The Scarlet Witch and Her Powers of Hex

THE TOP 10 SCARY WITCH SUPERHEROES

Superhero Witch #1: The Scarlet Witch

~Scarlet Witch, from Avengers vs. X-Men #12 (2012)

Wanda Maximoff, also beloved (or hated) by fans as The Scarlet Witch, is possibly the greatest superhero to ever wear the title. Then again, she's also single-handedly responsible for destroying most of the mutant race, ending the Avengers, and killing multiple people within the span of days. That's the problem when you're having a mental breakdown.

From an emotionally disturbed past wrought with deception manipulation, Wanda was one of the original members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, inducted by her (then unknown) father Magneto. This was her first appearance (X-Men #4, 1964). Later, though, she would become an Avenger and serve as one of their greatest members. During that long career, she would study magic and learn the true art of witchcraft, disputably becoming one of their greatest practitioners.

From earlier times, numerous stories and events have seen the Scarlet Witch, a mutant herself with the ability to create probability-altering hexes, as their focus. Avengers Disassembled was the moment she took out the entire group, killing a few of their members. House of M details the aftermath of that time when she created an entirely new world and later removed the powers of 90% of the mutant population. In most cases, it's never been an intentionally destructive act, just misguided suggestions and advice that caused her to do bad things.

But Witches never seem to be that good - they've always got some strange agenda - and let's face it, Wanda is truly "witchy". Although considerably good of heart, she's performed incredibly powerful and destructive acts. She's been judged as an unpredictable ally. There is one caveat, though; in her latest adventures, part of Avengers Vs. X-Men, she turns out to be a force that saves the world. Go figure.

Halloween is one of the best Holidays for comic book fans; that's when it's actually cool to dress up with a cape! To commemorate the occasion we have The Top 10 Scary Witch Superheroes, a Countdown sponsored by The Superheroes List. Spells will fly, incantations may be called, but who can blame them; it's time to be horrified and Read this List!

Return of The Scaret Witch

THE TOP 10 SUPER BABES OF SUMMER 2012

SuperBabe #5: The Scarlet Witch

~Excerpt from Avengers vs. X-Men #7 (2012)

She was either lost or dead; wherever she was, devastation followed her wake. (Most thought she'd be dead for a short while, regardless.) From the events of House of M and Avengers Disassembled, Wanda Maximoff had become a powder keg to her superhero team and the entire universe of Marvel Mutants. After suffering a breakdown, destroying almost everyone in her path, she was carried off, a pariah to the world.

  Not so fast, though; Now she's back! Wanda, also known as The Scarlet Witch, was located by her sons, Wiccan and Speed, during their mini-series The Children's Crusade. Somehow she had ended up in Latveria in a planned marriage to Doctor Doom.

After surviving that experience and regaining her full memories, Wanda decided to return to the Avengers in Avengers vs. X-Men #0 (2012) where she's receiving (mostly) a warm reception; the only visible detractor would be The Vision, whom was practically obliterated before she left.

Wanda's role this summer is one of the most vital to Marvel's upcoming Marvel NOW! event, which is heralding a list of alterations in reality. What's been recently revealed is that she's capable of affecting the Phoenix Entity with her hexes; now with Captain America and Iron Man's leadership, she's been put on the front lines, hoping to save the earth before it's too late.

Coinciding with this seasons' events in the comic book world, The Top 10 Super Babes of Summer 2012 is a countdown from The Superheroes List, updating on Wednesdays, for simple entertainment as well as informative purposes. If you want to know how some of the female characters are evolving during the hot months, Read the List.

Avengers #6: Hawkeye

~Excerpt from Hawkeye: Blindspot #1 (2011)

Over the course of Avenger History, the team has had a multitude of members with gracious amounts of power. From time to time, this has included members of omega-level potential (The Hulk and Sentry, for example, are considered extreme-powered threats). Surprisingly, though, one member who has showed the highest level of presence and malleability is Hawkeye AKA Clint Barton, and guess what? He's not superhuman at all.

Technically having no powers of his own, Clint is an expert marksman and highly trained with the bow, his trademark weapon in the field which he wields with deadly precision. As Hawkeye, he first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 (1964), but joined the team in Avengers #16, a newly adopted member at the same time as The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver (Together, they comprise the "Second Wave" of Avengers).

