Doctor Strange #1: The Sorcerer, The Angel, And The Alfheim

It’s a brand new era, and we’re going in a brand new direction for the good doctor, who continues his journey to become Asgard’s Sorcerer Supreme. Cut off from Midgard, Doc does everything in his power to return to Earth, and reclaim his title from his usurper, Doctor Doom! Does Stephen have what it takes to master the mystic arts of Asgard? Strap in, and get ready for a wild and wicked ride as Doctor Strange and his new partner Angela, as they travel to the other 8 realms trying to regain access to earth!

Derek Landy is joined by Ivan Fiorelli on art duties here, as the team takes this new direction for the former Sorcerer Supreme! Unfortunately after the events that transpired in Doctor Strange of Asgard, as well as the “death” of Thor from the Immortal Thor, Strange finds himself in a very precarious situation. The team has both expressed with great enthusiasm to take Strange and Angela on a true Journey Into Mystery (for those not in the know was the title that Thor first debuted in JiM 83 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), and it’s very evident with every page dripping with this mystical mystery ride.

The story starts with Strange trying to return to Midgard (earth) from a wand he created from a piece of Yggdrasil, nixed with his own awesome magicks, and was unsuccessful. That’s when we meet Huginn and Muninn, previously Odin and Thor’s pet ravens, who are incredibly sassy. They remind me of the Doctor’s incredibly funny sassy snakes that provide plenty of comic relief, and steals the show with every appearance. Hopefully we’ll see them again as this story continues. The chance to play Strange off as the straight man to these two crows is ripe with potential.

Landy brings Angela along this ride, and it’s one of the highlights here. Angela was brought over from the Spawn universe, after Todd McFarlane lost the rights to Neil Gaiman, who would sell publishing rights to Marvel. Upon her introduction to the new world, Gaiman and Brian Bendis would make her the long lost sister of Thor and Loki’s, who was trapped in Heven, that officially becomes the tenth realm on Yggdrasil, ruled by “angels”. Angela’s role here as guide also allows for some fun and drama, which in a fish out of water tale like this could really help propel the story in all sorts of directions.

Fiorelli really work their magic here, giving us a fun ride through Alfhein, home of the Light Elves, which provides the backdrop for the first mission. Fiorelli’s art is crisp, and really tries to lend itself to that world of wonder that comes along with stories like this. It’s light, and engaging. While not everything lands, his take on Strange, and the magical effects that happens. Fiorelli is making this world his own, and it shows that he’s having fun along the way.