Former surgeon. Former Sorcer Supreme. Still a Master of Black Magic. As Nick Fury is to the spy trade, Dr. Stephen Strange is to the realm of magic.
Stephen Strange has walked a unique path in the Marvel Universe, at times a leading man but more often than not an ensemble player as a member of the Defenders, the Order, and most recently the Avengers. he hasn’t had his own ongoing series since the 80s, but he’s been a key player in the Bendis-era of Marvel Comics and could carry his own book under the right circumstances.
When Doctor Strange joined the New Avengers on the hunt for the new Sorcerer Supreme during the ‘Dark Reign’ era, I was convinced Marvel was prepping for the launching of a full-scale solo series but all that ever came of it was a short mini by Mark Waid and Emma Rios. I take nothing away from their work, but for a Dr. Strange series to work it needs both top-tier creators and a connection to the broader story currently going on in the Marvel Universe.
To make Dr. Strange work, his series needs the momentum of a major event — either leading into it or spiraling out of it. Magic is a hard concept to convey in comics given its fluid boundaries, but the current situation of Strange having limited powers since he relinquished his Sorcerer Supreme role gives an ideal starting point.
Sure, having Doctor Strange sitting at the top of the heap as the Sorcerer Supreme has its attractions, but to see him trying to reclaim it would be an engrossing challenge and goal for the former surgeon to work towards. in some ways, it could echo his original fall from grace where he lost the use of his hands and sought out the Ancient one to study under and eventually become Sorcerer Supreme. While Strange has a strong rogue’s gallery, I’d put a new foe into place: the Hood. Empowered by Dormammu but double-fisting pistols, he could be an an ideal adversary for the former Sorcerer Supreme.
If Marvel could successfully spool up a Dr. Strange ongoing series, it could become an umbrella title for the magic-based heroes and events in the Marvel U. But they’ll need the right players.
Writer – Brian Michael Bendis: Bendis has touched upon Stephen Strange on numerous occasions (most notably in New Avengers), and his A-list name and A-list talent could immediately make a Doctor Strange series a big deal even without a solicitation of story to speak of. I know Bendis’ time is limited, but if Marvel can convince him to work on Moon Knight, perhaps they could do the same here.
Artist – Chris Bachalo: Chris Bachalo has had a strange (and beautiful) path to drawing Marvel’s biggest heroes. Putting Bachalo on Dr. Strange would be an odd full-circle turn considering his origins at Vertigo and his modern hero work. plus, I think he’s one of the few who could recapture the strange, compelling energy Steve Ditko had with this character years ago.
Artist — Eric Canete: Canete’s never had a long run on a series for Marvel or DC, but he’s shown the talent in Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin and the Luke Cage series. He’s far from the conventional comic artist, but this character is one of the few that could acclimate and excel with Canete swithcing up art duties with Bachalo.
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