Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The mid-credits scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness left fans with an intriguing question: who was the character Charlize Theron played? That character turns out to be Clea, a powerful figure in the lore of Doctor Strange going back to his earliest days. The best Clea Marvel comic books help provide an understanding of who she is and what her role in the MCU will likely be.
Legendary writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko co-created Clea in 1964, and from there she went on to become a regular fixture in the adventures of Doctor Strange. Her importance in Stephen Strange's life only increased over the next few decades, to the point Clea now serves as the Sorcerer Supreme. Her comic book history hints at the major role she'll play going forward in the MCU.
Strange Tales #126
Clea first appears in a monumental issue in Doctor Strange lore. When Doctor Strange enters the Dark Dimension for the first time in Strange Tales #126, he not only encounters Dormammu, one of his greatest enemies, but also Clea, his greatest love.
Clea gets little biographical detail in this issue, but her distinctive visual style, defined by her wispy white hair, made her instantly unique. So did her decision to help Doctor Strange despite being a member of the Dark Dimension and a servant of Dormammu.
Doctor Strange #46
The movie ends with Clea taking Doctor Strange to the Dark Dimension to deal with an incursion, a potentially catastrophic collision between realities. Doctor Strange #46 deals with Clea and Strange confronting a similar muddying of reality.
The two take on Xennus, a sorcerer from an alternate reality using The Nexus of all Realities to exploit a magical means of crossing dimensions. The Nexus concept plays a key role in Marvel Comics, particularly with Man-Thing, who defends a Nexus point.
Doctor Strange #72
Clea's backstory takes fascinating and tragic turns. Much of her origin unfolds in Doctor Strange #72, where she confronts her mother Umar over control of the Dark Dimension. Umar seeks to replace her brother, Dormammu, one of Doctor Strange's most powerful villains.
The comic book establishes Umar abandoned Clea at a young age with her father, Prince Orini. Orini once ruled the Dark Dimension himself, but later served Dormammu. Clea did as well, but later questioned things, leading her to help Strange when he first visited the realm.
Strange Tales #151
Incursions lead to universes colliding in Marvel Comics, particularly the 2015 Secret Wars event. Clea's MCU future likely sends her across universes and in Strange Tales #151, she tumbled between realities after being cast out of the Dark Dimension.
This comic book potentially serves as a template for Clea in the MCU, depending on where her story picks up in live-action. Dormammu suffers a defeat in the first Doctor Strange movie, meaning Clea may already be an exile or the Dark Dimension's new ruler.
Marvel Premiere #12
Marvel Premiere #12 ranks as a key comic in many respects for Clea and Doctor Strange. Clea begins training in the mystical arts under Strange in this issue, hoping to regain her talents after being cut off from the Dark Dimension erodes her magical powers.
Clea begins a long journey in this issue, and Doctor Strange in some ways ends one. He officially becomes the Sorcerer Supreme after the death of the Ancient One, and with his new ability and knowledge, one of the most powerful Marvel magical beings.
Doctor Strange #53
Clea and Doctor Strange fall in love, but their romance falls on hard times in Doctor Strange #53. Clea realizes that his focus and attention lie elsewhere as the Sorcerer Supreme, and she has her own considerations with the ongoing political turmoil in the Dark Dimension.
This issue also points to a potential MCU development for the pair. Doctor Strange confronts Rama Tut, a powerful variant of Kang The Conqueror. Kang figures to be a major villain in the MCU going forward, with vast power in the multiverse.
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3
The love between Clear and Doctor Strange remains strong and the two eventually work things out. Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3 sees the two wed in a mystical ceremony uniting them beyond the mere limits of practical law.
The unique marriage results in part from the fact Clea doesn't have citizenship on Earth as a native of the Dark Dimension. Their bond remains intact despite later ups and downs, a powerful connection that likely manifests in the MCU as well.
Strange #3
Strange #3 features the full introduction of a Clea variant from the early 2000s Marvel Knights sub-line. While the MCU version visually borrows from the classic Marvel Comics Clea, her backstory remains an open question. This variant may inform some of the screen version.
This issue borrows a fair amount from The Matrix, rendering Clea as a very Trinity-like figure working for the Ancient One on Earth. She serves as both a guide and love interest for Doctor Strange as he's thrown into a world he doesn't understand.
Defenders #39
Clea's MCU future no doubt involves the Defenders. In Defenders #39, she joined the team alongside Doctor Strange, who founded the original comic book team alongside iconic characters like the Silver Surfer, Hulk, and Namor.
Clea proved a powerful ally to the team for several adventures and it's likely that she plays some role in an MCU version given her connection to Strange. The team potentially comes together as a result of Clea and Strange's dealings with incursions.
Doctor Strange #16
Doctor Strange #16 features an epic cosmic battle that may foreshadow events in the MCU. Clea joins a massive army of mystical and cosmic powerhouses to fight a deranged Galactus to save all of reality. Some version of this scene easily fits into the MCU's future.
This storyline ultimately leads to the death of Doctor Strange in a fashion that recalls the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Strange makes a deal with Mephisto that erases all memory of him to save reality from the threat of Galactus.
Strange #1 (2022)
Doctor Strange's death left a major void in the Marvel Universe. Strange #1 ranks as one of Clea's best comics as she completes her journey as the disciple of Strange and becomes Sorcerer Supreme. She wields all the power, knowledge, and experience of her realm and Earth-616.
Clea's immediate future remains unclear in the comics as she navigates a strange new world. This ascension for Clea potentially manifests in the MCU down the road, though the MCU Clea already seems to possess great power and skill.