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 #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 #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.