IRONHEART Ties Into DOCTOR STRANGE, Thanks to This Magical Character_1 Disney+/Marvel Television

IRONHEART Ties Into DOCTOR STRANGE, Thanks to This Magical Character

Originally posted on Nerdist | By Tai Gooden | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 2:06 AM ET

Infusing tech and magic is at the core of Ironheart. This season shows Riri Williams and Parker Robbins as two sides of the same complex coin. They both want control/power and recognition, and are reeling from different types of grief. And they are willing to go to wild extremes to be able to accomplish their goals, whether that’s extorting rich folks or making a deal with a demon. But Riri also has magic on her side through her mother’s bestie, Madeline, and her daughter, Zelma. They have an Earthy vibe on the surface, complete with crystals and mantras. However, the last three episodes of Ironheart reveal so 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 out her energy. Her mom is more than happy to take her to Stanton’s, the magic, books, and sweets combo shop that Madeline owns. (Can I please hang out there for the rest of my life?) There, this episode of Ironheart introduces Zelma Stanton.

Madeline and Zelma quickly suss out the piece of Parker’s hood that is in Riri’s pocket. Soon, Zelma does a little hand sorcery transportation spell, and they are in an apothecary room in the Western Cortex of Neverish, a parallel plane. As they examine the fabric, Zelma reveals that Madeline went to the Kamar-Taj, the same sorcery school we know all too well thanks to Doctor Strange and Wong, thus linking 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 that Dormammu is the one who gave Parker the hood to influence him. Zelma tells Riri that this powerful being wants a puppet to carry out its dark plan. But it turns out that it is Mephisto. GASP. Still, Zelma’s statement about a dark being using a puppet driven by ambition stands.

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 it is at the cost of AI Natalie. By the end of the finale, things are in a very dire spot with Riri in a deal with Mephisto. He gives her what seems to be the real Natalie back.

However, there’s always a cost, and Riri will have to pay a high price. An Ironheart post-credits scene shows Parker trying to appeal to Zelma for help. Will it work? We may have to wait a while and see where Zelma’s story goes, and whether it will loop her back into the world of Doctor Strange in the future.

This article first appeared on Nerdist and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: