8 Doctor Strange Comic Book Moments Reimagined in the MCU
I’ve recently spent time reading the original Doctor Strange comic books, written by Stan Lee and drawn by the masterful Steve Ditko. I’ve read a lot of Doctor Strange over the years, but I wanted to go back to where it all started for one of my favourite Marvel characters. These comic books were released from 1963 to 1966 and debuted some of the most essential parts of Doctor Strange lore. The character we love on screen, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the MCU, wouldn’t exist without these books. The character has been working their magic (pun intended) for 60 years, and it’s great to see how far they’ve come!
As an optimist and enthusiast, it’s easy to say this is a great time to be a Doctor Strange fan, because it absolutely is! The character made their onscreen debut in 2016’s Doctor Strange, and has since featured in numerous projects, big ensemble films and their own sequel last year. In just over six years the character has gone from being widely unknown outside of comic books, to one of the most important figures in the MCU. The character has gained a huge number of new fans, and it makes me happy I can talk about Doctor Strange without people nodding and smiling politely until I stop. There’s clearly a big future for Strange in the MCU, and there’s so much more we’re yet to see. With this in mind, I want to look backwards, and share eight early Doctor Strange comic book moments which were re-imagined in the MCU.
1. Using his astral form
Doctor Strange possess many impressive abilities as the ‘Master of the Mystic Arts’, including the power to leave his physical body and travel via his astral or spiritual form. This happens very early in his first ever comic book. The second page depicts Strange leaving his physical body to help someone whose dreams are being haunted. From there, Strange uses this ability a lot. Between this and his amulet, the Eye of Agamotto, Stan Lee had two ‘get out of jail free’ cards which were used in most stories.
In Doctor Strange, the first time Strange enters his astral form is an eye-opener for the character and audience. Upon finding Kamar Taj, and refusing to believe magic is real, Strange accuses The Ancient One of being a fraud. With one strike to the chest, The Ancient One separates Strange from his body, commencing a mind-bending sequence which shows just a small amount of what magic can achieve.
It’s interesting to note the true master of this ability in the MCU is Wanda. While other characters, including Strange, find their physical bodies going limp when in their astral form, Wanda doesn’t. The post credit scene of WandaVision shows Wanda walking around a cabin while her astral form reads the Darkhold in another room. It’s an immense show of power, which is both terrifying and awesome.
2. Origin Story
Although he’s one of the most important mystical figures in Marvel lore and dabbles in literal magic, the origin of Doctor Strange is remarkably simple. A tragic incident causes an arrogant surgeon to seek a means of healing his hands. It isn’t just a tale of someone learning magic, it’s about healing his spirit and becoming a better person. The journey from selfish to selfless is more important than his journey to become the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s funny his origin story was told five issues after his debut, but it briefly created an air of mystery.
The first film follows the comic book origin virtually beat-for-beat, because why not? It’s a perfect introduction to the character and their line of work. Some changes were made to modernise the story, make it fit within the MCU and be digestible for a wide audience. It’s terrific stuff, and thankfully they told his origin before showing him at the height of his powers.
One key difference to note is that Doctor Strange and Mordo start off as friends in the MCU, before Mordo heads down a darker path. As much as I like Mordo as an over-the-top comic book villain, I also like the complicated dynamic of friends turned foes. The MCU has under-utlised Mordo thus far, but I have hope Doctor Strange 3 will be his time!
3. The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak
There’s many phrases and spells used by Doctor Strange, especially in early comic books when Stan Lee wanted to sound exciting. One particularly famous spell is the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, commonly used for restraining or binding larger / stronger opponents. It initially debuted as the Crimson Circle of Cyttorak, a red bubble used by Mordo to restrain The Ancient One, but the spell was later presented as glowing red bands. It’s simple but elegant and has numerous applications.
Doctor Strange doesn’t usually vocalise spells on screen, however he can be seen using a spell which visually matches the Crimson Bands while fighting Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Sadly, this doesn’t work, but it’s a valiant effort, and the spell suits the situation.
Interestingly, there’s a complication with this spell in the MCU. When fighting Kaecilius in the first film, Doctor Strange utilises a metal contraption to restrain Kaecilius, which is referred to as the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. The name had been attributed to an artifact rather than a spell. After Infinity War released however, screenwriters Christopher Marcus and Stephen McFeely confirmed this spell in Infinity War is the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak as found in the comic books. Contradictions, inconsistencies and retcons - isn’t comic book media fun?
4. Meeting Clea
What can I say about Clea? She’s one of the most important characters in Doctor Strange’s life. A powerful sorcerer in her own right, niece to Dormammu, the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension, current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth following Strange’s death*, long time love interest and eventual wife of Doctor Strange. To think, she started out as a nameless character** causing mischief in the Dark Dimension and helping Strange outsmart Dormammu.
*I urge everyone to read the current comic book series titled ‘Strange.’ Clea is a badass, I’m so glad this series is happening.
**It was an odd decision, but Clea debuted in Strange Tales issue #126, but wasn’t identified or given a name until Strange Tales issue #146. Thankfully modern writers have a better understanding of how to write Clea.
