Voodoo, Villains, Valkyrie & Visible Astral Forms - NEW TOYS!An "IDOL PURSUITS" post

Y'know... while I was going thru my "Sanctum collection" looking at all the cool swag (hoping that I won't have to sell it all off one day soon) I made a vow that some of the things that I absolutely WILL KEEP are some of the various action figures of my favorite characters.

They're small enough to be kept on a bookshelf or computer desk, portable and fairly impervious to harm - should I need to toss them in a box for awhile for any reason.

But also, they're also a relatively inexpensive way to have 3-dimensional representations of my comic-book faves in my possession.

But, I also knew that it would be something that I could keep up with (barring any exclusive and/or unreleased bullshit like the BLACK BOLT figure that was to have come out last year).


I STILL need this one to finish my "ILLUMINATI" set.
It was only available in Canada and the Singapore, but has FINALLY made it to the USA.
Now, I just have to FIND one.

However, a few NEW pieces of MARVEL plastic love were unveiled by HASBRO at the 2009 SDCC (San Diego ComicCon) recently.
A few of which have been in the works for a few years, and two which were on my mind a lot as of late...

Allow me to showcase those select FEW items here, as they relate to my "6-dimensions" philosophy.

First up is...

BRO-DOC VOODOO!

Whether you call him BROTHER VOODOO or DOCTOR VOODOO he is still a very cool character - one long held in a good place in my head and heart - and LONG overdue for a figure.
This is to be a MARVEL LEGENDS figure (single packed) as far as I can tell.
While I know that the new 3.5 inch Marvel Universe figures are all the rage as of late, I still like my action figures to be a bit bigger. The 6 inch Legends figures more than fit that bill.

Another new "Legend" (and he is EVERYWHERE in the comics the past few years) is...

The HOOD!

It must have been a no-brainer to have him (and Voodoo) made into figures this year, with the whole "Next Socrerer Supreme" storyline going on in the New Avengers title.
Aside from that, HOOD has been in practically every Marvel title for the past few years, and his exposure is only getting MORE extreme.

However, it makes me wonder WHY there is no DORMAMMU figure to be released.
THAT seems like it should be a done deal.
He would make a great build-a-figure", but Hasbro has stated that they have stopped the B.A.F. program, due to budgetary constraints.

One other figure to be released (and one that had been rumored for several years) is...

VALKYRIE!

Arguably THE most steadfast member of the DEFENDERS (actually being in more issues than any of the founding 4 members), she is to be released later this year.
(Not to jinx the deal, but it is also rumored that NIGHTHAWK is to be made into a figure not too long thereafter.)

There are also to be versions of Nighthawk and Gargoyle, along with Hulk and Silver Surfer to be released in the next year as a 4-piece set entitled; "Super Teams: The Defenders"as a part of the booming "Super Hero Squad" series.

Speaking of the SUPER HERO SQUAD figures, at long last the
"Secret Invasion Begins - Illuminati" set is to be released this year.

Skrull Soldier, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Dr. Strange (Astral Form)

Does this mean I have to go get the Black Bolt S.H.Squad figure?
(I already have Namor)

Primarily, I'm only truly interested in the Astral Form figure of Doctor Strange, but if I DO see a Black Bolt (and maybe Gladiator version of Hulk) I may seek to complete that set.
The Astral Doc is just a redo of his previously released "regular" Squad figure, just molded in clear blueish plastic.

One thing I DO know is quite cool is the new PLAYSETS that are being released.

Check out CASTLE DOOM!

How is this NOT fabulous?

Hopefully, there will be a bit more substance to it, but even still... it's pretty neat.

Now, if things go well enough, and Doctor Strange regains the title of Sorcerer Supreme in some big crossover "event", how awesome would it be to have a playset of the Sanctum Sanctorum?

You KNOW that I'll need one!

The Search for, Nature and History of... the Sorcerer Supreme : New Avengers # 51 - a Review

*** SPECIAL NOTE ***
While THIS post will handle a review of the issue itself...
the previous post detailed what has led to the issue and the Search for a NEW Sorcerer Supreme.

- NOTE -
There will be SPOILERS if you have yet to read the issue in question.
This is your only warning.

---------

*all images can be made Supreme Sized by the clicky*

Before I get into the heart of the review, I want to give credit to the creative team involved:

Written by:

Brian Michael Bendis

Art by

Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo (pencils) / Matt Banning, Tim Townsend Tim Townsend (inks)

Colors by

Justin Ponsor, Antonio Fabela

Letters by

Albert Deschesne

Covers by

Billy Tan (and variant by Chris Bachalo)

---------

You'll notice that there are two different art teams on the issue, with pencilling duties on this book split between Billy Tan & Chris Bachalo, and their own respective inkers and colorists,
(Tan, Banning, Posner / Bachalo, Townsend, Fabela) as each renders completely divergent aspects of the issue's events.

Tan's team handling the "Avengers" portions and Bachalo's team portraying the journey of Dr. Strange, as he is already along his search for a successor for the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.


The issue starts off with Bachalo's burn-your-face-off confrontation between The Hood and a redesigned Dormammu! This look is a redesign of a redesign, as it's a reworking of Billy Tan's rendition from the last page of New Avengers # 46.

Bachalo's retooling adds creepy new features, like tiny blazing skulls - shrieking in torment along with writhing figures who exist in a painful, hellish environment.

With flames and heat spewing forth from the mandible of his skull-like head, gone is the simple "cartoony" flaming head of old.

This is Dormammu?
The devil you say.

I can't say whether I am a fan of this new look. It's a cool visual - but Dormammu is a 44-year veteran Marvel villain - created and designed by Steve Ditko.

I don't see that as being something easily tossed aside for "basic demon-visual # 101".

If it weren't for the fact that he calls himself "Dormammu" I'd have had NO clue who this was.

Ghost Rider's old patron-demon, Zarathos, perhaps. Either way, colorist; Antonio Fabela should be commended. I can FEEL the heat emanating from the page! Well done!

From a story point of view, we get to the point immediately.
Dormammu wants the Hood to find - and KILL - Doctor Strange, so that he can inherit the mantle of "Sorcerer Supreme". And... to do so BEFORE any of the others who are attempting the same plan can do so.

The problem, it seems, is that Strange has gone into deep cover and has seemingly stopped using his magicks, so finding him is nearly impossible for the neophyte mystic; Hood.

It's not a new angle for someone to think that they will become the new Sorcerer Supreme by eliminating the old one - however, I have to wonder if it is an accurate belief.

