In the first two episodes of Agatha All Along, the sharp and cunning Agatha Harkness (played by Kathryn Hahn) gathers a group of witches to face the challenges of the Witches’ Road.
Disney+’s latest Marvel series, created by WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaeffer, introduces several new characters, all drawn from Marvel Comics’ collection of powerful female magic users.
Most of Agatha’s recruits are hesitant about joining her, except for Teen (played by Joe Locke), but one of the more resistant members is Alice Wu-Gulliver (played by Ali Ahn). Alice, the daughter of a mystical musician, claims not to believe in magic.
With the group now stepping onto the Witches’ Road, Alice will soon have to accept the supernatural world and show her potential as a sorceress. Her character in the series is inspired by a Marvel Comics figure with an important legacy. So, who is Alice’s counterpart in the comics, and how does Agatha All Along change her?
Who Is Marvel Comics’ Alice Wu-Gulliver?
In the comics, Alice Gulliver was created by writer James Robinson and artist Mike Perkins during a storyline from the 2016 Scarlet Witch comic series. As a child, Alice witnesses the death of her mother, August Wu, who was a witch and the protector of Hong Kong.
August dies while battling a demon, and her magical powers, along with her unique pink hair, are passed on to Alice immediately after. Alice’s father, Detective Sergeant Adam Gulliver, is also killed not long after, leaving her an orphan.
Despite her grief, Alice chooses to honor both her parents’ legacies. She blends her mother’s sorcerer guardian role and her father’s law enforcement work to become the Wu, Hong Kong’s only witch detective. To keep her magical identity secret, Alice enhances her firearms and gadgets with magic.
She also wields a magical sword that, similar to Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring, allows her to open portals to different dimensions. This comes in handy as she fights against various demons.
Alice partners with Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) when Wanda visits Hong Kong to track down an evil magician named Tongji. Alice’s bullets prove useful, and after dealing with Tongji, she and Wanda share a peaceful tea break before parting ways as allies.
How Is Alice Wu-Gulliver Different in ‘Agatha All Along’?
In Agatha All Along, Alice Wu-Gulliver makes her debut in Episode 2. While similar to her comic book counterpart, this version of Alice is reimagined.
Agatha introduces Alice as a Protection Witch but adds that she’s also a Blood Witch due to her mother being Lorna Wu, a famous rock singer from the band Lorna Wu and the Coral Shore.
Lorna is the creator of the “most famous version” of the “Ballad of the Witches’ Road,” the song sung by Agatha’s new coven during the episode’s final moments.
When Agatha mentions Lorna, Teen becomes excited, revealing that his mother attended Lorna’s last concert before the singer’s mysterious death. This small detail hints at a deeper connection between Teen and Alice. Agatha also adds more mystery to Alice’s backstory by stating that Lorna might have died on the Witches’ Road.
Why Does Alice Join Agatha Harkness’ Coven in ‘Agatha All Along’?
Agatha and Teen find Alice working as a security guard at the Westview mall, a far cry from her past as a police officer. Alice’s boss quickly fires her after Agatha tricks him with a shoplifting incident, calling her “nothing but bad luck.” This implies that Alice has faced a difficult life.
When Agatha and Teen first talk to Alice about the Witches’ Road, she dismisses it as just a song that sparked a “cult.” However, curious about her mother’s disappearance, she reluctantly decides to meet Agatha.
In an exclusive interview with media, Ali Ahn shared insights into Alice’s internal conflict: “I think the difference with Alice is that she’s really hiding from being a witch. She’s sort of disconnected with that part of herself, and I think Agatha coming to find her is genuinely surprising.”
The mysterious reputation of the Witches’ Road, combined with Alice’s desire to understand what happened to her mother and her unfamiliarity with her own powers, suggests that Alice’s journey will be filled with self-discovery and danger.
