| In the past years prior to Marvel producing a live-action film adaptation of Doctor Strange (2016) most of the roles Stephen Strange has been reduced to a background character or supporting roles to heavy hitters like the Avengers or changing the roster of Defenders where he was a founding member along with Silver Surfer, The Hulk, and Namor in the original comicbooks.
But after Marvel announced that they have finally bringing the character to the cinematic universe they revive the comicbook series in 2015 that has a new creative team with Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo. Of the two artists I’ve only knew of Bachalo from his previous works highlighting Death: A High Cost of Living that was written by Neil Gaiman. It is there I’ve known the artist for his fantasy and supernatural elements as his art style can be part of Doctor Strange’s aesthetics. For someone who reads well-grounded and realistic graphic novel genre the only supernatural comicbook I’ve ever followed was Ghost Rider and it is not even Johnny Blaze, but it was Dan Ketch and basically that’s how fantastically supernatural I can get with this genre. But Doctor Strange got me into appreciating the character through Chris Bachalo and going back to seeing how progressive the concept of his abilities was first seen through Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s earlier works and introduction. |
Published: 27 April 2016
Age Rating: Teen
Language: English
It is out of this world or even realm of reality, which defined and inspired to make the overall perspective of the film itself with those otherworldly weird sensibilities that makes up who was Doctor Strange.
The first volume of the collected issues from the 2015 titled "The Way of the Weird" did not disappoint and making sense of his abilities how magic has a cost that defines the humanity of Stephen Strange. He may be the last line of defence and Sorcerer Supreme of this reality, but entirely Stephen Strange is still a human being trying to protect magical realm side of the Marvel Universe at any cost.
It’s first five issues explains his vision how he sees the world beyond human eyes and how he get buy in dealing the odd worldly weird side of the place he’s more familiar in dealing with. This series also introduces old and new faces that tie-up to the world of how magic and fantasy exist in the Marvel Universe. The complicated and intricate art style of Bachalo defines the overall aesthetic of the series that partners up the complex but straight to the point narrative by Jason Aaron who would write stories about Thor and Jane Foster’s life changing adventures from being the Goddess of Thunder to the new Valkyrie.
Just like Foster, Stephen Strange had a rollercoaster ride with the first five issues dealing with the fall of magic and the destroyer of sorcerer supreme at the same time being on call to innocent populace of Manhattan dealing with the weird of New York.
Overall the first volume of Doctor Strange from 2015 is impressive both in art and narrative with Aaron re-introducing the character for those who have seen the live-action films as well as getting an impressive visual treat from Chris Bachalo who would work his own magic in the next few issues that lasted the series to 2018.
Though the next iteration Strange in bringing his surgeon hands back in 2019 is impressive it is the new Strange Genesis of Aaron and Bachalo that made it all happen not saying the recent one is understated but this is where you start to get to know who is Doctor Strange and it is not even a made up name.
Libby App and Marion Library
This digital copy of Doctor Strange Vol.1, Way of the Weird was borrowed through Marion Libraries using the Libby App, which is good for 21 days and it’s free of charge. All you need to do is download the app on your mobile phone and have your library card. The app has partnered with libraries and online reading sites all over the world. It is a digital library that lets you access ebooks, audio books, and magazines, all for the reasonable price of free. Sign in, link your library card, and go—it’s that simple.
“Doctor Strange: Way of the Weird” is a digital copy loaned at Marion Libraries through Libby App. Check your local comic shops and bookstores for its physical copy availability.
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