, the witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) needs a coven to access the Witches' Road and reclaim the powers stolen from her by Wanda Maximoff's Scarlet Witch. After Teen (Joe Locke) frees her from the spell that trapped her in a true crime version of Westview, New Jersey, Agatha gathers witchy-enough women at her Covenstead to sing the Ballad and conjure up a door to the Road.

Agatha, along with her down-and-out witches -- potions witch Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), protection witch Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), and divination witch Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) -- sing a bewitching version of "The Ballad of the Witches' Road," which you can listen to on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other digital platforms.

The original song is written by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez ("Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen and "Remember Me" from Pixar's Coco), the composers of the viral, Grammy-nominated and Emmy-winning "Agatha All Along" song from WandaVision.

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road" is an "ancient, powerful, witchy hymn," the duo told Marvel.com of the song that premiered at D23 in August. "It was even more fun to record with the inimitable Kathryn Hahn, Patti Lu-freaking-Pone and the rest of this incredible coven. We challenged them with some pretty complex vocal writing, and everyone rose to the occasion and slayed."

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)," "The Ballad of the Witches' Road (True Crime Version)," and "Agatha's Theme" are all included on Music From Agatha All Along, the official soundtrack album featuring music written and composed by Christophe Beck (Frozen, Hawkeye, and WandaVision) and Michael Paraskevas (Unspoken and Hawkeye).

A 1-LP Music From Agatha All Along vinyl album goes on sale Nov. 1st and is available for pre-order at Disney Music Emporium.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is coming next year and some new comments from a Marvel Studios executive should make some fans really excited about the future of the franchise. Asad Ayaz is the chief brand officer for all of Disney now and he joined Fast Company to discuss their whirlwind 2024 projects. During this conversation, the executive looked ahead to 2025 and heralded an accessible slate featuring Captain America: Brave New World, Fantastic Four's MCU debut and Thunderbolts*. Each one of these has a distinct flavor for the MCU. And, excitingly for some viewers, there's very minimal preparation to get into the stories and connect with the characters.

"If you've seen our first trailer, it's a very grounded political thriller. It couldn't be more different [to Deadpool] in every way. When you see our work for Fantastic Four or Thunderbolts, they're going to feel very unique," Ayaz explained. "And while, yes, there is a connection between these characters in the same universe, it is creatively very unique, and feels like you could come into any one of these movies."

Thunderbolts* is still shrouded in mystery and all we know about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it's a period piece. (In fact, Marvel's First Family could originate in another universe entirely.) So, the barrier to entry is very low. You could pretty easily imagine someone walking into Thunderbolts* because Florence Pugh is doing cool stunts and they like David Harbour from Stranger Things. The same might be true for a Fantastic Four viewer as they might remember the 2000s movies and be intrigued by the retro vibes from a trailer. There's also the goodwill from Deadpool & Wolverine in a lot of Marvel fans' minds as well.

Marvel Studios Pulls Back & Reloading After 2023

In the year leading up to 2020, Marvel Studios had marching orders to produce a bunch of content to help Disney+ launch. While a lot of fans enjoyed having a new MCU show to obsess over every other month. Some viewers felt like it was too much too fast. (Although a lot of that pushback can be understood as a reaction to other outside factors that are not as easy to get online and marshall anger at.) So, now, the studio has pulled back a bit. There are less movies coming out and less shows. (But, there are still a bunch of excellent animated programs on the horizon.) ComicBook's Phase Zero asked Marvel TV executive Brad Winderbaum about the much-ballyhooed pivot. He says that the extra time is already paying dividends.

"I mean, frankly, in all honesty, there was a mandate to kind of create as much as we could for Disney+ as quickly as we could," Winderbaum told us during the Phase Zero podcast. "And then there was a shift. And all of a sudden, we have to start spreading our release dates out. So, that really accounts for a lot of the delays.

"Now, we're using that time. We're not sitting idle. So, it's like it stays in the oven. You can bake certain things a little more," he added. "It's actually, I think, ultimately, it's only going to make things better. But, most of it is just frankly shrapnel from the business."

It's a moment of frank honesty from someone entrenched in the MCU's braintrust. But, it's also a sign that they think the new approach is already doing good things for the brand. If you look at the recent releases, there hasn't really been anything the audience vehemently disagreed with since Loki Season 2. X-Men '97 drew universal acclaim, Echo surprised the fans who gave the series a chance, Deadpool & Wolverine proved to be absolutely massive at the box office in their only 2024 outing. So, there's a lot of positive momentum behind the MCU right now. Agatha All Along just got rolling and should get a bump as Halloween stretches closer and closer.

Do you like that the movies are being billed as more standalone now? Did you want more connection? Check out all the pop culture discussion at @ComicBook!

Eight more actors are going into the Spider-Verse. MGM+ and Prime Video's Spider-Noir series -- which stars Nicolas Cage as a version of the hard-boiled Spider-Man he voiced in 2018's Oscar-winning animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse -- has added Lukas Haas (Inception), Cameron Britton (Mindhunter), Cary Christopher (Days of Our Lives), Michael Kostroff (Luke Cage), Scott MacArthur (The Righteous Gemstones), Joe Massingill (Barry), Whitney Rice (Jury Duty), and Amanda Schull (Suits) in recurring roles. Deadline first reported the news.

Noir tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city's one and only superhero. Lamorne Morris (New Girl) will play Robbie Robertson opposite Cage and a cast that includes series regulars Abraham Popoola (The Marvels), Li Jun Li (Evil), and Brendan Gleeson (Joker: Folie ? Deux) in undisclosed roles.

In the comics, Spider-Man Noir is the Peter Parker of Earth-90214, a gun-toting, gang-busting investigative reporter turned black-clad vigilante who fights organized crime and corruption as The Spider-Man. The four-issue Spider-Man Noir by writers David Hine (Daredevil: Redemption) and Fabrice Sapolsky (Image's One-Hit Wonder) and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico (All-New X-Factor) pit The Spider-Man against mob boss Norman "The Goblin" Osborn and his gang, which included the Enforcers -- Fancy Dan, Ox, and Montana -- and the Goblin's carnie cronies Kraven (a former animal trainer), the Vulture (an animalistic freak show cannibal), and the Chameleon (a master of disguise).

The 2009-2010 sequel series, Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without a Face, similarly reimagined the masked Crime Master as a human trafficker of abducted African Americans, the granite-skinned Sandman as a mob enforcer, Felicia Hardy as the femme fatale owner of The Black Cat speakeasy, and Dr. Otto Octavius as a biologist who conducted human experiments funded by Nazi Germany.

Emmy Award-winning director Harry Bradbeer (Fleabag, Killing Eve) is directing the live-action adaptation and will executive produce the first two episodes. Oren Uziel (The Lost City, 22 Jump Street) and Steve Lightfoot (Marvel's The Punisher, Shantaram), who serve as co-showrunners and executive producers, developed the series with the Academy Award-winning team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal, who will also serve as executive producers. Spider-Noir will debut domestically on MGM+'s linear channel, then globally on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories in 2025.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to Deadpool figures that are inspired by the monster hit Deadpool & Wolverine, but only one of them comes with a Dogpool figure. For that reason, we think the choice is clear. The One:12 Collective Deadpool figure from Mezco Toyz has launched, and it looks fantastic. In addition to Dogpool, the figure comes with tons of accessories like swappable magnet eyes, tons of swappable hands, an "I like me" coffee cup, swords, knives, and more.

Pre-orders for the Deadpool & Wolverine One:12 Collective Deadpool figure are available here at Entertainment Earth priced at $100 with free US shipping. The image above teases that a Wolverine figure is on the way, so stay tuned for that. A full breakdown of the accessories on the Deadpool figure follow. If you're still not sold on it, details about the recent S.H. Figurarts Deadpool and Wolverine figures are also available below.

