Doctor Strange #12 offered readers perspective into a day in the life of Bats, Stephen Strange’s ghost dog. It ended badly for Bats, as he was later imprisoned in a mirror by Stephen Strange’s brother (family, am I right?) with the Sorcerer Supreme having no clue what’s occurred. Are those seeds picked up on in this issue? No. Unfortunately, whatever’s brewing in the background of the Sanctum Sanctorum will continue to fester in the shadows. In this issue, Stephen Strange’s life seems to get flipped upside down in a different way. Enter, the Cobolorum, a magical role-playing game that comes to life and disrupts the norms in New York. Here, writer Jed MacKay and artist Pasqual Ferry deliver a creative issue with fun stakes.
The premise of the issue is relatively simple, which makes for a story that flies by. Much like many role-playing board games, there is a requirement for players. But, when the game comes to life, it has dire consequences. When Stephen unites an unlikely lot of… characters to join him in this “game”, he forms a new roster of “Secret Defenders” to help save the city. MacKay balances the characters’ purpose rather well by assigning them each a role. That said, Black Cat and Taskmaster get much more of a focus than Hunter’s Moon. MacKay is no stranger to Felicia Hardy and her motives and creates a fun banter between her and Doctor Strange. Additionally, Taskmaster’s role in this issue is served rather well, as his comedic relief helps balance out Stephen’s serious stature. Altogether, the story itself finds its strength in the banter and journey the characters go on together rather than a serious threat posed to them.
Marvel Comics
Artist Pasqual Ferry and colorist Heather Moore continue to be one of the most dynamic duos in modern comics. Ferry’s strength is found in his ability to capture the narrative’s tone and intensify it through creative line work and fun paneling. This is most notable through characters popping outside their specific panels to make the overall page appear as one giant canvas. Additionally, Heather Moore’s vibrant colors illuminate the story. One of the best examples of this is when Strange and his team explore the depths of this mystical world and come to life while their suits appear to be lighting up the environment around them. Overall, the art in this story finds most of its success in its glowing colors and compelling line work.
Although the stakes aren’t all too high, the story itself is enjoyable. Forcing Stephen to cooperate with people he typically may be averse to (and one ally) has shown his strategic nature resides in his ability to inspire others. Altogether, Doctor Strange #13 is another strong entry in this enjoyable series that finds its strength through fun character dynamics.
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