Clea recently made her MCU debut in the mid credits scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, played by Charlize Theron. This first meeting was very different from the comic books. Clea not only appears stronger and more confident, but the situation was different. Rather than trying to prevent Dormammu’s power from spreading, Clea summons Strange to fix an incursion he’s caused. Clea creating a tear in reality for her and Strange to walk through was a heck of way to tease the audience, and I hope we don’t have to wait long for the follow-up!
5. Obtaining the Cloak of Levitation
Although the bold red cape is an integral part of Doctor Strange, this wasn’t obtained until two years into his run. Until that point, he sported a similar (albeit less remarkable) cape which was the same colour as his tunic. The opening panels of Strange Tales issue #128 show Strange wearing the new cape, which is later revealed to have levitating abilities. This is the same glorious issue where a villain attempts to defeat Doctor Strange using…(pause for dramatic effect)… a trapdoor! Needless to say, the simple trapdoor is rendered utterly useless when the target has a cloak of levitation. 60s comic books were truly spectacular.
In Doctor Strange we first see him wear the cape during a fight in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Strange is kicked over the handrail of a staircase, but instead of falling he’s rescued by the cape, thus starting an iconic bond. The cape is almost a character in itself. It’s sentient, boasts more uses than mere levitation, and has a comedic personality akin to that of the magic carpet in Aladdin.
6. Outsmarting Dormammu
One of the most important aspects of Doctor Strange, and a key reason why he’s one of my favourite Marvel characters, is his mind. Although he’s a powerful sorcerer, he knows his limits. Often, he has to use intelligence and creativity to outsmart his opponents, rather than overpower them. This is seen in one of his first interactions with Dormammu, when Strange outsmarts him in combat, emerges triumphant and banishes the ruler of the Dark Dimension from returning to Earth.
The first cinematic outing for Doctor Strange captures this aspect of the character perfectly. Upon reaching the Dark Dimension and meeting Dormammu, Doctor Strange uses the time stone to trap them both in a time loop, thus halting Dormammu’s destruction of Earth. This scene has become iconic, not just for the repeated line“Dormammu, I’ve come to bargain.” It encapsulates so much about the character. His mastery of magic, his cunning and creativity, but most importantly his kindness. He would rather sacrifice himself, being killed repeatedly in an endless time loop, than let Earth be destroyed. It’s powerful, it’s clever, and it’s something rarely shown in comic book films.
7. Projecting copies as an illusion
As I mentioned previously, the best strength of Doctor Strange is his mind. He doesn’t need to use brute strength or raw power, when his mind often provides ways to conquer threats. For example, this simple but effective spell which projects copies of himself in order to distract opponents.
Ask anyone for their favourite moments in Avengers: Infinity War, and I guarantee they’ll mention the sequence where Doctor Strange goes toe-to-toe with Thanos. Strange not only proves to be a genuine threat to Thanos, but he utilises multiple spells in glorious fashion. This includes filling the surrounding area with multiple projections of himself, all of which bind Thanos. This sequence is not only beautifully brought to life, but it’s satisfying to see Thanos completely baffled by just one opponent.
8. Meeting Spider-Man
Given that Steve Ditko was also drawing Spider-Man comics, it was only a matter of time before the web slinger met the Master of the Mystic Arts. Their first meeting is interesting, because for the most part they’re fighting the same villain but in different ways and in different places. They’re both trying to stop the villainous Xandu from assembling the Wand of Watoomb. It was the 60s, it was Stan Lee trying to write cool magic, just smile and nod. Eventually Spidey and Strange team up for the final showdown, and thus one of the strongest friendships in Marvel comics was formed.
Rather than meeting via a small team-up, the MCU first paired Spider-Man and Strange during a cosmic cross-over event. The two meet during Avengers: Infinity War, when the children of Thanos came to Earth to obtain the time stone. A group of heroes band together as a dysfunctional team while attempting to defeat the Mad Titan. The bond between Strange and Spidey is further strengthened during the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, to the point where I think we can call them friends. I don’t know if Strange still remembers who Spidey is by the end, but I hope their friendship is re-ignited in the near future.
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So, there you have it! Just eight examples of comic book moments which were adapted for the screen. I imagine as I continue my reading spree, I’ll come across more moments which are familiar, and I can’t wait. Even though I’ve already read a lot of Doctor Strange and he’s one of my favourite characters, there’s always something new to read and always more to learn about the character. Knowing there are so many Doctor Strange comic books I’m yet to explore, and considering Benedict Cumberbatch’s tenure in the MCU (hopefully) isn’t finishing any time soon, it really is an exciting time to be a Doctor Strange fan.
As I mentioned earlier, Doctor Strange has featured in stories for 60 years, and shows no signs of stopping. You don’t need the Eye of Agamotto to see that Doctor Strange’s legacy will stretch on for years to come. As long as there are people reading comic books and people watching films, there’ll be creators writing this fierce, powerful, compassionate sorcerer, and taking us on more wild adventures. The last 60 years of comic books have been a crazy ride, and I can’t wait to see where the next 60 years take us.
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