Youll Never See This Face Again One Day

Doctor Strange Stories You lot'll Never See On The Big Screen

Curiosity Comics

Ever since he first appeared in 2016's "Doctor Strange," Doctor Stephen Strange has played a vital role in the Curiosity Cinematic Universe. Beyond his ongoing movies, Strange has appeared in "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Spider-Homo: No Style Home." And he'due south likely to be around for a long while notwithstanding, besides — in December 2021, Benedict Cumberbatch told United states of america Today that he'll happily go along playing the role for "as long every bit the character is interesting and challenging and doing fantastic things in the MCU."

Information technology's an heady time for Md Strange fans, and then, and there are any number of weird and wonderful comic books that Kevin Feige and co. might draw upon for his upcoming MCU appearances. Who wouldn't leap at the take chances to run across Shuma-Gorath make his silvery screen debut? Or witness the trippiest heights of Steve Ditko's kickoff run of comics brought to pic? Or even just enjoy a direct adaptation of i of Foreign'due south more recent arcs, such as "Loki: Sorcerer Supreme" or "Expiry of Md Strange"?

That said, in that location are a scattering of Strange tales that will likely never brand it to flick theaters. Whether it'due south because they're too outlandish, too impractical, or simply likewise awful, these are the Medico Strange stories you'll never run across on the big screen.

The dearest triangle with Ben Franklin

Marvel Comics

Back in the early 1970s, Doc Foreign found a new writer in Steve Englehart. Start with "Marvel Premiere" and followed by the first run of "Dr. Foreign," Englehart saw Strange's comics as an opportunity to delve into some of the more than popular philosophical concepts of the time — what Britannica calls "spirituality, self-exploration, and consciousness-raising." For some reason, he besides took the opportunity to have Strange meet Benjamin Franklin.

Englehart's valuable contribution to the Doc Strange canon is undeniable, just his terminal bow as lead writer, in 1976'south "Physician Strange" #17-xix, was utterly inexplicable. In these issues, Strange decides to teach his disciple, Clea, how to travel in time. After a brief sojourn to hang out with Francis Bacon in 1618, they make up one's mind to jump forward to 1775. Here, Strange comes into conflict with a magician named Stygyro, the lost city of Atlantis is constitute at final, and Clea ends up being seduced by the human whose face up graces the hundred dollar bill.

Now, you lot could certainly argue that the MCU has gotten a little weirder lately: "WandaVision" is a delightful experiment in genre, the multiversal shenanigans in "Loki" are a genuine anarchism, and Oscar Isaac'due south British accent in "Moon Knight" pretty much speaks for itself. But we're going to take a guess that having Doctor Strange'southward pupil/lover engage in a soap opera-fashion dear triangle with Ben Franklin might exist a little too much for most fans' tastes.

Victor Strange, Stephen's secret vampire brother

Marvel Comics

Speaking of soap operas, how'due south this for a twist? In "Doc Foreign, Sorcerer Supreme" #10, a confrontation with Morbius the Living Vampire leads to the revelation that Stephen Strange has a hole-and-corner long-lost vampire brother named Victor. Obviously, Foreign's little bro has spent the terminal decade cryogenically frozen beneath a warehouse in New York, having been hit by a car during childhood. Since becoming a sorcerer, Foreign has been using his abilities in a desperate try to bring his sibling back to life; throw in the Montesi Formula — a spell that Strange had previously used to wipe out all vampires in "Doctor Strange" #62 — equally well as a new spell known as the "Vampiric Verses" and a whole heap of plot contrivance, and hey presto: Victor Strange is magically resurrected.

This is not Dr. Strange's finest hr, neither as a character nor equally a comic book. Victor's existence comes out of absolutely nowhere, and he doesn't stick effectually for long either, making a few subsequent appearances earlier his concluding story in "Doctor Strange, Wizard Supreme" #56. It'due south difficult to come across a fashion in which this guy might fit into the MCU that wouldn't also seem forced and unnecessary, and there must be a million other paths Doctor Strange's grapheme arc can follow before Marvel Studios has to resort to a twist as trite as this. If Kevin Feige knows what'southward upwards, he'll requite Victor Strange to Sony for "Morbius 2" and forget this whole sad saga ever happened.

