Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise #4, written and drawn by Tradd Moore with Heather Moore on colors, is the final issue of what is sure to be regarded as a modern classic story for the character, enjoyable in winter, spring, summer, or…you get the idea. With the benefit of hindsight on the previous chapters, issue #4 crystallizes the themes alluded to in #1 through #3, while delivering truly sublime work in the art department.
Mild SPOILERS AHEAD for Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise #4!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the art that the Moores have put to page here is nothing short of breathtaking. The prophesied sunset paints many of the pages in varying shades of red, orange, and violet. What at first glance may seem to be simple (albeit highly stylized) panels give way to an awesome sense of scale and perspective as Strange makes his way further into Maria Mensa. The palette expands into the full spectrum as the issue progresses.
Perhaps I was too busy processing what I was seeing in the previous issues (and juxtaposing it with my understanding of the plot), but the Christian symbology and thematic elements are blatantly obvious to me in this issue, from Sophia’s headdress to the repeated appearance of a hand with a hole in its center; and that’s not even mentioning the dialogue from Yalda in particular, evoking that of a creation dissatisfied with its creator, and thus seeking, no, demanding answers. But simple answers do not come.
Beyond these more overt religious references, the Moores continue to pay homage to the more psychedelic roots of Doctor Strange, complete with plenty of third eyes. Further, the art’s looser styling gives it a dreamlike quality, though perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a nightmare for Strange. His conflict through the middle portion of the issue is fittingly fluid and nigh-weightless, though as the fight progresses, the weight of the situation figuratively and literally bears down on him.
Ultimately, and without giving too much away, Doctor Strange is made to wake from his dream, not necessarily any better or worse for his troubles; this ending is interesting to this writer for two reasons.
- It makes the story even more self-contained than it already was, making this even easier to recommend to fans of the character looking for a modern “in” with no strings attached (despite the art being as intense as it is), not to mention being easy to revisit.
- It’s not necessarily a bad or depressing ending; rather, it can be taken from multiple angles/perspectives. For Strange, he’s more or less at status quo, whilst the other characters like Yalda and Still Mona are able to appreciate the change in their situation that Strange helped facilitate.
I hate to speak so vaguely, but you really should read this book if you have any interest in seeing how Doctor Strange resolves this entire ordeal. No real notes to speak of, though if I really want to nitpick, I have a feeling that this series will read better in trade format. I found that I would have to reference previous issues in order to refresh my memory on what exactly happened as far as plot developments and thematic throughlines.
In short, Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise #4 is the perfect finale to a series you probably didn’t know you wanted. It certainly came out of left field for me, though considering Moore also helped bring SIlver Surfer: Black to life, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Come for the incredible pictures, stay for the commentary on faith, existence, consciousness, enlightenment, and loss.
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