DOCTOR STRANGE #17 – State of Misery

DOCTOR STRANGE #17 – State of Misery

 

Published February 15, 2017 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Frazer Irving.

Back at the sanctum santorum of the good doctor is playing mediator to two factions and diverts a conflict but while this issue is resolved he and Zelma continue trying to find Wong and Misery. While they look magic is slowly returning to the world.

Wong and Misery debate whether Misery can defeat Doctor Strange and Misery is convinced he can undo the Doctor’s past work.

Stephen takes the search to his drinking magical buddies on a motorcycle. However, it’s not magic users that may provide help in locating Wong but Man-Thing. That is after Stephen rids the Man-Thing of Nazi Ninja Vampires for which he gives the doctor some algae.

Misery begins the reworking of Dr. Strange’s past work in neurosurgery and when Stephen finally catches up to Misery’s gruesome handy work and he brings a new player to assist  with the work to be done.

Besides the fantasy and magic to these stories I really enjoy the underlying humor. Or at least it’s funny to me! What’s Misery’s angle? Why can’t he just get along with Doctor Strange? My comic reading is lot like my own life in that I really don’t know too much as to what’s going on outside my own story and so I only catch glimpse and peeks about other stories so when a popular character arrives I really don’t know what’s going on in their world and I’ll just let the story happen and enjoy! There are two characters with one possibly taking a leading role in the next issue.  The story is yet another bizarre odyssey through the multiverse and the restoration of magic to the world…



DOCTOR STRANGE #16 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 5

DOCTOR STRANGE #16 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 5

Published January 25, 2017 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

Flash back to a time when Stephen and the Ancient One were training. Stephen has his first encounter with Dormammu. The Ancient One prepares him in the event that Dormammu should possess the Ancient One.

Now in the present time Stephen encounters Dormammu once again and this time there’s very little magic to fight with. But he does have an enchanted dagger. But the dagger does very little against the magic of Dormammu.

Mr. Misery gains an admirer in the Orb and Wong seeks Misery’s assistance in helping Strange against Dormammu. It is to no avail.

Dormammu recounts how he delt with the Imperator and Empirikuls. Stephen then gets the better of him while Mordo seeks to be the one to end Dr. Strange. And what’s going on now with Wong?

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DOCTOR STRANGE #15 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 4

Doctor Strange #15 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 4

Published December 21, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

To get things going the good doctor is the passenger in a taxi driven by the Orb. And the car ride takes the two to a secluded spot where the two happen upon a group of disgruntled investors that are preparing to make the con man, Reggie, pay for his misdeeds. But the arrival of the cab spooks the group and Reggie would appear saved if it wasn’t for the Orb who collects on Reggie’s bad debts.

Wong and Zelma take to the skies of New York looking for Stephen while Stephen and the Orb hit the town and duke it out as the doctor tries to escape the bizarre cab ride only to be strapped to the hood of the ride.

Across town at a bar Mordo is feeling the anger of Dormammu as he has yet to locate Doctor Strange and to gain more power he is engaged in a bloodletting of the bar patrons while Dormammu possesses the entertainment.

And in wrapping this issue and still wrapped on Orb’s cab, Stephen is top on everyone’s kill list. For some unknown reason Orb has driven Strange to the alley where Mr. Misery now resides and Mordo arrives to be the one to destroy Doctor Strange but Orb is having none of it and blasts Mordo. In the sky Zelma and Wong make an attempt to attack the group of Strange’s foes but all Hell breaks loose as Dormammu arrives in classic Doctor Strange fashion to let everyone know he is going to punch Strange’s ticket.

I think if you’re a fan of the Doctor Strange from the golden age you’re going to like this issue’s ending. It’s a classic retro-style appearance of Dormammu in full splash page and pose. I personally really like the whole bizarre twist this series has taken, Mr. Misery is a great character with many interesting characteristics and the ending with a throwback style entry of Dormammu is great.

DOCTOR STRANGE #14 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 3

Doctor Strange #14 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 3

 

Published November 16, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

If you enjoy bacon and have a weak stomach then this is not the issue for you. While Strange is held captive by Satana in Hell’s Dinner all he wants is some bacon. And bacon in Hell is hard to come by these days so everyone must share.

In tough competition to be best Hell Satana offers Stephen an opportunity to be the superhero of her Hell. And to make sure he complies she force feeds him some hell-shish bacon meant to kill him and enslave his soul.

While Satana prepares for his first show the doctor astral project into his own body to not only save his skin but his soul too. After ejecting the wicked bacon and feeling much relieved he decides to take a taxi but with an unusual driver at the wheel. The next issue should be lit.

