Dr. Strange: The Oath

[goldenboy]

Wow, I really liked this book. Like I've said, I'm essentially a comics newbie. But I like Brian K. Vaughan.

Never cared for Dr. Strange as a kid. Somehow, Vaughan has managed to make him interesting, funny, human. The story's tight. Even if you know nothing of Stephen Strange, you get a simple crash course here. Marcos Martin's art is bright, clean, attractive.

It manages to feel like old-fashioned comic book story telling and yet very smart and contemporary with the characters somehow. Strange has a life and death emergency, a conflict with an old nemesis, and a potential new love interest. All wrapped up in five issues.

 

[Karma]

back in the day, Doctor Strange was a womanizing PRICK, but then he sacrificed himself to save the love of his life and after that..he was reborn as a wiser, more polished and refined kind of man. He was MUCH easier to appreciate and respect as a character.

But i still have a hard time getting past the fact that he seems to have a predatory weakness for the women he deals with (Topaz anyone?)

 

[Rampage]

The reasons that Stephen keeps falling for the women he deals with are twofold:

1) He is too busy to meet anyone else really. The Sorceror Supreme does not club-hop.

2) They are stunningly beautiful. Topaz and Clea were exotic and radiant beauties, even by MU standards. If you are a warm-blooded male who does not get out much, you cannot help but to be lured.

So I tend to give ole' Doc a pass on the mentor-pupil conflict-of-interest. At least he has cleaned up his act somewhat...