The 1990s were a period of great upheaval in comic books. It was no different for Doctor Strange, who began the decade in a major state of flux. Some of the best Doctor Strange comic book issues of the '90s explored what it meant to be the Sorcerer Supreme and just who Strange was. A major development in this period was also the introduction of Doctor Strange's good and bad personalities, referred to as Strange and Vincent Stevens respectively.
In the third volume of his solo stories, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme, his adversaries proved to be familiar characters like Dormammu and Baron Mordo. But his rivalry with Thanos also increased during this time as Strange played a defining role in The Infinity Gauntlet and its universe-altering events that put him back at the center of Marvel Comics.
Updated Dec. 10, 2021 by Darby Harn: Doctor Strange plays a major role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, casting the spell that seems to break open the multiverse in the MCU. Some of the best Doctor Strange comic book stories of the 1990s, such as The Infinity Gauntlet, lay the groundwork for many of Strange's MCU adventures and also possibly seed future developments. As horror-themed characters like the Midnight Sons emerge in live-action and the MCU potentially returns to the concept of the Defenders, the comics of the '90s provide many clues for where Doctor Strange may be going in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and beyond...
Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty Death
One of the best Doctor Strange comic book issues from the '90s is the 1992 one-shot, Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty Death. The issue features plenty of visually exciting art by Mike Bair that strands Strange and Spider-Man in the Death Dimension. The story could potentially have some influence on developments in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The comic, written by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, ultimately pits Strange and Spider-Man against each other for the fate of the entire universe, as seems to be the case in the upcoming movie, based on the trailers.
Secret Defenders #1
Secret Defenders #1 is a key issue from the 1990s for Doctor Strange as he assembles a new version of his classic superhero team from the '70s and '80s, the Defenders. Doctor Strange had been away from the team for some time, but in 1993, he brings together a new roster including some of the powerful members of the Defenders ever.
The issue, written again by Roy Thomas and drawn by Andres Coates, brings Doctor Strange back to his comic roots after several years in a new status quo where he had been apart from any team and was without many of his most powerful mystical artifacts for a period.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #60
Doctor Strange had been cut off from his typical sources of magic after events at the conclusion of his 1980s comic series. In Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #60, he finds a terrifying new source in chaos magic in a development that has a potential impact on the MCU.
Comic fans know that chaos magic is the same magic that the Scarlet Witch is now using in the MCU, sourced from Chthon, one of the most powerful entities in the entire Marvel Universe. This issue also brings him into alignment with the Midnight Sons, a group of mystical themed characters including Blade and Ghost Rider that could very likely form in the MCU as well.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme Annual #2
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme Annual #2 is one of the best '90s issues for Strange for reuniting him with the original Defenders team. Doctor Strange joins Namor, the Sub-Mariner, the Hulk, and the Silver Surfer in one of the trippier adventures of the period.
An entity known as the Wild One transforms Hawaii into an apocalyptic wasteland populated by demons, forcing the Defenders to fight him and Shanzar, the Sorcerer Supreme of the Strange Matter Dimension, which could potentially factor into the MCU.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #80
Doctor Strange is one of the most powerful magicians in Marvel Comics, but for a period of time, he was without the title of the Sorcerer Supreme. Issue #80 is one of the best issues of the 1990s for finally restoring Strange to his proper title after losing it.
Strange had lost the title when he went against the aims of the Vishanti, the powerful mystical entities who are responsible for the power behind most of his spells. Strange regains all of his powers and abilities in this issue, setting up his stories for years to come.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #70
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #70 is a fantastic issue exploring the true nature of the character. Doctor Strange splits his personality into good and bad halves. When the latter (calling himself Vincent Stevens) uses Techno-Magik to control the Incredible Hulk, chaos ensues.
As is suggestive from its title itself, "A Hulk Possessed" is as much a Hulk comic as Doctor Strange's. The comic perfectly touches upon the naivety of the green beast. Even though Bruce Banner can turn into one of the most destructive creatures of the Marvel Universe, the Hulk is easy prey for dark forces like Vincent Stevens to possess and use for his own aims.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #21
The Dark Wars storyline begins in issue #21 of the comic book series and features an ambitious and surprising alliance that finds Doctor Strange joining hands with even villains like Baron Mordo and Dormammu's twin sister Umar. As Dormammu continues the conquest of New York with his Mindless Ones, Strange loses his power and seeks the help of Clea, Mordo, and Umar.
The climactic showdown reveals that Dormammu's colossal powers while humanizing the character of Strange. Despite serving as the Sorcerer Supreme, even he can have his worst days. Rather than taking the lead, Strange plays more of a strategic role in this comic. His magical skills might be limited but his brain still proves to be an effective weapon.
The Infinity Gauntlet #6
The hugely popular The Infinity Gauntlet is a Marvel comic that makes for essential reading for any fan, given its tremendous influence on the MCU. The comic plays out somewhat differently than the movies, with Doctor Strange attempting to unite the last of Earth's surviving heroes to put up a final fight against Thanos in one of his best moments.
Strange shows his magical powers as well as his leadership skills as he builds an agreement between Thanos and other leaders of the Avengers to stop Nebula, who has taken control of the Gauntlet in the climax of the story. Given how he also plays a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe adaptation of the comic, this is a must-read for diehard Doctor Strange fans.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #14
Vampires, zombies, and even werewolves collide in this horror saga within the pages of Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme. Issue #14 plunges Doctor Strange deeper into the horror side of the Marvel Universe and also pits him against his brother, who becomes a vampire.
Morbius plays a role in The Vampiric Verses, which runs through issue #18, as well and could suggest a possible future confrontation in the MCU, especially with Doctor Strange playing a role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which conceivably could bring in any of Spider-Man's best villains from the comics and the grater multiverse of live-action.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #62
When Doctor Doom takes control over a magical weapon known as the Oculus Oroboros, Doctor Strange must channel his spells in protecting the artifact and fighting him off. The comic is notable for giving audiences the first glimpse of Vincent Stevens, Strange's evil persona who would go on to appear in a few major titles in the 90s, as well as a major battle against Doctor Doom.
With some of the scenes set in Romania and Latveria, Doctor Doom Supreme makes for an interesting detour for Doctor Strange. Both characters shared an unlikely team-up in a comic issue from the 1980s called Triumph and Torment, but that friendship has clearly collapsed as they engage in a clash of magic and science.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #72
After his falling out with the Vishanti, Salome usurped Doctor Strange's power and became the Sorceress Supreme. Strange had been working tirelessly to reclaim his title ever since, and this issue sees Strange going to great lengths with major consequences. He splits his personality into different halves to devise different strategies from each new perspective.
The most unique aspect of the Last Rites storyline might be the makeover that Strange gets. He ditches the iconic goatee and the grey streaks for longer hair and a pair of binocular lenses. Other major characters include his romantic interest and fellow sorceress Clea, whom he encounters in the Dark Dimension. Readers can expect a lot of the usual dimension-hopping before the third act builds up to a majestic clash with Salome.
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #90
"The Birth of Chthon" marked the end of Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme after a series of 90 issues. The primary antagonist of the issue is the titular Chthon, who tries to find a human host to give birth to itself on Earth. To prevent this, Strange must combat the creature in its own home dimension, resulting in one of his biggest battles in the comics.
The fight proves to be a particularly arduous one, as Strange's magical limits are tested. Chthon's powers are of an unexplainable nature that even Strange doesn't have full knowledge of. It's potentially a battle that plays out in the MCU as Doctor Strange encounters the Scarlet Witch and The Darkhold, the magical tome sourced from chaos magic she now is in possession of.