Did Captain America & Scarlet Witch Get Romantic in The Comics?

Captain America and Scarlet Witch have been teammates on the Avengers for a long time, learning to rely on each other as the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have faced one colossal threat after another. Unlike their MCU counterparts, Steve Rogers and Wanda Maximoff found warmth and love in each other’s arms or was it all a cruel illusion brought on by forces nobody could anticipate?

In the Captain America and the Falcon series, Wanda appeared undercover despite Captain America’s objections to help him locate a missing Falcon who had disappeared during a mission in Cuba. Accepting Scarlet Witch’s help in assisting local victims of a vicious hurricane, Steve and Wanda shared a meaningful glace before parting ways. They would share a similar moment when Wanda, appearing as a cab driver, revealed that she had brought the dangerous bio-weapon Sam and Steve had fought to keep out of enemies hands including the vicious Anti-Cap onto American soil. The only difference was that this emotional longing was witnessed by the Falcon who couldn’t help wondering what was going on. This potential romance was solidified further as Wanda used her powers to interrupt a battle between Captain America, Falcon and armed forces who were attempting to arrest Sam in retaliation for the duo not turning Anti-Cap over to the military. When Steve protested again to Wanda’s involvement, Wanda reassured him that she was simply looking out for those she loved and a potential kiss was interrupted by timely interjection from Hank Pym (Yellowjacket).

Shortly after this battle, Steve began to experience vivid hallucinations of his former partner Bucky, Wanda, and recollections of World War II which made Captain America question his grasp on reality. When Scarlet Witch appeared, he made sure that she was real first before confiding in her about these episodes and what effect it was having upon his emotions. Wanda reassured him yet again and showed that she reciprocated his feelings toward her and they both kissed, with Wanda’s apologies and questions of impulsiveness put to rest with Steve removing his mask as a sign of trust and confidence.

Although nothing adult apparently happened that night, Steve discussed with Wanda over a cup of coffee on his couch about this situation and what it could mean. Telling him a story about love and how it applied to his outlook on life put Steve at ease but that last kiss would be put to the test once he told Sam Wilson what happened. Sam was admittedly shocked and skeptical of the relationship, questioning Wanda’s old world upbringing and if Steve truly had feelings for Wanda. Steve honestly admitted that he did and before a meeting at the Avengers Mansion, he pulled Scarlet Witch aside and tried to talk to her about them. Although he managed to articulate himself, Wanda shockingly had no memory of the events of the previous night nor showed any indication of feelings toward Steve whatsoever.

This discussion would send Steve into an emotional tailspin and the events within the series would have Captain America search for some kind of logical reason as to why Wanda would remember nothing, considering hypnosis or some kind of mental manipulation from their current villain MODOK. In Captain America and the Falcon #9, Steve reveals in a discussion with the Falcon that he believes the hallucinations and the forgotten romance were caused by Wanda herself, a result of her de-stabilized powers lashing out during her infamous breakdown in Avengers Disassembled.

Writer Christopher Priest weaved his storyline into the current events of Marvel during 2004 where the Avengers were disbanded after the disorienting and horrific event of Scarlet Witch’s breakdown which included the destruction of the Avengers Mansion, the revoking of the Avengers UN charter, and the death of Avengers Vision and Hawkeye. The remaining Avengers discovered a Scarlet Witch possessed by a mysterious cosmic force who’s action had also been manipulated by Doctor Doom.  Defeating her reality-warped forces, Wanda was placed into a coma by Doctor Strange and left in the care of her father Magneto.

Regarding Captain America, Steve Rogers had every right to upset and angry with Wanda for manipulating both his mind and heart. Having him relive and remember the loss of his partner Bucky was one thing but convincing him that he had legitimate feelings for her and then blowing him off like it was nothing? That’s a blow that Captain America should take a while to forget, even after Scarlet Witch admitted to not being in control of herself and her powers. Although this was a notable moment in this short-lived series, it appears to have been forgotten and forgiven,  as Captain America and Scarlet Witch would eventually work together in the future. It’s one thing to have to work alongside an ex-wife or partner but to work alongside someone who manipulated you psychologically and emotionally into having feelings for them as well as disbanded the team you both considered to be like family? That’s a kind of awkwardness that you only find in comic books.

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