Doctor Strange #17

Marvel Comics

Written by Mark Waid and Barry Kitson

Art by Barry Kitson and Scott Koblish

Colors by Brian Reber

Letters by Cory Petit

The Rundown: All of reality has been shattered and Strange finds himself outside of it face to face with Eternity.

Strange’s final strike against Galactus not only stopped the world devour, but caused reality itself to implode and collapse. In the void, Stephen is confronted by Eternity who asks the Sorcerer if he thinks himself a God. Stephen refuses, but is confronted by the fact that he is all that is left other than Eternity, The Living Tribunal and one other entity outside of reality, Mephisto.

Stephen realizes that Mephisto pulled him from reality to call in his debt to the demon, but with no reality to harness souls from, Hell will fall. Stephen realizes that he must convince Eternity to let him do what he does best in order to save reality. Unfortunately, this task won’t require a sorcerer, it will require surgeon. Can “Doctor” Strange perform reconstructive surgery on all of existence? If he succeeds, what will be the cost?

The Story: One of the best parts of this issue is its focus on the two parts of what makes Stephen Strange such a dynamic and interesting character; his skill as a doctor and being humbled by his own arrogance. Barry Kitson and Mark Waid deliver a story that is both triumphant and tragic with an emphasis on the one aspect of magic that Strange can’t escape, the cost. Stephen wins big in this issue and loses even bigger and it will be interesting to see how the Sorcerer Supreme carries the weight of his decision going forward. A great story from start to finish with some amazing human and character defining moments throughout.

The Art: Barry Kitson and Scott Koblish masterfully bring the magical and fantastical elements of the magical world of the Marvel universe to life in this issue. Everything looks amazing and I always love seeing Eternity depicted.

Doctor Strange #17 0.00 9.6 Overall 9.6/10

















