Warning: potential spoilers ahead for Avengers #62!Agamotto, the original Sorcerer Supreme, just unveiled headquarters that make Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum seem pathetic in comparison. In a preview for Avengers #62, readers see Doctor Strange’s ancient predecessor in action, saving primitive humans from magical forces. They also see his Sanctum Sanctorum is in a live volcano - which makes Stephen’s quaint house in Greenwich Village seem downright disappointing.
Since taking over writing duties on The Avengers five years ago, Jason Aaron has helped expand the team’s mythology, introducing the Stone Age Avengers, also known as the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC. This team, consisting of Odin and Agamotto, as well as the first Black Panther, first Iron Fist, first Phoenix Force host and the first Starbrand, have come together to protect humanity, still in its infancy, from forces that would seek to destroy it. The Avengers of the present day have met their Stone Age counterparts on several occasions. Now, with Mephisto wreaking havoc on the timestream, the two teams are heading for another meeting, but before such a showdown happens, readers are treated to a tantalizing glimpse into the life of Earth’s first Sorcerer Supreme, and see his impressive base of operations.
Agamotto is a man torn - by questions of duty as well as by his mysterious past. Agamotto saves a group of primitive humans from a dark force dwelling in their cave, and readers learn he does not know much of his past, wondering if he was human once, or if he is a spirit given form. Agamotto saves a human, and takes him back to his own Sanctum Sanctorum - which readers learn is in a live volcano, complete with the Sanctum symbol carved into the mountainside.
Agamotto Sets the Standard for Sorcerers Supreme
Compare this with Doctor Strange’s Sanctum, a house in New York City’s Greenwich village where even his own recent murderer knew exactly where to find him. This difference could be chalked up to each Sorcerer Supreme’s outlook - Doctor Strange is much more comfortable and social with people than Agamotto, hence his base of operations being more open and accessible. Agamotto, on the other hand, is torn over his duties to humanity’s ancestors.
Regardless of Agamotto’s reasons for turning a volcano into his Sanctum Sanctorum, it is still an impressive feat, and a testament to how strong his magic is. It is so powerful that his headquarters make Doctor Strange’s look pathetic.
Avengers #62 is available November 9 from Marvel Comics.