Comic of the Week: Strange #1

Before I even begin to talk about the issue, I think it’s fair to let you know about how much I fucking love Dr. Strange. Yes, he’s the deus ex machina of the Marvel Universe, but I still effin’ love the guy.

When I was starting to collect the 6″ Marvel Legends figures, the ones on my must-have list were Daredevil, Cyclops, Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Iron Fist and Dr. Strange. Yes, motherfucker, Dr. Stephen “Fucking Sorcerer Supreme” Strange. My wish list for Marvel Universe characters include Dr. Strange in a new costume, hopefully. I loved the animated Dr. Strange movie, regardless of the mucus-like thickness of incestuous innuendo. And I remember reading Dr. Strange: The Oath over four times. Dr. Strange beats out the Enchanted Kingdom wizard guy, Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White in keeping the magic where he is.

When Dr. Strange lost his Sorcerer Supreme gig, I was tweedling my thumbs in anticipation of what was next for him. With Brother Voodoo being responsible for the entire realm, Dr. Strange can just chill and fight demons at his leisure. That’s where Strange #1 comes in. Apparently, losing his Sorcerer Supreme job also cost him his medical license and cannot be called Dr. anymore.

Wordsmithing by Mark Waid
Pencils and inks by Emma Rios, Coloring by Christina Strain

When Dr. Strange is written like a poor, magical Tony Stark, that’s when the magic begins. HAR HAR HAR! Because, you know, magic! And Dr. Strange! Get it? HAR HAR!!! … nevermind.

So Strange hasn’t given up the old gig totally, eh? Okay, I could get behind that. Seems like he was depowered a great deal. That, my friends, can only HELP the title because having a dude be able to turn everyone into frogs or some shit won’t make for a very interesting read. Omnipotence is boring - just ask Superman.

This issue sees him chilling out at a ball game, just being Stephen, yeah? But of course, with Strange, any fucked up concept like a baseball game for a team’s souls between humans and demons becomes possible without it seeming like a fucking cop out. Not only is it acceptable, but it is actually becomes the norm, which is freakishly cool.

Go batter batter batter! SWING batter batter batter with your prehensile extended tentacle, which slightly resembles a decaying elephant penis. Oh, look, a frog!

Mark Waid did a great job with Strange in terms of characterization, though he did lay it out pretty thick for a few characters. My biggest problem with this issue is that it makes Strange’s powers seem like a simple commodity to be acquired. Hell, even if someone is a natural, it shouldn’t be this easy.

It’s like any motherfucker who can throw up the bull horns and recite Harry Potter made-up words can become a Sorcerer Supreme. “ENGORGIO!” It’s like the major qualification for mystic guardian of the realm is dexterity and a large vocabulary.

Wanted: Sorcerer Supreme
Must Have: All ten fingers and a good memory
Apply At: Any fucken’ where, apparently.

The art really threw me off, though. Not because this issue was born from an all-girl art team (though that could be part of the reason. Who let them out of the kitchen?) , but because of the super thick anime-influence. The art couldn’t make me take the title seriously. I was expecting four pages of gratuitous tentacle rape, too.

Not so fast, baseball man. *tentacle rape*

I’m used to seeing Strange drawn a little bit older and a little bit more Western, and just generally better.

That said, though, the monster designs were some of the creepiest and most original I’ve seen in a while. Well, maybe except the frog guy, and it’s maybe because I don’t read fucking anime or manga or whatever that shit is called.

I am extremely happy to see Strange back in action and I want to see what’s next for him. I hope he gets a new costume because the fucking leotards aren’t working for you anymore, Stephen. This issue gets 3.5 out of 5 magician hats!