Certainly, Strange first became the Sorcerer Supreme when he was forced to kill his mentor; the Ancient One (to prevent a greater evil; Shuma Gorath, from gaining access to the world via the aged mystic's mind). However, that gaining of the title wasn't because his master was dead - but because the spirit of the Ancient One, which had become one-with-the-Universe after death (4 years before Obi-Wan-Kenobi) appeared to him and granted the title and whatever remaining abilities he possessed to Stephen Strange.

It was bequeathed.

Job description:
Find. Kill. Inherit Mantle.
45 minute lunch break.
No personal calls.


However, Bendis does address this after a fashion. He has Doc explain that the reason there will be rivals attempting to due battle with Strange isn't necessarily for the title itself, but for the articles of mystic power that the possessor of the title would be entitled to - namely; the Eye of Agamotto, Cloak of Levitation and more.

THESE are valid temptations for someone to wish to gain the title, since each of those mystical items hold some level of power that they embue to their possessor - making him or her stronger in the ways of magic.

However, this is a point for another time (and my next post - about the NATURE of the Sorcerer Supreme).


As the issue continues, we find Billy Kaplan, the "Young Avenger"; Wiccan - supposed son of the Scarlet Witch, walking along the street when he helps to prevent a crime by causing the escaping vehicle to crash.

Not sticking around for accolades, he turns the corner to bump into Doctor Strange, who had been watching Billy, and who tells the young mystic that he has done well.
Perhaps not well enough, since there was a possibility for civilian injury, but well enough to possibly be trained and groomed in order to be... more.

Strange then goes into detail the nature of his quest, and the reasons for it's undertaking.

"What's a Man-Thing?" Ahhh... stupid kids.
If I had MY way... Manny would be the next Sorcerer Supreme.

Readers of this blog (who bother to also read the comments section) will find this statement, by Strange - that he firmly believed Jennifer Kale to be "the one" - to be a familiar thought.
As presented in the comments of a sequence of posts I wrote several months ago, detailing the many choices of who could be the Next Sorcerer Supreme, long-time blogger; Plok, suggested that Kale would have been the obvious, and most qualified choice.
(Post 1 - HERE ... Post 2 with germane Comments - HERE)

We both continued that engaging conversation in the comments and agreed - that she should be the most likely choice.

It seems Strange ALSO thought so - but alas - she was not meant for the mantle.

Wiccan is next in line for an interview, but while he is a candidate, he doesn't seem to be "the One" either. When asked why a successor is even being sought, Strange lets drop his past "failures".

The "purity" aspect is one that was brought up the last time Strange used dark magicks that corrupted him (the entirety of the most excellent Strange Tales vol 2). It is a valid statement, and I am glad that he states that it is the "Master of the Mystic Arts" who need be pure and NOT the Sorcerer Supreme, since that is merely a fervent HOPE for the bearer of the title to be good and pure, and NOT a prerequisite for becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.

(Although, it isn't even a requirement for a "Master of the Mystic Arts" either, as Baron Mordo, Strange's oldest foe, and also a former pupil of the Ancient One is also a "Master of the Mystic Arts". Perhaps not as masterful as Strange is, but still, a mystic master, nevertheless.)

There have been many holders of the title of Sorcerer Supreme, and some of them have been EVIL (or at least, less than good).
(Yet, another aspect of my upcoming post on the Nature & History of the Mantle!)
Obviously, it isn't a necessary mandate, since Dormammu wants his less-than-worthy pawn to become the next bearer of that title.

Another possible recipient for the mantle is Doctor Victor Von Doom! Also, an "evil" man
( - although, one could argue that Doom isn't truly evil, but Machiavellian- firmly believing that he is the best person to rule the world, and that anything he does in the quest of that goal is permissible).

Here, Strange admits that Doom may have more than a few gauntleted fingers into that pie.

Acknowledging that Doom has unearthed mystical secrets that even Strange doesn't possess is a chilling revelation (but a damn cool one). It also proves that one doesn't have to be the strongest wizard to hold the title (and another point that I'll have for you in the next installment - I'm glad Bendis is addressing all the points that I had prepared. Excellent).

In the course of their Diner conversation, Strange admits that he's having a hard time knowing just who is supposed to be the choice, but that the Ancient One stated that it would be obvious to Strange when the time came.

It's unclear if this instruction was old information passed on, either - when the Ancient One was alive - or - perhaps knowledge passed on via scrolls and texts - OR - if the spirit of the Ancient One was consulted, as Strange used to do on occasion.
What is known is that there is a list of candidates, and that Strange will know who it is - when the time is right.

---

I find some fault with the very idea of the fact the someone from "the list" is "the One", as that harkens back to the WORST faux-pas that has been perpetrated by writers; the making of the Sorcerer Supreme to be a "Chosen One" and not just someone who is worthy and ready to assume the mantle. Perhaps Bendis is not overtly trying to make the connotation of "the One" with a pre-destined "Chosen One", but instead is merely - "the One" who is right for the job - right now.
If that is the case, I retract my accusation.

---

Suddenly... somehow seemingly without any of the difficulty he begged Dormammu to understand, the Hood has indeed found Strange.
In a panel by Bachalo that portrays the mystically empowered street-tough as a misshapen demonic berzerker, the Hood advances upon Strange and Wiccan - whom Doc tells to beat feet and get the hell away from there, immediately.

Strange's interlude ends - for now.

---------

As for the rest of the issue, it follows the "secret" New Avengers team... mostly as they sit around and talk to each other for pages on end.

The first scene replays Clint Barton (aka Ronin, formerly the Avenger knows as Hawkeye) on television taking to task Norman Osborn and his so-called "(Dark) Avengers" as being the villains that they are.
The broadcast is being watched by Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) and she doesn't take his brazen act all that well.

The rest of the issue has the entire team sitting around Bucky Barnes' (the new Captain America) secret digs, eating Chinese take-out and trying to organize themselves into an actual team, with Barton using the old-school Avengers "charter hand-book" rules of procedure to do so.

The most interesting event in this issue is a MAJOR one at that.
Honestly, I'm surprised it hasn't had Marvel touting this issue as some "major-event" and clamoring that it's on it's 15th printing (not that it is, mind you).

Remember, full *"EVENT" SPOILER WARNING* in effect here...
If you want to avoid the MAJOR SPOILER then skip past this section and don't read anything until you see the yellow text again. OK?


Alright... everyone else here doesn't care that I'm about to blow the BIG SECRET of the issue.
Right?
Here goes...

As the team becomes more organized, with Clint as team leader and Carol as his Second, the order of business turns to the rest of the roster, and specifically, the fact that everyone on the team is open about their true identities... everyone, except Spider-Man.

Remember, this takes place after the Mephisto-induced amnesia that was the end result from the "One More Day" event that took place in the Spider-Man titles, last year.
Because of that deal-with-the-devil, the previous Spider-Man unmasking (from "Civil War") was rendered null-and-void. It never happened.

