The Death of Doctor Strange has been a real treat thanks to a clever hook using the mind-boggling weirdness of Marvel magic. How do you kill Doctor Strange, but also use him as the main detective of his own murder? It’s an enjoyable ride that’s offered up some creative new villains with great character design by Lee Garbett. In the third issue, writer Jed MacKay shines a light on the bigger threat and raises the stakes even more.
Following the events of The Death of Doctor Strange #2, the superheroes are reeling from their defeat at the hands of the Three Mothers and they need answers. The heroes are licking their wounds, but thankfully they have Clea to give them insight into the threat that is only gaining in strength. Though the issue is a bit heavier on exposition, it’s intriguing to see the ideas at work here, which basically put forth a version of Galactus that eats magic. This opening scene also firmly establishes which heroes are capable of helping in the matter as we go forward.
MacKay also delves into the relationship between Clea and Doctor Strange, which was a strong romance at one point but was firmly cut off by the dead Doctor Strange. The series has found its strength in utilizing a Doctor Strange from a previous era and this scene is another good example of that. These two characters also do some magic “googling” so to speak to find some items stolen from the dead Doctor Strange, which is neat.
Even its head looks vaguely like Galactus’ helmet.
Credit: Marvel
Though the issue is short on scenes, its ending pages mix Doctor Strange on a mission to find his dead counterparts and the Three Mothers carrying out their plan to make their giant baby magic eater grow. That magic eater has a name and it goes by Peregrine Child, which gets a fantastic design by Garbett here. Really all the monsters that pop up look great. The final page is great too, a full-page spread that’s somewhat comedic due to the expression on the character’s face. It juxtaposes well with the doom-bringing page of Peregrine Child, balancing out the drama with fun.
The Death of Doctor Strange #3 is a good issue that sets in motion character motivations and direction while establishing high stakes. There is table setting going on here, but mixed in are nifty, imaginative magic ideas that are clever and intriguing.
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