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® Marvel Characters, Inc. |
Site
Owners: Liz & Gary Oppenhuis |
|
| |
Strange
News |
Appearances |
Forums|
Friends & Foes |
Museum
| Sanctum
| Search
|
Updates
| |
|||
|
After a 2-1/2 year hiatus from his own
series, Dr. Strange returns in a 4-issue mini-series, Doctor Strange vol. 2.,
"The Flight of Bones"!
Part One:
| Story & Script: | Dan Jolley |
| Story & Pencils: | Tony Harris |
| Story & Inks: | Ray Snyder |
| Logo & Lettering: | John Roshell & Comicraft/DL |
| Colors: | Matt Hollingswoth |
| Editors: | Joe Quesada & Jimmy Palmiotti |
| Doctor Strange is back!.. but he is shaken by deterioration in both his physical being (the damaged nerves in his hands), and in a lack of effectiveness in his mystical skills. Still searching for a cure for his hands, Doctor Strange solicits the help of a leading neurosurgeon, Dr. Keith Wilmott, who is also suffering a lack of confidence due to the recent death of a patient. Strange implores that "this is an opportunity for us to help each other." The Doctors' discussions are interrupted, as Strange senses an evil mystical disturbance. | |||
Doctor Strange materializes at the scene of the crime, a grisly bank robbery where a skinless man has fried several bystanders. It's good to see the return of Strange's traditional costume, updated with a new red Picasso-like demon on his tunic. |
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Unfortunately, Strange cannot detect any sorcerous residue at the crime
scene, and is disturbed by his inability to determine what to do.
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| Elsewhere, we watch as Topaz, an empath and mystical associate of Strange, is
unknowingly "inducted" into a weird cult led by a man named Jonathan, complete
with demon babies riding sinister egrets!
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| Back in his Sanctum, Strange
remains frustrated over his lack of mystical insights into the crime. He caustically
chides the ever faithful Wong for using a computer screen name of "Wongshot"!
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The
cult leader (Jonathan White) sends another of his skinless minions to occupy Strange.
The smoldering lackey crashes a stolen car (which oddly looks like it's from the
1920's!?) into a church. He pleads for Strange to help him, but the Doctor's spell
cannot stop the poor guy from spontaneous human combustion! Doctor Strange is dejected and confused....
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| Review: A classy and classic reintroduction for the good Doctor. The characters are portrayed with depth and believability. The artwork is lovingly crafted, and the dark colors add to the mystery. There was an appropriate atmosphere of lurking unknown evil balanced with subtle humor, similar to Mignola's Hellboy series. The major characters and situations were established well, but not too well, leaving anticipation for the issues to come! | |||
| Story & Script: | Dan Jolley |
| Story & Pencils: | Tony Harris |
| Story & Inks: | Ray Snyder |
| Logo & Lettering: | John Roshell & Comicraft/DL |
| Colors: | Matt Hollingswoth |
| Editors: | Joe Quesada & Jimmy Palmiotti |
| A subtle evil is spreading through New York. Dr. Strange cannot detect it's source, and he feels his magical and physical capabilities are breaking down. He's even losing at chess to Wong... | ||||
| Topaz, who is entranced by an evil cult, leads Dr.
Strange into an ambush.
Strange shows that his sorcerous skills are still effective. |
Those nasty Demon Babies attack!
...and they give Doc a bloody headache!
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| Topaz attacks Strange...
...and it's obvious something is bugging her! |
The Eye of Agamotto reveals all....
...and Strange is able to shatter the talisman that controls her. |
Strange grills one of the cult henchmen...
..and the name of the foe is revealed, as the lackey combusts! |
The Doctor is angry, and ready to go on
the offensive!
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| Review: The series jumps into high gear, with plenty of occult action. The subdued coloring and heavy inking gives a dark and mysterious aura to the artwork, and Tony Harris creates some interesting magical effects. The sinister conflicts are nicely seasoned with sly humor. Looks like something/someone big will be revealed next issue.... | ||||
| Story: | Tony Harris & Dan Jolley |
| Script: | Dan Jolley |
| Pencils: | Paul Chadwick |
| Inks: | Jimmy Palmiotti |
| Logo & Lettering: | John Roshell & Comicraft/WA |
| Colors: | Chris Sotomayor |
| Editors: | Joe Quesada & Jimmy Palmiotti |
The Doctor prepares for mystical battle, and calls on the powers of Oshtur, Agamotto, Hoggoth, and the Vishanti to fortify and guide him.
The best defense is a good offense. |
Jonathan White stuffs a nasty
magical timebomb inside Topaz!
He's really into her! |
Strange gives the evil cultists the old One-Two...
and casts out the demon's control. |
Confidently, Strange beckons the defeated cult leader to surrender...
but instead the true source of evil comes forth, and he's big, bad, and inflamed! |
| Review: A change in penciller (Paul Chadwick), and a change in Strange's effectiveness. The Doctor is back in true form, and exhibits renewed magical mastery. (However, strangely no mention is made of the shaken nerves and confidence as depicted in the previous issues.) Chadwick's art is clean yet visually strong, and Jolley's script continues to mix subtle humor with intense action. The final issue should be volatile! | |