The classic Defenders

Marvel Comics

Dr. Strange has featured in many unlike superhero teams over the years, from the Avengers to the Illuminati to the Midnight Sons. Perhaps his virtually famous group affiliation of all, notwithstanding, is the Defenders.

Strange's first story with the Defenders can be found in 1971'south "Marvel Feature" #1, which as well marks the team's inception. This story sees Foreign embroiled in a race against fourth dimension to forestall a doomsday device from destroying the World. In order to do so, he enlists the assist of Namor the Sub-Mariner and the Incredible Hulk. Once the day is saved at the end of the effect, the trio decide to remain loosely in cahoots, and Strange dubs them — you guessed it — "The Defenders." The squad would later render in subsequent problems of "Curiosity Feature," finally getting their ain championship, "Defenders" #1, in 1972.

In that location are 2 main obstacles in the way of these stories e'er reaching the big screen. The starting time is that the proper noun "Defenders" has already been co-opted past Netflix's Marvel Universe, and now that Matt Murdock and friends have been folded into the wider MCU, there'due south a good chance they'll come together again at some point in the future. The second is that the classic Defenders stalwarts simply have too much going on: outlets such as The Illuminerdi have reported that Namor is set to exist a villain in "Blackness Panther: Wakanda Forever," Bruce Imprint has his hands full with the upcoming "She-Hulk" serial, and Dr. Strange has that whole madness-in-the-multiverse matter to deal with. Is there really much risk that these entirely unrelated characters will come up together to form a squad with a name everybody already knows? It seems doubtful.

Werewolf Dr. Foreign

Curiosity Comics

Launched in 1972, "Marvel Team-Up" was an ongoing run of comic books that brought together ii or more superheroes each issue — one of whom was almost ever Spider-Man — to fight some terrible threat. Over the years, the heroes featured aslope Spidey have included the Human Torch, Thor, Iron Human, Captain America, Blackness Panther, Daredevil, Hulk, Professor X, Human-Thing, Ms. Marvel, and, well, basically every major hero you can imagine. In "Marvel Team-Upward" #80, Spider-Man meets Clea, and together they face off against ... Werewolf Doctor Foreign.

Bet you lot didn't see that one coming. Every bit it turns out, Foreign has been turned into a werewolf as an unintended effect of his alliance with the voodoo loftier priestess Marie Laveau in "Curiosity Team-Upward" #76. Luckily, with the help of Clea, Spidey, and the half-demon Satana, Strange returns to his old self in the very adjacent issue.

Marvel Studios have actually sort of riffed on the concept of "Marvel Team-Upward" with the three MCU "Spider-Homo" movies, each of which had Peter Parker meet and fight aslope a different hero: in "Homecoming," it'southward Iron Man; in "Far From Home," information technology'due south Nick Fury; in "No Manner Home," it's Doctor Strange. And while it seems unlikely that time to come "Spider-Man" movies volition retread old ground in this sense, it seems fifty-fifty less likely that they'll practise so by having Spidey and Clea boxing a lycanthropic Stephen Strange.

Medico Stranger All the same

Marvel Comics

For a while, it really seemed similar Doc Foreign had a trouble with anthropomorphism. "Doctor Strange" #25 begins with Clea and Wong rescuing Strange from the Quadriverse, an uncanny dimension filled with unspeakably bizarre sights and sounds. When they return to Globe, however, they detect that, instead of humans, the earth is populated by billions of half-human, half-animal creatures. The trio also discovers a new inhabitant of the Sanctum Santorum: a Sorcerer Supreme with a boar's head who calls himself "Doctor Stranger Withal." Fear non, though, for, in "Doctor Foreign" #28, the original Strange saves the day and restores the old order later on defeating the god-like In-Betweener in battle.

