Marvel Comics 2019
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Kev Walker
Coloured by Java Tartaglia
Lettered by VC's Cory Petit
The impossible has happened! Doctor Strange’s hands have been healed, restoring his surgical skills - but now he’s being torn between his obligations as the Sorcerer Supreme and as a neurosurgeon. And when he’s forced to choose which vows to uphold, who suffers most for it? After all, magic always has a cost…Be here for a brand new era of magic…and horror!
I don't get why Marvel needs to cancel then bring back its series like this. I am all for a Dr. Strange book that keeps going, through creator changes, regardless of asinine company crossovers or any other reason to be thought of. Maybe it's just me but I think slapping a #1 on it is going to make a difference. Now that my mini-vent is done onto the show.
Oh how I enjoy the Mark writes a story. This particular issue has a number of surprises in store not just for Stephen but for us as well and it has me excited for what's going to come. The dual opening here is great stuff and while the first introduces us to his new double life, double duty as Surgeon and Sorcerer Supreme, is done really well. That Mark walks him and us through the hospital to enable the reader to understand how he sees the world versus how we see the world has some impact. Then for those of you just joining the Dr. Strange thrill ride there's a nifty recap of his life. By no means is it complete but it covers the basics so no one should feel left out or overwhelmed by reading such an iconic character.
The way that this is being written is extremely well done. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is as solid as it comes. Plus the introduction of his new life as well as the new characters that come with it are handled with such a natural feel to it. The character development is interesting to me. I like how now that he's able to be a surgeon again we see some of the old cocky, arrogance that cost him his hands to begin with returning. It adds dimension and a different depth to the character. The pacing is good, solid and strong and the way it enables the twists and turns to come about is impressive to see. All these things work in concert with one another to create the books ebb & flow and it feels almost like a fast read even if it's far from it.
To be brutally honest I am not a fan of Kev on this book. The interiors are much too weak, the faces lack consistency, heading into his office he looks J. Jonah Jameson, in the midst of battle it's like JrJr being channelled and not in a good way. There are times when the shape of the upper lip makes the moustache seem to disappear. I am not a fan of the lack of backgrounds. It just feels like a mishmosh of styles that are laid down in a rudimentary fashion. The saving grace for the interiors is the colour work. You can tell looking at the first page that Java knows their way around the colour palate and boy is it marvellous to see. The way he is able to utilise the hues and tones within any given colour to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is utterly brilliant. To see the colour in Stephen's magic or the person he is facings power it's just perfectly rendered.
Problems with the linework aside this is a great story that shows a lot of promise. Mark's ability to weave a tale and to reunite Stephen's two lives here is going to be extremely interesting to watch. Not to mention have more characters added along with a new hospital administrator. I am more than ready to see where Mark is going to take this next!