Stephen Strange may be dead, but in Strange #1, the Sorcerer Supreme lives. When Stephen is murdered, his death causes Earth’s magical barrier against other dimensions to disappear, allowing other beings to cross over. One such being is Clea, Stephen’s estranged wife. Stephen’s resurrection is only temporary, leaving Clea to mourn him and solve the murder while also stopping the inter-dimensional invasion. Bearing Stephen’s gifts of the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation, Clea will become the newest Sorcerer Supreme, carrying on her late husband’s legacy even as she commits to bringing him back from the dead.
Strange #1
Marcelo Ferreira (artist), Don Ho with Roberto Poggi (inkers), Jed MacKay (writer), Cory Petit (letterer), Java Tartaglia with Felipe Sobrerio (colorists)
Marvel Comics
March 2, 2022
Clea’s new position will not go unchallenged, however. Victor von Doom comes pounding at her door, demanding she hand over the Eye and the Cloak for him to become the new Sorcerer Supreme. Not so fast, though. Clea brushes him off coolly, but when he persists, she explodes. Stephen entrusted her with the title, and she won’t be easily swayed into giving it up. It’s a great conversation that reveals how both characters feel about the title of Sorcerer Supreme and how Clea steps into her role with full conviction.
When Clea and Wong head to a magical market in New York City, a group called the Blasphemy Cartel attack, sending the vendors into a panic. Although this scene feels a little random, it gives Clea an opportunity to use her new powers to protect civilians instead of just fighting more interpersonally with foes. Clea is an awesome force against the cartel, verbally flexing her confidence while striking devastating blows with her magic.
When Clea uses her powers, Marcelo Ferreira’s art is extravagant, surrounding her in a haze of purple glow while her eyes go bright white. As her platinum hair flows up behind her, she is a terrible, scowling presence, and the art captures her stunning resolve in her new position as Sorcerer Supreme. This is some of the best characterization-driven art I’ve seen in a while, and it does well in establishing a tone for Clea’s tenure.
Clea’s confidence might be tipping to arrogance in her plight to bring Stephen back from the dead, but considering comics’ penchant for doing such, it’s understandable that she would try. Necromancy, however, is usually a messy business, and Wong expresses his concerns about the chances of their success. Clea’s efforts will make her face a new villain, setting up the next issue’s opening conflict.
Strange #1 is an excellent start to a highly-promising title. Clea is a compelling character that doesn’t feel one-dimensional–her near-arrogance is infectious and it’s exciting to see her shut down Doctor Doom and leap into action. Near the end, she narrates her feelings about the loss of Stephen and how her origins as a Faltine from the Dark Dimension affect her desires to get him back. Although narration is no rare thing in comics, this one feels especially emphatic. This speech is her thesis statement and her oath, and her strong voice helps make her a stand-out character for Marvel.