It's all very, very odd. The Quadriverse scenes in the run-up to this arc are really pretty corking, being equal parts creepy and intriguing, and that whole arc would play out pretty well on-screen. (There's even some precedent for this, equally the "Curiosity Studios Visual Dictionary" cites the Quadriverse equally one of the realities Strange visits in "Doctor Strange.") Simply forcing Strange and his allies into what basically amounts to a live-action adaptation of "BoJack Horseman" is probably a span too far for the franchise — no matter how much fun the proper noun "Doctor Strange Nonetheless" might be.

The infamous Ultimatum story

Marvel Comics

Ah, "Ultimatum." Described by an IGN critic as "the worst comic I take ever read," this almost-universally reviled event takes identify in the Marvel Ultimate Universe and is best known for almost single-handedly ruining Earth-1610 for many fans. The dialogue is corny, the pacing is a mess, and the art isn't all that cracking either. Only perhaps the worst sin committed by Jeph Loeb during "Ultimatum" is the gratuitous and downright upsetting way in which he killed off many of Marvel'due south most popular heroes.

While "Ultimatum" is not a Doctor Foreign story by any stretch of the imagination, it's worth mentioning considering the death of Stephen Strange, Jr. provides one of the event's most notorious moments. In "Ultimatum" #4, a moving ridge of destruction unleashed by Magneto has engulfed the globe; i unintended consequence of this is that Dormammu, the Lord of the Nighttime Dimension, is unleashed upon New York City. As you might expect, Doc Strange presently emerges to face his old foe, and the ii come to blows in a truly epic — oh, no, expect, information technology's already over. Dormammu squeezes Strange with his own sash and makes his caput explode, and that's the finish of the Sorcerer Supreme.

Loeb'due south ending for Ultimate Foreign is both disturbing and frustrating, and serves practically no purpose in the greater story. His cursory arc — and, in fact, "Ultimatum" in general — constitutes a grim affiliate in the history of Curiosity, and the earth volition be a happier place if information technology never comes close to reaching the argent screen. Hopefully the height brass at Marvel Studios are well aware of this.

What if Wolverine was Lord of the Vampires?

Marvel Comics

At present that the MCU has its own adaptation of the ongoing series "What If...?", it's probable that many fans will be fatigued to the original comic books. Across the numerous volumes of "What If...?" comics, they'll find such intriguing concepts as "What if Physician Doom had become a hero?", "What if the Avengers had never been?", and "What if Aunt May had died instead of Uncle Ben?"

Among the more than obscure questions posed by this series is "What if Wolverine was Lord of the Vampires?", which can be found in "What If...?" Vol. 2 #24. The story mostly revolves effectually Doctor Strange, the Punisher, and Wolverine, the latter of whom becomes Lord of the Vampires later on defeating Dracula in combat. Long story short, Strange is murdered by an undead Juggernaut, uses his spirit to guide the Punisher in taking down the vampires, and finally helps Logan break free of his own evil aura.

Now, it should exist obvious why this story — and most "What If...?" tales, for that matter — won't exist getting the flick treatment anytime soon. There is a risk it might hit the small-scale screen in future, courtesy of the "What If...?" MCU series, just we wouldn't bet on that, either. That'south because this result runs a trivial too close to the premise of "Marvel Zombies," which has already been adapted into a perfectly decent episode of "What If...?"

Spandex Strange

Curiosity Comics

The adventures of Stephen Foreign brand for some of the most exciting and enjoyable comics Marvel has ever produced, and the comics of the early on '60s are among his finest stories. Sadly, the fact is that not all fans felt the same fashion at the time, and, past 1968, sales of "Doctor Strange" were flagging. Concerned by the Wizard Supreme's ever-waning popularity, Marvel decided to bring him more into line with the studio's A-list heroes.

