In
New Salem, Agatha Harkness has been captured by Salem’s Seven, and is being
burned at the stake. She curses her betrayers but Vertigo, her successor as
High Priestess, assures her followers that, as her grandchildren, they have the
power to prevail over the Scarlet Witch….
Two
months later, Vision and the Scarlet Witch are having an idyllic walk in the
Rocky Mountains; Vision revels in his new-found family though his recently
discovered connection with Simon Williams. Wanda brings up Vision’s suggestion
they have a baby (end of last issue), pointing out the difficult mechanics of
it all. They then discover a village not on the map. It is New Salem and they
are then attacked by Salem’s Seven. The two heroes prevail until Vertigo puts a
mind-bending spell on them—which only affects Wanda. It takes Vakume draining
Vision’s energy that causes the Synthezoid to shut down….
Wanda
awakens inside a cage with the unconscious Vision beside her. The cage is
reinforced with multiple spells to ensure she cannot escape. Vertigo invites
Wanda to join their community—but without Vision as only witches are welcome
there. Vertigo also mentions that it is Lammas when a sacrifice is made as a
tribute to the Corn God and this year it is Gazelle, who opposed trapping
Wanda. Vertigo also casually mentions that they have killed Agatha Harkness
(and also that she is Agatha’s granddaughter). Wanda refuses to join them and
they leave. She then tries to power up Vision but the binding spells prevent
her from using any of her hex power. Wanda appeals to Gazelle to help them
escape but the young witch is proud to be a sacrifice for her people. Vision
quietly reveals that he is awake, only “playing possum.” Gazelle is so moved by
Wanda’s great love for the Vision that she offers her blessing for their
escape….
At
dawn, Gazelle is taken out and burned at the stake. Salem’s Seven (minus one)
bring Wanda and Vision out and tie them to stakes but Vision absorbs energy
from the sun and responds with his eye lasers, escaping and rescuing Wanda.
Vertigo unleashes her magical power on him but Vision repels it, knocking the
High Priestess out and without her to contain all of the magical energy, it
strikes against the inhabitants of New Salem. Wanda tries to contain the energy
and channel it into the mountain but Agatha’s ghost appears, telling her not to
merely channel it but to use it. The mountain explodes and all 666 (actually
665) citizens of New Salem perish. Wanda tells Vision about Agatha appearing to
her and she wonders if her advice to use the magic referred not to the battle
but her desire to have a baby….
“Not
a Text Page, or, Vamping Till Your Letters Come in”
Everything:
Fred Hembeck.
Synopsis:
Vision and Scarlet Witch appear in a comical page plugging the other projects
of the creative team (including Fred Hembeck) and inviting readers to send
letters.