Comic Review: Doctor Strange #14

Doctor Strange #14

Marvel Comics

Writer: Mark Waid & Barry Kitson

Art: Barry Kitson & Brian Reber

Stephen Strange’s galactic adventures take an unexpected turn as his encounter with Galactus led him back to visit the magical realms he’s so used to and brought back his ex-wife, Clea.

In this month’s issue, Stephen continues his quest as the herald of Galactus, looking for a planet full of energy to sustain the cosmic giant but without sentient life. Meanwhile, Clea looks to contains Galactus’ hunger reasoning with him about Umar’s efforts to create a great magical alliance to transport Galactus back to his realm. The plot thickens once Dormammu’s reveal his own plan and allies.

As much as I like Mark Waid’s writing, the current story arc for Doctor Strange has made me feel like there’s little effort put in it. Since the last arc, with the accountant character, had already let me down for deviating from the cosmic approach Waid took at the beginning of his run, Galactus’ arc caught my interest. Sure, it turned out that Strange is, yet again, not in a cosmic domain, but the revival of the classic characters such as Clea and Umar kept my interest alive. Anyhow, the conducting of the storyline seems off. The alien sorcerer that banished Galactus has disappeared completely while another character has been suddenly introduced into the plot out of nowhere. The whole thing just feels like a collection of pitches from Kitson and Waid to one another rather than an actual script. Despite all that, the developments that weren’t introduced as an out-of-place plot-twist have reignited the story, regarding a review of Galactus’ character and Stephen’s love life.

Kitson’s art style is a treat for every Ditko and Kirby fan. The artist provides his own take on the crazy and psychedelic magic realms that the greats established years ago. Providing the readers with beautiful pages composed of a magically altered Galactus alongside weirdly designed creatures for every realm that is explored. Every large scale character and environment is drawn with astounding levels of details which accompanied by colors bring this comic to life as the story gets weirder and weirder.

I love the mystic universe surrounding Doctor Strange as much as I love the characters in it. I’m hoping the following issues resolve this arc in a compelling fashion since it started off great. Besides that this run is still worth the read for the art in it and the entertaining reintroduction of classic characters.