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Loki season 2 episode 2, titled Breaking Brad, introduces a forgotten yet fascinating figure from the Marvel Comics canon: Zaniac. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will find the show's homage to the character's comic book roots and the introduction of this distinctive character to be a compelling twist, even though X-5 has undergone a few alterations for the small screen.
X-5, also known as Brad Wolfe and Zaniac in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was a Time Variance Authority (TVA) agent. In episode 1 of the series, Loki revealed to X-5 and others that the TVA had abducted them and that they had all lived normal lives before this. This revelation caused X-5 to experience an existential crisis.
Although Brad Wolfe's story in Loki season 2 episode 2 diverges from that of his comic book beginnings, it still contains several components that link him to the comics.
In the comics, while producing a horror film about a serial killer named Zaniac, Brad Wolfe becomes entangled with a Demonic parasitic entity from the Dark Dimension. The Dark Dimension's supreme leader, Dormammu, sent this being to Earth to take control of a person and serve as his representative.
Loki season 2 episode 2: Brad Wolfe is Zaniac on the TVA floor
Our favorite God of Mischief, Loki, sets off on a journey in Loki season 2 episode 2 that brings him face to face with the mysterious Zaniac, or more precisely Brad Wolfe, aka X-5. Played by the talented Rafael Casal, in this episode, we see Brad Wolfe as he is at the premiere of his most recent movie, Zaniac. The first substantial part of Brad Wolfe's history in the MCU has finally been revealed in this premiere, and it shares many aspects with his comic origins.
Zaniac's background in comic books is intriguing. The story of this obscure figure starts with the Dormammu-sent creature taking control of a man in the 19th century. In the comics, this possessed person—Jack the Ripper—primarily preyed on sexist men and women. Throughout time, this creature hopped from one host to another, adopting the traits of Jack the Ripper each time he did.
The first time Brad Wolfe encounters this demonic being is when it possesses him when he is filming Zaniac. The Manhattan Project's nuclear explosion that occurs when he becomes infected makes him physically change into the character Zaniac from his movie. As a result, Wolfe accepts the name Zaniac and gradually begins to target women similarly to how the entity's prior hosts did.
In the comics, Zaniac has superhuman strength, endurance, longevity, and the capacity to fire energy blades from his hands. Despite possessing these abilities, he shows to be no match for Thor, earning him the reputation of being one of Thor's weaker foes.
But as shown in Loki season 2 episode 2, it's evident that the showrunners have approached the character in a somewhat different way than his comic book counterpart.
What does Loki season 2 episode 2 tell us about Zaniac in the MCU?
Brad Wolfe, aka Zaniac, is not precisely the nasty figure that comic book readers may anticipate from the MCU, as director Dan Deleeuw suggests. He asserts that there are several timelines in the universe and that the one that includes Brad Wolfe does not appear to lead to a bad version of the persona.
Due to his affinity with the character's narrative in the slasher movie (plus his possession and terrible backstory), he assumes the role of a serial murderer in the comics. However, Brad Wolfe appears to be more laid back in the MCU, as seen in the latest episode of Loki. For now, his worst offense is that he's an obnoxious guy who likes fame, glamour, and expensive outfits.
Rafael Casal's portrayal of Zaniac in the MCU gives a more complex and amusing perspective on the character. In Loki season 2 episode 2, Brad and Mobius are talking about the movie Zaniac, and when Mobius enthusiastically inquires about the character's scariness, Brad quips,
"It's not... scary, it's an elevated thriller."
We also see that X-5 frequently irritates individuals with his sarcastic remarks. This is made clear when Mobius loses his composure and punches Brad when X-5 refers to him as "nothing." His snarky and cheeky personality is further displayed when Brad mentions Loki's dead mother. Let's just say we are grateful that Loki is a better person now, or Brad wouldn't be alive to help our duo locate Sylvie.
Rafael Casal's adaptation of Brad Wolfe in the MCU adds a dimension of humanity to the character, making him more complicated and likable despite the deviation from the comic book version of Zaniac. In Loki season 2 episode 2, Brad's separation from the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and the Timekeepers' perception of reality further solidifies the show's underlying concept of freedom.
Brad Wolfe represents the urge to escape the constraints of predefined reality. He is an actor who makes a career by influencing people's ideas of reality, and his unwillingness to submit to the TVA's authority embodies the season's main theme of free will.
Fans may expect further changes to the character of Brad Wolfe, aka Zaniac, in the MCU as Loki season 2 progresses. There might be potential to include an entity from the Dark Dimension that controls Brad Wolfe in the comics, given the show's propensity for exploring the universe and Dormammu's prior presence in the MCU in Doctor Strange.
Fans may also hold out hope that the series will go further into Zaniac's comic book roots even though he hasn't lived up to his full potential in the series (yet). Loki season 2 episode 2 is currently streaming on Disney Plus.