Deadpool One:12 Collective Features:

• One:12 Collective body with over 30 points of articulation
• Hand painted authentic detailing
• Approximately 17cm tall
• One (1) head portrait
• Four (4) pairs of interchangeable magnet eyes
• Fifteen (15) interchangeable hands
  • One (1) pair of fists (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of posing hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of relaxed hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of trigger hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of holding hands (L&R)
  • One (1) pair of push dagger hands (L&R)
  • One (1) holding hand (R)
  • One (1) thumbs up hand (R)
  • One (1) pointing hand (R)

Costume:

• Bodysuit
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Accessories:

• Two (2) katana swords (fit into katana sheaths)
• Three (3) throwing knives (fit into boot sheaths)
• Four (4) handheld weapons with interchangeable parts
• Four (4) weapon FXs
• One (1) mug
• One (1) Dogpool
• One (1) One:12 Collective display base with logo
• One (1) One:12 Collective adjustable display post

As noted, you have additional choices when it comes to Deadpool figures inspired by Deadpool & Wolverine, and that includes Marvel Legends figures and these S.H. Figuarts figures from Tamashii Nations. Naturally, they come with loads of accessories including swappable parts, weapons, Headpool, and more. You can get your pre-orders in via the links below.

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Agatha All Along's season premiere has an extended parody of Mare of Easttown and it might catch some viewers off-guard. Kathryn Hahn's Marvel character starts out believing she's Detective Agnes O'Connor instead of the delightful witch we grew to love during WandaVision. For fans who might be unaware, Mare of Easttown is a true crime procedural that ran near the same time as WandaVision. There's a Jane Doe that Hahn's detective is trying to identify and she's working a very funny exaggerated regional accent as she tries to get to the bottom of all this. (David Payton returns as 'Detective' Herb from WandaVision along with a bunch of the other townspeople!)

If this all wasn't literal enough, when we see the title card for this episode it's themed exactly like Mare of Easttown as well. Everything down to the font they use to spell 'Agnes of Westview' is set to drill home the idea of this True Crime Universe that Agatha has devised for herself. Aubrey Plaza's Rio Vidal asks her rival, "Is this really how you see yourself?" The cop show facade is meant to show Agatha Harkness as closed off from the rest of the world. We discover near the tail end of the episode that she's been running around for 3 years as everyone's eccentric neighbor. Recently though, she's gotten even more strange as Joe Locke's "Teen" has tried to break her out of Wanda Maximoff's reality spell from the end of WandaVision.

As the episode continues, viewers are probably expecting some more TV homages with changing eras like Elizabeth Olsen's massive Marvel show. But, Rio Vidal convinces Agatha to claw her way out of the hex and become the witch she was before. Of course, this leads to a treasure trove of WandaVision references for the fans watching at home. Kathryn Hahn costume changes are there in spades with 80s Agatha and her black and white look being standouts. Eventually we have to leave Westview's morgue and her life as a detective behind. Also, the significance of that mysterious dead woman with red hair that couldn't possibly be the Scarlet Witch, could it? Agatha All Along is off to a pretty wild start.

Agatha's Showrunner Talks Mare Of Easttown

Jac Schaeffer is the mind behind WandaVision and Agatha All Along. The Marvel creative also happens to be friends with the showrunner and writer of Mare of Easttown as well. Noticing the pronounced references to the Max drama, ComicBook had to ask if the similarities were intentional. It seems as though Schaeffer was pleased that someone noticed all of these breadcrumbs. She's well-aware that the awards season race back in the WandaVision era was between these two shows. (Fun fact: Evan Peters is associated with both and actually won an Emmy in 2021 for Mare of Easttown!) So, clearly there's a lot of affection in the parody, even if Schaeffer had to play coy to start.

"Sorry. What? Yeah, sorry, we broke up there for a second, even though we're in person," Schaeffer smirked when we pointed out the references to the HBO drama. "Truthfully, we were on that awards journey with that team. I'm very friendly with the showrunner of that show, the creator of that show, and the idea of doing a true crime procedural episode predates Mare of Easttown."

"But it certainly put a finer point on my idea and felt it had that sort of cheekiness that Agatha has. Just sort of be like, 'Oh, we were maybe in competition with this thing, and so maybe we'll do this thing over here,'" Schaeffer added. "You're the only one, you're the only one who saw that."

"But it is entirely out of respect," Schaeffer clarified. "And Evan Peters is in Mare of Easttown, and I adore him. I think he's a tremendous talent. So I love that show and everything in WandaVision and in Agatha All Along, whatever illusions, whatever pop culture pieces we're bringing in, it's out of love. So that's what we were doing there."

Thanks to the two-episode premiere of Agatha All Along, we have an idea of another Young Avenger destined to make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. Kathryn Hahn steals the show in Agatha All Along, but the streaming series doesn't really get moving until Joe Locke's unnamed Teen helps her recruit a coven to head down the Witches' Road. The Teen is an Agatha Superfan, so he's pretty excited to work with his idol. Many fans are already speculating that Teen is an older Billy, Wanda Maximoff's son in WandaVision and future Young Avenger Wiccan. But what Agatha All Along fans may not have expected was the setup for one of Wiccan's teammates on the Young Avengers.

Warning: Spoilers for Agatha All Along beyond this point!

In Agatha All Along's Episode 2, titled "Circle Sewn With Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate," Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) and Teen (Joe Locke) drive around Westview to recruit a handful of witches to join their coven so they can journey down the Witches' Road. Before they head to the first location, Teen gets a call on his cellphone from someone labeled "Boyf" with Blackhand's "On My Mind" playing as the ringtone. The camera pans down to show this individual, who is another young teen with light brown skin and black curly hair. Teen declines the call and tells Agatha, "Sorry. He worries." Then the two get back to their regular conversation.

While this scene appears to be mundane, it likely has more importance than audiences realize. If Agatha All Along's Teen really is Billy Kaplan, aka Wiccan, then the boyfriend that's worried about him could be Teddy Altman, aka the Young Avenger Hulkling.

Who is Hulkling?

Hulkling debuted alongside Wiccan, Iron Lad, Patriot, and Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) in 2005's Young Avengers #1. The book took place after "Avengers: Disassembled," with Earth's Mightiest Heroes no longer a team. Each of the Young Avengers mirrored one of the Avengers icon, with Hulkling being the stand-in for Hulk. However, Hulkling's true origin is that he's the child of the Skrull princess Anelle and the Kree warrior Captain Mar-Vell, making Hulkling part-Skrull and part-Kree. The Skrull side of his biology is what allows Hulkling to shape-shift.

Wiccan and Hulkling enter into a relationship during their time on the Young Avengers, with the couple being one of the more open gay relationships in the Marvel Universe. The Empyre event featured Hulkling finally accepting his role as the prophesized leader of both the Skrull and Kree, with the event concluding with Hulkling taking on the role of Emperor Dorrek-Vell, as well as the long-awaited marriage between Hulkling and Wiccan.

Is Agatha All Along setting up the Young Avengers?

If Agatha All Along is dropping clues to the Young Avengers, it would join a list of Marvel shows on Disney+ and feature films that have sprinkled the MCU with these characters. WandaVision introduced fans to the twin siblings Billy (Wiccan) and Tommy (Speed); Eli Bradley (Patriot) appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier; Loki included Kid Loki; America Chavez was in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness; Kate Bishop fought alongside Clint Barton in Hawkeye; Ant-Man's daughter Cassie Lang (Stature/Stinger) was in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and now we have Teddy (Hulkling) possibly in Agatha All Along.

The mid-credits scene in The Marvels also continued the MCU's Young Avengers setup. The scene saw Ms. Marvel head to New York to recruit Kate Bishop, telling the young Hawkeye that she was putting a team together, similar to Nick Fury's cameo in the first Iron Man movie. Ms. Marvel also referenced Cassie Lang when speaking to Kate Bishop.

While Ms. Marvel has not been on an official Young Avengers team in the comics, she would make for an easy inclusion in the MCU. Also, they way they have Ms. Marvel doing the recruiting, she could possibly even be their leader. Ms. Marvel led a similar team in the comics when she was joined by Miles Morales and Nova (Sam Alexander). Calling themselves Champions, the team had an expansive roster of young Marvel heroes that included Ironheart, Brawn (Amadeus Cho), Power Man, Patriot, Falcon (Joaquin Torres from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World), and Vision's daughter Viv.

While there isn't an ongoing Young Avengers comic being published by Marvel, the company did announced a New Champions series featuring an all-new cast of young teen heroes.

The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now streaming on Disney+.

