Wiccan (William "Billy" Kaplan-Altman) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted as a member of the Young Avengers, a team of teenage superheroes, as well as Strikeforce and New Avengers. Created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung, the character first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (April 2005). The character's appearance is patterned on that of two prominent Marvel superheroes, Thor and Scarlet Witch (Wiccan's mother), both of whom are members of the Avengers. Like the Scarlet Witch, Wiccan possesses powerful magical abilities which make him a key member of his superhero team.
Recruited to the Young Avengers by Iron Lad, Wiccan's story includes the discovery that he and fellow teen hero Speed are in fact long-lost twin brothers, and that the pair are reincarnations of the sons of Scarlet Witch and her husband Vision, Billy reincarnated from William Maximoff. Significant storylines for the character include his and his brother's search for their original mother, learning to master his powers, and an ongoing relationship with his teammate (later husband) Hulkling.
Alongside his permanent role as a member of the Young Avengers, Wiccan has also been a member of Avengers Idea Mechanics, Strikeforce, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers. He is known for being a prominent openly gay Jewish superhero in Marvel Comics.
Billy Maximoff appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Disney+ miniseries WandaVision (2021), played by Baylen Bielitz and Julian Hilliard, with Hilliard returning as a Billy from an alternate universe in the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Maximoff returned in his teenage reincarnation, William Kaplan's body, in the series Agatha All Along (2024), portrayed by Joe Locke.
Publication history
Wiccan first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (April 2005). The issue was scripted by Allan Heinberg and drawn by Jim Cheung. One of the original four members of the Young Avengers, the team was founded after the Avengers disbanded in the story line Avengers Disassembled.
Initially, Heinberg assumed that Marvel would not allow him to write two lead gay characters. Because of this, he originally planned to write Billy's love interest, Hulkling, as a female shapeshifter named Chimera. Chimera would discover that her true form was male, which would force Billy to decide if he was still in love with him. However, due to the complexity of this proposed story line, editor Tom Brevoort suggested simply making both characters gay.
Afterward the series concluded, Wiccan continued to appear alongside the Young Avengers in series such as Young Avengers Presents and Dark Reign: Young Avengers; the event comic tie-ins Civil War, Secret Invasion and Siege: Young Avengers (co-starring with The Runaways in the former two); and various other guest appearances. From 2010 to 2012 he was a part of the main cast in Avengers: The Children's Crusade, written and drawn by the original Young Avengers creative team of Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung.
Wiccan was again a main character in the 2013 Young Avengers series by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie.
As part of the All-New All-Different Marvel relaunch in 2015, Wiccan became a main character in New Avengers vol. 4, written by Al Ewing, as a member of an Avengers team led by Sunspot, alongside Hulkling, Songbird, Squirrel Girl, Hawkeye, Power Man and White Tiger. During this time he also briefly appeared in the Scarlet Witch series by James Robinson. New Avengers ended at issue #18 (January 2017) with Wiccan and Hulkling in semi-retirement.
An alternate-future version of Wiccan who became the Sorcerer Supreme appears in Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme.
In 2019, Wiccan appeared in Unstoppable Wasp #7 (July 2019) and War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2 (July 2019). Later that year, he and Hulkling co-starred in the four-issue miniseries Death's Head written by Tini Howard. Soon after, Wiccan became a main character in Strikeforce, also written by Howard, alongside Blade, Angela, Spider-Woman, Monica Rambeau, Daimon Hellstrom and Winter Soldier. The series ended at issue #9 in August 2020.
Wiccan is a prominent supporting character in the event comic miniseries Empyre.
Wiccan and Hulkling join Al Ewing's Guardians of the Galaxy series starting with #13 in April 2021 as part of a new story arc, joining current members Star-Lord, Nova, Gamora, Groot, and Rocket Raccoon. He was also a supporting character in Jonathan Hickman's 2025 series Imperial.
Wiccan received his own five issue solo limited series, Wiccan: Witches' Road from December 2025 to April 2026 written by Wyatt Kennedy.
Fictional character biography
William Maximoff Thomas Maximoff and William Maximoff were twins born to the superhuman sorceress Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, and the android hero Vision, both members of the Avengers. The pregnancy and births were the result of Scarlet Witch temporarily tapping into a great source of magical energy that allowed her to grant herself a wish for family.The Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1–12 (Marvel Comics, 1985–1986). Later, the twins are taken by the villain Master Pandemonium, a servant of the demon lord Mephisto. Mephisto claims that after his defeat at the hands of the powerful Franklin Richards,Fantastic Four #277 (April 1985) his essence was divided into several pieces and scattered, and that Wanda inadvertently used two of these pieces to give life to her twins, who in reality are magical constructs. Mephisto then apparently wiped the boys Thomas and William from existence, reabsorbing their energy.Avengers West Coast #51 – #52 (November – December 1989) Following these events, Wanda and Vision end their marriage.