So, the Avengers have NO idea who he is. And, as Clint rightly points out; in the current "post-Skrull-invasion-who-can-you-trust" environment... they really NEED to know.

While Wolverine tries to vouch for him (in a bit of dialogue between him and Clint that I found to ring true to both characters), it comes to a head:

Spider-Man either unmasks - or takes his webs and goes home.

In a hesitant attempt at a switcheroo, Bendis has Peter hem and haw about the fact that he really can't divulge his ID, and that he knew that when this time came, he'd have to quit the team.

To all present, it seems as if he's going to do just that, but in a last second twist, he reveals his full face and name to all assembled and stands before them as Peter Parker.

Just WHAT that means to the nature of the Spider-books is unclear.
Honestly, the Avengers of old have been able to keep secret identities, both from each other as well as the world, but this new breed of Avengers isn't as "standard" as the old-guard.
Being more likened to an army platoon in the trenches and under fire, these New Avengers can probably be entrusted with keeping secret such as this from the rest of the world.
So, in effect, with the exception of this tiny bubble of people, his identity is still unknown to the world.

One other side-note, is that Jessica Jones, whom readers of her first solo series; "Alias" might recall, went to high school with Peter Parker, and here she is overjoyed to see him.

She also reveals that she had a major crush on him as a teenager - something that Luke Cage doesn't think is all that cute.

Peter does manage to put his foot squarely in his mouth by revealing that after her high-school car accident, that he referred to her as "Coma-girl" for lack of her real name. That doesn't go over all that well with Jones and she leaves the room, disheartened.

So... we can only wait and see just how all this will pan out in future issues.

*END "EVENT" SPOILER WARNING*

---

Billy Tan's artwork is perfectly suited to straight up superhero situations, and even the sitting around chatting (in costume) scenes are handled very well.

My main complaint with his work is that it's somewhat choppy-looking.
That could be the fault of his inker, Matt Banning, but the fact that everyone's face seems to be drawn as if it's carved out of rough driftwood, doesn't make me enjoy looking at anyone not in a full stocking mask.

There were a few beats where panels were re-used. One being where Spider-Man is being hit with the big news that was revealed in the "SPOILER" section above, and Tan has Peter, with the mouth part of his mask pulled up, eating noodles, and having them hang out of his mouth.
When the panel is re-used, three panels - and a lot of dialogue by himself and other characters later - the same noodles are hanging out of his mouth.

If this was drawn using the old-school Marvel-method, where the penciller receives only a rough plot and after he has drawn it all, then the writer would write the dialogue, then I could understand the humor of the drawn comedy shtick.
However, Bendis uses full scripts.
So, Tan should have had a clear blue-print of the dialogue beats and known that it would have been too long a period between the re-used panels for them to work.
That's not to say that it wasn't Bendis' script itself that asked for that to occur.
I have no idea whose idea it was.

To that end, I call: "someone thought it would be funny without really thinking it through. A bit done for the bit's sake."

---

The issue ends with a loud crash outside, and the team rushing to see what it was... only for them to find Stephen Strange, crashed to the floor, still crackling with magickal energies, looking all the worse for a mystic battle.


You can bet it is "To Be Continued"... and I will, of course, be there for the next installment, and will delve into it here on the blog for your satisfaction.

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Personal notes on the issue:

My personal belief is that it is Stephen Strange himself who will be the choice for Sorcerer Supreme, and that, when the time arises for him to step forth into the role again, and cease his self-doubt and self-recriminations, he will once again BE the Sorcerer Supreme!

I don't doubt that Brian Michael Bendis could pull this off. Truth be told, I ENJOYED this issue.
While not perfect, it was still entertaining to a certain degree.

I'll readily admit to being thrilled that Chris Bachalo is handling the Doctor Strange portion of the issue, not only because I'm a fan of Bachalo's quirky, chunky style, but also as I find Billy Tan's rendition of the character to be... off.
Looking at the covers of this issue and some future solicited, Strange appears too stiff and out of proportion, as if the tunic is off-putting to Tan.

Another thing is that Tan appears to have "swiped" his pose for the cover from another source (as well as elements for future covers - that I'll detail as those issues ship).

Look at the cover for this issue. (reproduced here, so you don't have to scroll to the top of the page):

Now look at the wrap-around cover for "House of M" by Olivier Coipel.


Take a look at Doctor Strange's pose. Notice the way the cloak of levitation has cropped and pointy front panels. Note his finger and hand positions.
Here's a detail:


They're not identical, but it seems that the Coipel pose was certainly used for reference.

So... swipe? Or not. You decide.


Story-wise, I'm still somewhat trepidatious about the entire "Search for a Sorcerer Supreme" enterprise, but not because of the subject-matter of the story. As I have stated before (HERE) and will do so again (once again... in my upcoming series of posts), this isn't the first time Strange has suffered a massive "de-powering". Neither, is it the first time that Strange has lost the mantle, nor is it the first time he used dark magicks that currupted him, forcing him to relearn and rededicate himself.

No. These things have come and gone before - each to their own ends (and each with their own success or failure). While it may seem as though I dump on Bendis, it is only because that, while he may have fun (and at the same time provide me some enjoyment) with his talky portrayal of other characters (although, some of that characterization has been waaay off-template), his handling of Stephen Strange (in pretty much every project where he has had the mystic master present,) for the most part, has been poor.

So, I'm not a "Bendis-hater".
I'm a "Bendis-writing-Dr. Strange wary-reader".

There's a difference.

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Overall grade for this issue: 3 out of 5 possible Eyes of Agamotto.

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In the next installments of
The Search for, Nature and History of...the Sorcerer Supreme
series, we examine the history & nature of the Mantle.

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The Search for, Nature and History of... the Sorcerer Supreme : - SETTING THE STAGE. What has led up to New Avengers # 51

*** SPECIAL NOTE***
Since this was delayed a day or so, I'm going to make it up to you by doing a VERY in-depth analysis of New Avengers #51 and the back-story involved with how it all got to this point.

If you're looking for a light read... move along.
But, if you're looking for answers to all your questions about HOW Doctor Strange could lose the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme - with lots of scans and specific issue references to follow up upon... then brew a pot of tea and settle in.
(If you've ever noticed that the word "anal" is in analysis... well now you'll understand why.)

THIS post will detail what has led to the issue and the Search for a NEW Sorcerer Supreme.
The NEXT post will handle a review of the issue itself.

---------

New Avengers # 51 "dropped", this week, to an eager and anticipating (super-hero) comics-reading world. It was so desirous an issue, if for no other reason, due to it's starting, in earnest, the long-anticipated "Search for the next 'Sorcerer Supreme' " story-arc (because, really, who truly cares about Norman Osborn and his destined-to-be-short-lived "Dark Reign"?).