The enduring quality of Doctor Strange is the odyssey which the story moves on. It isn’t a dry tangible telling of the mystic arts that’s for sure. And this latest issue delivers on the strange and mystical of the Doctor Strange lore. Where is it all going? With every issue the story takes a twist and turn through the varied world of the Sorcerer Supreme. And that’s entertainment.

 

DOCTOR STRANGE #13 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 2

Doctor Strange #13 – Blood in the Aether Pt. 2

 

Published October 19, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

Everyone dreams. Some dreams are pleasant others are just our worst nightmares. Dr. Strange was once a brilliant surgeon but he lost that in a horrible car accident. He lost the lifestyle he had too. When he dreams he dreams of life before the accident. But the dream is more of a nightmare taunting, teasing him with what he once was. Showing him the life that used to be only to turn to a horrible nightmare by Nightmare.

After fighting Strange and Strange suddenly disappearing Mordo now has to answer to Dormammu for his failure and Dormammu has a unique way of communicating his dis-satisfaction with Mordo. But the dream like nightmare continues for Stephen until Nightmare fully shows himself. The Sorcerer Supreme is ultimately able to write a new spell and use everyone dreaming on the planet against Nightmare and Strange’s own nightmare of clowns, snakes and other oddities. Till finally another player summons Strange for her own ends.

The latest Doctor Strange is definitely going in a weird and chaotic direction as he begins to build his magic back up. The plot being played out with Mordo, Dormammu and now Satana is going in an intriguing direction. I’m really hooked though on the visual odyssey. Bachalo’s art is great and the world of Stephen Strange has always fascinated me. This series has definitely not disappointed me in the least. For the last year or so it’s only solidified my appeal for the character and the movie is definitely going to be icing on the cake to an already great character.  

 

 

 

DOCTOR STRANGE #12 - Blood in the Aether Pt. 1

Doctor Strange #12 – Blood in the Aether Part 1

Published October 5, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

His name is Strange. Doctor Stephen Strange. And his misery is named Misery. Mister Misery. The pain Stephen Strange kept in the cellar has given it’s self a name and it calls itself Mister Misery. Opening the new story arc we find the pain Stephen and Wong bound up terrorizing a hospital ward thirsty for more pain. Luckily, Strange arrives in time to gum up Mister Misery’s wreak of havoc on the hospital but trying to hail a cab with a glowing sword can be challenging.

Later he learns of Mordo’s return and some how Mordo is able to still use magic. Mordo is now a servant of the Dormammu of the Dark Dimension and the source of Mordo’s magic. When Stephen and Mordo finally meet it’s an apple in the eye that the doctor uses to escape the stronger magic of Mordo. But where Strange ends up is at the whim of Nightmare.

A new story arc begins in Doctor Strange #12 and Chris Bachalo returns to bring the pictures. The Doctor Strange series is definitely keeping my attention. The writing has a tinge of humor and satire at times that make it interesting and the way the magically world of Doctor Strange is presented is intriguing. Bachalo’s Dormammu and Nightmare are ace. Mister Misery is going to make a great side story to come I’m sure. I like the character and the way it seems to help and also hinder Stephen at times is truly entertaining. One of the aspects of Mister Misery is the dialog he engages in with Strange. It’s dark and eerie at times. It’s unsettling and keeps you off your center while you try to digest his meaning. It’s great.

DOCTOR STRANGE - Annual #1

Doctor Strange Annual #1 – “To Get Her. Forever” & “Strange Tales: Yao, The Not-Quite-Ancient One”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published September 28, 2016 by Marvel Comics. To Get Her. Forever written by Kathryn Immonen and illustrated by Leonardo Romero. Strange Tales: Yao, The Not-Quite-Ancient One written by Robbie Thompson and illustrated by Jonathan Marks Barravecchia.

 With magic and Stephen still on the mend, Strange is visited by Clea. Clea returns to Stephen’s life to bring closure to their past relationship. However, Stephen questions Clea’s commitment to magic and her whereabouts during the battle with the Imperator and the Empirikul. But little does Strange know that Clea had to deal with the Empirikul as well.

The reunion is interrupted as a floor repair takes a magical turn for the worse and both must battle a demonized repairman whom Wong caught stealing to settle the repair bill. Zelma calls Strange out for objectifying Clea and maybe eluding that was a problem with their relationship.

