At the heart of The Oath lies the idea of the spiritual and the material being forever intertwined, despite those on either side frequently denying the need for the other. This is what informs the importance of the various oaths in play, the central conflict between mystical cures and medical ones, nearly every fight spread throughout the five issues, and the motivations of the story’s heroes and villains. Whether consciously or not, every character in this series must acknowledge the equal value of both the material and the spiritual in order to make a difference.

Strange’s oath was taken as a surgeon, years before he even began to believe in magic. Now, years later, he applies his oath to an unexpected, and far more outlandish situation, but one in which healing is still the central concept. His actions in the magical realm are directly influenced by his bond in the material one. And the healing at the center of the story is very much of the a material kind, as Wong’s brain tumor is not the unfortunate result of some mystical encounter, but rather is the unfortunate truth of frail humanity. However, Strange’s elixir is a powerful form of magic that may have direct and far-reaching consequences for cancer, an affliction we know all-to-well as a material one. The morality of suddenly curing every disease on the planet eventually forces Strange to consider the potential consequences of a good-hearted quest for healing.

Thematically, the magical and the physical are present in every fight throughout The Oath. Strange’s medical defenses are penetrated by a deadly, magically-empowered bullet. A fight with a massive demon is solved through the use of a gun. A final showdown is turned into hand-to-hand combat due to the prevention of magic being used.

These clever motifs enforce the story’s thematic resonance for a more compete and gripping tale. Additionally, the constantly changing stakes and circumstances of the fights means that conflict remains fresh, engaging, and unexpected throughout the comic, which is sometimes not the case in stories that rely heavily on magic.

It’s all gorgeously brought to life by Martin, whose characters are very human, even when rendered in a slightly heightened, cartoonish look. The result is a story whose central character’s fragility remains crucial throughout every episode.

As for the comic’s central villain, the less revealed the better for the sake of preserving Vaughan’s wonderfully composed narrative pacing and gradual reveals. The intersection of the magical and the physical, and the unintended damage it causes, provides the context for the villain’s motivation.

In the end, the villain’s belief in the incompatibility of magic and science means that he not only limits his own capabilities, but also the potential for healing on a much wider scale. In rejecting what could be a far greater union, the villain of The Oath applies his own flawed reasoning and past shortcomings to something that is beyond his understanding.

Stephen Strange himself strikes a far better balance between the spiritual and material thanks to his years of training in both. Fiercely loyal to his friends and administering swift and brutal justice as Sorcerer Supreme to those who commit violence and hate toward others, Strange isn’t the typical crusader hero who graces the pages of Marvel Comics.

Vaughan also makes sure to keep Strange’s crippled hands in play throughout the narrative, bringing them to the forefront during several crucial scenes. Despite being combined with his fresh bullet wound for a seemingly debilitating combination, Strange’s physical limitations are transcended by his spiritual prowess and unyielding will, while still acknowledging the very crucial role of the material realm in his quest for healing.

In the end, every moment of The Oath comes down to Strange weighing his duties to Wong against the possibility of changing the world. It’s no easy decision, but it’s one that defines the heart and meaning of the story and the heroism of its central protagonist.

Vaughan layers these comparisons of the material and spiritual throughout The Oath in constant yet graceful ways, culminating in a stirring yet wildly fun ride. Like Strange himself, understanding the intersection of the spiritual and the material leads to deeper understanding of the world and a greater ability to change it.