On more than one occasion, I’ve expressed my feelings on the AIPT Comics Podcast regarding the movie Interstellar, and why it hits me in the feels in a way that none of Christopher Nolan’s other movies really do. Nothing against the filmmaker’s sensibilities, but many of his films end up feeling somewhat clinical or antiseptic in their plot progression, even as they deal with momentous themes of loss and love. The finale of Interstellar, on the other hand, can be wrapped up in an almost childlike sentiment: Love is greater than the vastness of space. And so it is that Jed MacKay’s spectacular Strange culminates with the idea that “love is greater than magic.” Or rather, love is the greatest of all magics.
Following The Death of Doctor Strange, Clea found herself thrust into the role of Sorcerer Supreme, balancing the office in two very different worlds: ours and Dark Dimension. As expected, Clea has been a very different Doctor Strange, expressing much less of the mercy and diplomatic grace that Stephen once did. And this ruthless approach has served her well, particularly in her war against the Blasphemy Cartel. MacKay has built up such a fascinating criminal underworld for the magic corner of the Marvel Universe, one filled with more factions and double-crossers than we ever knew.
Over the course of its first several issues, Strange has functioned as a sort of “James Bond meets The Wire, but with wands” story, one that’s intrigued me at every turn. The book then becomes a more traditional magical showdown for the final issues, bringing Stephen back into his proper place in the land of the living. It feels almost like a different series for the last few installments, but even then, the series is playing with classical ideas of curses and un-lived potential. Clea and Stephen are forbidden from touching each other, lest they unleash a power that could break reality. The creative team — consisting of MacKay, Lee Garbett, Stefano Landini, Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi, Java Tartaglia, and Cory Petit — still connect these story elements to the earlier vibe of the series with a strong emotional through-line and some truly wild magical action.
The visual storytelling work continues to be masterful in this second volume, showing the versatility of Doctor Strange stories with a nice selection of gothic designs, bombastic action, and (most importantly) cosmic-level kissing. The creators get a chance to play with some ideas that sound like a nightmare to realize on the page, from a character who has gotten so good at hiding that they only exist as a void to a secret spy unit that deals in witchcraft and espionage in equal measure. This creative team consistently finds ways to top themselves, and the joy of discovery on each page propels the story forward at a rapid clip.
The love that Clea and Stephen feel for one another is palpable, particularly in the first half of the book. They can’t even touch each other without running the risk of destroying all of reality, making for a star-crossed dynamic that I fully ate up. These aspects of the story feel like they’re wrapped up a bit neatly and quickly at the end of the day, but the final issue resonates with me on such a strong emotional level that I don’t mind.
The second volume of Strange brings fans into a new era for the most powerful magical couple in the Marvel Universe, and it’s definitely worth a read before diving into the newest issues of Doctor Strange — especially if you like an epic love story.
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