Agatha All Along is finally here, bringing the MCU not only back to Westview but taking viewers deeper than ever into Marvel's magic side with the eagerly anticipated series not only bringing back Kathryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness, but also introducing a host of new characters as well as the rag tag coven Agatha forms heads down the Witches' Road. But while some of the witches that Agatha has assembled may be familiar to comics readers, there is one that stands out as not only a fan-favorite, but one that has the potential to have some interesting connections to the larger MCU: Jennifer Kale.

Warning: Spoilers for Agatha All Along beyond this point!

In the second episode of Agatha All Along, fans are introduced to Jennifer Kale, played by Sasheer Zamata. In the series, Jennifer is the owner of a beauty and lifestyle brand and is also revealed to be a witch who was bound -- meaning that she no longer has access to her magic. For Agatha's purposes in her coven, she's the "potions witch" and has extensive knowledge of herbs and compounds that make what is, for many witches, a powerful tool in their arsenal. She's also very fashionable and it's clear right away she isn't going to take much of Agatha's manipulations, though she ends up joining the coven to walk the Witches' Road in the hope of getting her own power back.

Jennifer Kale, By the (Comic) Book

In comics, Jennifer is a bit different. Firmly rooted in Marvel horror, created by Steve Gerber and Rich Buckler Jennifer first appeared in Adventure Into Fear #11 in December 1972. Jennifer is a sorceress and part of the Cult of Zhered-Na and, at various points in her history has been part of the Legion of Night, The Command, and the Midnight Sons. In the comics, Jennifer has been an ally of Man-Thing, having developed a psychic link with him after Man-Thing saved her from a demon and the pair even went on numerous adventures that saw them face off with demons.

In comics, Jennifer has also notably had some interesting team ups, including a team up with Man-Thing, Doctor Strange, and even Spider-Man. She even ended up in Weirdworld at one point and in a relationship with Deadpool. Jennifer also happens to be cousins with both Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, aka the first two Ghost Riders.

What Does This Mean For the MCU?

Now, if you've been keeping track, Jennifer has comic connections to a few of characters who already have a presence in the MCU -- notably Man-Thing, who we last saw in Werewolf by Night, and Doctor Strange. With the character finally making her own MCU debut in Agatha All Along, which itself is expanding Marvel's magic and horror corner of things, this could open the door for larger connections when it comes to Marvel's mystical side -- and it could be the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to bringing the Midnight Sons fully into play. Both Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing are members of Midnight Sons in the comics, and we've already noted Jennifer's connection to Man-Thing, and her connection to two Ghost Riders, who have also been part of the Midnight Sons. If Agatha All Along does finally give fans the Mephisto of it all that they theorized endlessly over during WandaVision, Jennifer's canonical ties to various mystical members of the fan-favorite team who has notably dealt with Mephisto as a foe serves as a perfect bridge.

Agatha All Along is now streaming on Disney+.

Something wicked this way comes on Agatha All Along. Wednesday's two-episode premiere -- titled "Seekest Thou the Road" and "Circle Sewn with Fate Unlock Thy Hidden Gate" -- saw the return of the centuries-old witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), who we last saw under a Scarlet Witch-imposed spell in 2021's WandaVision series finale. Now powerless and coven-less, Agatha is accompanied by a mysterious teen (Joe Locke) and a motley crew of local witches as they journey down The Witches' Road to regain their powers.

Agatha's coven includes the apothecary witch Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), protector witch Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), the divination witch Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), and the Green Witch Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), with Agatha's bewitched Westview neighbor Mrs. Hart (Debra Jo Rupp) bringing their number to seven. As the incantation goes: "The path is wild and wicked, winding through the wood. Where all that's wrong is right, and all that's bad is good. Through many miles of tricks and trials, we'll wander high and low. Follow me, my friends, to glory at the end."

Enter: Salem's Seven!

Those trials include the seven hooded figures after Agatha: Salem's Seven. Press materials identify actress Okwui Okpokwasili (The Exorcist: Believer) as their leader, Vertigo, who in the comics is the half-sibling of the magically-mutated Brutacus, Gazelle, Hydron, Reptilla, Thornn, and Vakume. The Seven are the seven children of Agatha's son, the sorcerer Nicholas Scratch, and are residents of New Salem, Colorado, a secret community of witches that Agatha founded in the 17th century.

Centuries later, after Agatha took residence in Whisper Hill in upstate New York as the nanny of the young mutant Franklin Richards, Scratch abducted his mother and put her on trial for allegedly revealing New Salem's existence to the mortal world. Scratch sentenced Agatha to death, but Franklin's kidnapping brought the Fantastic Four to New Salem, where they fought the Seven to a standstill and rescued "auntie" Agatha. The hooded witches and wizards of New Salem then banished Scratch to the Dark Realm.

Let us join our powers together -- and together we shall destroy the witch named Agatha Harkness!

Years later, when the Four returned with Agatha to New Salem in 1979's Fantastic Four Annual #14, Salem's Seven put the New Salemites in a trance and attempted to sacrifice the Four and restore their master's spirit to their realm. With Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing incapacitated by Scratch's mind control spell, Agatha freed the Four, withdrew the Seven's powers, and sent them back to New Salem.

Salem's Seven returned once more in 1985's The Vision and the Scarlet Witch #3 -- one of the comics that influenced WandaVision -- and by this time Vertigo had become priestess of the Salem's Seven coven, as willed by all 666 New Salemites. The Seven burned Agatha at the stake, and the witch cursed all of New Salem as she died. When Wanda Maximoff and the Vision came across the village of New Salem, Vertigo invited the Scarlet Witch to join the coven of Salem's Seven.

Vertigo, as Agatha's eldest granddaughter and queen of the New Salem witches, led the Seven in their attempt to sacrifice the Scarlet Witch to a winter god. Agatha appeared as a spirit and helped her prot?g? channel and contain Magick energies that killed the Seven, who then pulled Wanda into the dead realm of the demon Samhain, the embodiment of All Hallows, on Halloween night.

The slain Seven revealed that Wanda's unborn child was the key to returning to life, so the ghostly Agatha transferred Samhain's dark forces into the undead Seven, keeping him forever fragmented in their corpses. Agatha would then continue to mentor Wanda as her spirit guide, eventually joining her on her own trek down the Witches Road -- a journey that ended with Wanda's mother, the Scarlet Witch before her, saving the goddess Witchcraft and restoring Agatha to life.

New episodes of Marvel's Agatha All Along premiere Wednesdays on Disney+.

Agatha All Along brings back a ton of familiar faces from WandaVision in the first episode of the MCU series. Back in 2021, Marvel fans fell in love with the citizens of Westview and they were left pretty traumatized by the ordeal of living under Wanda's hex. Agatha Harkness is trapped in another spell at the end of WandaVision and thinks she's living in a police procedural called Agnes of Westview. A mysterious woman has been found dead in their town and it's up to Detective Agnes O'Connor to solve the mystery. Giving her the facts of this investigation is David Payton's Herb. Over the course of Episode 1, a bunch of these WandaVision cameos unfold and show off what Agatha thinks each of them would be doing in her cop show reality.

Of course, Aubrey Plaza's Rio Vidal enters the scene and convinces the Westview witch to break out of the prison that Wanda left her in. The last episode of WandaVision established that Agatha would keep living her TV life as punishment for messing with the Scarlet Witch. Now, outside of that outdated Hex, she's going to have to get her powers back and face down Rio and any other threats that might want to collect on old debts. If this is all we get to see of the returning Westview citizens, it was nice to see them breeze through for the first bit of Agatha's journey. Here's how pops up:

Herb - David Payton

From the very first moments of Agatha All Along Episode 1, fans are greeted by Herb's read of the murder mystery that powers this episode. It's really funny to see David Payton commit to the character and all the regional eccentricity that Hahn brings to Detective Agnes. The actor also plays a measure of double duty as John Collins, the real identity of Herb from WandaVision. Remember, their names were basically imagined by Wanda during their last MCU appearance. Everyone is carrying some trauma about that ordeal.

Ms. Hart - Debra Jo Rupp

After a while, viewers might have been wondering if they were even going to see the sitcom favorite grace this first episode. Then, she comes speeding in with a car to accidentally help Agnes apprehend Joe Locke's nosy "Teen." From the marketing surrounding Agatha All Along, we know that Sharon has a bigger role to play as Kathryn Hahn's witch conspirator to travel The Witches' Road.

