Doctor, Doctor, no wonder nobody likes you

[stubbleupdate]

I loved Jae Lee and Paul Jenkins' Sentry miniseries. Jeff Parker's Age of the Sentry is a piece of joy. Bendis was able to get some really good stuff involving the Sentry in his Avengers run (notably in the Wedding special, and Bob and Norman's heart to heart before getting Five Guys). That said, there has been some rot. The Jenkins/Romita Jr sequel is confusing rubbish and Bendis's use of Sentry in Siege is pretty dreadful.
However, once I saw that he was appearing in Doctor Strange (382-385) I was all up ons.

This story is written by Donny Cates with art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta, who drew Tom King's Vision

The general story is that Strange has lost Sorcerer Supreme-ship to Loki. He is miffed and vows to get his title, his cloak and his house back. He challenges Loki, and in the contest, Loki accidentally kill's Strange's dog (Bats). At this point, Strange decides he needs more firepower, and calls on an old friend. Up a mountain.





I've stopped reading previews and solicit text. If I had been reading this book from the start, I'd have been super excited at this point.




Needing some more magic, Strange goes to Asgard. He gets an audience with Cul Borson, acting ruler while Odin tends to Freyja (stabbed by Loki during Malekith's war of the realms.

Cul isn't in the mood to grant Strange's request so...there is fighting!


Sentry makes a deal with the World tree. He offers Bats' body, and the world tree considers it a fair trade.

Back in New York, Loki has been struggling to open a door in the Sanctum. He knows something good must be behind it, because why else would it be so hard to open?
Strange turns up with his Asgardian magic and after a short bit of talking...THERE IS FIGHTING!



Part of Jason Aaron's run of Doctor Strange set up the idea that Wong had a secret group of disciples of Strange. Magic takes a toll on the body; a price must always be paid. The Disciples volunteered to pay that price for Strange.

But, what if instead of dozens of mortal people paying the price for Strange's magic, it was one man with the power of a million exploding suns?


Strange and Loki continue to fight, and Loki makes Strange open the one door in the Sanctum that he couldn't find a way past.







Aah. Fuck.
Loki manages to separate Strange from The Void, and the two of them fight it, but... it's The Void. And he's really strong. Until...

Point 1 - excellent use of page pacing.
Point 2 - Yes, that is Loki fighting using Skurge's machine guns








The next story line Doctor Strange: The Man with No Friends Whatsoever starts this week.

Comments

[zachbeacon]

"I texted him"

I have chortles.

[mesmiranda]

a) I really, really want to take an electric razor to Loki's stubble. Someone is clearly not part of the awesome facial hair bros club.

b) I mean, technically Strange wasn't lying--the Void was contained, and it wasn't a problem until Loki forced the issue...

c) Wong is the best.

d) Are Loki and Zelma still together after this?

[malitia]

No. She quite clearly say in the latest issue that she had enough of liars. And by this she apparently means Loki and Strange.

[md84]

Dammit Strange.

First Zom and now the Void?

[shadowpsykie]

The next story line Doctor Strange: The Man with No Friends Whatsoever starts this week.
Except for Loki, except he's that one friend who is around just to remind you you have no friends....

[steverequin]

No wonder Cul acts like an ass. "Cul" is the French word for ass / butt.

[every_spiegel]

Ah, I knew this post was about Strange from the very title! :D

I still wonder whether Cates considers the end of his mini-arc to be a decent... lesson? punishment? precaution? for Strange's particularly rational and not at all catastrophic decisions. Or is it supposed to be ironic? Or are we supposed to believe Strange's actions were justified and good (in every sense of the word)?

[strejdaking]

Wait, Sentry has heat (or sun, (whatever) vision?

[lbd_nytetrayn]

"The next story line Doctor Strange: The Man with No Friends Whatsoever starts this week."

Is that the actual name of it?

Because I love it if it is, and I'm disappointed if it's not.

[stubbleupdate]

no, it's Damnation.

There is an event miniseries written by Donny Cates and Nick Spencer, and the story also happens in Strange's own book.

[stubbleupdate]

You won't believe this...

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