Clint Barton, though, is a cut above almost any Avenger; he seems to be a part of that metaphysical glue holding them together. He's also served in different guises for different reasons: For awhile, he became Goliath (Avengers #63, 1969) with the help of Dr. Henry Pym; later, he would adopt the mysterious mantle of Ronin (New Avengers #26 (2007), using all the weapons of previous Avengers in his adventures. At one point in his career, with the help of his (now ex) wife Mockingbird, he led the West Coast Avengers. (Edit Note: It's also worth noting that Clint likes to flirt and date the ladies of the team, too.)

If we know one thing about Clint, he'll forever be representation of those heroes arriving when the cry of "Avengers Assemble!" is uttered. His sharp wit and quick draw has led him to be an iconic foundation that the supergroup cannot do without.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!

Avenger #7: The Scarlet Witch

 ~The Scarlet Witch, Avengers v1 #105 (1972)

Heralded by the trademark red bodysuit with the crimson headress, Wanda Maximoff is one of the few glamorous members having a past and future highly enriched in Avenger's history. Her twin brother is Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver, and her former husband was the synthezoid known as The Vision. Although her background comes from her mutant powers, born from her father Magneto, Wanda rose to prominence as the Avenger called The Scarlet Witch in Avengers #16 (1965).

Much like her blood relatives, The Scarlet Witch debuted in the X-Men comics (Issue #4, 1964), joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in a quest to take over the world. But from the beginning, readers recognized that she was a kinder personality, having little towards the design of mutant superiority. To resolve that conflict, Marvel sent her and her brother off to the United States to become the newest Avengers under Captain America's leadership.

The Scarlet Witch is currently one of the most transformative figures in the Avenger's history books; her exploits and powers of magically altering probability rival those of The X-Men's Phoenix, which can be witnessed in the Avengers vs. X-Men event. Single-handedly destroying her supergroup in the Avengers Dissembled story event, Wanda also removed most of the mutants from the world. Thereafter, she was thought dead, but surfaced in the Avengers: The Children's Crusade series.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!

Avengers #8: The Vision

One hero, a green and gold clad figure with crimson-hued skin, became a common element among The Avengers, fighting with them for numerous years. Ironically, though, he wasn't meant to join the club, instead designed to kill them! Identified as The Vision by his creator Ultron, he was sent to infiltrate Avengers Mansion, take them out, and begin the enslavement of the human race.

Not surprisingly, Vision had no humanity; it wasn't incorporated into his programming. He also wasn't an alien or monster or even a robot. (But robot is a close guess.) Technically, he is known as a synthezoid, a complex android with synthetic organs appearing human. First appearing in Avengers #57 (1968), his abilities lent him the name because he appeared like a ghost or apparition.

Vision's power spreads across a high range of utility, making him a great asset to the team. Besides intangibility, he can also assume diamond-hard density; in addition, he fires solar blasts through his eyes or a gem matrix on his forehead, which is also used like a battery to recharge him. With an origin of sordid and uncanny revelations, he can truly be considered one of the core members of The Avengers; He has been their leader at one time, his brain was overwritten with Wonder Man's personality and he married The Scarlet Witch.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!

Avenger #9: Quicksilver

Never taking a major role among Earth's Mightiest Heroes, one man, a mutant gifted with the ability to move at blinding speeds, has spent a majority of his career with the supergroup and been a constant presence throughout the Avenger's franchise. His name: Pietro Maximoff aka Quicksilver, an imposing, silver-haired mutant, and he was added to their roster in Avengers #16 (1965).

Pietro's adventure wasn't always one of a hero...and this is well-known to Avenger's fans; with his twin sister, Wanda (aka The Scarlet Witch), the misguided souls were tricked into joining The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, a team organized by Magneto back in X-Men #4 (1964). Coupled with his super-fast running, their mission was to raise mutants to superiority over the human race. This ended very quickly, though, when the two showed less than villainous motives.

Quicksilver has had on and off relationships with The Avengers, but over time he has been recognized as a presence that consistently returns to their ranks of membership. Not only is he one of their earliest members, but he is their trademark speedster. He has also embarked on numerous appearances with other heroes such as Spider-Man and The X-Men, but always winds up back at Avengers Mansion. (Partly because his sister also played a major role in the group.)

Currently, Pietro has slowed down and is now working side by side with Dr. Hank Pym, another member of the supergroup. He can be seen teaching these young students in the Marvel comic book series Avengers Academy.


The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!