The infusion of technology and magic is at the heart of Ironheart . This season portrays Riri Williams and Parker Robbins as two sides of the same complex coin. Both desire control/power and recognition and are recovering from different types of grief. And they’re willing to go to savage extremes to achieve their goals, whether it’s extorting wealthy individuals or making a deal with a demon. But Riri also has magic on her side through her mother’s best friend, Madeline, and her daughter, Zelma. They have an earthy vibe on the surface, complete with crystals and mantras. However, the final three episodes of Ironheart reveal much more about Zelma Stanton and how she connects to the MCU and Doctor Strange .
In episode four, Riri goes to her mother, claiming to need some crystals or an aura bath to balance her energy. Her mother is more than happy to take her to Stanton’s combo shop, The Magic, Books, and Sweets, which Madeline owns. (Can I stay there for the rest of my life?) There, this episode of Ironheart introduces Zelma Stanton.
Madeline and Zelma quickly steal the piece of Parker’s hood from Riri’s pocket. Soon, Zelma performs a small hand-witchcraft transportation spell, and they find themselves in an apothecary’s room in the western cortex of Neverish, a parallel plane. As they examine the fabric, Zelma reveals that Madeline went to Kamar-Taj, the same sorcery school we know all too well, thanks to Doctor Strange and Wong, thus connecting Ironheart and Doctor Strange . Madeline was once a student there but dropped out to raise Zelma.
Meanwhile, Ironheart reveals that Zelma learned her magic from books and TikTok witches, but she’s certainly no joke when it comes to magic. She initially thinks Dormammu gave Parker the hood to influence him. Zelma tells Riri that this powerful being wants a puppet to carry out his dark plan. But it turns out it’s Mephisto. SIGH. Still, Zelma’s statement about a dark being using a puppet of Ambition Stands is a bit off-putting.
After a bionic Ezekiel destroys Riri’s suit, Zelma plays a key role in helping her rebuild it in Ironheart . She uses magic to power up Riri’s suit, but at the expense of the AI Natalie. By the end of the finale, things are at a very dire point, with Riri making a deal with Mephisto. He gives her what appears to be the real Natalie back.
However, there’s always a cost, and Riri will have to pay a heavy price. An Ironheart post-credits scene shows Parker trying to appeal to Zelma for help. Will it work? We may have to wait a bit and see where Zelma’s story goes, and if she’ll make a detour into the world of Doctor Strange in the future.