In "Doctor Strange" #177, Strange and Clea are exiled to another dimension past servants of the demon Satannish. At the aforementioned time, the villainous Asmodeus takes on Foreign'southward identity, preventing the real Strange from returning. In order to return to Earth, Strange himself takes a new class, which includes a spandex-fashion suit and a blue mask to match. This new costume would remain right upwards to the cancellation of "Doctor Strange" in 1969, before being unceremoniously dumped in "Marvel Characteristic" #1.

Giving Doctor Foreign a more traditional superhero costume (and a cloak-and-dagger identity as well, as little sense as that makes) didn't exactly practise wonders for the character's fortunes, and his masked days have since been relegated to a footnote in the history of Marvel Comics. If you're hoping to see the live-activity Strange escape his side by side predicament using the ability of costume changes — well, don't concur your breath.

Strange Academy

Marvel Comics

In 2020, Marvel Comics launched "Strange Academy." The serial follows a group of youngsters who nourish a school for sorcerers set up by Doctor Foreign and staffed by such Curiosity mystics as Doctor Voodoo, the Ancient Ane, Agatha Harkness, Magik, Wanda Maximoff, and, of course, Strange himself. Forth the manner they forge friendships, learn the extent of their abilities, and face off confronting a growing threat to the University'due south existence. You know how it goes. In fact, the reason why you know how information technology goes is most likely because you've seen a very similar story play out earlier, both in comics and on the large screen.

Luckily, the talents of writer/illustrator duo Skottie Immature and Humberto Ramos prevent "Strange Academy" from feeling besides much like Curiosity'due south many, many X-Men comics, just the comparison is still piece of cake to make. Equally, the notion of young superheroes joining forces — some of whom are related to famous faces in the Marvel Universe — isn't entirely unlike that found in "Young Avengers" and its follow-up titles. And, since it appears that the MCU is setting up the pieces for both an "X-Men" project and potentially a "Young Avengers" project, information technology'southward particularly hundred-to-one that "Strange Academy" volition meet the light of day.

Krugarr, Sorcerer Supreme

Curiosity Comics

One of a race of aliens known equally the Lem, Krugarr is outset introduced in 1990's "Guardians of the Galaxy" Almanac #1. In this story, the Guardians of the 31st Century — Starhawk, Charlie-27, Martinex, Yondu, and Vance Astro — go dorsum in fourth dimension to destroy their enemy, Korvac, equally a child. There, they are visited past a man calling himself the Ancient 1 and his amateur, Krugarr. As it turns out, this Aboriginal One is Stephen Foreign, while Krugarr has taken on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.

Later, in "Guardians of the Galaxy" #36-37, the team faces off against Dormammu, prompting Foreign and Krugarr to come to their assistance once more than. During their duel, the Dread 1 finally kills Strange, just Krugarr steps up and defeats Dormammu alongside the Guardians. After that, he continues in his function every bit Magician Supreme alongside the Inhuman Talon, who studies equally his apprentice.

Funnily enough, Krugarr actually exists in the MCU already — he's the fish-like sorcerer who appears every bit caput of a Ravager clan in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." While he might play a more significant role in a future "Guardians" project, it feels similar it'd crave quite the bound to connect Krugarr to the MCU's Doctor Foreign, and having him actually become his main apprentice (and eventual successor) is probably out of the question entirely.

Doctor Strange in Wonderland

Marvel Comics

The influence of psychedelia on the world of "Doctor Strange" is hardly subtle. From Strange's near-nonsensical invocations to his bizarre roster of foes to the artwork of Steve Ditko and his successors, these comic books are steeped in weirdness. Then maybe information technology was inevitable that they would pay tribute to one of literature's other great trips: "Alice in Wonderland."

