Warning: Contains spoilers for Scarlet Witch #4!!
The Scarlet Witch has come a long way since her early days; she has reached into the very depths of magic, trapped Chthon within her heart, and is now advancing to the heights of her abilities as a Nexus Being. The Griever at the End of All Things may see the death of the universe, but Wanda Maximoff is immune to the entropy she brings.
In Scarlet Witch #4 – written by Steven Orlando, with art by Jacopo Camagni – the battle between Wanda Maximoff and the Griever reaches its peak after the Griever poured a great deal of energy into ridding the world of the Avenger and her twin brother, Quicksilver. Together, the Maximoff twins have the potential to thwart the heat death of the universe and, thus, subvert the Griever’s very purpose.
That link also means Wanda Maximoff has reached the height of her power and is effectively immune to the entropy the Griever controls.
Scarlet Witch Is Now Immune To The Griever’s Powers Of Entropy And Decay
Scarlet Witch #4 – Written By Steven Orlando; Art By Jacopo Camagni; Color By Frank William; Lettering By Ariana Maher
While the Griever at the End of All Things governs the end of the universe, including all its universal constructs, the Queen of Nevers embodies endless possibility. As one of her Nexus beings, Scarlet Witch has near-boundless potential to alter the probability of her universe, and her deep connection with Pietro and their influence on each other paves a potential path for her to become the “Ultimate Nexus” and expand that power across the Marvel Multiverse. In short, everything that Wanda is and could become stands opposed to the Griever. A universe with endless possibilities is just that: endless.
As long as Scarlet Witch survives, so does the universe.
The Griever is intended to be the longest-lasting entity in the Marvel Universe, according to her “quiet math” and the universal plan she adheres to. She knows the danger the Scarlet Witch poses, and did everything within her power to eliminate her, or at least sever the connection to Quicksilver and the power it grants them both, but their final battle only does the opposite. Wanda Maximoff ascends to her ultimate power, speaking the truth when she tells the Griever that she may end everything but will not end her. As long as Scarlet Witch survives, so does the universe.
Wanda’s Greatest Heroic Triumph Yet
Being a Nexus Being grants Wanda Maximoff a certain immunity to the Griever’s entropy, but by defeating her, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver extend that protection to the rest of their universe for many lifetimes. The Griever can’t be eliminated, but she will spend “a few million years” piecing herself back together after her battle with the twins. Wanda didn’t merely save herself, she saved the whole of existence from its imminent demise. She, essentially, stepped into everything a Nexus Being is meant to be and altered the path of her universe for the better, ensuring that it could continue.
Scarlet Witch has been on an incredibly turbulent journey with her own powers. She’s been marked a danger to the world, lost control, and fought hard to regain it. It meant a long quest for self-discovery and delving deep into witchcraft and her own psyche. Had the Griever set her sights on the world at an earlier point, she may have accomplished her goal and extinguished existence at last. Instead, she faced the Nexus Being at peace with herself and, thus, stronger than ever. The Griever at the End of All Things cannot destroy the Scarlet Witch or the universe in her protection.
Scarlet Witch #4 is available now from Marvel Comics.
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.Â
Scarlet Witch is played by Elizabeth Olsen in the MCU, having debuted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
