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Doctor Strange #18 Review
Marvel

Comic Books

Doctor Strange #18 Review

Hilarious at every turn, this story succeeds at keeping you guessing as it flirts with chaos. 

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Doctor Strange has been a delight ever since Mark Waid and Jesus Saiz took over the book and today readers are in for a real treat. Buckle up, fear not for continuity, and enjoy one of the coolest Doctor Strange stories as he takes on a villain in…a domestic home of a loving family.

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So what’s it about?

Read the preview.

Why does this matter?

Every once and again a done-in-one story comes along that will startle you at how very good it is at telling a singular enjoyable story. This issue serves that purpose and reads like a very good episode of a TV show you didn’t know you needed. 

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Doctor Strange #18 Review

Time is of the essence!
Credit: Marvel Comics

This issue opens with two parents in Mynnatown, Kansas preparing for a surprise party for their daughter getting 2nd place for ice skating. The father is a plumber–that comes in later–and the two are very close to having the decorations and cake laid out perfectly. Enter Doctor Strange. His first words are, “My name is Doctor Strange. That is all the information you require.” He’s going in hot with a no-nonsense attitude and a deadly serious task at hand. The juxtaposition of his attitude and lack of details mixed with the parents’ complete surprise and shock is hilarious. It also works to keep your interest up as you ponder what it is Doctor Strange is after. By the end of this delightful issue we learn what it was he was after and the parents even help him save the day too. It’s satisfying and deeply rewarding.

The visuals by Saiz are astounding (he’s paired with VC’s Cory Petit on letters). Skin tones look realistic, the emotion and body language is spot on and Doctor Strange looks fabulous in his new costume too. Saiz’s style is very realistic from the decor to the family dog which heightens the reality of an otherwise tricky plot to pull off. Much of the issue revolves around Doctor Strange destroying this poor family’s stuff and Saiz keeps that interesting as we move around the house. His incredible lack of care for their stuff is hilarious and when things break you’ll feel their pain.

It’s also worth noting Waid’s dialogue is perfectly timed and well placed. At every impasse the family attempts to make sense of what is going on only to have Doctor Strange shout at them like the end of the world is about to happen. Given the scenario and setting the dialogue keeps you guessing but also laughing. 

Doctor Strange #18 Review

That thing is gnarly.
Credit: Marvel Comics

It can’t be perfect, can it?

 

This book will take some by surprise since it is unconventional and unconnected from Doctor Strange’s recent adventures. 

Is it good?

Hilarious at every turn this story succeeds at keeping you guessing as it flirts with chaos. 

Doctor Strange #18 Review
Doctor Strange #18
Is it good?
Hilarious at every turn this story succeeds at keeping you guessing as it flirts with chaos. 
Hilarious premise keeps the intensity up
Great dialogue that'll make you laugh
Realistic art makes a tricky setting work
10
Fantastic

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