Marvel's Mysterium Could Destroy The Magic Community

Jul 13, 2023

Scarlet Witch's discovery of a mysterious new metal is sure to have dire ramifications for Marvel's magic community.

The following contains spoilers for Scarlet Witch #4, on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Adamantium, Vibranium, Uru; the Marvel Comics universe is filled to the brim with both mystic and mundane metals of just about every description. Whether used to make earth-shattering hammers or claws that can cut through just about anything, these marvelous materials are known for their far-reaching and exotic effects. As is the case with the strange new substance encountered by the Scarlet Witch in the town of Lotkill, New York. After discovering an unusual magic-resistant worry stone in Scarlet Witch #1 (by Steve Orlando, Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D'Amico, Matthew Wilson, and VC's Cory Petit) Wanda soon discovers it to be an unstable ore with similar characteristics to the mutant meta-material known as mysterium.

This new ore nicknamed "low mysterium", resists all of Wanda's attempts to magically interact with it and proves to be an object of significant power. When Scythia, an Amazon intent on collecting a blood debt against Wanda's shopkeep Darcy, gets hold of the stone in Scarlet Witch #4 (by Steve Orlando, Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D'Amico, Matthew Wilson, and VC's Cory Petit), she throws it, piercing straight through all of Wanda's defenses and wounding her instantly. Though driven off, Scythia soon discovers an entire vein of the ore nearby and, armoring herself in the metal, plans a return to Lotkill to finish what she started.

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While low mysterium's anti-magic properties are interesting, it is the use the metal is put to that is really intriguing. Scarlet Witch is often considered among the more powerful members of the Marvel Comics universe, so to see such a tiny fragment cause such significant damage certainly positions the material as something of immense capability. While Scarlet Witch survived, and indeed proved victorious in this encounter it goes without saying that had Scythia's aim been true, Scarlet Witch could have died.

Given Scarlet Witch's enormous power and the total ease with which the low mysterium penetrated her defenses, it raises questions about what might be done with more of this metal. While Scythia is certainly a superhuman, it is totally possible for the ore to be manipulated, and thus weaponized, by mere mortals. If a single bullet-sized piece of the ore was able to wound the Scarlet Witch, then it can be imagined what a belt-fed machine gun loaded with low mysterium rounds might have done instead.

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The saying goes that god created men, then Colt made them equal. So, in a world of gods and monsters like that of the Marvel Comics universe, the discovery of an anti-magic metal that has such potential for large-scale weaponization could even the scales between beings like Scarlet Witch and the average human soldier. While a single gun in a single hand might be able to eliminate the likes of Doctor Strange or Scarlet Witch, a full military force, armed and armored in low mysterium might be able to change the face of the cosmos itself. Should the material maintain its properties in alternate dimensions, its use could even challenge the likes of beings such as Dormammu, allowing humanity to mount invasions and spread beyond the confines of the material plane.

As with any potential wonder weapon, the consequences of such a discovery could be far-reaching and exceedingly destructive. Yet, so far, this low mysterium has only been found in the hands of those capable of reason and empathy. But only the future can tell if this will remain the case, and with such power on the table, it is certain that it won't remain in responsible hands indefinitely. What this threat might mean for the world's magic users, however, remains to be seen.

Part-time writer and party-time connoisseur, Thomas Panter is an enthusiastic purveyor of cryptic wisdom and comic book knowledge. Between attempts to write the next great epic fantasy novel, he can be found running games, running game, and running classes for writers on the autism spectrum.Find him on wattpad at,