DOCTOR STRANGE Ongoing is a Diamond in the Marvel Rough
These are dark times for Marvel fans. Well, let me rephrase that because Marvel movies are pretty amazing at the moment….these are dark times for Marvel fans that read comic books. Especially X-Men fans, but that’s a rant for another time. In the aftermath of the SECRET WARS mini-series that changed (messed up) the Marvel universe as we know it, things haven’t been all that great. The current CIVIL WAR II mini-series seems forced, a lot of the ongoing books just aren’t interesting, the aforementioned X-Men books are a damn dirty shame, and I just get the feeling Marvel has lost sight of why people read their books. All we want are iconic versions of our favorite characters as they utilize their powers in a cool shared universe. Us superhero fans are easy to please if you just stick to the script. That said, there are a few diamonds in the rough like THE MIGHTY THOR, SPIDER-GWEN, and especially DOCTOR STRANGE.
Yes the DOCTOR STRANGE ongoing series from writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachelo is amazing. It’s a classic version of an iconic character as he battles the dark side of magic while displaying his cool powers and teaming up with other magic-friendly characters in the Marvelsphere. It’s a fun ride with solid writing complimented by some of Bachalo’s best art. I can’t recommend it enough.
Catching up is easy. DOCTOR STRANGE Vol. 1 (issues #1-5) is on store shelves now with DOCTOR STRANGE Vol 2. (issues #6-10 + “Last Days of Magic” one-shot) coming out in mid October. You can nab issue #11 now too and this week marks the release of DOCTOR STRANGE ANNUAL #1.
Clea comes back into Doctor Strange’s life as he’s picking up the pieces from the worst beating he’s ever taken. Clea’s going to make that battle look like a walk in the park. Also in this issue¦ WHO ARE THE SORCERERS SUPREME?!
And once you’re all caught up (or not), you can look forward to a new arc starting with DOCTOR STRANGE #12 on sale October 5th 2016.
“BLOOD IN THE AETHER” STARTS NOW! After the Empirikul destroyed almost all the world’s magic and nearly killed Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme must try and build himself back up. Witness the return of BARON MORDO! But what effect did the Empirikul attack have on him?!
Phew, that’s a lot of STRANGE, but more is definitely better with this series. Trust me. The moral of this story is Jason Aaron is an amazing writer, Chris Bachalo is an amazing artist, and Marvel needs to take a closer look at this series and mirror the formula with their other books. And until Marvel get’s their act together, I’ll basically just be reading DOCTOR STRANGE, anything THOR (also from Aaron!), and SPIDER-GWEN. Nuff said.
Written by Jason Furie
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