The Marvel superhero Doctor Strange is as comfortable practicing medicine to save a life as he is weaving magic to protect the universe. And in his new series, Dr. Strange: Surgeon Supreme, he's getting to do both. But the fantasy of being able to divide his time between them is going out the window -- fast.
Fans may still be trying to process the fact that after years of accepting his new life, Stephen Strange has had his hands healed (in a bargain with a demon). The good news is that Strange can be a doctor and surgeon again. The bad news? The first preview of his new series shows Dr. Strange blurs medicine and magic into one unending day job. But just in case fans were concerned that the new book would be steering clear of body horror and magical fantasy, it sounds like Strange's next patient is going to be filling both demands in one... when "heavy metal tattoos begin coming to life." Hopefully Strange isn't afraid of dragons.
The plot synopsis comes courtesy of Marvel's official solicitations for comics due in February. On the surface it guarantees a good amount of fun, with Strange depicted riding a dragon, battle axe in hand, presumably matching the scale and spirit of the tattoos brought to life. It's an exciting case for those who were pleased to hear Dr. Strange would be living up to his name once more, and practicing medicine... including sufferers of a more magical malady. Writer Mark Waid describes Surgeon Supreme as a book aiming to capture both sides of that equation: to tackle large, mystical, fantastical ideas -- all while being anchored to real people in real trouble:
What I'm really looking forward to is telling smaller, more human stories. We want to get more into the heart of Doctor Strange and what it’s like to have to make the decisions he has to make every day... It's a Doctor Strange you've not seen in a long, long time. and make no mistake, this is, at heart a horror book. It is scary, and it's dealing with things that you and I can really grasp, and really be afraid of.
An innocent man whose tattoos are suddenly coming to life, tormenting everyone involved? That certainly checks the boxes, giving Strange an enemy to defeat AND a patient in need of saving. Luckily, the cover art leaves no doubt as to the spirit and excitement fans can bring to the book, arriving in February. Check out the official cover art and solicitation details for Dr Strange: Surgeon Supreme #3 below:
- DR. STRANGE: SURGEON SUPREME #3
- Release Date: February 12th, 2020
- Written by MARK WAID
- Art by KEV WALKER
- Cover by PHIL NOTO
- Tattoo removal isn’t in a surgeon’s job description, but when one man’s heavy metal tattoos begin coming to life Doctor Strange will have to make an exception! With the clock ticking down rapidly, will Doctor Strange be able to save his patient—or himself? Find out as Doctor Strange gets drawn into the diagnosis—literally!
Dr. Strange: Surgeon Supreme #1 is available now in comic book shops.