Doctor Strange # 1
©Marvel
STORY
Jason Aaron
ART
Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Al Vey, and Mark Irwin
COLORS
Chris Bachalo
LETTERS
Cory Petit
COVER
Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Juan Doe
©Marvel
Just in time for the film’s release “Doctor Strange” #1 offers new readers a glimpse into the past of Doctor Strange before writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachalo unravel their take of the Doctor and his mystical world.
This comic serves as a twenty-eight-paged issue that gives readers a five page re-cap of the Doctor’s background before jumping into the new and improved Strange.
When the recap is over Aaron and Bachalo throw us right into the midst of inter-dimensional chaos with our sorcerer supreme who ,of course, is fighting an evil teddy bear set on devouring the soul of a young child.
©Marvel
“These hands are all that stand between you and the forces of darkness,” Strange reminds readers. “They’re the reason you aren’t currently dissolving in the belly of Shuma-Gorata or groveling at the feet of the dread Dormammu.”
Set across the realm from which magic dwells, this epilogue introduces the Imperator and the Empirikul, who seem determined to find and destroy all forms of magic.
Strange himself describes his mission as something that summarizes the issue: he is earth’s first (and only) defense against all manner of magical threats. “They’ve just been given their first glimpse of the unseen things that live in the shadows, of a whole spectrum of unimaginable existence.” Strange states. With this line in particular, Aaron covers everything contained in this issue and offers a promise of things to come, like Stephen Strange’s constant struggle to defend earth in the shadows or use of uncanny weaponry and tongue twisting spells.
©Marvel
The one drawback in this issue is that Aaron provides the reasons behind the sacrifices but never really lets readers into the thoughts, dreams and fears of Stephen Strange. The characterization is just enough to tantalize, but not enough to grab a first time reader’s attention. This is the first issue after all.
For those who want to see Doctor Strange in theaters when it rolls out in November, this is the perfect start for those being introduced to comic books.
This is an all-new, all-different Doctor Strange, gearing for a battle with an all new unseen, powerful-being aiming to steal the souls of the earth. But try to worry too much, Stephen Strange has got you covered. “These hands are the reason you still have a soul. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Doctor Strange #1 in stores (and digital) now.
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