With the first arc of Jed Mackay’s relaunch of Doctor Strange in the books, it’s time for the first big threat to take center stage. The first arc was a lot of worldbuilding, as Mackay prepared readers for what was only ever going to be an epic battle. With General Strange free from captivity, only one thing is on the horizon: war. But the question is, with whom? After five thousand years of waiting to return to Earth, General Strange certainly has a plan in store for his enemies. After all, a general never goes into battle without a plan.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Doctor Strange #7!
The issue opens with General Strange holding Doctor Strange captive while sharing his displeasure at his counterpart. He’s generally unhappy to see Stephen Strange mingle with whom he would’ve deemed enemies. It’s a little similar in theme to seeing Batman face off against his Flashpoint counterpart, with each representing the two extremes of the character. I wasn’t always an avid reader of Doctor Strange until the last few years, and Mackay’s run is, in my opinion, the prime example of taking a character with a long history and keeping them not just relevant but engaging. Often, Strange is shown with a level of restraint and meticulousness that only the most skilled surgeons can equip. However, General Strange left his M.D. behind a long time ago. This poses the question of what Doctor Strange will do when faced with a version of him with no morals or limits.
Readers have patiently waited to see whether Clea was mysteriously murdering people across the magical Marvel universe, and today they get their answer. Although she doesn’t play a major role in the issue by page count, her role in this story will be essential. Clea and Stephen have been happily married with no conflicts whatsoever interfering with their marriage. Sounds like every normal relationship, right? Not a hiccup in sight. However, before she was Clea Strange, and despite her marital status, Clea was and always will be the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension. With war on the horizon and the two versions of her partner on opposing sides, at least one Stephen is going to be hoping for their most trusted ally at their side. This decision will certainly play a heavy role in the issues to follow.
Pasqual Ferry knocks it out of the park with this issue. Whether or not he’s who you picture for penciling Doctor Strange, Ferry has shown why Doctor Strange needed him. Ferry’s line work is perfect for a story filled with magic. Spells fly off the page in a truly electric way. Partnered with Heather Moore for colors, this issue is phenomenal. My favorite page from the issue, page 9 (if you don’t include the cover and “Previously…” page) deliberately plays to the pair’s strengths, combining intensity with vibrant visuals.
Overall, Doctor Strange #7 is a great start to the second arc “Don’t Let the Ashes Fill Your Eyes” by raising the stakes monumentally. This issue takes advantage of a long-forgotten Doctor Strange story and revives it with a new terrifying twist. This all leads to a cliffhanger that, although very predictable, will play a huge role in how the remaining pieces fall into place. Furthermore, this creates a riveting start to the next chapter in Mackay and Ferry’s run on Doctor Strange.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
