12 Reasons Why We Fell In Love With Wiccan, Our Favorite Superhero
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The Marvel comic book universe boasts its fair share of LGBT characters. From the cosmic Phylla-Vell to the complex candidate Moondragon, there is ample representation amongst the new generation of potential Avengers.
Yet thousands of Marvel comic enthusiasts favor the junior Sorcerer Supreme who is the offspring of none other than Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch herself, and The Vision: Billy Kaplan, otherwise known as Wiccan.
Beyond his magic and mysticism, this dynamic character, who will be played by Heartstopper star John Locke in the highly anticipated Agatha: Coven of Chaos, looks to be stepping up and taking his place and could be the catalyst to a more diverse Marvel Cinematic Universe as it enters Phase Five.
If you’re new to Wiccan in the Marvel comics and eager to dive headfirst into its up-and-coming LGBT characters, then read on!
Here are a few reasons why Billy Kaplan (aka Billy Maximoff in Disney+’ WandaVision) of The Young Avengers’ is one #GayNrd’s favorite Marvel superheroes.
1. He’s Relatable
Wiccan is the son of two Avengers: The Vision and The Scarlet Witch. He also a twin brother of Tommy Maximoff aka Speed (Disney+). They are also the grandsons of Magneto (Marvel Comics) and the nephews of Pietro Maximoff aka Quicksilver.
The child of a witch and an Synthezoid, Wiccan is no stranger to an unusual upbringing and traumatic backstory. Those struggling with self-identity will more than relate to this young mutant/warlock’s inability to come to terms with his own ego.
The Young Avenger, without any actual link to the Wiccan faith, adopted several identities before settling on Wiccan. In his original appearance in The Young Avengers #1 he went by “The Asgardian.”
2. He’s the MCU’s First Original Gay Hero
Above: Hulkiling and Wiccan grace the Phil Jimenez variant cover of Marvel’s gay pride comic Marvel Voices, showcasing the Marvel Universe’s LGBT characters.
Inclusivity within Marvel studios is a slow but sure process. Still without an openly gay character plucked from the roster of Young Avengers, fan-favorite Wiccan makes an excellent candidate for this role.
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Above: Phil Jimenez’s cover sketch.
Wiccan wasn’t retconned like many other characters to be LGBT (Northstar*and Ice-Man come to mind), he was created by Allan Heinberg to be gay from conception.
Wiccan concept art.
[EDITORIAL NOTE: After publishing I received a note from semi-retired comic book writer Bill Mantlo. Mantlo was the writer who succeeded Northstar’s creator John Byrne on Alpha Flight. Mantlo maintains that Northstar’s sexuality actually wasn’t retconned. Mantlo says he and Byrne stated multiple times that he was intended to be gay pretty much from the jump beginning with his first appearance in Alpha Flight, and that there were attempts to make his sexuality canon prior to his coming out in the 90’s. Mantlo says they were blocked by then existing Marvel editorial and the Comics Code Authority (CCA). Mantlo says that “although that may seems a small difference between I think the character’s history allowed for a queer interpretation that we made explicit and this was always the intent, but we were forced to keep the character closeted until things got more progressive, but is an important one when talking about the history of queer representation.”
I maintain that’s arguable since it wasn’t public is the literally the threshold for coming out. I’m calling Billy as the first for the same reason we call Ellen the first gay sitcom star. Like, we had Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares in the 1970s. But so noted.]
@corneh_#wandavision #wandamaximoff #wandavisionedit #falconandwintersoldier #marvel #mcu #tfatws #wiccan #foryou #voorjou #slowmotransition♬ the wapvengers – ems ᗢ
Wiccan eventually marries fellow Young Avenger Teddy Altman aka Hulkling, a queer Kree hero who is rumored to be joining the cast of the upcoming Captain Marvel sequel.
// trying to find a Teddy before pride month like pic.twitter.com/MQpvVK9fPR
— Billy Kaplan/Wiccan (@wiccan_avenger) May 20, 2021
Fans of the Marvel comics see Wiccan and Hulkling’s relationship as more than just backstory – it makes for a promising, better-represented future.
Above: The wedding of Theodore “Teddy” Altman (aka Hulkling) and William “Billy” Kaplan (aka Wiccan) earlier this year in Marvel’s 2021 crossover event EMPYRE.
3. Cosplayers Love Him
Wiccan offers welcome comic relief throughout the Marvel comics despite his complicated beginnings and long periods of grief and torment. The Young Avenger is a cesspool of puns, perfectly-timed humorous remarks, and quotable conversations and cosplayers LOVE him.
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An artist even imagined actor Timothée Chalamet as Wiccan.
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4. He Epitomizes Sibling-hood
The long-lost offspring of Wanda Maximoff, Billy, and Tommy Kaplan (aka Speed) are wildly popular characters many hope to see in future Marvel productions. Beyond their petty sibling rivalry, the two Young Avengers represent deeper family dynamics and unending support.
Their initial introduction and journey through Genosha and Wundagore in pursuit of their mother are a popular storyline and emotional reunion.