Phil - David Lengel

Phil is the somewhat bumbling police chief in Westview. He's tasked with keeping Agnes in check as her work threatens to consume her. That line delivery is still great and Dottie's comments chastising Harold at the end of the episode will make you laugh out loud. A delightful return for sure.

Dottie - Emma Caulfield Ford

Oh, we can't have a WandaVision reunion without having the iconic actress back. As Agatha is trying to crack the case of this Jane Doe she has to head to the Westview Library.It seems as though in every reality she has a light rivalry with Kathryn Hahn's character. They're banter back and forth is a quick highlight for fans that miss the caustic nature of Dottie's character from WandaVision. As we mentioned before, her chastising Phil is hysterical.

Norm - Asif Ali

Yes, Norm is back! But, this time he owns the pawn shop in Westview. When Agatha discovers a locket that looks real familiar, she goes to Norm to get his read on it. When the pawn shop owner tells her its ancient and contains a lock of hair, she stashes that information for later. Ali also cameos near the end for a funny jogging visual gag.

Other Honorable Mentions

Shout out to Amos Glick as the mailman here after his appearance in Westview last time. Ditto for Brian Brightman as a sheriff of the rival town. We might be in for some more returns. Senor Scratchy would probably also fit down in this section too. We'll also have to keep an eye on that mystery woman if we do get a Wanda Maximoff resurrection at the end of this series...

Did you love seeing Westview again? Check out all the pop culture conversations at @ComicBook!

The two-episode premiere of Agatha All Along kicked off on Wednesday night, ushering in the latest television series set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Centered around the continuing adventures of Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), the show not only sets to follow up on her franchise debut in 2021's WandaVision Disney+ series, but offer connections to other projects in the saga. As the first two episodes revealed, that includes continuing some major narrative threads of 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Spoilers for the first two episodes of Agatha All Along below! Only look if you want to know!

The first episode of Agatha All Along opens with a new television homage, as Agatha and the citizens of Westview are kept in a Mare of Easttown-esque cop drama. As a hard-boiled cop still under the pseudonym of "Agnes", Agatha investigates the mysterious murder of a Jane Doe, who was believed to have been crushed to death. Agnes begins to spiral about this woman and her murder, as well as a mysterious book that she checked out from the Westview library, the title of which abbreviates to the word "Darkhold." Agnes is then pushed by fellow cop Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) to recognize the truth -- the Jane Doe is Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). From that point onward, Agatha realizes that Wanda was responsible for the speel she has been placed under for several years. The other citizens of Westview, who have been freed of the hex since the finale of WandaVision, were trying to humor Agatha in her Mare of Easttown-themed delusion.

This is all not only a continuation of the events of WandaVision, but a follow-up of sorts to Multiverse of Madness -- and more specifically, the mystical side effects of Wanda's apparent death. Multiverse of Madness culminated with Wanda harnessing the Darkhold at Wundagore Mountain, and appearing to have been crushed underneath it in the final battle. While the jury is still out on whether or not that death will actually stick, it serves as a sort of inciting incident for Agatha's journey down the Witches' Road.

What Is Agatha All Along About?

In Agatha All Along, the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches' Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they're missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road...

In addition to Kathryn Hahn, Agatha All Along stars Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Okwui Okpokwasili, with Debra Jo Rupp, with Patti LuPone, and Aubrey Plaza. The executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Mary Livanos and Jac Schaeffer. The directors for the series include Jac Schaeffer, Rachel Goldberg and Gandja Montiero.

The grander world of Marvel witches are coming to the MCU in a big way with the arrival of Agatha All Along on Disney+. The sequel series to WandaVision is diving deep into the supernatural lore surrounding Agatha Harkness, introducing elements like the Witches Road to the franchise. The series premiere, which is now available on Disney+, also seems to be teeing up the potential for a very particular Marvel character to join the fray, one that has important ties to Agatha. WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Agatha All Along! Continue reading at your own risk...

In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment late in the first episode of Agatha All Along, the series teases the introduction of a deeper cut Marvel character named Nicholas Scratch. When the Teen is going through Agatha's house in Westview, a trophy can be spotted on the shelf of what looks like a kid's room. Nicholas Scratch's name is on the trophy, and it'll be up to Marvel fans to theorize what that says about Agatha's story in the MCU.

Who Is Nicholas Scratch?

If you're not aware, Nicholas Scratch is the name of Agatha Harkness' son in the pages of Marvel Comics. That son also grows up to be something of a rival to Agatha, after she leaves the secret New Salem community and he grows up to become its leader.

The trophy alone is a big hint about Scratch's existence in Agatha All Along and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the grander story of the series also seems to pointing at his existence.

Agatha is warned that a powerful group is coming after her and plan to kill her, but no details about that group are given to the viewers in those first two episodes. At the end of Episode 2, we see what appear to be the Salem Seven coming to Westview to take Agatha.

So what's that have to do with Scratch? Well, in the comics, he turns the residents of New Salem against Agatha after she leaves the community. A group of witches from New Salem go out and abduct Agatha, so she can be brought back to the secret town to stand trial.

The MCU could be tying that story into Agatha's journey in the MCU. Perhaps Nicholas is the one leading the charge to find Agatha and take her down. It's clear that a lot of witches want to see Agatha burn, and this could help provide a backstory for that hatred.

Then again, seeing as this is the Marvel Cinematic Universe we're talking about, it also could be nothing more than Nicholas Scratch's name etched into a trophy, a fun Easter egg to reward eagle-eyed fans. We'll find out at some point over the next eight weeks, won't we?

Agatha All Along's first episode is already teasing MCU fans about Scarlet Witch's fate. Kathryn Hahn returned to Disney+ as Agatha Harkness and the series wastes little time discussing the idea of Wanda's status. Warning! Spoilers for the first episode of Agatha All Along beyond this point! Upon visiting the crime site as Detective Agnes O'Connor, the witch shares some meta banter with her fellow officer Herb. (David Payton is back from WandaVision alongside a host of other familiar faces!) They talk about the "apparently" dead young woman who was "crushed by a really big rock." Agnes and Herb might as well be looking directly into the camera and saying "yes, we know who you think this is." Agatha All Along's first episode plays like a riff on the WandaVision TV format gimmick. And, with that gimmick could come the return of the popular Marvel character.

This episode of Agatha All Along isn't done teasing the Wanda reveals though. The camera takes every effort to cover Jane Doe's face as she's laying on the ground. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness fans will also note she's dressed a lot like the 838 version of Wanda Maximoff we met in that film too. When Agnes can't stop the feeling of dread surrounding this "missing persons" case, she heads to the morgue. The library records card she's found at the scene of the crime reveals the name "W. Maximoff" as the last person to check out whatever's been missing from that library. (Judging from the flaming hole where that book was supposed to go in the Westview library, it's probably the Darkhold right?) As Rio Vidal compels Agatha to remember who she is, we see she checked out the evil tome as well. This all follows from how things happened in WandaVision.

So, the constant teasing of a Scarlet Witch return will continue until morale improves. With a familiar setting, the presence of multiple WandaVision cast members and a core mystery surrounding the Darkhold again, the only thing we're missing is Elizabeth Olsen's witch herself. With all these nods already, you have to imagine that there will be more. All of this doesn't even factor in Joe Locke's apparent inability to share his name with Agatha in the trailers for the show. (Speaking of which, why is there a M written on his face in cursive? Could it be the popular fan theory around Mephisto is also making a comeback from WandaVision?) We'll all have to tune-in over the next few weeks to figure it out.

How Would Scarlet Witch Return?

The Witches' Road is the easiest answer here. Joe Locke and Kathryn Hahn have been mum about any possible appearances from Elizabeth Olsen in Agatha All Along. Despite Scarlet Witch's apparent death in the last Doctor Strange movie, things can get really wild with magic. In the lore of this Marvel universe, The Witches' Road gives anyone that manages to survive its trials their greatest desire. If you polled a lot of MCU fans right now, their biggest wish list item is getting Wanda back in some capacity. Maybe that's the prize waiting at the end of Agatha All Along for all of us?