In "Doctor Strange" #1, Strange is transported inside the Orb of Agomotto after surviving an assassination attempt past Silver Dagger. There, he meets a hookah-smoking caterpillar who claims to be existent, "at least, for a globe where nothing is real." This, of form, is a directly reference to the Caterpillar in Lewis Carroll's story, who frustrates Alice during her run a risk in Wonderland. The Caterpillar returns in "Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme" #7, and information technology before long revealed that he is, in fact, Agomotto himself. These same issue makes reference to "Tweedle-Impaired and Tweedle-Dumber" and uses the term "Mad as a Hatter." It is, for all intents and purposes, as close as a Marvel superhero has ever come to starring in an "Alice in Wonderland" accommodation.

Since Carroll's stories are in the public domain, Marvel Studios could actually recreate all of this in a futurity "Doctor Foreign" projection. But you've got to wonder whether the inclusion of actual "Alice in Wonderland" characters in a movie that's trying so difficult to be trippy could be seen as too on-the-nose. Subtlety can be a proficient thing, later all.

Zom

Curiosity Comics

In 1967, "Strange Tales" #156-157 introduced a new villain to the "Doctor Strange" mythos, i who has non been properly seen since: Zom. This monstrous beast is summoned by Foreign and the Ancient One to help in their fight against Umar, the wrathful sis of Dormammu; while he gives her enough of a fright to send her packing, it quickly becomes clear that Zom is out of command and besides powerful to terminate. Only the interference of the almighty Living Tribunal is plenty to reverse the impairment.

There'southward something genuinely terrifying almost Zom. His unquenchable thirst for destruction and stated intention of spreading across the universe is one thing, only the reveal that it one time took Dormammu and Eternity to capture him is some other. The need to bring in one of the virtually powerful beings in the Curiosity multiverse to finally finish him is but the final testament to Zom'due south unspeakable strength.

Introducing a plot beat similar to this to a future "Medico Strange" moving picture would no doubtfulness make for a heck of a climax, even if "Thor: Ragnarok" sort of did it already. Allow's be honest here, though: Zom also looks absolutely ridiculous, and having Strange and the Ancient I bungle their battle against evil by unleashing an all-powerful flaming glam-monkey is absolutely not the climax we need from "Doctor Strange iii."

Doc Strange: Damnation

Marvel Comics

"Doctor Strange: Damnation" is one of the best Doctor Strange stories of recent years. Published in 2018, this incredibly fashionable crossover arc tackles the aftermath of the "Secret Empire" event, in which Stephen Strange brings the entire population of Las Vegas back from the dead. Earlier long, though, this phenomenon is complicated by the appearance of Mephisto, who rapidly sets up shop and begins to exert his demonic influence on the newly-resurrected populace.

Mephisto has however to make his debut in the MCU, and we can only hope that his eventual appearance comes in a story as frightening and thrilling as this. Sadly, we'd also wager that "Damnation" won't be given a full-blown accommodation. The formation of the team of Ghost Riders (Falcon, Helm Marvel, Thor, Hawkeye, and Black Panther) and its opposing squad of heroes (Blade, Moon Knight, Elsa Bloodstone, Doctor Voodoo, Man-Thing, Iron Fist, and Ghost Rider) sits at the heart of this story, but it also represents the kind of flex you lot'd need a full-blown "Avengers" movie to pull off. Sadly, the chances of Curiosity Studios centering one of those projects around what is substantially an epilogue, admitting an epic 1, seem depression. What's more, Strange'southward eerie journey into Mephisto's necrotic realm in "Doctor Strange" #388 and Johnny Blaze'south conquest of hell in "Damnation: Ghost Rider — Johnny Bonfire" #1 provide some of the story'southward most gripping sequences, just it'southward hard to run into how a cinematic adaptation could do them justice.

Maybe there's a universe out at that place in which sure elements of this arc make information technology to the large screen — we sure hope so, at least — only, in terms of straight adaptations, information technology'due south probably off-white to say that "Damnation" is one of those stories that only a comic book can really pull off.

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Source: https://www.looper.com/822565/doctor-strange-stories-youll-never-see-on-the-big-screen/