To properly address the current story-line, we must first look back several years - for the groundwork of the story therein, by Brian Michael Bendis, has been a long-gestating one, having seeds strewn across the 4-color world of the Avengers since at least as far back as "House of M"...

Don't believe me?
Let's revisit THESE scenes (from House of M # 8 - by Bendis and artist; Olivier Coipel):

*click images to make Supreme-sized*

It was at that point in time where it became painfully obvious, that if Bendis continued his handling of Strange, this would eventually be addressed - to detrimental effect.

As bizarre as it seemed to see his version of Doctor Strange, in the "House of M" world, was a therapist of some sort, this final admission of fault and defeat leaped off of the page as a foreboding harbinger of what was to come.

"I FAILED. COMPLETELY."

With those three words, it became clear that Bendis (and/or Editor-in-Chief; Joe Quesada) felt that Doctor Strange was due to receive some sort of comeuppance. Or more likely, a tear-down.

It was evident in much of his treatment of Strange over time (even starting in that mini-series "event") that sadly, as talented a writer as he could be, Brian Bendis just didn't quite "get" Dr. Strange. I would be hard-pressed to believe that he had performed much in the way of research into the character's past - to garner even a cursory knowledge of Strange's abilities or history of using them.

This next bit from a page later in that same issue proved that:

Uh... what? The magics don't work like that?
Doc mind-wiped people ALL. THE. TIME.
Many an instance he would remove entire chunks of memory from people;

• Villains whom he felt had dangerous knowledge? - That information erased.

• Fellow heroes whom he needed to forget his presence? - Memory altered.
  

• The entire planet need to think that he's deceased? - One spell does the trick.

Believe me, I am no fan of the "magic-eraser" technique. It's lazy and all-too-convenient (and in canon more times than I care for). I don't disagree that Bendis should have had Doc deny Spidey's request, I just think that since the mind-wipe is a well-known and oft-used ability of Strange's, there should be a better way to NOT do it.

Truly, I can understand if Editorial edict stated that Spider-Man shouldn't lose those memories, but if so, as the writer it befell to Bendis to have found a LOGICAL REASON for Doc being unable to remove them.

Just off the top of my head...

Perhaps, because the spell that caused the "House of M" was created by the Scarlet Witch's unique "brand" of mutant pseudo-magic - which affects REALITY as we know it, that the memories created from living in that world were not something that he, using "real" magic could affect.

Or, he could have stated that since those who remember the event, do so because of his and Emma Frost's combined abilities, those abilities mixed with the instability of the collapsing reality, that any further tampering would be impossible.

See? I didn't even take time to think of anything. Just typed it as I thought it.
And my two half-assed suggestions made far more sense than Bendis' "Magics don't work that way".

However, this bit is merely brought up within this discussion in order to delineate the fact that Bendis wasn't playing by "the rules", he was going to make them up as he went along.

Lest it be seen that I find only fault with Bendis' handling of Dr. Strange (although, the bulk of his treatment of Doc has been poor), there had been some shining moments as well.

While the "pig-latin-esque" mystic mumbo-jumbo that he has Strange emit is less than inspiring, a few of the causal effects of those spells have been well received.

Whether causing ninjas to call for their mommies...

Dr. Strange's Ninja Day-Care Center is doomed to failure.
New Avengers # 27 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

... or bringing Avengers to soil themselves...

The "Images of Ikonn" will knock you on your ass!

New Avengers # 29 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

... Strange's nightmare-fuel was a breath of fresh air from the usual boring spells that he had been relegated to using as of late.

The latter example was even more impressive and appreciated an outing as it was shown that his abilities worked in a power-dampening field - thus acknowledging that what Strange possesses is the ability to harness forces beyond our ken - he does NOT have "powers", and that the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme is not a power-set in and of itself, but a title - earned.

Bendis truly gives Strange some respect with this event, when Iron Man and his government forces recruit Brother Voodoo to try and capture the hiding New Avengers...

Brother Voodoo do that voodoo that he do so well.
New Avengers # 29
Brian Bendis (words)/ Leinil Yu (pictures)

Brother Voodoo creeps everyone out - then tells the creeps to bug out.
New Avengers # 30
Brian Bendis (words)/ Leinil Yu (pictures)

Voodoo states, plainly that Dr. Strange is the Master of the Mystic Arts - and is called such for a reason.

Still, it became clear that in Bendis' hands, the Sorcerer Supreme would certainly be less than "supreme".

Whether it was Strange's inability to prevent Iron Fist's jet from falling from the sky...

Perhaps Doc forgot about the "Winds of Watoomb"
which could have had the plane float with winds at his command.
New Avengers # 32 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

...or his claim that the Cloak of Levitation would be unable to allow Strange to fly from the soon-to-be-crashing aircraft...

(red circle added by me to better show who was speaking)
New Avengers # 32 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

... Strange's abilities were being dismantled - not with a surgeon's blade, but a reaper's scythe.

Alright. Even taking into account that Doc has survived travel back down to Earth from outer space, I'm willing to give a pass that maybe (maybe) winds that strong would be problematic for the Cloak of Levitation to properly operate. Unlike members of the Avengers or X-Men, to whom it was an almost everyday occurance, Dr. Strange was hardly ever the victim of an aircraft that crashed or exploded mid-flight.

That said, the aforementioned "Winds of Watoomb" (or a conjured protective aura) would allow for Strange to travel safely in any adverse airspace conditions.
It would also have been easily within his ability to open a portal that would have allowed for he and his teammates to simply appear safely on the ground (problematically, leaving the plane to gravity's harsh reality).

Still, the fact that they were even ON a plane is, in itself, somewhat of a departure from Strange's usual power-set of "mystic taxi" wherein he would cast a spell that would allow for long-distance travel for entire teams of heroes. Suddenly, he wasn't able to cast a spell of teleportation anywhere further than the nearest airport where Iron Fist had his jet hangered.

That also can get a "pass", since there had been instances wherein, to conserve energy (or if he was just too tired already) Strange would book a flight on a mundane airplane to travel long distances. It also gets a pass because, quite frankly, it's an annoyingly, habitually overused trope that writers had tacked onto Strange whenever large numbers of characters needed to go from "point-A" to "point-B" (and beyond). It grew to a point where Strange would be useless (or ignored) as anything BUT a shuttle service (or magic-eraser). To that end, I (and I'm sure others) are glad to see Strange stop being used as such.

The tripwire to this situation is that, again, like the mind-wipe, it was never stated WHY Strange suddenly couldn't (or wouldn't) be able to perform these once-everyday tasks. Bendis merely has Stephen's dialogue state; "No. I can not do this." and that was it.