This week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Wanda Maximoff actress revealed that she would be open to come back to the MCU. The audience laughed at the interaction between these two as she made light of a "red light of explosive energy" that did her character in during Doctosr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Olsen has never been shy about speaking her mind when it comes to Marvel Studios or the fans. She's also very aware of how much people love Wanda, especially after WandaVision ended up connecting with everyone. The fan clamoring has been there for multiple years at this point. All Marvel would have to do is announce a solo project and the celebration on the Internet would rage for a week.

Olsen told the host, "I think I'm dead. I would beg to leave a window open [to return] ... I would like to figure out how to cleverly [be] beyond dead. We need to find the smartest writers to figure out how to make this all make sense." So, maybe The start to that very smart solution begins with Agatha All Along. However, the question of what to do when she comes back still remains firmly in the heads of all the fans out there too. It may be the first impression but the newest Disney Plus show seems to be paving the way for something big.

What do you make of the Wanda reveals in Episode 1? Check out all the social media conversation on @ComicBook!

Back in 2021, Marvel took fans on a strange new journey when it brought the Marvel Cinematic Universe from the big screen to the small with the debut of WandaVision and, in doing so, opened up not only a whole new way of telling its stories of heroes and villains, but went even deeper into the magical, mystical pockets of its universe. In the acclaimed spinoff, Wanda Maximoff, gripped by grief, imprisoned the people of Westview in her spell, transformed fully into the Scarlet Witch, and faced off with a character who has since become a much loved icon to fans: Agatha Harkness. Now, three years later, Marvel is taking fans back to Westview for Agatha's story, this time letting the fan-favorite witch with questionable intentions take center stage as she heads off on the Witches' Road, but while Agatha All Along is a fitting and satisfying spinoff of WandaVision and a follow-up to the story that was born out of one witch's grief, make no mistake: Agatha All Along is a unique, quirky, often funny, and genuinely engaging entity of its own with surprisingly strong comics touches and a cinematic quality that elevates the whole experience to some of the best of what the MCU has to offer.

The series picks up with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) escaping the spell she was placed under by Wanda Maximoff at the end of WandaVision and, with the help of a goth Teen (Joe Locke), is encouraged to head down the legendary Witches' Road to regain her magic powers. Agatha ends up assembling a new coven of witches -- comprised of Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Mrs. Hart/Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp), and Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) -- each of whom have their own reasons for wanting to head down that dangerous road that will test them in every way imaginable.

While ComicBook was only provided four of the nine total episodes for Agatha All Along to review, what emerges quickly in those four episodes is that the series is taking the best parts of WandaVision -- namely the use of genre as a framework for its episodes -- and elevating it. Straight out of the gate, Agatha All Along leans into parodying genre television to draw viewers into the story, setting the first episode up as a murder mystery of sorts that, in turn, unlocks the next chapter of Agatha's story. Each subsequent episode then has its own vibe that it taps into as the coven makes its way down the Road, with each change of setting informing a bit more about each character and their motivations.

It's that visual layering that strengthens the actual storytelling being done with the writing, but it also serves to support the outstanding performances as well. Each of the main cast performances in Agatha All Along, even in just the first four episodes, is incredibly strong. Hahn is, unsurprisingly, a standout, but Locke's optimistic and determined Teen makes for an incredible foil of sorts for Agatha and watching the two actors -- and their characters -- play off of one another is not only a delight, it narratively creates a depth that really cracks open more about who Agatha Harkness really is as opposed to what her legend is. LuPone, already a legend, is delightfully kooky as the flighty Lilia, but her performance can turn on a dime to go dark and even go heartwrenching as the story calls for it. Both Ahn and Zamata bring quite a bit to the table as well, though it's Plaza's Rio that might just steal every scene she's in -- particularly in a moment when she lets her guard down just a little.

Aesthetically, Agatha All Along may be one of the best-looking Marvel television projects to date. The sets of the series lean into elements of various pop culture witches and representations of witches -- which mirrors some of the in-dialogue references as well -- yet it also very much brings the comics Witches' Road to life. The series looks like something on the pages of a comic book somehow appeared in reality, complete with that unsettling sense of real but not. You know while watching it that this is something out of fantasy, but the stakes feel real, so much so that you might start wondering if certain songs will unlock a portal to a secret road in your own home, too. Couple that with some deep-cut references from comics and you have a recipe for something that Marvel fans will eagerly jump into while those perhaps less familiar will want to know more about.

In the first four episodes of Agatha All Along, most everything works together very well, though there are some slight missteps, if you could even call it that. The first episode is a bit slow in terms of pacing and, at times, the obvious parody feels just slightly overdone. The series doesn't fully hit its stride until about halfway through the second episode in terms of balancing its tone and temperature. There is also a turn with a specific character in the third episode that doesn't quite feel like it has the stakes it should have. Outside of that, however, the series is fascinating and makes it clear that this is not just a story about gaining or regaining power. It's also about facing oneself. If WandaVision was about grief, Agatha All Along is also about grief, but more specifically about loss and what the journey back looks like -- and in this case, it's full of twists, turns, and a whole lot of magic.

Rating: 4 out of 5

New episodes of Agatha All Along debut Wednesdays on Disney+.

While one Marvel hero has joined the roster of Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes say goodbye to a member who was there when the team was founded. The Avengers are rebounding after the Blood Hunt event changed the landscape of the Marvel Universe. Doctor Doom is now the Sorcerer Supreme, vampires are no longer effected by sunlight, and Miles Morales is now a permanent creature of the night. With everything in disarray, the Avengers have looked to fill out their roster with a new recruit, who is no stranger to being among Earth's Mightiest Heroes. But what we didn't know was that the addition of a hero would come with someone else stepping away from the team.

*WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Avengers #18. Continue reading at your own risk!

Avengers #18 comes from the creative team of Jed MacKay, Valerio Schiti, Bryan Valenza, and VC's Cory Petit. The Avengers are trying to come up with a plan to stop Hyperion, who is rocketing towards Earth with the intention of splitting it in half. Hyperion is reeling from having his world wiped from existence in the Heroes Reborn event series, and wants to take his frustrations out on our world. Captain America (Sam Wilson) had just asked Storm of the X-Men to join their team when they got alerted to Hyperion's actions.

Luckily, the Avengers are able to stop Hyperion and come up with a solution that saves not only his life, but the lives of everyone on Earth. Afterwards, Thor and Storm catch up inside the Impossible City, the new floating headquarters of the Avengers. Thor asks Storm if she has given more thought into her invitation to the team, and when she asks Thor for his thoughts on the matter, we learn the God of Thunder has an ulterior motive for wanting Storm to become an Avenger.

Why Storm replaces Thor on The Avengers

Thor wants Storm to join the Avengers because he plans on taking a leave of absence. Recent events in Immortal Thor have led the Thunder God to be falsely accused of murder, and it's starting to weigh heavily on him. Thor doesn't want the bad publicity that he's receiving to rub off on the Avengers, and he doesn't want his distractions to put his teammates in danger.

So in essence, the Avengers are replacing one God of Thunder with another. Storm is an omega-level mutant that can control the weather, putting her on par with Thor as far as power levels go. The Avengers won't be the same without Thor, but at least they can now count an X-Man amongst their ranks. The X-Men's battle with Orchis saw the Avengers entery the fray, and their alliance continues here. They will need all the help they can get, because the next issue of Avengers features a showdown with Doctor Doom.

Agatha All Along is finally here and Marvel's new coven of witches is making quite the impression. Daniel Selon was in charge of making the costumes for Kathryn Hahn's descent into spooky season. At Agatha All Along's fan premiere event, ComicBook had the chance to talk with the costume designer about his approach to each of these iconic witches. Selon previously worked on WandaVision as an assistant costume designer. So, he's been to Westview before. A couple of these characters are also making a fun return. But, a lot of these folks will be seen in the MCU for the first time. It's important to make a grand impression. Fans will notice that their costumes help inform who they are from the word go.

In order to travel The Witches Road, you have to bring a coven. So, Hahn's Marvel fan favorite must recruit some magic users from all kinds of different walks of life to complete this quest. Joining Agatha Harkness on The Witches' Road are Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal, Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu, Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Hart (but don't call her that!), Sasheer Zamata as Jennifer Kale, Ali Ahn as Alice Wu-Gulliver, and Joe Locke as "Teen." Let's dive right in with the legend herself Patti LuPone!

