Doctor Strange #5 Review

Writer: Mark Waid / Artist: Jesus Saiz / Marvel Comics Doctor Strange #5 was a tribute to badassery and awesomeness. The book started off with Strange so beaten and humbled, even in the last issue. I was expecting an issue long montage before a hard fought final battle. Kudos to Waid and Saiz for such a fast-paced conclusion to “Sorcerer Supreme of the Galaxy”. Strange’s hubris caused his partner, Kanna, to be captured by an alien warlord bent on destroying the Earth. Under the guidance of the rescued dwarf, Eofferen, Strange takes to the forge. He creates magical weapons and enchantments to prepare for the rescue mission. Music being impossible to incorporate into a comic montage, we instead get an epic monologue about Strange and his ambitions from the unknown voice that’s been with us from the beginning. After receiving a desperate broadcast from Kanna, Strange rushes in to save both his companion and the Earth.

Strange completely runs shop on Roxnor the warlord and his crew. Armed with a space-time cutting “scalpel” and dominating gauntlets, Strange is able to take his enemies out in time to rush to stop the presumably world ending missile flying towards Earth. With Kanna driving, Strange’s unclear plan culminates to a well deserved, Rick Flair-worthy “Whoo!”. Now, back on Earth we are thrown a curveball with a reveal of the party responsible for Strange’s disconnect with the mystic arts in the first place.

Mark Waid really nails the narrative style in this book. The mo…