When it comes to the Avengers, there are a few superheroes who have twins in the Marvel universe. Twins can often play an interesting role in superhero stories, creating fun dynamics and unique partnerships. So which Avenger has a twin sibling? Let’s take a look at some of the options.
Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch
One of the most well-known sets of twins in the Marvel universe is Wanda Maximoff and her brother Pietro, also known as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. They both first appeared in X-Men #4 in March 1964. Wanda and Pietro are mutants, having gained their powers through experimentation by the High Evolutionary. Wanda can manipulate probability via hexes, while Pietro has super speed.
In the comics, they often fought against the X-Men as part of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants led by Magneto. Later, they reformed and joined the Avengers. Wanda in particular has been a longstanding member of the team. She and Pietro have a close bond as siblings, even if they have sometimes found themselves on opposing sides.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wanda and Pietro were introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015. As in the comics, they gained powers artificially through Hydra experiments with the Mind Stone. Pietro sacrificed himself heroically in the film, while Wanda went on to become a key member of the Avengers.
Thomas Shepherd/Speed
Another speedster twin in Marvel is Thomas Shepherd, who is the twin of Wanda’s deceased husband Vision. Thomas first appeared in Young Avengers #10 in 2006. He and his twin sister William were separated from each other at birth. After gaining his superspeed abilities, Thomas took on the superhero name Speed.
Speed joined the Young Avengers with Wiccan and fought against various villains. He and Wiccan share a close bond as brothers and teammates, even though they spent their early years apart. Speed looks up to Quicksilver as a mentor and source of inspiration. At one point, Wanda believed Thomas and William could be her resurrected children with Vision, but this was later disproved.
William Kaplan/Wiccan
William Kaplan is the twin brother of Thomas Shepherd, who goes by the superhero name Wiccan. Like his brother Speed, William first appeared in Young Avengers #10 in 2006. He has powerful magic abilities, similar to those of Scarlet Witch.
Wiccan joined the Young Avengers team alongside his newly discovered twin. The two brothers formed a close partnership, balancing each other’s personalities and powers. Wiccan names the Scarlet Witch and her husband the Vision as his parents, although the exact nature of their relationship has been left unclear. Along with his brother, Wiccan continues to fight crime as part of the Young Avengers.
Phoebe & Irma Cuckoo
Phoebe and Irma Cuckoo are clone sisters with powerful telepathic abilities. Along with their clone sisters Celeste, Esme, Mindee, and Sophie, they first appeared in New X-Men #118 in 2001. The sisters were cloned from Emma Frost by the Weapon Plus program.
The Cuckoo sisters have faced off against the X-Men on several occasions as members of the Hellfire Club. Phoenix and Irma in particular have manipulated the Young Avengers team. However, they have also helped the X-Men at times, such as joining Cyclops’ team of X-Men. Their similar appearances and shared telepathic powers allow them to function as an effective team.
Griffin & Meyer Greycrow
Griffin and Meyer Greycrow are Native American twin brothers who both have super speed powers. They first appeared in Black Panther #4 in 1999. Their Cheyenne heritage gives them a connection to nature and animals.
The Greycrow twins can run at speeds up to 135 miles per hour. They have aided Black Panther and the Avengers as expert trackers. Griffin and Meyer bring unique skills and perspectives to the superhero teams they assist while staying grounded in their cultural identity. The brothers have a close relationship and watch each other’s backs while fighting crime.
Fenris – Andrea & Andreas von Strucker
Andrea and Andreas von Strucker are the twin children of supervillain Baron Strucker. First appearing in Uncanny X-Men #194 in 1985, the siblings have terrorized the world as Fenris. They both have energy powers that can be enormously destructive when used in tandem.
Andrea and Andreas work as a deadly team, focusing their powers simultaneously to attack enemies. They have faced off against the X-Men and Avengers numerous times over the years. Fenris almost always operates as a pair, demonstrating the unique threat posed by villainous twins. Their lethal powers and mutual loyalty make them a dangerous foe.
Masque & Mastermind
Masque and Mastermind are siblings who can both create illusions. They are the children of original X-Men foe Mastermind. Masque and her brother first appeared in Uncanny X-Men Annual #12 in 1988.
As their names suggest, Masque has the power to reshape faces, while Mastermind can create psychic illusions. Together they have attempted to challenge the X-Men and other Marvel heroes. They share a close connection and complement each other’s illusion powers. Masque and Mastermind have proven to be an unsettling and challenging adversary for the X-Men when working together.
Sersi & Eros/Starfox
Sersi and Eros, also known as Starfox, are Eternals who are twins. Sersi first appeared in The Eternals #3 in 1976, while Eros debuted in Iron Man #55 in 1973. They are both fourth-generation Eternals, which gives them a range of superhuman abilities.
Sersi has illusion powers and the ability to transform objects and beings, while Eros can psychically stimulate pleasure centers in people’s brains. In the comics, they have been members of The Avengers and assisted them in battle. Despite their different personalities and powers, Sersi and Eros share the natural connection of cosmic twin siblings.
Other Examples
While the above examples cover some of the major twin pairs in Marvel comics, there are some other less prominent examples as well:
- Xa/Nei – Clones of Cable who exhibited telepathic powers
- mindMan & mindMelder – Alien twins with mind powers
- Dorms & Toothe – Members of Captain Britain’s MI13 team with energy powers
- Venus & Victoria – Venus has fire powers while Victoria has ice powers
- Valinor & Kurse – Brothers mutated by Dark Elves
Twins and multiple siblings show up fairly often in Marvel comics, providing storytelling opportunities around rivalries, teamwork and the ups and downs of sibling relationships. Several have similar power sets that complement each other in battle. While Wanda Maximoff and her brother Pietro are likely the most iconic set of twins, they are far from the only ones!
Conclusion
In the Marvel universe, there are a number of notable twin siblings and clone pairs among both heroes and villains. Some of the most impactful include Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, Speed and Wiccan, Fenris, and the Cuckoo sisters. Twins provide opportunities to explore family dynamics while also showcasing teamwork between siblings who complement each other’s abilities.
Wanda Maximoff as Scarlet Witch is arguably the most prominent Marvel hero who is a twin. Along with her brother Pietro, also known as Quicksilver, they have been members of both the Avengers and X-Men. As mutants who gained powers artificially, they showcase how twins can share remarkable abilities. Even after tragedy pulled them apart, Wanda and Pietro remain iconic and powerful Marvel twins.