Episode 172: People who do evil things (Strange Tales #128) -- December 1964

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the X-Men’s release of photos and power descriptions of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (Magneto, Toad, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Mastermind). Why were these details released now? Was the motivation related to the recent anti-mutant feelings of the public? Or was it just about providing information so we can all protect ourselves? Also: Why were Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver meeting with the Fantastic Four?

Behind the comic:

From their first introduction, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were presented as complicated and reluctant villains. Scarlet Witch believed that she owed a debt to Magneto, and Quicksilver’s motivation was just to protect his sister. This was the first issue where that motivation is explored outside the X-Men series. The two villains attempt to give up their life of crime, but when they are attacked anyway by the Thing and the Human Torch, they abandon their plan and head back to Magneto. We are not aware if Stan Lee was already planning for the duo to switch sides and join the Avengers (less than 6 months away), but either way this is a nice example of long-term foreshadowing.

In this issue:

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch decide to leave Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. They decide to meet with the Fantasic Four to see if they can advise them on how to make the transition to the side of the heroes. At the same time, the X-Men have released photos and details about the Brotherhood, including those of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. As a result, when the reluctant villains and aspiring heroes show up at the Fantasic Four’s headquarters, the Thing and the Human Torch are already primed to think that they are there with ill intent. They battle and, at the end of it, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch decide to return to Magneto, feeling that they are safer with him.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are confused as to what Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are planning.

This episode takes place:

After Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch‘s near transition to the heroes’ side.

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