REVIEW: R.I.P., Stephen! It’s ‘The Death of Doctor Strange #1’
In The Death of Doctor Strange #1 by Jed MacKay, Lee Garbett, Antonio Fabela, and Cory Petit, with a main cover by Kaare Andrews, we get to see the much-anticipated passing of the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Stephen Strange! But surely, he would have planned for something like this, right…?
The Death of Doctor Strange #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
R.I.P. Stephen
First of all, I adored the way this issue was structured. We get two chapters in this first issue, but they aren’t of equal length (which raises some very interesting questions about how subsequent issues of this story may be set-up).
Raise your hand if you want that skull night stand too! Photo: Marvel Comics
The first chapter follows Strange on his last day alive, with many of his supporting cast members playing cameo roles… and Bats, the ghost hound, playing an especially important role.
Photo: Marvel Comics
I liked this aspect of the story a lot, as it did a great job of showing how many personal connections Strange has, and we even get the chance to see him visit Strange Academy (one of my favorite ongoing Marvel Comics titles).
Visiting my mommy in Elsewhere, La. Photo: Marvel Comics
The second chapter is the one that lays out the cliffhanger for the next issue (which isn’t the fact that Dr. Strange dies, Marvel Blog True Believers – after all, we already knew that from the title).
Eye of Strange. Photo: Marvel Comics
I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Baron Mordo, one of Dr. Strange’s oldest enemies, in this story… and I liked how he is miffed that he wasn’t the one to dispatch Strange! Well, he’ll probably be back soon, Mordo… maybe next time!
Photo: Marvel Comics
The Lonely Death of Doctor Strange
Peach Momoko Cover Variant for “The Death of Doctor Strange #1.” Photo: Marvel Comics
In addition to the main cover by Andrews, there is also a whole bunch of variant covers, including a very stylish portrait of Strange by Peach Momoko and a very funny cartoon of Ghost Strange talking with Spider-Man about how likely it is that he’ll stay dead.
Have you had a chance to pick up The Death of Doctor Strange #1, Marvel Blog True Believers? We want to hear what you think! Let us know in the comment section.
