Wanda Maximoff has never had an easy path. From a childhood scarred by war and experimentation to the heartbreaking loss of her children and the fallout of House of M, the Scarlet Witch has always been forged in tragedy. Yet those trials have typically made her stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. But her latest ordeal in the pages of Sorcerer Supreme pushes her to a breaking point unlike anything she's faced before—a living nightmare that makes her past struggles look like a walk in the park.
Since taking up the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme after Doctor Doom's downfall, Wanda has fought Limbo, faced Dormammu, and even stopped a super-cannon. But now, in Sorcerer Supreme #9, she and her ally Turin find themselves trapped in the Torture Star—an ancient cosmic entity that exists purely to inflict pain. This isn't just a prison; it's a sadistic torture device that cycles through freezing, shattering, and incinerating its victims, over and over, with no end in sight.
A Fate Worse Than Death
The preview pages, released ahead of the issue's August 26 debut, show the sheer horror of the Torture Star. Wanda describes being frozen solid, broken into pieces, and then burned alive by the heat of a star—only to be restored and subjected to it all again. The worst part? They feel every second of agony, even as their bodies are reduced to ash and bone. It's a torment that would break even the strongest minds.
What makes this situation even more dire is that Wanda and Turin are completely stripped of their magical abilities. Trapped in this cosmic hell, they have no spells, no artifacts, no way to fight back. All they have is their telepathic link to each other, which allows them to plan and communicate, but without their powers, escape seems impossible. As the preview notes, they'll need a miracle to survive with their sanity intact.
A New Challenge for the Sorcerer Supreme
This storyline represents a major test for Wanda's new role as Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. She's already proven herself capable against some of the multiverse's most dangerous threats, but the Torture Star is a different kind of enemy—one that attacks the very essence of a person's being. It's a psychological and physical assault that could redefine her character.
The creative team behind this harrowing tale includes writer Steve Orlando, who has been steering Wanda's journey since the series began, along with artists Bernard Chang and Leirix, whose visuals bring the Torture Star's horrors to life. The issue promises to be a gripping, intense read that fans won't want to miss.
For those keeping up with Marvel's cosmic and magical side, this is a must-read. And if you're looking for more superhero drama, check out our coverage of Frank Castle becoming the hunted in another new Marvel series. Or, if you're in the mood for something different, see what's happening with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' return.
Sorcerer Supreme #9 hits comic shops on August 26. Check out the preview pages in the gallery above to get a glimpse of the terror awaiting Wanda and Turin.
