"Make or Break Doctor Strange": Marvel Is Ready to Put Stephen Strange to the Ultimate Test

Marvel is ready to put Doctor Strange to the ultimate test, in a struggle that will “make or break” him. At the conclusion of Blood Hunt, Doctor Doom took the title of Sorcerer Supreme from Strange. In the forthcoming Doctor Strange of Asgard, he travels to Thor’s home, seeking new magics and a new purpose in life, but it may prove to be too much for Stephen.

Doctor Strange of Asgard writer Derek Landy spoke with Comic Book Resources about the upcoming book, which will be drawn by Carlos Magno. The interview spanned a variety of topics related to Doctor Strange of Asgard, Landy explained that the Vishanti, who give Strange his power in our realm, hold no sway in Asgard–meaning the good Doctor must seek other sources of magic. It will put Doctor Strange through his paces and Landy offered some insight into this:

My view is that this entire experience is going to make or break Doctor Strange. It will either lead him to new heights, with new types of magic at his disposal (and new debts to be paid), or it will humble him, and force him to re-examine who he is and what he should be doing.

Marvel also provided Comic Book Resources with unlettered preview pages showing Doctor Strange interacting with both Loki and Thor.

Doctor Strange Recently Lost the Title of Sorcerer Supreme to Doctor Doom

Doctor Strange Will Have to Walk a New Path

Although there have been others, Doctor Strange is the best known Sorcerer Supreme in the Marvel Universe. Holding the title for many years, Doctor Strange defends Earth from all sorts of magical threats, including the vampire invasion chronicled in Blood Hunt. During the fight against the vampires, Strange seeks the help of Doctor Doom. Doom agreed, but on the condition that Strange abdicated the Sorcerer Supreme title. Strange agreed, but realized too late Doom had tricked him. Doom’s time as Sorcerer Supreme will be detailed in the upcoming One World Under Doom, of which Doctor Strange of Asgard is part.

Magic is Doctor Strange’s life, and without it, he is at a disadvantage. Although he handed off the Sorcerer Supreme title, Doctor Strange can still use magic, as seen at the conclusion of his previous run. Strange is still highly proficient with magic, but without the extra power that comes with being the Sorcerer Supreme, he is not as effective as he once was. This forces Strange to travel to Asgard, seeking new magic. In a way, Strange’s trip to Asgard parallels his trip to Tibet to meet the Ancient One for the first time.

That ordeal was not easy for Doctor Strange, but it made him into Sorcerer Supreme material. Strange learned early on that his fellow student Baron Mordo planned to kill the Ancient One. Mordo, learning that Strange knew of his scheme, put a spell on him that kept him from warning the Ancient One. Strange had to embrace magic in order to defeat Mordo and save the Ancient One. It was all planned by the Ancient One: he knew of Mordo’s wickedness as well as the hidden goodness of Strange. He orchestrates the event to awaken Doctor Strange.

Is Asgard Ready for Doctor Strange?

Could This Be How Doctor Strange Gets The Sorcerer Supreme Title Back?

And now, Doctor Strange is at a crossroads again. Although he is not the Sorcerer Supreme anymore, Doctor Strange is still a hero, and Earth will still be threatened by demonic forces. Doom would stand up to these threats, but for the wrong reasons. Doctor Strange, on the other hand, would selflessly fight against them to the bitter end. Strange will need new powers to do so, but getting them will put the former Sorcerer Supreme to the test–and perhaps on the path to reclaiming his title.

Source: Comic Book Resources

Doctor Strange of Asgard #1 is on sale March 5 from Marvel Comics!