Dr Strange has lost his power because of a fight but it's slowly building again. Now his wits are all he has between him and some of his old foes who are trying to take advantage of his weakened state.

It was a fun read but as someone who has had hand injuries I would be extremely reluctant to use them in fisticufs. ( )

This collection of the contemporary Doctor Strange comic book covers issues 11-16, immediately following Strange's costly defeat of the trans-dimensional anti-magic army of the Empirikul. His powers are at a complete ebb, and his accustomed sorceries are mostly inoperable. So this plot arc has a "greatest hits" of his old foes competing for the privilege of snuffing him while he's down. Jason Aaron's story makes Strange into a more dedicated pugilist that he has been in the past. There's some amusing banter between Wong and Zelma. And the arc ends with a tease regarding difficulties to come.

I like that Strange now carries a sword, which is not for fighting, it seems. It is part of an occult magician's kit, after all. Most of the compositions/pencils in this book are by Chris Bachalo, whose work is commendable, showing influence from the relatively recent work of Emma Rios, and making good as a successor to Dikto, Brunner, and Colan for bringing a coherent and engaging visual style to Marvel's flagship occult superhero title. His re-imaginings of Nightmare and Dormammu are top notch. Issue 11 had art from Kevin Nowlan, and I was not so impressed there.

The most amusing issue of the arc is perhaps number 14: "A Gut Full of Hell," in which Satana attempts to conscript Strange into her infernal enterprise. I was relieved to find out that Strange was still capable of astral projection, surprised that that his astral form was nekkid, and dismayed that someone felt the need to eclipse his butt with a black rectangle of modesty.

Doctor Strange,
Blood in the Aether
Author: Aaron, Bachalo, Fabela
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publishing Date: 2017
Pgs: 136
Dewey: 741.5973 DOC
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
Magic is used up and broken. Doctor Strange is having to rewrite the books of magic. And at this, one of his lowest points, one of his weakest, foes are gathering. They see their chance to take out the Sorcerer Supreme. Is the end near? Or is it a new beginning? Mister Misery, Satana, Baron Mordo, the Orb, Nightmare, and the dread Dormammu are all coming.
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Genre:
Comics
Graphic Novels
Marvel Comics
Superheroes
Magic

Why this book:
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The Feel:
This TPB volume shouldn’t have been collected. It adds nothing to the mythos. It’s an excuse to pay lip service to the “greatest” villains in Strange’s history without actually writing them as the big bad asses they are.

Favorite Character:
Short order chef Master Pandemonium...for the concept more than the execution.

Least Favorite Character:
Pretty much everyone.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
This was a pretty weak portrayal of Dr. Strange’s greatest foes.
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Last Page Sound:
I read it. The art wasn’t my favorite. I like seeing the villains, but they were pretty milquetoast for what they were supposed to be there for.
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Really enjoying this new series. ( )

These two-fisted tales of magic with Doctor Strange still seem out of character for Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme, but remain fun in mindless a slam-bang way. ( )