The struggle against Vyrbodin grows! Doctor Strange and Angela are hot on the trail of leads that may help them understand Vyrbodin and the source of his power more. As they inch closer to revealing the truth, a battle between the Angels and the Dark Elves seems closer than ever.
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Creative Team
Writer: Derek Landy
Artist: Ivan Fiorelli
Colorist: Dono Sánchez-Almara
Letterer: Cory Petit
Cover Artist: Alex Horley
Writing
Derek Landy has done a really outstanding job with the helm of Doctor Strange. Each issue feels like a piece of the puzzle, if each piece of the puzzle had another puzzle within it. Issue four, like the previous issues, reaches a satisfying resolution while also revealing more about the greater dance that Doctor Strange and Angela are partaking in.
Angela continues to be one of the highlights of this entire run. If Angela, as a character, was always written as Landy has guided her, I would be the first person begging Marvel for more Angela comics. My favorite part of Landy’s writing in this issue is that we finally get to the most quintessential of Doctor Strange trope but it feels different. Since the days of Lee and Ditko, Doctor Strange has frequently found himself humbled by his writers.
In this issue, it is finally Landy’s turn to humble the good Doctor, but this feels different. The humbling of Doctor Strange has been many things to many of his writers. For Donny Cates, it was Strange hubris that served as the nexus for the Damnation event. For Landy, his hubris feels like genuine growth. Strange accepting his hubris is such a unique place for Doctor Strange, and it was genuinely enjoyable to see.
Art
Ivan Fiorelli is doing some of my favorite work at Marvel right now. The styles and variety of worlds he is able to do through this series have been phenomenal to see. There is a panel involving Angela and a fight that is just superb. One of the reasons that panel hits so hard is the coloring work of Dono Sánchez-Almara. One of the really stellar things Sánchez-Almara has done this entire series is choosing the right color palette for the setting.
Sánchez-Almara and Fiorelli combine to create what is probably my favorite artistic rendering of dark elves that I’ve seen in any media. Dregthorn removing his mask is such an awesome moment in this issue, and it’s just superb. The use of scythes by Landy in the storytelling has allowed Fiorelli and Sánchez-Almara to craft contrasting palette versions of various characters, and it’s so beautiful to see. Cory Petit continues the great work by making a story that is easy to follow while allowing the words and art to speak for the series.
Final Thoughts
Landy, Fiorelli, and Sánchez-Almara are doing something really unique with Doctor Strange. Like any art, it won’t be for everyone, but the art, lore, and enjoyment added to the history that is Doctor Strange in Marvel Comics will reverberate far into the future. This series feels like the reins have been loosened and the entire creative team is free to play with ideas and push boundaries, and it’s worked so well!
Overall Grade: 9.5/10
Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable
What did you think about this issue? Let’s chat about it in the comments.
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