5. He May Be the Future Sorcerer Supreme
Step aside, Doctor Strange. Once Marvel’s only master magician, Doctor Strange’s exclusive role as Sorcerer Supreme looks like it’s going to be a shared one.
After The Children’s Crusade, Marvel fans can catch a glimpse of Wiccan’s tremendous abilities and are rooting for the Young Avenger as Steven’s most likely successor.
6. His Uniquely Impressive Power Set
There is no denying the comparison between Wiccan and his mother, Scarlet Witch. Among Billy Kaplan’s scope of impressive abilities include:
- Clairvoyance: As proven by his ability to pinpoint his mother’s whereabouts mentally, Wiccan’s intense concentration is something many cannot underestimate.
- Telekinesis: WandaVision viewers will have already witnessed the young Wiccan’s ability to move objects and people using his mind. We see this when a young Billy stops a bullet fired mid-air in WandaVision’s thrilling finale.
Wiccan by Lukas Werneck.
- Creation and Erasure: In Young Avengers Volume 2, Wiccan demonstrates his ability to create and erase when he destroys the parasitic Mother along with her army of infected parents.
- Healing: To his fellow Avengers’ delight, Wiccan also possesses the ability to heal, as proven when Hulkling and Wiccan attempt to save Teddy’s mother in Young Avengers Volume 9.
- Flight: Like many other Marvel favorites, Wiccan can also fly and grant other characters the ability to do so, as seen in Avengers: the Children’s Crusade.
7. His Story
Underneath his ability to alter and manipulate reality, Billy Kaplan tells a story that is unnervingly real. A bullying survivor, LGBT representative, and lost son, Wiccan is more than just your typical comic book character.
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It’s not just us.
The relationship between Billy and Teddy, for instance, is highly reflective of a modern society that still hasn’t fully embraced what many consider “outside of the norm.” Fortunately, the Young Avengers offer solace for Hulkling and Wiccan, crafting loyalties that many readers seek in their own social circles.
8. He’s A Team Player
Not only a part of the Young Avengers, Wiccan in the Marvel comics plays a significant role within the Strikeforce, a team of heroes dedicated to busting gritty crime, and the Guardians of the Galaxy – no introduction necessary.
Most recently, Hulkling and Wiccan remain part of the cosmic squad, becoming series regulars along with fellow Guardians: Rocket Raccoon, Star-Lord, Nova, Groot, and Gamora.
Much of Wiccan’s likeability stems from his ability to mesh with unlikely groups – a testament to those who feel out of place with the mainstream but at home with the unorthodox.
9. He Preaches Love
Ultimately – and overlooking the cliche – Wiccan in the Marvel Universe is a testimony to recurring themes like love, acceptance, healing, and time.
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Perhaps the most prominent demonstration of unconditional love is Wanda Maximoff’s relatable pep talk against childhood tormentors and ability to heal his past injuries. Since then, Wiccan has become a symbol of perseverance.
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10. He Gives The Oppressed A Platform To Speak Out
Together, Hulkling and Wiccan have become a vessel for the voiceless. They have created boundless opportunities for inclusivity and representation within the Marvel Universe. Since tying the knot in the 2020 crossover event, Empyre, Hulkling, and Wiccan have become cult figures within the comic book community.
Since spotlighting its ever-growing LGBT representations, fans should expect to see the words “Wiccan,” “Marvel,” “gay,” and “superhero” in both the comic series and cinematic universe.
Since being introduced in WandaVision, Wiccan is bound to make future appearances in superhero flicks and shows. For budding Marvel enthusiasts, now is one of the best times to be a fan of the increasingly diverse collective.
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The incredibly likable duo of Julian Hilliard (Billy seen below)and Jett Klyne even had a limited edition Funko set made of them.
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12. His Family Pedigree and Heritage
Wiccan is essentially a prince of the House of M.
House of M #1 tells the story of the House and begins with a birth. “Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, is surrounded by friends and family while giving birth.
Her attending physician, Doctor Strange, hands Wanda her newborn twins and declares the birth a great success. At Wanda’s side is her husband, The Vision, who is very proud of his wife and children. From across the room comes a cold and distant voice — that of Professor Charles Xavier, who demands Wanda return the world to normal. She refuses, clinging to her babies, who shatter and disappear. There are no friends, no family and certainly no babies. Instead, Wanda is resting in a dark room in the devastated mutant paradise of Genosha. Using his fantastic mental powers, Professor X forces Wanda to sleep. Magneto appears, dressed humbly, and asks Professor X about his progress with his daughter. Professor X informs Magneto that his power will no longer be enough to hold back Wanda and that a solution must be found. Magneto, blaming himself for twisting his children through the strength of his own dreams and ambitions, walks on a magnetic field towards the center of the island to be alone.
Finally, TikTok’s “Fun Facts About Wiccan.”
@orphan_620##greenscreen ##fyp ##foryoupage ##wiccan##marvel♬ stan – favsoundds
https://t.co/tHtKHbkbHa pic.twitter.com/D9ZRj4dcSU
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) May 16, 2021