Even before all that, starting the trend of being incompetent with his magics, was Strange's failure to determine that the "body" of Captain America was a fake (something the Eye of Agamotto should have been able to do "blindfolded")...

Uh... Doc? That hub-cap you're wearing at your neck?
You might want to give THAT a try.
New Avengers # 28 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

Really, it was as far back as this that the writing began to form on the wall.
Whether it was an attempt to lay red-herrings about the possibility that Doc was a "damn, dirty Skrull" (otherwise coined as "skrulliness"), or just tiny seeds of ineptitude that would later grow into a giant "Titan Arum" plant... for die-hard Strange-fans... things were staring to "stink".

The warning signs were clear.

Eventually, Bendis stopped pussyfooting and hinting about it and made it obvious; Strange's tenure was soon to end.
This scene from New Avengers # 34 lays it all out quite clearly.

Dr. Strange : Foreshadower Supreme
New Avengers # 34 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

So, it simply became a case of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

At that same time, the true mystical nail in the supreme sorcerer's coffin came not from a Bendis-penned title (although, I have no doubt that he was in the brain-trust at the pitch-meetings), but from the "World War Hulk" event, written by then-Hulk-scribe; Greg Pak.

Here's where it gets complicated...

Due to having his hands crushed by the Hulk (although, it really made little sense how it happened, since Strange was in his astral form at the time even if it was within the "reality" of Hulk's mind - and I don't care that Doc stated that they were "inside [Hulk's] mind, his dreams, his rules"... yadda yadda... that doesn't enter into it, since a "physical" psychic attack on an astral form should have no lasting effect upon the physical form - unless possibly the attack was mystical in nature - or if just a psychic attack, then perhaps physically manifested mental damage may occur. But since Hulk isn't a mystic and it was all in his mind, the physical damage makes little sense beyond the need to incapacitate Strange... ,) Strange becomes desperate to find a way to combat the many fronts from Hulk and the green goliath's fellow "warbound" ally, and powerful mystic - the Shadow-Priest; HIROIM.

As such he consumes the essence of ZOM, an eons-old mystical menace whom he had only been able to defeat - and literally put back in the bottle - by the aid of the Living Tribunal -waaaay back in Strange Tales # 156 - 157 - (although he did have a brief altercation with a tiny aspect of Zom's essence - a "Zomling" - much later in Doctor Strange; Sorcerer Supreme #20 -but the less spoken about that rediculous story the better)...

For the benefit of conservation of space (yeah, I know... too late for that), I'll just go over this next point briefly, - mostly utilizing page-scans - but I recommend with the highest level that you read my previous entry that dealt with the ZOM incident in great detail, as a part of a different series of posts *
(I'll post the link at the end of this entry for your convenience - Trust me. Good stuff there).

Hands crushed, power waning, death imminent; Doc is forced to take drastic measures.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, when a Red-Bull just isn't enough.

World War Hulk # 3
Greg Pak(words)/ John Romita Jr. (pencils)/ Klaus Jans0n (inks)

Strange ingests a portion of the very essence of the ancient demonic entity; ZOM, and is transformed into a demonic godling of giant stature and berzerker, destructive fury!

Doctor ZOM : Master of Disastrous Arts!
World War Hulk # 4
Greg Pak(words)/ John Romita Jr. (pencils)/ Klaus Jans0n (inks)

After the Hulk War was over, and the heroes went back to their regular routine, so did the villains. When the Hood started making his play for power, Strange and the New Avengers were there to put him down.
It was then that Doctor Strange got up close and personal with the Hood's demonic benefactor and barred his path.
This was the last of Brian Michael Bendis' "cool moments" for Doctor Strange, few and far between as they were.

Dr. Strange, like Gandalf before him; "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
New Avengers # 37 (Brian Michael Bendis - words / Leinil Francis Yu - images)

It was this confrontation with the Hood that caused the retaliatory strike against the Sanctum, by the Hood and his forces. During the melee, Dr. Strange was effectively "killed" in a hail of gunfire. The residual ZOM-energies, and darker magicks, that Strange had still maintained to counter the damage to his hands (damage that he was hiding), kicked in and caused Strange to go berzerk - effectively decimating the Hood's forces.

Zomtor Strange - Tormentor Supreme!
New Avengers - Annual # 2
Brian Bendis (words)/ Carlo Pagulayan (pictures)

After this incident, Strange knew that he was done, and departed the company of his fellow heroes, so that he could take stock of his abilities and his position as a mystic master.

Taking Strange off the chessboard.
New Avengers - Annual # 2
Brian Bendis (words)/ Carlo Pagulayan (pictures)

The most tragic aspect of this departure is that it is hinted at, but never followed up on, that Strange will wander the Earth, searching for himself and a way to atone for his transgressions against the magicks and his role as Sorcerer Supreme.

As I had detailed in a previous post ** about New Avengers # 50, there was ONE LINE in that whole book shone out as a BEACON of hope for Bendis' plan for Doc.

When asked where Dr. Strange is, Bendis has Luke Cage (natch) say:

"Walking the Earth like Caine in Kung Fu".

F#@%-YEAH!

That's a story I'd like to see.
And a way of TREATING Doctor Strange that, while not completely original, is dire missed lo' these last 15 - 30 years. Doctor Strange as spiritualist and MYSTIC!

Contemplative and seeking.
Learning as well as learned.

However, that potential story seems to have been wasted (as many of Bendis' big-picture plot points tend to do - intriguingly suggested, but ultimately left on the "cutting-room floor").

While the recap page for New Avengers # 51 states that Strange hadn't been seen since his departure after the events of his Zom-fueled outburst in New Avengers Annual # 2, that's not entirely accurate.
Within a few months of that event he did make one appearance in Last Defenders # 3.

The Sorcerer and Satan's Son - Defenders and "friends".

Last Defenders # 3
Joe Casey (story) , Jim Muniz (pencils), Cam Smith (inks)

That (apart from a few cameo appearances in other titles - which present a bit of a time-line delemma), was the last time that Strange was seen acknowledging the events that led to his departure.

In the meanwhile, the HOOD, defeated by Strange and his allies, slinks back to his lair to determine just WHAT or WHO is the power behind his enchanted garment.

"Mirror, mirror - on the wall... whose is the power behind it all..."

DORMAMMU!

New Avengers # 46 (Bendis - writer / Billy Tan - art)

He may well wish he never asked.

That is where things have been left off...as New Avengers # 51 begins with Strange in mid-search for a replacement!

