Doctor Strange is dead, and a new Sorcerer Supreme has taken the title. Haunted by her recently returned memories, Clea longs to bring Stephen Strange back from the dead, but when a mysterious group attacks the magical realm, Clea must rise to the duties of Sorcerer Supreme, for she is now the sole protector of Earth against magical threats. Let’s get weird in Strange #1, written by Jed MacKay, drawn by Marcelo Ferreira, inked by Don Ho and Roberto Poggi, colored by Java Tartaglia and Felipe Sobreiro, and lettered by Cory Petit.
Strange #1 has a lot of obstacles to overcome. A new solo series starring Clea Strange, her first time in a lead role after decades of sporadic supporting appearances, and serving as the direct fallout to the Death of Doctor Strange event, it’s not exactly the easiest launch to pull off. Thankfully, for the most part, Jed MacKay and Marcelo Ferreira have crafted a wonderful introduction to both the series and Clea as a prominent figure in the Marvel Universe.
For those unaware: Stephen Strange is dead. A few times over, actually. Following the events of the subtly named Death of Doctor Strange (also written by MacKay), the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme has been passed to his widow, Clea. Somehow both a surprising and completely logical choice for the role, Clea’s long history as a supporting love interest for Doctor Strange and not much else left some questions as to how effective she may be as a solo lead. Thankfully, due in no small part to MacKay’s ever-masterful grasp of dialogue, Clea herself is easily the best part of the debut issue and a breath of fresh air for the magical corner of the Marvel Universe.
Clea Strange is not human. Sure, she looks the part most of the time, but as she is quick to remind folks throughout the issue, she is a denizen of the Dark Dimension. Specifically a warrior-queen of the Faltine, niece to Doctor Strange arch-nemesis Dormammu. This alien nature is the key to Clea’s delightful success as a lead. Where other characters may be nervous or uncertain as to whether they’re fit for the mantle, Clea embraces her newfound prominence with an ease and confidence that is hard not to love. When one of the first scenes is Clea handily shutting down an attempt to claim the title of Sorcerer Supreme by Doctor Doom, I knew I had found a lady after my own heart.
Ferreira’s art, backed by colors from Java Tartaglia and Felipe Sobreiro, is a little less even than MacKay’s script, but similarly thrives when Clea shows off why she’s more than worthy as Earth’s new Sorcerer Supreme. The quieter moments are hampered by a few awkward framing choices, expressions and muddied colors, but once the action gets going, Ferreira brings the heat and does some very fun flourishes with the magic spells being hurled around left and right. An extended action scene at New York’s underground Goblin Market against a group of masked mystic terrorists named the Blasphemy Cartel (all of the Magic Names are real good, y’all) is easily the coolest of the issue and flows beautifully. Clea’s ghostly white, flame-haired true form looks just well and truly badass as she does everything from absorbing an unleashed demon to flaying the flesh from one of the gun-toting goons.
About that flayed flesh thing … Clea does NOT mess around. Whereas Doctor Strange tried to stick to his Hippocratic oath and avoid unnecessary pain and violence when possible, Clea has no such qualms. This hard edge, contrasting with her frequently eloquent and flowery dialogue, is what most sets her apart from her late husband. While she is very much fueled by her love for Stephen and hope for his return, she is still a warrior from a far more brutal dimension and doesn’t understand why all of us humans make such a fuss about a little blood. In a world where your average female superhero lead fits into standard molds like “tortured vigilante” and “tough but hopeful inspiration,” Clea’s posh-warrior-goddess energy is a truly entertaining change of pace in every way.
Not every piece of Strange #1 lands. The framing sequences, and its surprise return ending, didn’t do much for me, but it is hard to argue the issue as a whole does anything but succeed. As both a coming-out part for Clea as a solo lead and major player and as a new chapter for the magic corner of the Marvel Universe, Strange is a fun read and has me eager to follow Clea’s story for months to come.
Zoe Tunnell is a 29-year old trans woman who has read comics for most of her adult life and can't stop now. Follow her on Twitter @Blankzilla.