Lilia Calderu - Divination Worn On Her Sleeve

Ms. Calderu is one of the oldest witches living. So, she's seen some stuff. In this case, quite literally as her powers center around divination. Fans meet her in Episode 2 of the Disney+ series doing tarot readings and just scraping by. Selon wanted to pay tribute to her legacy, and the legendary actress playing the character, with her design. It's an heirloom vibe that commands respect among this crop of witches.

"We designed this with Lilia Calderu in mind. Thinking that she was one of the oldest witches," Selon said. "I really wanted her to have a garment that felt like it was from another time, something that maybe had been passed down to her from her elders who were also witches that had gifts of intuition and divination."

"And so I loved thinking that this garment was something that was a protective garment and had some of her story on it," he continued. "So, we created a deck of tarot cards and made art that then became the little embroidered vignettes that are all along the collar. We actually made our own cards! Because, everything has to be custom, everything has to be unique. You know, we have to serve Ms. LuPone. So, we created this concept of her."

"There was a duality to her experience. She's both present and she's also absent," Selon elaborated. "There was this two headed tortoise. A sort of epically old creature that is sort of a new version of the snake eating its own tail, right? And here you have this women above and below passing the knowledge of water, sort of passing concept, passing history to each other through these vases and they are pouring into each other."

Jennifer Kale - Potions Master & Keeper Of Woo

"Jennifer Kale is a potions witch and she's a modern girl. She's living in the, the sort of "Goop-space," if you will. And, we wanted to have something that felt very feminine, very pretty. You know, there's something aspirational about her. You want to hate her, you want to be her," Selon joked. "We put all of the elements that she uses in potions and are also in her Kale Care product line. We made art and then we foiled it onto this fabric that we dyed. All the pieces of what she uses for potions and also her identity as a bound, which is here, literally bound on the fabric."

He added, "We wanted her to feel almost ill-prepared. She's a little prissy, you know? And, she just doesn't like to get dirty. But, she will, and she does. It pays off even more when you see this beautiful pink ensemble destroyed by mud."

Alice Wu-Gulliver - Blood Witch & Protections Expert

"She is a blood witch. She is the daughter of a famous witch rock goddess. We like to think of her early life of being a kid, sort of dragged on the road, of being a groupie. There's a little bit of rock and roll here," Selon mentioned of her past. "Also, she's a protection witch! In this instance, we wanted it to be that she was protecting herself. There is an armoring here in a lot of the shape language. I wanted the pants to feel sort of steely and like they were impenetrable."

"She has this quality to her that is a little off putting, she's a little rough, she's a little closed off. I took the color way from a poison dart frog in the Amazon," the designer revealed. "They have these bright colors that project to the rest of the animal kingdom like, 'Hey, don't eat me. I'm poisonous.' It also stems from her tortured family, generational trauma of like 'I am damaged goods.' So, we wanted that to be subtly, and sort of subconsciously, represented here in the costume."

Ms. Hart - Please Call Her Sharon

"It was so fun to revisit this character, with Debra Jo Rupp. She is the best. I could just eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with Debra Jo Rupp every day. It was important for us to understand that she has a green thumb," Selon mused. "She has this incredible garden, and that's where we first find her. She's probably showing her prize Begonias at the State Fair. We wanted that to be present here, that she really celebrates her flower identity. But, she's also got her apron on. She's actually doing the work, she's digging around in the garden."

Rio Vidal - THE Green Witch

"She is the green witch, and it was really important to draw from nature, to sort of bring about the inspiration for her costume. When you look closely, you'll actually see there's a lot of depth. We were looking for fabrics that were, you know, almost as thin as onion skin," Selon said pointing to the green layer. "So, you can see the layers of different foils and netting, and things that we put in layers to create the concept of a living garment. We hand dyed it. Every single thing is created by hand. Every color is controlled with hand dye and the entire garment is stitched by hand."

"Teen" - A Question Of Identity

"His entire existence is cloaked in a bit of mystery. That was important to support without giving things away. I would say that he is on a journey of identity, as is the audience. We're trying to figure out who this guy is. And at the same time, he's figuring out who he is," Selon specified. "So, it was important to create garments where I liked the back story. Maybe, he got into knitting, and he knitted his own sweater when he was starting to get into the occult. Then, he added the symbols and the runes. He's bored in school, so he's doodling on his jeans like teenagers too."

Agatha Harkness - The Star Of The Show

Selon began, "Well, it was really important to take the color story that we established in Wandavision and develop it. To take it a step further and bring her into the real world, because we needed to see her as an approachable human who's a member of society. We brought a lot of the details and the sort of magic is in the details of the tailoring."

"So, it's the kind of garment that you'll want to look very closely at the way it hangs, the way it drapes, and the way it moves when Kathryn wears it. There is magic, and some details inspired by the way that the collar and the lapel come together," the designer pointed out. "The way that the pleats in the back of the skirt all align and nest into each other like feathers, and actually created an entire language of runes that are on the inside of the coat. So, the entire lining tells a story. We created these talismans that are printed on the interior of her entire coat that tells her journey."

Do you love the costumes for Agatha? Check out all the pop culture conversation at @ComicBook!

Fortnite already welcomed yet another MCU skin to the game with Marvel's Iron Man making a reappearance recently, but in true Fortnite fashion, the Marvel skins aren't stopping there. According to a mix of leaks from insiders and some teasers from Epic Games, it looks like Fortnite will also soon add another Ghost Rider skin as well as more cosmetics tied to both Spider-Man and Venom. Epic Games has only teased one of these Marvel collaborations as of now, but the other ones can't be far behind since datamines have already confirmed that they're on the way.

Starting with Ghost Rider, Fortnite players may recall that the Marvel antihero is actually already in the battle royale game. He was added around four years ago and has since been converted into a LEGO version for LEGO Fortnite, too, so this next collab with him isn't about Ghost Rider himself. Rather, it's a crossover skin that combines a Fortnite fan-favorite -- Durrr Burger -- with Ghost Rider. The skins is aptly called "Ghost Ri-Durrr," and the full set associated with it has already leaked ahead of schedule.

NEW MARVEL x FORTNITE "Ghost Ri-Durrr" SKIN ?!! pic.twitter.com/y6iVbjKaLH

-- HYPEX (@HYPEX) September 18, 2024

Like many of the more high-profile collabs, the set depicted above comes not only with the headlining Ghost Ri-Durrr skin but also a weapon wrap, loading screen, pickaxe, and another cosmetic which is likely a back bling. Epic Games itself dropped a teaser for this skin alone via the Fortnite Twitter account, so based on how past skins and collabs have been released, it looks like this Ghost Rider crossover could be added to the game as soon as Wednesday night.

Beyond the new collab with Ghost Rider, there's evidence to support more Fortnite content related to both Spider-Man and Venom. Spider-Man has been added to Fortnite several times over now, and Venom has already made his Fortnite debut as well, but something was unearthed from the Fortnite files to suggest a renewal of the Spider-Man/Venom crossovers. It's not nearly as clean as the images that reveal what's coming with the Ghost Ri-Durrr skin set, but some assets were found that clearly show Venom and Spider-Man side by side as Venom's symbiotic nature threatens to take over Spider-Man.

NEW SPIDER-MAN & VENOM COLLABORATION COMING SOON

(via @Xgamer3607 & @SpushFNBR) pic.twitter.com/ohSlwVJP1y

-- Shiina (@ShiinaBR) September 17, 2024

What that'll look like in-game remains to be seen, but it's apparent something is in the works related to Spider-Man and Venom. We've already gotten a Symbiote Suit variant for Spider-Man, so it's unlikely that's what this asset is referencing, though that just leaves more opportunities for other Marvel options.

Fortnite players can look for the new Ghost Rider-themed set to drop as early as tonight with more Marvel skins likely on the way afterwards.

Marvel's X-Men reboot event "From the Ashes" is now fully underway, and the latest issue (X-Men #4) throws a major curveball at fans by revealing that the first "big bad" of the new X-Men comic's arc will be one of the weirdest villains from the X-Men rogues gallery that you could get! Of course, given the larger context of X-Men #4, perhaps we shouldn't have been so shocked to see this villain is making a comeback!

WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW!

