Who is Zelma? Marvel character’s unexpected Ironheart debut could set up this spinoff

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In the latter part of Ironheart, a notable Marvel duo was unveiled, among them being Zelma Stanton, or Regan Aliyah, who made her MCU appearance and could potentially pave the way for another series spinoff down the line. Proceed with caution as spoilers lie ahead!

The fresh Disney+ show focuses on Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne), who enhances her enchanted armored suit, all while dealing with the escalating abilities of Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood (portrayed by Anthony Ramos), whose powers are becoming more unruly.

Towards the end, she strikes a pact with a character representing Satan, who is Marvel’s version of Beelzebub, and Sacha Baron Cohen plays this part.

Yet, the chatter predominantly revolves around Mephisto’s sinister looks. However, it’s important to highlight Zelma Stanton’s entrance in Ironheart Episode 4, which becomes even more significant following her reappearance in the mid-credits sequence.

The talk has been mostly about Mephisto looking evil. But we should also pay attention to Zelma Stanton joining Ironheart in Episode 4, and it’s extra interesting because she showed up again at the end of the credits.

Who is Zelma Stanton?

In the Marvel universe, Zelma Stanton is a comparatively new yet substantial character. Debuting in Doctor Strange Volume 4 issue 1 (2015), she initially appeared as a practical librarian hailing from the Bronx, who found herself enmeshed in the mystical realm when supernatural entities called “mind maggots” infested her mind.

After Doctor Strange successfully treated her, Zelma’s life was irrevocably altered. Subsequently, she chose to work alongside him at his sanctuary – the Sanctum Sanctorum. Over time, she evolved into his apprentice and one of the select individuals he relied upon to safeguard mystical wisdom.

Zelma isn’t merely a book lover; she possesses her own magic prowess as well. Through the passage of time, she has honed a remarkable set of magical abilities. These include crafting shielding charms, controlling energy, and utilizing mystical artifacts with enchantments.

In simpler terms, she may not be as powerful as the Supreme Sorcerer, but she offers a down-to-earth, logical approach when dealing with the magical turmoil seen in the comics.

Although still relatively inexperienced, Doctor Strange eventually selects her for the role of instructor at his recently established institution, Strange Academy. There, she imparts knowledge to pupils like Zoe Laveau and Doyle Dormammu.

According to Marvel, she’s ventured far and wide across the cosmos, earning a reputation as one of the most remarkable young practitioners of magic. On one occasion, Strange himself referred to her as “the architect of all magical realms.

Why she’s in Ironheart

In the fourth episode of Ironheart, titled ‘Bad Magic,’ we first see the character Zelma, portrayed by Regan Aliyah from XO, Kitty. This encounter takes place when Riri and her mother pay a visit to Zelma’s family-owned candy store in Chicago. Unbeknownst to them, this shop is actually a cover for magical activities, run by Zelma’s mother, Madeline Stanton, played by Cree Summer.

The duo are working hard to decipher a tattered piece of Parker’s mystical cloak. Reminiscent of her comic book persona, Zelma demonstrates an uncanny intuition and self-assuredness about her skills, immediately recognizing the object hidden in Riri’s pocket and whisking them all away to a magical location known as the Western Cortex of Neverish.

In their investigation, it was discovered that Madeline once attended Kamar-Taj, a training ground for individuals mastering and managing their magical abilities, but she left upon becoming pregnant with Zelma.

Initially, this situation seemed unfavorable for Zelma, but in the end, it turned out to be advantageous as she developed her unique magical abilities. Eventually, both Zelma and her daughter realized that the cloak was from a mysterious, possibly dark dimension, urging Riri to keep her distance.

Hereafter, Zelma frequently pops up to assist Riri in crafting spells and producing the magical energy required for her suit’s functionality.

In the post-credit scene of Ironheart, a desperate Spider-Man, lacking his powers, turns to Zelma for aid, pleading for some potent sorcery. Initially hesitant, they seem open to collaboration once Spider-Man playfully suggests, “Fancy giving it a try with a bit of magic?

How Zelma’s arrival could set up an MCU spinoff 

Although it’s not definitive yet, Zelma’s upcoming appearance could pave the way for a possible Strange Academy sequel, given her character’s role as a magical instructor in the comic books.

Discussions about a Strange Academy series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been ongoing for several years now. More recently, industry source DanielRPK stated that Marvel Studios is contemplating whether to produce this project as either a new film or television program.

The narrative might revolve around a secret academy where Zelma nurtures aspiring magic practitioners – similar to Harry Potter’s atmosphere yet grounded in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) background. Characters such as Parker could join, adding layers of moral complexity to the plot as he confronts his own haunting past involving demons.

In essence, the predicament lies in the fact that Ironheart was initially produced as early as June 2022, well before Marvel opted to streamline their Disney+ series, prioritizing quality over an increased volume of content.

In other words, although a separate Strange Academy series focusing on Zelma seems plausible, it might take some time before this idea becomes a reality.

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2025-07-02 13:49