In this review of Doctor Strange of Asgard #1, Stephen Strange visits a magical, faraway land, (spoiler, it’s in the title), where there’s a brawl around every corner, and no one has ever seen a Meg Ryan movie.
DOCTOR STRANGE OF ASGARD #1
Writer: Derek Landy
Artist: Carlos Magno
Main Cover: GEOFF SHAW
Variant Covers: CLAYTON CRAIN, CLAYTON CRAIN, STEPHANIE HANS, GEOFF SHAW, DAVID MARQUEZ
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: March 5, 2025
This review contains (more) spoilers
Doctor Strange of Asgard #1 begins with Stephen Strange welcomed into snowy Asgard by All-Father Thor. Strange is still smarting from losing the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme to Doctor Doom, so Thor generously accepts Strange’s offer to become the first Sorcerer Supreme of Asgard. Relieved, Strange decides to forge his own path, rather than lodging at the royal palace.
Back outside, Strange gets into a brawl with some Asgardian bullies and makes friends with their victim Holt, a carpenter who wants to write “Love and Laughter stories” (romantic comedies). After a few drinks, a grateful Holt helps Strange find a place to live. Strange has barely settled into his new digs when he meets Aslak, who has an invitation for Strange to meet with his mentor the Asgardian sorceress, Hulda.
Along the way, the pair encounter Aslak’s girlfriend Eve, as she schools several burly gentlemen in the fine art of outdoor arm wrestling. Upon arriving at Hulda’s home, Strange fails to convince the sorceress of his abilities, but the former Skald of Asgard (name redacted) surprisingly appears and backs him. Strange then watches in horror as he is helpless to prevent a brutal murder committed right in front of him.
Doctor Strange of Asgard #1 ends in shocking, bloody fashion, as the murderer exclaims that they didn’t do it and then disappears, leaving Strange on the hook with a dead body and the murder weapon.
Analysis
Doctor Strange of Asgard #1 is a surprisingly charming and enjoyable read, despite the dire circumstances of that final plot twist. Stephen Strange has travelled to Asgard before, as well as to many other magical realms, but in this story he definitely feels out of his depth without the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.
His clash with the Asgardian bullies forces Strange to resort to fisticuffs, while every stranger he meets whether friend or foe, levels belittling comments at him. Strange’s loss of confidence is endearing, and he takes every slight in stride while keeping his end goal in sight (for all that’s worth).
Whatever Strange’s plan was to reclaim his former mantle (and maybe some redemption), it has been sidelined after he’s framed for murder, (although, possibly so was the killer?)
Writer Derek Landy (Avengers Beyond), provides some welcome humor from several new supporting characters (Aslak, Eve and Holt), in what otherwise might have a been a very dry stay in Asgard. While Stephen Strange is an interesting character, he’s generally not prone to mirth. Landy’s clever dialogue informs, entertains, and moves the story along, while adding much needed character development.
Carlos Magno’s (Kang the Conqueror) art style has changed since his epic run on Boom! Studios’ Planet of The Apes series. In Doctor Strange of Asgard #1, Magno’s panel layouts, composition and action scenes are terrific, while the figures are less detailed, and some of his artwork including the backgrounds, seems to be enhanced with computer graphics. His art still shines, it’s just a shift from his previous style.
With only four issues left in this limited series, the unexpected plot twist adds another level of intrigue, threatening to send the story spiraling out of control. Hopefully Strange won’t spend the remainder of the series on trial or planning an Asgardian prison break.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Strange of Asgard #1 weaves a clever tale filled with action, suspense, humor, clever dialogue, likable characters. Expect Stephen Strange to conjure up a unique solution to his dilemma.
