Warning: Contains spoilers for Scarlet Witch #8!!

Scarlet Witch proves that isn't the case at all. Wanda Maximoff has spent years learning to control and harness her particular brand of magic, and now she's in a better place than ever – and leagues beyond her fellow Avengers.

In Scarlet Witch #8 – written by Steve Orlando, with art by Lorenzo Tammetta – Scarlet Witch leads her new apprentice, Amaranth, through the last door and into a frozen wasteland that waits beyond. There, they encounter a creature straight out of my nightmares - an enormous, toothy Iceworm.

Even with the aid of an Isabrot, a warrior born and trained to fight the worms, they lag behind until Wanda pulls what I'd name as one of her most fascinating tricks to date; Scarlet Witch conjures a young star, or a "baby sun" to combat the worms, showing just how much cosmic power she wields.

Even If We Agree Captain Marvel Is More Physically Powerful, I'd Say Scarlet Witch's Endless Potential Makes Her Stronger

Scarlet Witch #8– Written By Steve Orlando; Art By Lorenzo Tammetta; Color By Ruth Redmond; Lettering By Ariana Maher

Carol Danvers' unique Kree/Human hybrid biology grants her incredible powers. Beyond the cocktail of strength, speed, and flight, she's able to absorb an astounding amount of energy and project it. I'd call it fair tolist of the most powerful Marvel heroes, but she falls short of Scarlet Witch for one specific reason: Wanda never unveils her full potential. Carol's ability to manipulate radiation and energy is great, but to Wanda it's merely dabbling.

Scarlet Witch's struggle with her mental health and stability have, historically, meant her connection to chaos magic and reality manipulation have been dangerous. She's been at the center of some of Marvel's most devastating events, such as House of M, and has consequently spent years intensely studying her magic and teaching herself ways of maintaining control. Consequently, I think this is the strongest she's ever been and the least likely to show off the extent of her ability, yet I just saw her casually summon the first building block of a solar system just to keep some frozen worms at bay.

Scarlet Witch Continues to Grow Into Her Magical Abilities, While I'm Worried Captain Marvel's Strength Has Maxed Out

Wanda's True Strength Starts Where Carol's Ends

In addition to her mind-boggling levels of natural power, Scarlet Witch's commitment to studying and exploring magic constantly makes her stronger. Her raw talents now matters less than her learned ones, and I think she's come leaps and bounds from being the wildcard reality-warper from years ago. Wanda's instability turned her into her own worst enemy, and she's done all the work to overcome that. Not only does she have a better handle on magic itself, but she's well-versed in where and when to apply it, and I find her growth to be Marvel's most compelling character arcs.

It's so easy for the Scarlet Witch to manifest a literal sun that she even has the spare time and energy to promise it a treat for good behavior.

The proof is on the page. It's so easy for the Scarlet Witch to manifest a literal sun that she even has the spare time and energy to promise it a treat for good behavior. Amaranth is astounded, wondering how Wanda used a sun to free her instead of kill her, and that speaks highly to the level of control Wanda demonstrates. She wills a star into existence, then out again in an explosion to kill the worms, and it truly is just another weekday for her. The pinnacle of Captain Marvel’s powers are merely the beginning of hers.

The Flip Side Of Wanda's Potential Is That Scarlet Witch’s Full Power Makes Her Dangerous

Captain Marvel Has More Room To Act

Unfortunately, the very thing that makes Scarlet Witch unstoppably powerful also makes her dangerous. Her magic has already ripped reality apart and she - along with all her enemies and allies - knows she's capable of doing the same again, should she wish. She's earned forgiveness time and time again and proven that she has grown into a different, more capable person, but I know her past will always hold her back to a certain degree. There will always be some part of Wanda Maximoff that keeps herself chained until the most extreme circumstances, meaning we'll never see everything she's capable of.

After seeing Scarlet Witch hold a miniature sun in her hands, I stand firm in my belief that she is stronger than Captain Marvel, and her magic will continue to grow.

Captain Marvel doesn't really face the same type of dilemma, and tapping into the full extent of her abilities is really what earned her the title of strongest heroine in the first place. I'll it that Scarlet Witch cannot show us everything she's capable of, so claim her gifts outweigh Carol Danvers' is an argument built on the idea of potential rather than a laundry list of specific feats. After seeing Scarlet Witch hold a miniature sun in her hands, I stand firm in my belief that she is stronger than Captain Marvel, and her magic will continue to grow.

Scarlet Witch #8 is available now from Marvel Comics.