- Written by: Jed MacKay
- Art by: Pasqual Ferry
- Colors by: Heather Moore
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Alex Ross
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: November 1, 2023
Doctor Strange #9 finds the battle between Doctor and General raging on while Clea makes an impassioned plea to her unborn sister.
Is Doctor Strange #9 Good?
Finally, Jed MacKay has figured out his groove, and the one ingredient missing this entire time in MacKay’s runs – a compelling villain – creates a comic worth reading. An interesting hero needs a villain that’s at least as interesting, if not more so, and General Strange is one of the best villains to come along in some time.
When last we left Doctor Strange, Clea’s covert attempt to assassinate General Strange with a Mysterium dagger failed. Denied help from the Vishanti, Doctor Strange did the only thing he could do – request a power boost from the Trinity of Ashes, General Strange’s sworn enemy. Now, it’s General against a powered-up Doctor while Clea tries to keep the General’s soldiers (souls of conscripted children) in check, including the soul of her half-sister, without harming them.
Lest you be concerned this issue is just one battle between two Stranges, fear not. The Agents of WAND make a clutch appearance that has implications for the arc’s conclusion in the next issue. In all honesty, the battle of the Stranges is strong, but the WAND appearance is the icing on the cake.
What’s great about Doctor Strange #9? A pitched, desperate battle between magical titans is just what the doctor (ahem) ordered. If the first few issues in MacKay’s run put you off because they seemed aimless and weak, you’re right, but this arc is worlds better by comparison.
What’s not so great about Doctor Strange #9? Generally speaking, not much besides the odd nitpick. Mysterium is popping up a lot lately in multiple titles, and it’s becoming the deus ex machina of choice to an almost annoying degree. You can’t have this mysterious metal that appears to be able to do anything the wielder wants it to do without some consequence.
How’s the art? Pasqual Ferry gets to flex some supernatural artistic muscle with magic battles bursting with runic shapes, electric geometries, and explosive impact. Combined with Heather Moore’s colors, this is a gorgeous issue.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces
Doctor Strange #9 continues Jed MacKay’s most entertaining run in any comic to date, with a hero pushed past his limits and a villain who exceeds him. The magical action is exciting, and the art looks great, plus the cliffhanger has loads of anticipation built in.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 