-------------

--- In the next installment of
The Search for, Nature and History of...the Sorcerer Supreme
series, we can look, in earnest into NEW AVENGERS # 51 ---

(HERE)

-------------

*
The ZOM incident, as well as the events surrounding it (Civil War, Registration Act, Skrulls, World War Hulk) are dealt with as one of a series of posts dealing with the many times the Sanctum Sanctorum had been destroyed. (HERE).


**
As mentioned above, I go into the wonderful case of Doctor Strange's spiritual journey and what was and could have been (HERE- check it out, it's another good one)

GAZE INTO THE FUTURE : 2009 JUNE

The APRIL 2009 solicits are up
(for stuff shipping JUNE 2009)
so what are we waiting for?
Let's journey forth...into... the FUTURE:

=============

"Greetings, my friends.
We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I
are going to
spend the rest of our lives..."

... while reading comics.
"Official" graphic for this feature; "doctored" image from the cover to Strange Tales # 156
(original art by Marie Severin)

=============

First, let's take a look at the items where DOCTOR STRANGE will appear, then we'll move onto the other "6-Dimensions".

=============


Once again, we'll begin with the BIG SHOW:

Dr. Strange, Dormammu and the hunt for a new Sorcerer Supreme comes to a head in:

NEW AVENGERS #54


Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by BILLY TAN
Variant Cover by CHRIS BACHALO

A Sorcerer Supreme is chosen!
Be witness to a very important chapter in Avengers history and the lore of Marvel magic! Plus, the Avengers finally have a big showdown with the Hood and not everyone walks away from it unharmed!

32 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99
In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---

Big Doc storyline, NO Doc on the cover.
Nice. Jackasses!

Maybe he'll fare better on the BACHALO VARIANT.



=============

--- Doctor Strange SHOULD be in ---

=============


AVENGERS/INVADERS #12 (of 12)


Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by STEVE SADOWSKI
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by DALE EAGLESHAM

DUTY NOW...FOR THE FUTURE!
The year long event concludes with a battle royale against a Cosmic Cube powered Red Skull that shakes history to its core. In an altered past and an unrecognizable present, three super-powered teams made up of Earth Mightiest Heroes and the Greatest Heroes of World War Two, find themselves at a crossroads that none of them...or us...may survive.

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---

Incredible... 12 Alex Ross covers and not ONE had Doc on it.
Maybe Strange is on the Eaglesham variant cover.
Thanks for "NOTHING", Alex Ross!



=============

MAN-THING
& the "6-DIMENSIONS" characters
appear in these comics:

=============


MAN-THING (and Midnight Sons) will star in

MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #3


Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KEV WALKER
Cover by GREG LAND
80s DECADE VARIANT BY TBA

You've heard of Dark Reign, right? Well here comes the Dark Rain--a toxic cloud that zombifies everything in its path! The Midnight Sons can't enter the deadly mist, so they call in a reserve member who can--the macabre Man-Thing! Can the muck-encrusted shambler of the swamps apprehend the undead before the Marvel Universe is totally infected? And will The Hood stop at anything in his mad goal to profit from the growing horror to his own gain? The acclaimed creative team of
Fred Van Lente and Kev Walker continue the madness that CBR.com says "takes the Marvel Zombies franchise in a brand new invigorating direction."

32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$3.99
In Stores: Jun 3, 2009

---

(2 covers. Including a "1980's variant")
Man-Thing to the rescue!
Dang...I loves me my muck-monster Man-Thing!
But, I HAVE to wonder... what's the deal with that "frankensteined" amalgam (Sandman, Klaw, etc...) villain wearing the Cloak of Levitation?

--------

CLEA (well... "Cleook") is in:

MARVEL APES: PRIME EIGHT SPECIAL


Written by KARL KESEL
Penciled by TODD NAUCK
Cover by JOHN WATSON

In the face of a fate worse than death, the Ape Universe's greatest minds and leaders must come together to save their world in a secret council known as - the PRIME EIGHT! BLACK BOLT, king of the Inhominids! The invincible IRON MANDRILL! Bruce Bananner, the incredible HULK! PROFESSOR XAPIER, leader of the X-Simians! CLEOOK, Sorceress Supreme! DR. DOOM, master of Latvookia! SILVERBACK SURFER, Simian of the Spaceways! NICK FURY 2099, time traveling secret agent! Monkhattan stands on the brink of disaster in a story we had to call...APE-OKOPLIS NOW!

48 PGS./One-Shot/Rated T+ ...$3.99
In Stores: Jun 3, 2009

---

Damn... Why the heck did they kill off the Dr. Strange-ape before the whole Marvel Apes story even started.
Now, they're forced to jump through hoops in order to fill his shoes.
Oh, well... Clea needs some "screen time" too.

---------

Namor is in:

AGENTS OF ATLAS #6

Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by GABRIEL HARDMAN
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU

Disturbing visions plucked from the malignant mind of Norman Osborn lead the intrepid Agents to the darkest depths of the Atlantic Ocean, where Namora must have words with her infamous cousin - The Sub-Mariner! What happens next shocks her team, who must prepare to say goodbye to their aquatic avenger!

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
IN STORES: June 3, 2009



---------


Dracula, Blade & Black Knight (among others) in


CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 ANNUAL #1

Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by MICHAEL COLLINS
Cover by GREG LAND

Meggan is Captain Britain's wife, an X-Man in Hell. And she's going to fight her way home. Over years, bargains, battles, with only her love to guide her. Can she get back to Earth in time to help her husband turn back Dracula and his evil invasion? And is that a metal gauntlet offering a hand? Don't miss this key part of "Vampire State"! Plus: MI13 delves into the secrets behind British Magic.

48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99
In Stores: June 3, 2009

- and -

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #14


Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by MICO SUAYAN

"VAMPIRE STATE"
The pieces are all in motion. Dracula, Lilith and Captain Fate are heading for Earth with their invasion force, as the Vampire Lord's deal with Dr. Doom and master plan all come together. MI13 has been taken apart and the world is ripe for the
taking. Part 5 (of 6)

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
In Stores: Jun 10, 2009

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Nekra is a part of

DARK REIGN: LETHAL LEGION #1 (of 3)


Written by FRANK TIERI
Penciled by MATEUS SANTOLOUCO
Cover by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS

When Norman Osborn takes over, what happens to the villains who don't make his short list of acceptable allies? Grim Reaper, Mr. Hyde, Absorbing Man, Nekra, and Man-Ape are about to find out when their cooperative of crime lands on the wrong side of Norman's law - but they're not going down without a fight.

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99
In Stores: June 3, 2009


---------


Scarlet Witch seems to be a member of:

MIGHTY AVENGERS #26


Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

DARK REIGN
The Avengers/Fantastic Four slobberknocker continues!
This one's got it all true believers: from MR. FANTASTIC and HANK PYM'S battle of the brains to HERCULES and THE THING'S battle o' the brawn! When it's over, expect BIG changes for Earth's Mightiest Heroes-- including the team's all-new headquarters and a very disturbing DARK REIGN alliance.

