Warning: Spoilers for Wonder Woman #771
In the pages of Wonder Woman, DC Comics readers discover a powerful and potentially disastrous aspect of one of Doctor Strange’s overlooked powers: astral projection. Granted, the universe of DC and Marvel Comics are domains unto themselves, and though the two have crossed paths before, they remain firmly entrenched in their own cannon. That being said, this wouldn’t be the first time the two treaded into familiar territory and salient comparisons were made as a result.
In Wonder Woman #771, from writers Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, and artist Travis Moore, Diana is having to navigate the dangerous world of Asgard. If that weren’t enough, something foul is afoot which threatens Yggdrasil, the World Tree itself. Investigating the disappearance of the Valkyries, Diana visits Nidavellir and rather than find the dwarves hard at work in the legendary forge, she instead encounters an enemy from her mortal life on Earth: Edgar Cizko, better known as Doctor Psycho. First introduced all the way back in the 1943’s Wonder Woman #5 by Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston, the diminutive misogynist has been reimagined and reintroduced several times over the decades. In today’s mainstream continuity, Cizko possesses highly developed telepathic and telekinetic abilities which take center stage in Conrad and Cloonan’s recent story.
In the world of comic book magic and mysticism, no character stands greater than the Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Stephen Strange. Well known in the MCU for his powerful artifacts, including an infinity stone, and an array of spells and knowledge of the supernatural, Strange has also showcased one of his more versatile powers: astral projection. Essentially, Doctor Strange is capable of separating his spirit from his body—leaving it behind in a meditative state—and traversing the universe as a kind of ghostly figure. In this incorporeal form, Strange transcends the physical laws of the universe. As such, he can travel the astral plane at the speed of thought, remain intangible and invulnerable to harm (for the most part), and even be invisible if he chooses. In the comics, he has made good use of this ability to travel across dimensions and convene with powerful occult forces. However, common understanding is that there are limitations to this power. For example, though his astral form doesn’t require food or water, his physical body does, which means there’s a finite amount of time in which he can operate without incurring bodily harm. What’s more, interacting with the physical plane is very limited, usually to being seen and heard.
Dr. Psycho, on the other hand, demonstrates facets of this power that have much more sinister implications. Not only can he use this ability to access Yggdrasil and travel to Asgard, which for a mortal man is impressive, but he can manifest himself physically and exert a far greater influence on the world than he would be able to otherwise. As seen in issue #771, Cizko can make use of the forge at Nidavellir, whose craftsman also made Thor’s hammer Mjolnir. The weapons he has forged and passed on have allowed him to create psychic bonds with the warriors of Asgard and manipulate their wills to reach his own ends. What’s more, with access to the “Sphere of the Gods”, there’s no telling how the knowledge gleaned from these higher dimensions will affect the world of the mundane and its human inhabitants. All of this without the ethical constraints of being a Master of the Mystic Arts and dimensional protector.
It’s unclear whether or not Dr. Psycho’s scheme is responsible for the dying World Tree, but it’s certainly unsettling to think that a villain’s mind is powerful enough to escape justice and make a new life for itself on another plane. This certainly presents a new perspective on Marvel Comics’ Doctor Strange and his abilities. Thankfully, even though she’s left her mortal life behind, the world of DC Comics still has Wonder Woman to defend it.