Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Humberto Ramos, Edgar Delgado, and VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 15, 2021

I was worried about what would happen with this book, but after massive delays and an event (Death of Doctor Strange) going on that could have spelled the end, the book continues. I am so glad it is because I love it, but… There always has to be a “but,” right? Unfortunatley, this one is a Sir Mix-a-Lot big but(t) because no matter how much I enjoy this book, it still feels like a missed opportunity to me. I want to love the crap out of this book but only end up liking it. The book, not the crap…

Strange Academy #14 opens with a crazy battle going on, and while I usually love Humberto Ramos’ art, his style, and the cold open nature of the scene, left me confused at what was going on. Brother Voodoo does fill us, and the students, in on the deets, but by then, the wow factor was kind of gone. So, what is going on, you ask? Time Travel!

This issue is an excellent example of the missed opportunity feeling I mentioned above. Instead of even trying to explain how the school is continuing after being shut down because of Doctor Strange’s death, Skottie Young gives us a time-traveling 101 class. I don’t mind that, but it throws things off a bit in my head. Also, even though this issue continues the “Doyle Bad” narrative, many of the issues lately feel more like one-shots than anything else.

The time travel aspect here is a forced way for Doyle to see that he is on a path of destruction that may even surpass his awful father. However, the play here is that we know Doyle is a good kid and see that he is going to try to stop it from happening. It’s a cool twist on the “change the future by changing the present” story that usually isn’t as personal as this is. Young will have fans begging for the change because who wants Emily to end up with (redacted)!

While the Doyle stuff is significant, the best part of the book is Calvin and his quest for magic. But, unfortunately, he is a normal kid in a magical world without his Misery jacket, and that’s no fun. Hopefully, he learned his lesson from before, but it sure doesn’t look like he did. I am here for Calvin to show us he did, though, because taking down yet another dark path would be a little too much.

I liked this issue, but again, I didn’t love it. The art is excellent, and the character work is solid. Both stories have me optimistic that things are getting back on track overall, even if it does feel like that’s because Young is heading towards an ending. I am here for the kids because Skottie Young has made me fall in love with every one of them. I just wish the stories they end up in were as memorable.

We will be talking more in-depth about Wastelanders: Wolverine #1 on this week’s Marvel Podcast, which comes out every Thursday Night. You can search “Weird Science Marvel Comics” on any podcast player to find us!

Final Thoughts:

Strange Academy #14 Review continues the story despite the Death of Doctor Strange, and by the end of the issue, this book might be back on track. I love everything about the kids in this book, but delays hit this book hard, and at points, it felt like we were getting the “field trip of the month” every issue. This still had that lingering feeling, but big things are afoot, and I am here for all of them.

7.5/10