In the second story to this first annual is the tale of the Ancient One as a young magician. After being shown the ways of magic by his mentor, Kaluu, Yao attempt to steal a map that will lead him to greater magic. But after he is caught he faces certain doom and is rescued. His rescuer is a formidable magic user in his own right.

Two great stories make up the first Doctor Strange Annual. The first brings Clea into the picture so it’ll be interesting to see where this goes. Zelma may be the one to mend their relationship woes. And the second story featuring the young Ancient One is interesting too. I really enjoyed the art for it and the big reveal at the end almost has me curious enough to pick up Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1.  

DOCTOR STRANGE #11 - The New Face of Magic

Doctor Strange #11 – The New Face of Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published September 7, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Kevin Nowlan/ Leonardo Romero.

Old enemies and new problems abound in the aftermath of the destruction of magic by the Imperator and Empirikuls.

Setting up the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Doctor Strange we witness a flashback to one of Strange’s attempts to cure his hands and ultimately leads him to the Ancient One. Back Alley drug deals never end good. But luckily the Ancient One is watching. Back in the now Stephen struggles with the state of magic in the world and the loss of all the ancient spells. Chondu offers some words of encouragement about rewriting the spells to control the newly regenerated magic.

In another flashback we learn about an important choice Strange made while training with the Ancient One. Offered to have his hands completely restored and leave his training or continue on with the Ancient One Doctor Strange’s decision to stay only made him one powerful enemy but humanities warrior against evil magic.

With the new face of magic and its threats against humanity Stephen must use different methods to combat the transgressors. Simple methods until new spells can be written. And an old enemy is back to confront Doctor Strange.   

The odyssey that has become Doctor Strange is really developing into a great series. I’m intrigued to see where the story will go next. While this take on Doctor Strange from Marvel doesn’t seem to follow what has been revealed by Marvel regarding the new movie out in November it is still enough to excite interest in the character and the mythos surrounding Strange. I think this has been so far a great analogy that science isn’t an end all solution and that it loses when it’s used for evil. Magic was threatened but like all living things will rebound after the threat is over. You could also draw the conclusion that while magic may have appeared the weaker against the Imperator and his science magic’s survival only illustrates that it was the stronger of the two.  

DOCTOR STRANGE #10 - Last Days of Magic Pt. 5

 

DOCTOR STRANGE #10 AUGUST 2016

Published August 3, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

The thrilling conclusion to the “Last Days of Magic” has begun. But will magic come back after the threat of the Empirikul’s and Imperator are gone?

The Sorcerer Supreme isn’t feeling too supreme in the opener as he must battle the Imperator to stop the Imperator's quest to destroy magic with science. It may not be Strange’s magic that ultimately wins but his pain. The pain that was trapped by Wong and Doctor Strange is unleashed on the Imperator and the world feels his pain too.

But as the Imperator takes the place of Strange’s pain the Eye of Agamotto doesn’t flicker and the starch in his cloak just doesn’t seem to be holding its form. So all magic users are left to wonder where is the magic and how to bring it back?

Visually this Doctor Strange has been a real treat to look at and the writing of Aaron is very entertaining. Plots and dialog are great while still keeping with Doctor Strange’s lingo. There’s a bit of wit and humor in the dialog that really makes it fun to read. Throughout the whole story arc of “Last Days of Magic” it’s been intriguing to read the suspense and see the action as the Imperator and Empirikul’s seem to have bested magic with science. In this last issue we also get to see what’s really motivating the Imperator and his crusade to end magic. The ending leaves it on a low note as the state of magic is unknown.

DOCTOR STRANGE #9 – Last Days of Magic Pt. 4

DOCTOR STRANGE #9

Published June 22, 2016 by Marvel Comics. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.

Magic is almost gone and Doctor Strange is running out of time to defeat the Empirikul.

In the Himalayas a gathering is occurring of those seeking magic. Led by Zelma and Wong ordinary people who miss the magic are brought to help bring it back. Meanwhile back in the Sanctum Sanctorum the Imperator meets his match by an evil creation of Strange that science cannot comprehend.

Finally Dr. Strange aided by Talisman and other magic users gather together the last little bit of magic left for one final show down with the Imperator and the Inqusitors.   

The new Doctor Strange series has been a great read for me. I’ve enjoyed the writing style of Jason Aaron and art of Chris Bachalo. There’s humor, magic and fun in every story!

The Last Days of Magic has been a very unique story so far. Magic vs. Science, there’s an analogy here that’s woven into the story pretty well. The thing in the basement, the Inquisitors and Imperator battle against, is probably my favorite so far in the last days story arc.