The Darkhold in Marvel's Multiverse: Is WandaVision’s Darkhold Canon?

The Darkhold, a mystical book of spells and dark magic, plays a significant role across various Marvel properties. Its appearances in Royal Flush, WandaVision, and Runaways have led to confusion and speculation. While the Darkhold's presence in these series creates intrigue, its canonicity within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a matter of debate.

The Multiverse and the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Darkhold first appears in the series Royal Flush, a show that is considered part of an alternative or separate continuity. The ties of the Darkhold to WandaVision and Runaways add complexity to this discussion, as these are more established within the main MCU.

The WandaVision Darkhold

Within WandaVision, the Darkhold is a central and significant artifact tied to Wanda Maximof's powers and the multiverse. The show's portrayal of the Darkhold aligns with the MCU's current direction, further cementing its place within the main timeline.

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Darkhold

The Darkhold also has a prominent role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where it serves as a key element in several storylines involving dark magic and supernatural elements. However, the series' relationship to the MCU has been contentious. While initially considered part of the MCU, its later seasons diverged significantly from the main continuity. This divergence leads to some confusion about the Darkhold's status.

The Runaways Darkhold

In Runaways, the Darkhold is mentioned but plays a less prominent role. The show is also considered part of a separate continuity from the main MCU, further complicating the canonicity of the Darkhold.

Official Marvel Clarification

As of August 2023, Marvel has not officially clarified the relationship between these properties. Many fans view WandaVision as part of the main MCU timeline while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Runaways are often seen as more peripheral. This division in fan understanding exacerbates the complex canonicity of the Darkhold.

My Opinion on the Darkhold in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

From my perspective, the Darkhold seen in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is part of a different universe than the main MCU. Although early seasons of AOS accurately referenced the events of the MCU, by the time of the snaps and the blip, the AOS universe was noticeably different. No snaps or evidence of flashes or five-year blips were ever mentioned in AOS. Therefore, the Darkhold of WandaVision and the Darkhold of AOS are different entities.

Furthermore, by the last season of AOS, the timeline had been significantly altered by the protagonists of the show, possibly resulting in additional parallel universes or timelines.

Conclusion

The Darkhold and its canonicity within the Marvel Universe remain a subject of debate. While the WandaVision Darkhold firmly exists within the main MCU timeline, the AOS and Runaways Darkholds are seen as separate entities. Fans and scholars alike continue to grapple with this complexity, leading to ongoing discussions surrounding the multiverse and its numerous interconnected universes.