Doctor Strange #11 Review

Written by: Jed MacKay
Art by: Danilo S. Beyruth
Colors by: KJ Díaz
Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover art by: Alex Ross (cover A)
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: January 3, 2024

Doctor Strange #11 sends Strange, Clea, and Clea’s baby half-sister, Donna, to a fun day at a carnival. Unfortunately, Donna’s immense power creates an Amber Alert of epic proportions.

Is Doctor Strange #11 Good?

Amusing. Jed MacKay follows up the conclusion to the General Strange arc with a cooldown issue where a babysitting assignment gets wildly out of hand. Filled with magical shenanigans, the newest incarnation of an old villain, and the always-welcome inclusion of Bats the Ghost Dog, Doctor Strange #11 is a solid choice for a bit of comedic fun.

When last we left Doctor Strange, he cured General Strange with the help of Clea, Wong, and the Agents of W.A.N.D., putting an end to the General’s vendetta. During the fight, Clea accelerated the birth of her half-sister, Donna, to stop the General’s possession of children’s souls.
Now, Strange, Clea, and Bats enjoy a day at the carnival during a babysitting assignment with Donna. The child’s uncontrolled power quickly creates chaos when she disappears to explore the carnival on her own, running across the newly formed Circus of Crime gang, led by the Ringmistress, granddaughter of the original Ringmaster.

Doctor Strange #11 is a one-and-done issue that serves as a transition between the General Strange arc and whatever comes next. Smartly, Jed MacKay uses the issue to introduce a new supervillain team and get readers acclimated to Donna’s potential. So, the story may be an amusing timewaster, but there are enough key elements to be worth the read.

What’s great about Doctor Strange #11? Between this issue, ASM #41, and Captain America #5, this is turning out to be the week of writers trying their hand at injecting humor into their stories. ASM #41 fumbled that task badly, but MacKay pulled it off here. This isn’t a jokey comic, but the situation is magically comical, ala an episode of Bewitched (1964-1972).

What’s not so great about Doctor Strange #11? The introduction of the Ringmistress and the Circus of Crime gang is efficient but wasted because that team, if they ever show up again, will forever be treated as a silly joke. The Ringmaster is a memorable villain in Marvel for good reason, so it’s a shame to see his legacy squandered.

How’s the art? Excellent. Danilo S. Beyruth stepped in as a guest artist with a pleasant style that looks like a mix of Tom Reilly and Mike Allred’s art. Beyruth’s pencils/inks are solid with just enough lightness to fit the amusing tone of the script, and the magical displays of power are weighty.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces

Doctor Strange #11 delivers a cooldown issue wherein Strange and Clea have their hands full during a babysitting assignment gone wrong. MacKay’s story is amusing without being jokey, and the guest artist on assignment turns in an excellent set of visuals.