Summary
- Doctor Strange’s relationship with the Vishanti reaches a breaking point, questioning his status as Sorcerer Supreme.
- Memories of the war with the Trinity of Ashes resurface, causing tension between Doctor Strange and the Vishanti.
- A falling out with the Vishanti could endanger Doctor Strange’s powers and leave the Marvel Universe vulnerable to magical threats.
Warning: contains potential spoilers for Doctor Strange #12!
Doctor Strange may be heading for a showdown with his patrons, the Vishanti, a conflict that could drastically change the magical side of the Marvel Universe. Recent issues of Doctor Strange have explored Stephen’s relationship with the deities that give him his powers. Matters between the Vishanti and the Sorcerer Supreme come to a head in a preview for Doctor Strange #12.
Doctor Strange #12 is written by Jed MacKay and drawn by Danilo S. Beyruth. Bats, Doctor Strange’s ghost dog, overhears his human arguing with the Vishanti. The Vishanti are wary of their decision to crown Strange the Sorcerer Supreme, and he is forced to agree, accusing them of making “Stephen Strange a killer.” The Vishanti criticize Strange’s recent actions, namely allying himself with former foes, the Trinity of Ashes.
Strange defends himself from their accusations, provoking their anger further and leading Stephen to storm out of the meeting.
Doctor Strange Has a Long History With the Vishanti
The Vishanti Are Why He is Sorcerer Supreme
The preview ends with Doctor Strange and Clea heading into battle against the Mindless Ones, leaving his status with the Vishanti unclear. This trio of entities, including Hoggoth, imbued Doctor Strange with their power, which makes him the Sorcerer Supreme. Once, the Vishanti drafted Strange into their war with the Trinity of Ashes. During the course of the war, Strange lost touch with his humanity, turning into a ruthless killer called “General Strange.” The Vishanti separated the General’s psyche from Stephen, imprisoning it in a gem and sending him back to Earth with no memory of the war.
In recent issues of Doctor Strange, these memories returned to the surface, as did General Strange, leading to tension with the Vishanti. Confronted with the horrors and atrocities he committed during the war, all for the Vishanti, Doctor Strange has grown understandably wary of them. Doctor Strange is by nature a healer and a helper, but the Vishanti ground this out of him, turning him into a cold-blooded murderer. Furthermore, the Vishanti wiped Strange’s memory, and while they thought they were doing him a favor, they were in reality delaying the inevitable, as he was sure to learn the truth.
A Rift Between Doctor Strange and the Vishanti Could Have Dire Consequences
It Could Leave the Marvel Universe Open to Magical Threats
If Doctor Strange has a falling out with the Vishanti, it could create massive upheaval in the Marvel Universe’s magical side. The Vishanti empower Strange and through them, he claims the title Sorcerer Supreme. They could easily strip him of this title if tensions escalate. Doctor Strange has lost the title of Sorcerer Supreme in the past, but always gained it back. However, a rift with the Vishanti could endanger this, and if he is not careful, Doctor Strange may find himself powerless, which could spell disaster for Earth.
Doctor Strange #12 is on sale February 7 from Marvel Comics!
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Doctor Strange #12 (2024) |
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This story originally appeared on Screenrant
