Warning: this article contains potential plot reveals for the new Marvel/Disney+ series WandaVision.
Lovers of all things queer and superheroic have launched a frenzy of speculation following the latest episode of WandaVision. The episode depicts the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) and her husband Vision (Paul Bettany) as having twin sons, Billy and Tommy. Keen followers of Marvel Comics know that Billy grows up to be the popular character, Wiccan.
In Marvel Comics, Wiccan possesses powers similar to his mother: the ability to warp reality, fly and use telepathy. He joins up with the Avengers, and later, as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. The character’s immense popularity, however, comes from his relationship with the shape-shifter Hulkling: the two are one of the most prominent queer couples in Marvel continuity, having married in 2020.
Related: Marvel confirms: Chris Pratt’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ character Star Lord is bisexual
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This week’s WandaVision planted seeds of a future Wiccan appearance, having introduced the twins. On the other hand, the plot of the series involves heavily warped reality: it’s not entirely clear what’s real and what’s not. Fans of the comics will also note that Billy and Tommy were also erased from existence, following a similar reality-warping plot in the crossover arc House of M. In that story, Scarlet Witch warps reality into a “perfect” world following a nervous breakdown. Several other heroes led by Wolverine and Cyclops of the X-Men retain memories of the previous reality, and confront Scarlet Witch, who then erases mutant superheroes–and her children–from existence.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe and its television counterparts have endured criticism for a lack of LGBTQ representation over its tenure which began in 2008. Studio boss Kevin Feige has reassured fans that the film universe will soon introduce several prominent queer characters beginning with the film The Eternals, which is scheduled for release later this year.
Creamsicle
Wiccan and Hulking were favorites of mine around the time I was realizing that I needed to come out. I always had a far fetched fantasy that they would make it into movies, but I honestly thought it wouldn’t happen until I was in my 50s.
I guess that says a lot about the rapid progress that gay acceptance has made in the past decade.
Jake123
God I hope!! Gay Squeal!!
BGreen1963
It is heartening that all the work we did from the 1950’s to 2020 is paying off despite the Rise of RepubliKKKanisn, ConservaNazi’s and Trumps Sedition Party. It is time for gay history to be taught in schools. Gay kids today have no idea what has been accomplished for them or that Hitlers Nazi’s were even worse for gay people than Trumps Sedition Party.
Godabed
I have never liked the Wiccan and Hulking narrative, even though Anole was out and gay in the xmen well before this character existed and North Star was also around, and Shatterstar being a bisexual alien with a bizarre birth story, queer stories have always existed. There is always an otherness when it comes to queer characters their stories and their partners in Marvel, and people have to question why is that. Mystique and Destiny, Karolina and Xavin, Wiccan and Hulking and the list goes on. The story isn’t new but it gives some young white twinks yet another storyline they can relate too. He’s marketable to a certain demographic. I’m sure it will be the Love, Simon of marvel, equally obnoxious and lacking. The characters aren’t that interesting outside of them being gay, especially in the Young Avengers. I’m not even saying these queer stories have to be queer people of color. But the tropes and the pandering for marketing needs to stop.