The story of X-Men #4 sees Cyclops's X-Men strike team take on a new target: Trevor Fitzroy and his team the Upstarts. The ongoing mystery of who is creating new mutants gives Fitzroy an opening for a very public campaign against the X-Men and other mutant factions, by announcing to the world that he and the Upstarts are willing to kill them off. Naturally, Cyclops and co. take that personally, and send a team to confront the Upstarts directly, before they can locate and terminate a new mutant who has popped up on the radar.

Magik leads the Beast, Juggernaut, and Temper squad to Detriot, where the Upstarts have the young new mutant cornered. The battle is fought, and the X-Men claim the victory of getting the young mutant, Jennifer Starkey, back to their Alaskan base where she can get help. Fitzroy slinks back to his hideaway, thinking that he won the PR victory of spinning the battle into an Upstarts victory on social media; however, his boss disagrees - and that boss is none other than The Sugar Man!

X-Men #4 makes it seem like Sugar Man is mad that someone else is turning humans into mutants - and wanted Fitzroy to get him a living sample to experiment on. Since his lackey failed, we can only presume Sugar Man will get it himself.

Marvel's Sugar Man Explained

Sugar Man was a villain character that Marvel first introduced in 1995 as part of the "Age of Apocalypse" crossover event. That storyline saw the reality of the Marvel 616 Universe diverge into a splinter timeline, where Charles Xavier died before ever forming the X-Men, leaving the militant mutant ruler Apocalypse unchecked in his "survival of the fittest" campaign against the world. Magneto and Rogue formed their own X-Men army, including a squad of younger mutants - led by Shadowcat and Colossus - called "Generation Next." That squad was given a veritable suicide mission by Magneto: breaking into the Seattle Core slave camp to save Colossus' sister Illyana from the Core and its demonic overseer, the Sugar Man. Colossus sacrifices nearly everyone on his squad during the mission, to save his sister; Sugar Man fakes his own death in the showdown, using his mutant ability for size/mass change to shrink down and hide inside Colossus's costume. When the Age of Apocalypse came to an end, Sugar Man was one of the characters who made it into the main Marvel 616 Universe.

Since then, Sugar Man has been one of the most vile villains the X-Men have in their orbit, helping to enslave and experiment on the mutates of Genosha; returning to his original Age of Apocalypse timeline to serve the Hier of Apocalypse, Weapon Omega (the AoA Wolverine); and conducting mad scientist experiments on mutants, including trying to create his own next generation of mutants.

Last seen, Sugar Man had seemingly been killed - but then again he popped up later in a random issue of Amazing Spider-Man in 2020. With his regenerative powers and track record for side-stepping death, it was only a matter of time before Sugar Man returned.

Marvel has announced its plans for New York Comic Con 2024, including panels, sneak peeks, and themed booths from Marvel Television (Daredevil: Born Again), Marvel Animation (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man), Marvel Comics (Amazing Spider-Man, All-New Venom and Fantastic Four), and Marvel Games (Marvel Contest of Champions and the upcoming Marvel/Magic: The Gathering collaboration). The convention, which runs Oct. 17th--20th, returns to the Javits Center in Hell's Kitchen, setting of the upcoming Daredevil revival on Disney+.

The Marvel booth (#2153) on the convention floor will feature a display of costumes from Daredevil: Born Again and a photo opp from Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which swings onto Disney+ later this year before Born Again arrives in 2025. Fans can also try a hands-on demo of Marvel Contest of Champions, the mobile game celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and be the first to get a look at Marvel in Magic the Gathering trading card game, which is set to host its own panel on Friday, Oct. 18th.

From Marvel Comics, the publisher's Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski, VP & Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, VP of Digital Media & Creative Strategy Ryan Penagos (a.k.a. Agent M), and writer Ryan North (Fantastic Four) will be on hand to preview the future of the Marvel Universe.

Marvel's First Family will be in the spotlight alongside the future of the new Ultimate line -- which includes Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto's Ultimate Spider-Man and Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri's The Ultimates -- the One World Under Doom event centered on Doctor Doom as the new Sorcerer Supreme, and the just-announced X-Men vs. Uncanny X-Men crossover, the first major event of the X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch.

A second Marvel Comics panel will tease the Spider-Verse corner of the Marvel Universe, including the epic 8 Deaths of Spider-Man storyline coming to Joe Kelly's run on Amazing Spider-Man (launching in November) and Al Ewing and Carlos G?mez's All-New Venom (launching in December), a street-level relaunch that sees a mystery host bond with the symbiote as the new Lethal Protector after the events of Venom War.

See the full Marvel NYCC 2024 schedule below.

Thursday, October 17th

Marvel Comics: Next Big Thing
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET, Room 409

This is it, True Believers, the biggest comics panel of the weekend! Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski, VP & Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, VP of Digital Media & Creative Strategy Ryan Penagos, AKA Agent M, and other Marvel guests including writer Ryan North (FANTASTIC FOUR) are here to give fans a glimpse into the future of your favorite heroes-including the thrilling adventures of Marvel's First Family, the newest milestones of mutantkind, the future of the Ultimate line, and more!

PLUS: What does the future hold for the Marvel Universe now that Doctor Doom has become the Sorcerer Supreme? Attendees who stay until the end will receive an exclusive giveaway comic book!

Friday, October 18th

Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game LIVE! Ft. Glass Cannon Network
2:45 - 4:45 PM ET, Room 408

Join the Glass Cannon Network and their special guests as they smash, clobber, and thwip their way through an exciting and hilarious adventure that you won't want to miss.

Saturday, October 19th

Marvel Fanfare with C.B. Cebulski
2:00 - 3:00 PM ET, Room 405

Marvel masters collide in an unprecedented meeting of page and screen! Join Marvel Comics Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski and very special surprise mighty Marvel guests as they discuss their mutual love for all things Marvel Comics, alongside some other surprise guests. It's a behind-the-scenes trip through House of Ideas storytelling, including insider insights and unheard comic book anecdotes behind upcoming and past projects! Following the discussion, fans will receive an exclusive giveaway comic.

Sunday, October 20th

Spotlight on Ryan Meinerding
12:15 - 1:15 PM ET, Room 1B02

Join Marvel Studios' Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding as he takes you behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his brand-new book, The Art of Ryan Meinerding (Abrams; October 1, 2024, written by Paul Terry and Tara Bennett). Meinerding will share unprecedented insight into his creative process and never-before-seen work-in-progress character designs and illustrations spanning over 15 years of Marvel Studios' movies. Authors Paul Terry and Tara Bennett will moderate.

Women of Marvel
12:30 - 1:30 PM ET, Room 409

The Women of Marvel Panel returns to New York Comic Con! Talent from across the Marvel Universe assemble to talk about breaking in as a creative, building a career in nerd spaces, how fandom has changed, and being a part of Marvel's 85-year legacy, while teasing what's next-including a behind-the-scenes look at the women-led X-titles starring Marvel's mightiest mutants! Plus, be sure to stay until the end for the exclusive giveaway.

Marvel Comics: Spider-Man and his Venomous Friends
2:00 - 3:00 PM ET, Room 405

Webheads, gather to discover what's on the horizon for Spider-Man, Venom, and the entire Spider-Verse! This November, Doctor Doom will grant Peter Parker eight extra lives to face an evil god... but will they be enough? The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN epic, "8 Deaths of Spider-Man," is upon us and you don't want to miss this panel for the latest scoop.

PLUS: Learn about the finale and aftermath of Symbiotic saga VENOM WAR-including the new ongoing series spinning out of it, ALL-NEW VENOM! VP & Executive Editor Nick Lowe, Senior Editor Jordan D. White, and a host of extraordinary Marvel talent including writer Joe Kelly (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) will reveal never-before-seen art, thrilling announcements, and more! And be sure to stay until the end for the exclusive giveaway.

Cable's rise in popularity following the first season of X-Men '97 continues with the time-traveling X-Man starring in a new solo series. There are times when certain X-Men seem to resonate with the fanbase, whether its due to a cool visual look or compelling backstory. In the case of Cable, it's all these factors and more. Whether its his leadership of X-Force, oversized guns, Techno-Organic Virus, or sometimes-pairing with Deadpool, Cable has maintained his status as a fan-favorite X-Man. This is probably why Marvel is giving him the spotlight in an X-Men spinoff series.

