Doctor Strange #4 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Jed MacKay, art by Andy MacDonald, colors by KJ Diaz, and letters by Cory Petit. The agents of W.A.N.D. follow the trail of whoever is slaughtering the magical beings and monsters.
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This issue takes a bit of a detour from the series’ status quo while also doing more to follow the main storyline. The story barely features Doctor Strange, instead focusing on Wong and Pandora, serving as essentially a magic S.H.I.E.L.D. MacKay is exploring the mystical side of the Marvel Universe from multiple angles, not just from the viewpoint of the Stranges. Doctor Strange #4 takes us to various corners of the globe, where communities and organizations are being ruptured and vanquished at speed. This issue has terrific worldbuilding and expansion. For many of these races and creatures, they’ve already existed. Found in old Doctor Strange books or obscure series, they get checked in on, and something terrifying has happened to almost all of them. The problem is bigger than initially thought, and suspicion is placed on one person.
This is a book centered around the supporting cast. At first, they had a backup story, and now they get a comic. It is clear that they have a crucial part to play in this series, perhaps just as much as Doctor Strange and Clea. One of the separate storylines of this run is the reformation of W.A.N.D., turning it into a force for good as opposed to one of fear and criminality. There are glimpses of the agents’ reputation and respect in the magical world, especially Wong. However, seeing more signature personalities will be important if they have more solo issues. This comic is capable of displaying that, too, by using the madness that is Doktor Zee. He is where much of the humor in Doctor Strange #4 stems from, adding interesting approaches to the situations.
The art approaches the ever-changing nature of this comic with excellence. The book shifts to a new location on almost every page, with different circumstances each time. Each area looks unique and in-depth like they have been carved into the world. They are beautiful backgrounds that denote history and personality. Great care is given to adapting to the locations, with gadgets and outfits being introduced with each setting. The base designs for the characters are phenomenal in general. Pandora is covered in tattoos, and MacDonald keeps their placements consistent every time she is on the panel. That takes an incredible and admirable amount of work. The displays of devastation are intricate and intriguing, adding more and more to the mystery.
The colors are also terrific. Also, having to adjust page by page, Diaz doesn’t make the changes so drastic as to be disconcerting. The palette is similar in tone and warmth, just with different colors. The lettering is always clear and easy to read.
Doctor Strange #4 focuses on an investigation. It initially seemed like an odd choice to separate this issue from Strange himself and put more emphasis on Wong and Pandora. It could come across as filler or a side story. Instead, it is about as on track as the plot could get. It exposes the true extent of what this mystery killer is doing, and perhaps the only way of doing it was to keep Strange out of the fact-finding part of the arc. I mentioned before that it has a lot of worldbuilding, but it is also punching holes. All of these monsters and beings are small parts of the Marvel Universe, but their being torn apart is having an impact, and I believe MacKay does an excellent job of depicting the vacuum that is left without them there.
Doctor Strange #4 is available now wherever comics are sold.
Doctor Strange #4
TL;DR
Doctor Strange #4 focuses on an investigation. It initially seemed like an odd choice to separate this issue from Strange himself and put more emphasis on Wong and Pandora. It could come across as filler or a side story. Instead, it is about as on track as the plot could get
