WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Marvel’s TVA #3

It seems thatMarvelis leaning into fan speculation about the latest issue ofTVA. The newest issue ends with a surprising reveal that appears to confirm a popular fan theory regarding The Scarlet Witch and her future in theMCU. Now, Marvel Comics artist Pere Pérez has further proofthat this scene is more than a clever cameo.

InTVA #3, Spider Gwen findsScarlet Witchlocked away in a hidden lab deep inside the TVA. This coincideswith a popular fan theoryclaiming the TVA captured Wanda and imprisoned her just before her supposed deathin the multiverse of Madness.

Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff wears her Scarlet Witch crown with Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal and Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness smiling beside her

Initially, it seemed like a clever move by writer Katharyn Blair to spark speculation. However, after Pere Pérez confirmed on Twitter thatthe Wanda seen in the series is Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch from the MCU,the Scarlet Witch’s return to the MCU seems inevitable.

Is Wanda Alive In the MCU?

The Scarlet Witch And The TVA Fan Theory Explained

Fans' speculation about the TVA’s involvement in faking Wanda’s death started after a statue of her was seen inDeadpool and Wolverine. This is the same statue seen in Mount Wundagore,the final resting place of the Scarlet Witchafter she imploded the Darkhold castle on top of her inMultiverse of Madness. Given that there is only one darkhold in the multiverse, the presence of this statue in the void means the TVA pruned the statue before its collapse.

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While Agatha All Along doesn’t feature Scarlet Witch, it does lay the groundwork for Wanda Maximoff’s eventual MCU return thanks to one subtle detail.

If they rescued this artifact before Wanda’s death,nothing stops them from doing the same for the Scarlet Witch herself. If captured by TVA, she would likely be imprisoned for her multiversal crimes, which seems to be the exact situation Spider-Gwen has discovered in this TVA issue.

MCU Scarlet Witch over TVA #1 cover art by Pere Pérez

Having Wana As a Secret Hostage Of The TVA Could “Fix” The MCU

A Fan Theory with Plot Armor

The implications behind this narrative decision could have huge implications for the MCU, but also may provide a convenient retcon for the MCU’s recent missteps. InTVA #3Spider-Gwen is led to her discoverythrough her dreams after learning that reality shards were used to injure Mobiusin the previous issues. This implies that Wanda is behind these events and can access her reality-bending abilities even within her confinement.

Every Version Of Scarlet Witch In The MCU Explained

Several different versions of Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch have been introduced to the MCU, and one will receive more development in 2025.

A similar approach in the MCU could create a clever opportunity to attribute the more wild and controversial choices in the multiverse saga to Wanda’s influence on the multiverse. This presentsa potentially streamlined solutiontoMarvel’s Kang problem, Robert Downey Jr’s return as Doom, or even the introduction of the Secret Wars saga itself.

Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel Zombies and What If…?

Are Comics Now Required Reading For The MCU?

Is This Too Much Homework for Casual Fans

However, while this fan theory might be gaining credibility, the method of revealing it raises questions. Some fans argue thatrevealing such a significant plot twist in a comic book, rather than on-screen in the MCU, feels like asking too muchfrom the audience.

While comics fans may appreciate these nods and connections, casual MCU viewers who don’t follow the comics might be left in the dark. If this is the direction the MCU decides to take,they shouldn’t expect the audience to pick up the TVA comic series to understand the larger narrative.

Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) looks off into the distance, edited over Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Marvel risks losing its audience by expecting fans to keep up with the comics to understand key developments in the MCU. At the same time,this could also be an attempt to elevate the importance of its comicsand tie them more directly into the broader narrative. Whatever the case, if Wanda’s return is truly in the works, fans should expect a more accessible and clear explanation—one that reaches far beyond just the pages of a comic.

Marvel’s TVA #3is available now at your local comic shop!

Scarlet Witch

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Scarlet Witch debuted, along with her twin brother, Quicksilver in X-Men #4 (March 1964). Also known as Wanda Maximoff, she first appears as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, before she eventually became a member of the Avengers. In the comics, she is a mutant who uses chaos magic to alter reality.Scarlet Witch is played by Elizabeth Olsen in the MCU, having debuted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Scarlet Witch Character Image

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