The Marvel Cinematic Universe is heading into a new whole new realm as we explore the multiverse. While there aren’t any infinity stones in play, other objects from different realms are all set to greatly influence the future events, starting with the Darkhold, which reappeared in the recently released Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
As the Darkhold plays a major role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, fans are set to get familiar with this book of spells that first appeared in the MCU during the events of the Disney Plus series, WandaVision.
If you’re new to the Marvel universe you could be confused as to what exactly the book is all about Here’s everything you need to know about the origins and powers of the Darkhold.
Introducing MCU’s version of the Darkhold
The Darkhold, also known as the Book of the Damned or the Book of Sins, contains many powerful dark magic and spells. It is said that it tends to impart a heavy toll on its reader which could include losing their mind and/or their soul.
In the Marvel universe, the book comes from the Dark Dimension and is made from dark matter. But the origins of the book have been slightly tweaked for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the movie, it is revealed that the book’s contents have been transcribed from the walls of Wundagore Mountain, a location where the first demon Chthon visited and noted down his dark magic.
In the Marvel comic book too, the book traces back to Wundagore Mountain as this is where it was crafted by Chthon in a chamber called the Darque Hold. It isn’t clear that its contents were ever engraved into the walls of the mountain, though several copies of the spells within the book were spread around the universe.
In the MCU, only some of the spells from the Darkhold have been shown. These include dreamwalking and conjuring demons, something which Scarlet Witch can be seen doing in the Doctor Strange sequel.
Other spells shown in the comics include the ability to summon Elder Gods including Chthon himself and siphoning psionic energy to empower a target. The book is also responsible for the existence of werewolves and vampires in the comic books, though we are yet to see live-action usage in the MCU.
Many people have attempted to find the Darkhold over the years and it has shown up in multiple Marvel TV series. While the book first appeared in Agents of Shield, its first canonical appearance happens in the Disney Plus series WandaVision. During the show, we learn that the book has been in the possession of the crafty witch, Agatha Harkness who uses its powers to manipulate Wanda in Westview.
Those who have watched the show will know that Wanda gained possession of the book after taking down Harkness at the end of the series and is seen using its powers to track down her kids across the multiverse in Doctor Strange 2.