Somehow, years before the marriage of Wanda and Vision, their twins are reborn as Thomas Shepherd (later the hero called Speed) and Billy Kaplan, two boys physically identical (except for hair color) but born to different families.
Billy Kaplan William "Billy" Kaplan is the eldest of three sons born to Jeff Kaplan, a cardiologist, and Rebecca Kaplan, a psychologist.
Regularly bullied in school, Billy looks up to superheroes, particularly the Avengers team. He finds solace outside the gates of the Avengers Mansion. One day after being injured in a fight with bullies, Billy encounters the Scarlet Witch, who tells him to stand his ground the next time he's bullied and touches his head, healing him.
A few weeks later, Billy acts to defend another kid being bullied, demonstrating his magical powers for the first time and nearly killing his tormentor. Afterward, he begins practicing with his powers, learning he can generate lightning and fly. He can also cast spells by chanting his intentions.Young Avengers #5 (August 2005)
Young Avengers A few years later, due to the influence of Doctor Doom and being overwhelmed by temporarily increased power, Scarlet Witch attacks the Avengers, destroying Vision and Avengers Mansion. Before his destruction, Vision created a protocol to activate and recruit a team of young people with superhuman abilities and who are connected in some way to the Avengers team. One of those selected is Billy, indicating that Vision and others learned his power was similar to that of Wanda Maximoff. Iron Lad, a young version of Kang the Conqueror, becomes leader of these Young Avengers. Billy is known as Asgardian, and later Wiccan. During the team's initial adventures, Billy starts flirting with teammate Teddy Altman / Hulkling.Young Avengers #1–5 (Marvel Comics, 2005). The main Avengers group reforms, with the Young Avengers continuing to operate. Billy and Teddy begin dating.
Civil War During the Civil War, Billy and Tommy plan to look for Wanda. S.H.I.E.L.D. arrests the Young Avengers. Falcon and Captain America intercept the S.H.I.E.L.D bus which is transporting the prisoners and Wiccan teleports the team out of the situation, into the Resistance Fighters base of operations.Civil War #2 (August 2006)
When the Runaways try to stay out of the conflict, they barely escape from the government forces. Hearing of this development in the news, the Young Avengers decide to help the Runaways even though Captain America vetoes the plan. Wiccan uses his magic to locate and teleport to the Runaways. However, the Runaways believe that the Young Avengers have come to capture them and a fight ensues until Eli Bradley (Patriot) convinces Nico Minoru to stop the hostilities. The two teams are later attacked by Noh-Varr, who captures Wiccan and Hulkling. Hulkling is vivisected while in prison, with Wiccan nearly killing the prison's warden in retaliation.Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways
Wiccan and the other imprisoned anti-Registration heroes are eventually freed in a raid led by Captain America. This liberation is made possible largely by Teddy's shape-shifting ability, which allows him to mimic Hank Pym's retinal and voice patterns, and thereby release all the prisoners from their cells.Civil War #6
Billy is shown to be a member of the Initiative, along with Hulkling. It is later revealed that some, perhaps most, of the Young Avengers did not actually join The Initiative or even register. They were registered by their Earth-A counterparts; both Wiccan and Hulkling are seen complaining about being registered to their "A Selves".She-Hulk vol. 3 #21
The Search for the Scarlet Witch Wiccan and Speed later search for the Scarlet Witch following the events of Civil War. While Billy and Tommy both search for Wanda (referring to her as "Mom") they encounter Master Pandemonium, who recognizes Wiccan's magic as that of the Scarlet Witch and further explains their original history as the Scarlet Witch's children. However, he likens the boys' search for their past and Wanda to his own former life as rising actor, and tells them that their past was "darkness and chaos" and advises them that they should embrace who they are now. This appears to have satisfied Wiccan, who calls off his search for now, deciding that he is happy with the person he is and the people in his life.Young Avengers Presents #3 (March 2008)
Dark Reign and Siege Wiccan gathers the Young Avengers together at the Avengers Mansion to respond to wave of supernatural chaos caused by Chthon. The team is turned to stone by Chthon's magic, except for Vision and Stature, who arrive too late.The Mighty Avengers #21 (March 2009)
Doctor Strange, the former Sorcerer Supreme and one of Marvel's premiere magic users, visits Wiccan to discuss his potential candidacy and ability to assume the position as the new Sorcerer Supreme. When the Hood finds Strange and engages him in magical combat, Wiccan aids him, contrary to Strange's orders to flee. Wiccan and Strange teleport to the New Avengers seeking help.The New Avengers #51The New Avengers #52
During the Siege of Asgard, Wiccan and the other Young Avengers were among those who answered Steve Rogers' assembly call for the purpose of overthrowing Norman Osborn's regime and defending Asgard.Siege #2
The Children's Crusade