ComicBook can exclusively reveal Cable: Love and Chrome, a five-issue limited series by writer David Pepose (Punisher, Savage Avengers) and artist Mike Henderson (Daredevil, Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan). Cable is sticking to his time-travel roots as he gets embroiled in a civil war after being stranded in the time stream. Cable: Love and Chrome also teases an exploration of the Techno-Organic Virus that ravages part of his body and caused Cable to be sent into the future as a baby, which was adapted in the first season of X-Men '97.

"As a child of the '90s and a lifelong X-Men fan, few characters have been able to capture the zeitgeist of action, excitement, and attitude better for me than Cable -- and Mike Henderson and I are channeling that same energy in Cable: Love & Chrome!" David Pepose said in a statement.

"To me, Cable has always been such a fascinating and complex character -- a soldier from the future who spends every day of his life battling against the ravages of the Techno-Organic Virus. For years, that's a war that Cable has waged alone -- but what happens when he finally meets someone with this exact same terminal condition? Get ready for an epic sci-fi adventure that will cross the boundaries of time itself -- and deliver all the larger-than-life action that every good Cable story demands!"

Mike Henderson said, "Cable's been on my short list for a long while so when this idea bodyslid into my inbox, I had to find a place in my schedule to make it happen. Throw him in a portal to the apocalypse and strap on some big guns that would make the 1990's blush and I'm your guy. I can't wait for people to see what we're cooking up!"

What is Cable: Love and Chrome about?

MARVEL'S MOST EXTREME MUTANT RETURNS!

He's been a soldier. An X-Man. A protector of the timestream. But even from his earliest days, the mutant known as Cable has been living on borrowed time, waging a lonely war against the ravages of the Techno-Organic Virus. Yet when a high-stakes mission in the future goes catastrophically awry, Cable is left stranded in the dystopian city of Salvation Bay -- and will find himself caught in the midst of a civil war that will change his life forever.

Get ready for big action, bigger threats and the biggest guns in the Marvel Universe, in this epic new series from Ringo Award-winning writer David Pepose (PUNISHER, SAVAGE AVENGERS) and superstar artist Mike Henderson (DAREDEVIL, DEADPOOL VS. OLD MAN LOGAN)!

Cable: Love and Chrome #1 goes on sale in January 2025. You can take an exclusive first look at interior pages below.

Marvel has done the unthinkable and officially killed Deadpool. The Merc With a Mouth is at the height of his popularity after the dominating box office run of Deadpool & Wolverine. Marvel launched a new volume of Deadpool before the movie landed in theaters, introducing a new villain named Death Grip who appears to be a formidable foe for Wade Wilson. One thing Deadpool has always depended on during his mercenary days was his healing factor. Similar to Wolverine, Deadpool's healing factor has gotten him out of some near-death situations. But once it's neutralized, it leaves Deadpool vunerable and open to being killed. Would Marvel really kill Deadpool while his movie is still in theaters? It appears the answer to that question is YES!

*WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Deadpool #6. Continue reading at your own risk!

Deadpool #6 comes from the creative team of Cody Ziglar, Rog? Ant?nio, Guru-eFX, and VC's Joe Sabino. Deadpool is still recovering from his latest fight with Death Grip, and he's reduced to getting around in a wheelchair since he can't regenerate a new right leg or arm. He's managed to keep his cheerful disposition by sending his human daughter Ellie and symbiote-daughter Princess out into the field. Ellie gets her very own Deadpool costume, and together with Princess they take out a Russian weapons smuggler. With Taskmaster chaperoning Ellie and Princess, that leaves Deadpool back at home alone, where he's visited by Death Grip.

The last issue of Deadpool had Wade Wilson cut off Death Grip's hands, keeping him from performing the dark magic that he's known for. Together with Taskmaster, Ellie, and Princess, they were able to blow up Death Grip's lair, presumably killing him in the process. However, that doesn't seem to be the case.

How Marvel kills Deadpool, explained

Death Grip previously absorbed the Muramasa Blade, which is a mystical weapon that can nullify healing powers. This is how Death Grip was able to gravely injure Deadpool. Wade assumes that his healing factor will kick back in at some point in the future, but we don't get to see that happens after Death Grip's latest attack.

Deadpool is ambushed by Death Grip, who shows back up with both his hands firmly reattached. We're not given an explanation of how Death Grip survived the explosion at his temple or how he has his hands again. But as Death Grip says, he wouldn't be a good student of death if he didn't learn how to escape her grasp. Death Grip's first attack slices off Deadpool's left arm, leaving him with just his left leg. The villain then conjures a spell to lift Deadpool off the ground, and follows it up with an explosive spell that radiates blue energy throughout the room. This energy courses through what's left of Deadpool's body, and by the time Death Grip is done, nothing is left of Deadpool except his lifeless corpse. It's almost as if Death Grip ripped the soul out of Deadpool's body. His last words are the whisper of his daughter's name, "Ellie," while a tear runs down his eye.

The last thoughts that Deadpool has are of his family, and how he had finally found peace and happiness after searching for it for so long. This has been a subplot during Cody Ziglar and Rog? Ant?nio's run on Deadpool. Just as life appeared to be finally making sense, this has to happen. So for now, Ellie will be running the Deadpool show, with Taskmaster and Princess backing her up. We'll have to see how long Deadpool's death lasts, and what creative way Marvel will come up with to bring him back to life.

Following the release of a Scarlet Witch Collection last month, The Disney Store is celebrating the launch of the Marvel series Agatha All Along on Disney+ on September 18th with a new collection of merch for fans, and it's debuting here at Comicbook! It includes a lineup of witch-worthy gear like a Disney ear headband, pullover hoodie, cameo pin, and a tumbler.

The only catch is that the collection will be available exclusively to Disney+ subscribers here at The Disney Store from September 18 to September 25. Fortunately, there's a very inexpensive way to watch Agatha All Along and be eligible to buy the gear early thanks to a deal that is currently running for new and returning subscribers. However, if you're willing to wait, what remains of the collection will be available to the general public on September 26th. A full breakdown of the items can be found below.

• Agatha All Along Ear Headband for Adults: Inspired by Agatha's mystic magic, this leather headband features a crescent moon above a forest of twisted trees, with a black flocked bow accented by an embroidered cameo of the Three Goddesses.
• Agatha All Along Performance Pullover Hoodie by RSVLTS (Disney Store Exclusive): Fans will be spellbound by this lightweight performance pullover, offering four-way stretch and an allover design featuring the Three Goddesses, twisted trees, and a crystal ball.
• Agatha Harkness Cameo Hinged Pin - Limited Release: Add a touch of mystique to your Marvel Pin collection with this collectible hinged pin, showcasing the Three Goddesses on the cloisonn? cover and a hidden landscape of trees and a golden moon inside.
• Agatha All Along Tumbler with Straw: Revenge may be sweet, but staying refreshed is essential with this 22 oz. tumbler, featuring gothic allover art, ''Agatha'' text, the Marvel red brick logo, and an image of Agatha's cameo brooch depicting the Three Goddesses.
• Note that Hot Topic also has a new Agatha All Along fashion collection that you can shop right here.

What to Expect From Agatha All Along

In Agatha All Along, the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches' Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they're missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road...

Speaking with ComicBook, series executive producer Mary Livanos also spoke about going back to Westview for Agatha All Along and how the series picks up both from the events of WandaVision and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and how the latter informs things going forward.

"I just love the corner of the Marvel universe that we created, which started in WandaVision, and it was really exciting to return to Westview," Livanos explained. "I think we were all very interested to know what has Agatha Harkness been up to, after Wanda put her under that Nosy Neighbor spell to render her harmless. Agatha All Along picks up after the events of that, and we find that Agatha's been trapped in Wanda's spell, that has since been distorted after the events of Multiverse of Madness. My goodness. The spell has somewhat gone awry and Agatha has to break out of that. With the help of this mysterious goth teen, she's able to do so, and it's him who asked her to take him on the Witches' Road. She's missing her power. He has wants of his own, and so they form an unlikely partnership."

Agatha All Along stars Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Okwui Okpokwasili, with Debra Jo Rupp, with Patti LuPone, and Aubrey Plaza. The executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Mary Livanos and Jac Schaeffer. The directors for the series include Jac Schaeffer, Rachel Goldberg and Gandja Montiero. The series debuts on September 18th on Disney+.