32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99
In Stores: Jun 17, 2009

---

Look at that cover!
Now THAT's a cool looking AVENGERS line-up!

---------


(alternate universe) Scarlet Witch is a member of

EXILES #3


Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by SALVADOR ESPIN & CASEY JONES
Cover by DAVE BULLOCK

Maybe a new untested team isn't what you want to throw against an island of united X-Men and Brotherhood mutants, all looking to protect Magneto. Then again, maybe it's the perfect solution! And maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay on this world longer, given what the NEXT one has waiting.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99
IN STORES: June 3, 2009

---------

Scarlet Witch is also in:

FANTASTIC FORCE #3

Written by JOE AHEARNE
Penciled by STEVE KURTH
Cover by BRYAN HITCH

Alex Ultron is in pieces and Banner Jr. has been turned against his teammates. It's a bad time for the Fantastic Force to face three of the most powerful women in the universe: Dark Phoenix, the Scarlet Witch and Polaris! The Hysteries, wrenched from their timeline at their maximum moment of betrayal and insanity, have been summoned to destroy Nu-World and the Fantastic Force are the only super heroes on this brave new planet to stand in their way...if they can even stand!

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
IN STORES: June 3, 2009

---------


Nick Fury, Hellfire and Druid are all:

SECRET WARRIORS #5

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG

The smashing first arc of Marvel's best new series comes to a climax as the battle between H.A.M.M.E.R., HYDRA, rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and the Howling Commandos begins!
This is the first shot in a war that will result in the establishment of a new global power structure...and who's caught in the middle? You guessed it: Nick Fury and his team of Caterpillars.

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
IN STORES: June 3, 2009


--------


Valinor (the Black Knight's bat-winged steed) and more are in:


MARVEL PETS HANDBOOK


Written by MICHAEL HOSKIN, MADISON CARTER, SEAN MCQUAID, STUART VANDAL, GABRIEL SHECHTER, DAVID WILTFONG, RONALD BYRD, ERIC J. MOREELS, JACOB ROUGEMONT, MARKUS ETTLINGER, JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, MARK O'ENGLISH, MIKE O'SULLIVAN, CHRIS BIGGS & ROB LONDON
Cover by KARL KERSCHL

Rein yourself in for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe you thought you'd never see! A marvelous menagerie of mirthful mammals and more materialize! From the high-flying Falcon's pet Redwing to the ever-familiar Ebony to Speedball's cat Niels to Kitty's dragon Lockheed to Daredevil's dog Deuce to the Mole Man's monsters to Devil Dinosaur and all manner of Asgardian beasts! Cosmo says: "Buy one for me, comrade! Is good!" Lockjaw says: "Woof!" Can you say no to those puppy-dog eyes?

48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

---------

The HOOD is running things in:

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #25

Written by CHRISTOS N. GAGE
Pencils & Cover by
HUMBERTO RAMOS

"THE INITIATIVE: DISASSEMBLED" reaches its shocking conclusion! The full effects of Dark Reign take hold as Norman Osborn reshapes the Initiative into a place to train the Dark Avengers of tomorrow! And wait until you see who's running things now...(Hint: they're on the cover!) But what will happen to the Gauntlet, Tigra, Trauma and the other heroes who've made the Initiative what it is? Oh, Norman has plans for them as well... DON'T MISS THE ISSUE THAT CHANGES THE INITIATIVE FOREVER!

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---------

The HOOD stars with Dr. Doom and the Cabal guesting in:

DARK REIGN: THE HOOD #2 (of 5)


Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by KYLE HOTZ
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

From the pages of NEW AVENGERS, The Hood leaps into the spotlight! Meeting with Dr. Doom, bossing around his own crime family - anyway you want to cut it, Parker Robbins is getting big. His territory is growing like a wildfire, and you can't keep any of his boys in jail. But there's always someone bigger than you. Calling shots in New York is one thing...but calling them in Latveria, the Atlantic Ocean, and Asgard is another! Worse still, even some of the small fries are trying to edge out Parker, but there's a reason only one of these people is wearing The Hood!

32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99
In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---------


DR DOOM is raising hell in:

FANTASTIC FOUR #568

Written by MARK MILLAR & JOE AHEARNE
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH

The penultimate chapter of THE MASTER OF DOOM, as Reed Richards is offered a Solomon's choice by the triumphant
Marquis of Death!

32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99
In Stores: Jun 24, 2009


=============

COLLECTED EDITIONS
HARDCOVERS & TPB's

=============


Doc is in nearly every issue within:

SENTRY: THE AGE OF THE SENTRY TPB (DM ONLY)

Written by JEFF PARKER & PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA, RAMON ROSANAS, BILL GALVAN, MICHAEL CHO & COLLEEN COOVER
Cover by DAVE BULLOCK & MICHAEL CHO

"Classic" tales of the Sentry at the birth of the Marvel Age! Discover the previously unexplored history of the Golden Guardian of Good as he battles the Mad Thinker; Ursus the Ultra Bear; Mountain Man; and Cranio, the Man with the Tri-Level Mind -- all leading up to a final showdown with his arch nemesis, the Void! Featuring guest-stars galore, including Millie the Model and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Plus: a special story guest-starring one of the greatest -- but sadly forgotten -- British Invasion bands, the Crick-Hits! More than ten tales of old-school super-hero action!
Collecting THE AGE OF THE SENTRY #1-6.

152 PGS./Rated A ...$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3520-3

In Stores: Jun 3, 2009



--------


VALKYRIE and the Lady Liberators star in:

SHE-HULK VOL. 9: LADY LIBERATORS TPB

Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by VINCENZO CUCCA, PASQUALE QUALANO & STEVE SCOTT
Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR.

From the pages of HULK, the Lady Liberators burst on the scene! She-Hulk has been capturing the bad-guys as a bounty hunter...but is that enough for our conflicted hero? Time to kick things up a notch- and that means calling in Valkyrie, Thundra and the Invisible Woman to dispense some hard justice as the Lady Liberators!
Collecting SHE-HULK #34-38.

144 PGS./Rated T+ ...$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4114-3



In Stores: Jun 3, 2009

---------

Black Knight and more are in:

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 VOL. 2:
HELL COMES TO BIRMINGHAM TPB

Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by BRYAN HITCH

As the team is rocked by confusion in their ranks, they're called into battle on their first official mission. All hell has broken loose in Birmingham and MI 13 agent Captain Midlands in the middle of it. It's super heroes vs. the supernatural, full on. What has Dr. Plokta offered the residents in return for their immortal souls? And why are the Mindless Ones starting their assualt from Birmingham? The team lost one member in their first adventure... can they all survive this?
Collecting CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #5-9.

