Explaining the Darkhold in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Confirmed in the series finale of WandaVision, the book in Agatha’s (Kathryn Hahn) basement was the dark magic book known as the Darkhold. If we discount Agents of Shield and Runways which is what Marvel Studios are doing, this is the first appearance of the ‘Book of the Dammed’. As such the purpose of the book has not been confirmed within the MCU, but from what we know in the comics there is some similarities between the source material and what we saw in WandaVision.

The source of the Darkhold:

Looking at the origin of the Darkhold within the comics we can trace it to the former Elder God and demon known as Chthon. In ancient history, Chthon before escaping Earth for the Other-Realm wrote the Darkhold. Within the pages he placed all his knowledge on dark magic and spells used to practice it. He then left the book on Earth, so he could continue to influence the world despite his absence. The book also holds the possibility of his return if the write spell is conjured.

What is also interesting about Chthon is that he is a chaos magic user. Known as the God of Chaos he is believed to be the first entity that practised this type of magic.

After Chthon left Earth to escape the God-Eater, the book was stored in the caverns of Wundagore Mountain. Over history many had encounters with the demonic book and even tried to summon Chthon. Morgan Le Fray was one of these individuals who looked to use Chthon, but what wasn’t expected was that Chthon didn’t have to obey anyone. Subsequently the group led my Le Fray managed to trap Chthon into Wundagore Mountain.

Moving to more modern times, Chthon and the Darkhold managed to gain influence over a sorcerer called Modred. This is when we get the first link to the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). The corrupted Modred aimed to use the Scarlet Witch as a vessel for in which Chthon could return to Earth. Ultimately the Avengers stopped this threat, but the story which was showcased in the pages of Avengers #185-187 also gave us an explanation for Wanda’s powers.

Born in the surrounding area of Wundagore Mountain, at birth Chthon was able to imbue Wanda with a fraction of his chaos magic powers, with the hope of taking over her body and returning in the modern world. This is where we can begin to link the comics to what we have seen in WandaVision.

WandaVision’s Darkhold:

What is constant throughout the comics is the influence of the Darkhold, which has the ability to corrupt its users in order to serve the Chthon. In WandaVision Agatha is the one in possession of the ‘Book of Sins’. The Salem Witch trial scene where Agatha is on trial for using Dark Magic shows the type of magic the Darkhold holds within its pages. Taking the powers from the ‘underserving’ as Agatha says is our first indication of the influence the Darkhold has on a person.

We then get our first sight of what the Darkhold contains as Agatha states it is the Scarlet Witch’s destiny to destroy the world. She even confirms that Wanda is more powerful than the sorcerer supreme.

Where we can begin to see a link to the comics is the fact Chthon wanted the Scarlet Witch to be who he uses as the vessel to destroy the world. This can be developed even further from what we have seen in WandaVision. Episode 8 told us that Wanda had some pre-existing magical ability before her exposure to the mind stone; however we never were told how this came about. Many assume this was a reference to her mutant powers from the comics, but currently in the MCU mutants have not been introduced and a lot of effort has been made to make it clear that Wanda isn’t a mutant. As such the pre-existing powers of Wanda could be due to the touch at birth Chthon gave her in the comics.

Moreover, there is a line from Agatha which further hints that something dangerous could be coming. Agatha says to Wanda “you have no idea what you’ve unleashed”. What Agatha is referring to is still a question but due to Agatha having extensive knowledge of the Darkhold which could even include herself being corrupted, it is likely that she could referring to Chthon’s return.

We get to see the Darkhold again in the post-credit scene which could hint at the capabilities even more of the book. In a mountainous location we like to think is Wundagore Wanda’s astral form is reading through the Darkhold. From what we know about the book from WandaVision and the comics this is not a good sign. The voices of Billy and Tommy screaming for help do explain why Wanda is reading the book. She clearly wants to get them back and the dark magic she is reading could give her the answers.

However, we know that the book can corrupt minds and manifest Chthon in the comics, with the Scarlet Witch being the vessel used. Therefore exposure to the book could lead to Chthon taking over Wanda’s body.

What to Expect?

Next, we are set to see Wanda next in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. From the post-credit scene which featured music from the Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) movie we know that the Darkhold could be of importance to the movie. While reading the book Wanda will learn of her powers and likely will learn of her nexus powers which can see her travel through the multiverse. Wanda will want to see her children again, but the promise of that via the Darkhold could be a trick for Chthon to return.

Being honest we are theorising healthily that Chthon will be involved in some way due to his links to the Darkhold, but alone the Darkhold has enough dangers to corrupt the fragile mind of Wanda, which would lead into the Multiverse of Madness.

The Dr. Strange sequel is likely to explore the multiverse in even more detail and the actions of Wanda will likely cause this. But, it is the Darkhold which is the first magical book which is giving Wanda her knowledge. She will not understand the other side of the mystic arts, which is what makes the Darkhold and Wanda such a danger.

Whether the Darkhold follows the comics and allows for a return of Chthon or just corrupts the mind of Wanda with dark magic, the power of the book is going to be a concern for the multiverse and Dr. Strange.

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