What If? Magik is all I’ve ever wanted in my life as a fan. Not only because Illyana and Stephen are my favorite characters in the entire Marvel multiverse, but because their relationship is so pure and the 616 universe did not help to build it properly.
Mostly because Illyana was always dealing with mutant problems along with the New Mutants and the X-men, while Strange was struggling with magical issues. Their only opportunity to meet was in the future, before AvX. Strange agreed to train Illyana because he knew the Avengers would be in the wrong side as usual. Not only that, but Stephen doesn’t work on teams. Yes, he was an Avenger that time, yet it’s not ideal for him.
New Avengers vol 2 pointed how Stephen struggles to be part of a team, or even to make friends. He can’t. He has several issues within his personality. He despises himself, he thinks he’s not worthy. He only agreed to be part of the New Avengers because his absence during the first civil war became a burden of guilt inside his heart. So the only way to redress this guilt was protecting the fugitives from Iron Man’s team.
This struggle is worsened during New Avengers Vol. 3 and the creation of the Illuminati, which drove him to unleash his worst side as a person. He saw entire worlds dying in front of his eyes, he was a powerless sorcerer supreme. He gave up on everything, even his own soul – this is, if he had one.
Meanwhile, Illyana also struggled with his darkchylde side and all of the X-men’s issues, including a schism, extermination and even death itself. She tried everything to help the mutants, that’s when she became the apprentice of an assumed enemy.
They had so many things in common, yet there was little time to explore it all. When the war between Avengers and X-men was done, Illyana still respected Strange and even became part of the magical team in Civil War II. Illyana also sought Strange’s help in some occasions, meaning that their bond remained.
Now, What If? Magik really gives us is all of what it could have been concerning their relationship. Stephen is not perfect. Geez, he’s so far way from being perfect, but he still tries his best to protect Illyana. I know his first intention was find a disciple to substitute him as sorcerer supreme, but knowing Stephen, with all his flaws, I know deep down he meant to save Illyana from becoming evil. I know that because he fears it too. That’s why he gave up on his title as sorcerer supreme in New Avengers vol 2. This issue is the proper opportunity to explore it. You see, he’s just terrible at comforting Illyana. But he knows she could become something awful. So instead of letting her go, he adopted her. Yes, to substitute him, but also to make her overcome her evil side. Stephen trusted Illyana, and for him, that’s a real deal. The same goes for Illyana, who was deceived by Belasco. Belasco “sheltered” her in Limbo and taught her magic in order to make her a tool. For Illyana, any sign of magic tutelage is a trigger for the worst part of her life. Still, she trusted Stephen. It was an exchange of reliance, which is a beautiful, healthy bond in my opinion.
Illyana in the end is giving up on herself. She wants to die because she’s not worthy. She’s tired of being afraid, she’s tired of being a tool for evil. But Stephen is familiar with this feeling and he believes in his apprentice. His chosen words might not be the best, but they were exactly what Illyana needed. Even with trusting issues, she knows she can rely on him.
All I’ve ever wanted while reading their interactions was this sign of this familiar bond. This trust, this feeling that they relate to each other.
Stephen as the ultimate dad disaster™, Wong as the ultimate disaster uncle™ and Illyana as the ultimate teenager daughter disaster™. This is the most beautiful and pure bond I could ever dream of.
In my opinion, What If? Magik is not about Illyana becoming the next sorcerer supreme. It’s about the evolution of Stephen and Illyana’s bond of trust. And honestly, to me, this is 100% canon in my heart and I couldn’t be more thankful for this blessing.
Thank you, Leah Williams and all the team involved in this marterpiece. It has become my favorite issue of all times.
