Written by Olivia Aiere
Doctor Strange is stuck facing a new type of magic as Sorcerer Supreme of Asgard. Derek Landy’s new three-issue series kicks off with the mage unsuccessfully trying to portal home to Earth. Due to the murder of Thor at Loki’s hand, Midgard is closed off from the other nine realms and Strange is prevented from returning home.Â
Strange elects to offer assistance to Lady Sif and is sent to Alfheim to resolve a dispute between the Light Elf Queen and the Regent Queen of Heven. Queen Aelsa hopes to prevent Regent Idyl from what she considers an unnecessary desecration of the evil wizard Vyrbodin’s body.
Doctor Strange’s mystical nature fits in quite well with the eccentricity of Asgard. This series comes straight after Doctor Strange of Asgard, a five-issue series from this year with a similar premise of Strange’s adventures in Asgard. Given that this first issue only has two others confirmed, it’s likely we won’t see a full run come out of this concept despite the potential it holds. Still, if this first issue is anything to go on, this mini-series surely has some fun in store.
Strange is joined by Angela, a former Angel of Heven. The duo don’t spend much time on the page together but have an interesting dynamic to explore in the next two issues. Angela’s straightforward stoicism is sure to balance out Strange’s more whimsical approaches to problem solving. Angela even recently made her Marvel Rivals debut, so fans of hers can pick up the Net Ease variant cover for this issue.
Ivan Fiorelli’s character design lends itself to very angular features. This is great for character expressiveness, although it was a tad distracting to see every character with similarly short faces. The attire of both Lady Sif and Doctor Strange are beautifully crafted however, and Landy’s inclusion and description of a new type of magic creates an intriguing premise that creates a proper amount of anticipation for the next issues.
For anyone hoping to just hop into a new story featuring the master of mystic arts, this particular run could prove worth it. It’s got the otherworldly appeal that Doctor Strange is known for while he’s in a unique but familiar setting and is joined by Angela, whose fierce warrior ways always make for a good read.
