Agatha Harkness grabbed our attention in WandaVision, which saw her as the villain who tried to steal Wanda’s powers. However, in the end, she is defeated by Wanda, who reveals herself as Scarlet and captures Agatha in Westview with her spells. While fans waited for Vision’s standalone series, Marvel decided to give us a television series that kept the evil witch Agatha at the forefront. Well, WandaVision didn’t reveal much about the witch, so fans are curious to learn who she is and what her powers and abilities are. Let’s delve deeper into this article to gain insights into Agatha Harkness.
Who Is Agatha Harkness?
Agatha Harkness is an ancient witch who has existed for many centuries. She was highly devoted to occult practices, and that’s why, with the help of her coven of witches, she tried to stop the witch hunts taking place in Europe. Later, in the 17th century, she led the coven of Salem, Massachusetts, and continued the occult practices until she was caught during the Salem Witch Trials. Her mother accused her and called her a betrayer. Agatha’s story would have ended if she hadn’t fought back and killed the witches, including her mother.
Building a mystical city in Colorado named New Salem marked a significant part of Agatha’s life. The witch eventually got married in New Salem, gave birth to a son, and named him Nicholas. However, she later decided to flee from the city. In the 18th Century, she trained the members of the Daughters of Liberty during the American Revolutionary War, showing her influence throughout history.
Agatha Harkness Was Hired As a Nanny by Reed Richards
After Nicholas’ birth, Agatha wanted to leave her witchcraft practices behind, so she left the witch city and started living in Whisper Hill. There, she spent her days teaching children. Reed Richards and his wife realized that their infant son, Franklin, needed a nanny, so they appointed Agatha as his governess. She dedicated herself to caring for the infant without letting the heroes know about her real identity. However, she had to reveal her powers to protect Reed when he got captured in the Negative Zone.
Throughout her time with the heroes, Agatha often protected them and warned them about dangers involving the Watcher and Overmind. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t prevent Annihilus from kidnapping Sue and Franklin into the Negative Zone. When the heroes brought the duo back with Agatha’s help, she became Franklin’s permanent nanny until the young boy regained consciousness.
Agatha’s Role in Wanda Maximoff’s Story
After stepping down from her duties as Franklin’s governess, Agatha took on the role of tutor to Wanda Maximoff, who struggled with her powerful abilities. Wanda had been raised by the demon Chthon, leaving her with little control over her powers. Agatha helped the young girl stabilize her abilities but withheld certain truths about her powers. This mentorship continued until Wanda married Vision.
Years later, Wanda returned to Agatha when an interdimensional being named Lore drove her to madness, seeking help from the only person she could trust. Agatha, having acquired the Darkhold, became power-hungry after reading its spells. She sensed Wanda’s powers and began living nearby, introducing herself as a friendly housewife named Agnes. Once Wanda and Vision became parents, Agatha’s true identity was hard to hide, leading to a confrontation as she sought to trap Wanda's children.
Agatha Harkness: Powers and Abilities Explained
As a witch, Agatha possesses extensive knowledge of magic. She can alter appearances, transform people into non-living entities, and nullify her opponents' magic. Being a master of witchcraft, she can tap into the universe's limitless magic and mold it to her will.
Agatha has learned countless powerful spells, enabling her to draw power from other dimensions. For instance, in the comics, she erased Wanda’s memory of her children, showcasing just a fraction of her capabilities. She can manipulate elements like air, electricity, water, and fire, proving she is a formidable opponent.
The potential of Agatha’s spells is virtually unlimited. Creators of the comics regularly introduce new spells. She can create barriers to control movement in and out of certain areas, invade minds to project illusions, and even allow someone to experience their entire lives in mere seconds. By understanding magic, Agatha can sense energies around her, enabling her to teleport between dimensions.
Agatha All Along premieres on September 18, 2024, on Disney+. Check out the release schedule for more details!