120 PGS./Rated T+ ...$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3345-2


In Stores: Jun 10, 2009

---------

The tales of Adam Warlock are in:


MARVEL MASTERWORKS: WARLOCK

The Story: The MARVEL MASTERWORKS line is proud to present one of comics’ most mind-blowingly cosmic sagas. At ’70s Marvel there was no who quite mastered the startling scope and high-concept complexity of truly cosmic adventure like writer/artist and overall Renaissance man, Jim Starlin. His first effort with Captain Marvel redefined a character. His second with Adam Warlock set the tone for star-spanning spectacle that is considered a high-water mark to this day. Taking the legacy laid out by Lee, Kirby, Thomas and Kane, Jim Starlin evolved Warlock to the next level, imbuing the character with the furies and inner demons of a man-god on the brink of insanity. Forced to confront the Magus, an evil version of himself, and the nihilistic menace, Thanos, Warlock’s conflicts weren’t just knuckle-grinding throw-downs, they were epic, existential struggles for the very soul. Culminating in the first-ever assembling of the Infinity Gems, and featuring the first appearances of such cosmic Marvel mainstays as Gamorra and Pip the Troll—not to mention an all-out struggle to save the universe joined by the Avengers, Captain Marvel and Spider-Man—this MASTERWORKs edition is definitive Marvel. So reserve that copy today, True Believer!
Collecting STRANGE TALES #178-181, WARLOCK #9-15, MARVEL TEAM-UP #55, AVENGERS ANNUAL #7 and MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE ANNUAL #2.

All Ages …$54.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3511-1

In Stores: Jun 17, 2009


---------

Hellcat scratches your fan-bone in:

PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT TPB (DM ONLY)

Written by KATHYRN & STUART IMMONEN
Penciled by DAVID LAFUENTE & STUART IMMONEN
Cover by STUART IMMONEN

Patsy Walker, S.H.I.E.L.D. wants YOU to join the Initiative...and protect the frozen north. You heard me right, sister.
The Klondike. Seward's Folly. Alaska. So pack some long johns and prepare for trouble. Plus, we all know Patsy Walker is Hellcat, so who's the other Hellcat? Find out in this four-part series, from the pages of Marvel Comics Presents. Collecting PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT #1-5 and material from MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #1-4.

152 PGS./Rated A ...$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3379-7

---------


Magik returns from Limbo in:

X-INFERNUS HC

Written by C.B. CEBULSKI
Penciled by GIUSEPPI CAMUNCOLI
Cover by DAVID FINCH

When last we saw Darkchylde, she had claimed the throne of Limbo as her own. And now she's determined to get her soul back, even if she has to conquer Earth in the process. Can the combined forces of the X-Men stop her rampage? They'll have to fight through every demon in Limbo to try. Plus, get the whole story of Magik's exciting return to the Marvel Universe with X-MEN: RETURN OF MAGIK and the X-INFERNUS SAGA!
Collecting X-INFERNUS #1-4, X-INFERNUS SAGA and X-MEN: RETURN OF MAGIK MUST HAVE.

152 PGS./Rated T+ ...$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3947-8
Trim size: oversized



In Stores: Jun 17, 2009

---------

Doctor Strange and the New Avengers make appearances in:

FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA HC

Written by JEPH LOEB
Penciled by JOHN CASSADAY, DAVID FINCH, ED MCGUINNESS,
JOHN ROMITA JR. & LEINIL FRANCIS YU
All New Cover by ED MCGUINESS

Where were you when Captain America died? Perhaps you were listening to the radio or reading the morning paper. Maybe you were surfing the web or on the phone with a friend. You were probably shocked, most likely thinking, "How could this happen to Cap?" And for a moment, you perhaps thought about all the ways the super soldier meant something to you. Something very real, very abiding. Fallen Son: Death of Captain America follows the reaction of the legendary heroes' best friends and closest comrades as they struggle to work through the emotions stirred by the loss of their ally, and the stages of grief that make them confront the part they may have played in that loss. This is their story. This is Cap's story. This is our story. The story of a Fallen Son and the world he helped make a better place. Plus, this edition also includes tons of never-before-seen extras!
Collecting FALLEN SON: WOLVERINE, AVENGERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA, SPIDER-MAN and IRON MAN; and CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1 plus extras from MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: CAPTAIN AMERICA REMEMBERED and the OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.

224 PGS./Rated T+...$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4128-0
Trim size: oversized

In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---------

DOCTOR STRANGE is the Master of the Mystic Arts in:


ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE VOL. 4 TPB



Written by ROGER STERN, DON MCGREGOR, RALPH MACCHIO, CHRIS CLAREMONT, BILL KUNKEL, DAVID MICHELINIE, J.M DEMATTEIS & GARDNER FOX
Penciled by TOM SUTTON, RICARDO VILLAMONTE, ALAN KUPPERBERG, RUBY NEBRES, P. CRAIG RUSSELL, GENE COLAN, DAN GREEN, WALT SIMONSON, AL MILGROM, WENDY PINI, FRANK GIACOIA, JOE RUBINSTEIN, BOB WIACEK, TOM PALMER, KERRY GAMMILL, MICHAEL GOLDEN, MARSHALL ROGERS, TERRY AUSTIN, PAUL SMITH, BRENT ANDERSON, HOWARD CHAYKIN & DON PERLIN
Cover by PAUL SMITH

Dormammu, Ikonn, Tiboro, Ningal, the Dweller in Darkness, names to conjure with...literally! Yet they're only a few of the occult enemies who confront Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, challenged by Baron Mordo, the Eye Killers, and sorcerers from across the world and throughout the dimensions! Weirdness awaits in the Realm of the Shadowqueen and an unfallen Roman Empire, but with Nightmare and D'Spayre around, the human psyche may be the deadliest battleground of all! Plus the mystery of Murdoch Adams, Monster Hunter! With the Man-Thing, Brother Voodoo, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, plus the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Howling Commandos! Featuring rare horror work by genre legend Howard Chaykin!
Collecting DOCTOR STRANGE #30-56; CHAMBER OF CHILLS #4 and MAN-THING #4.

564 PGS./All Ages ...$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3062-8




In Stores: Jun 24, 2009

---------

=============

Whew!
That seems to be it for this month.
If you see anything that interests you, be sure to pick it up when it ships.

If you like any of the Collected Editions, a kindness of ordering through my Amazon links would be greatly appreciated.
Heck, check them out for anything you might be looking for.

-------------

Feel free to discuss these solicits in the comments section.

(all new comic cover images yoinked from Marvel.com)

-------------

So, once again, my friends... I'll see you... in the future...