Alternative versions of Doctor Strange

Doctor Stephen Strange (commonly known as Doctor Strange) is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963).

Alternate versions of Doctor Strange
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceTales of Suspense #41 (May 1951)
Created byStan Lee
Steve Ditko
See alsoDoctor Strange in other media

Debuting in the Silver Age of comics, the character has featured in several self-titled series and Marvel-endorsed products including arcade and video games; animated television series; a direct-to-DVD film; and merchandise such as trading cards.

In addition to his mainstream incarnation, Doctor Strange has had been depicted in other fictional universes.

1602

Set in the Marvel 1602 universe. Sir Stephen Strange, both the court physician of Queen Elizabeth I and a magician, senses that there are unnatural forces at work. He is the replacement in the 1602 universe for John Dee and is married to a version of Clea. Here, he cannot use his 'Astral Projection' (which he refers to as a magic mirror) as well as the modern one could, lacking modern materials, and is often physically drained after it is finished, and lacks memory of what he saw in astral form. During this time, he makes indirect contact with Uatu, who warns him about the danger caused by the 'Forerunner's' arrival in the past, but is placed under a compulsion not to speak or act on this knowledge. Eventually, when Elizabeth is dead, he allows himself to be executed for witchcraft and treason so that his head, kept alive by Clea for some time after his execution, can continue to be of help by sharing the information he has gained from Uatu with the other heroes so that they can prevent the destruction of reality.

2099

Set in the Marvel 2099 universe. The Sorceress Supreme of Earth is a young woman who calls herself "Strange". She secretly shares her body with a monstrous demon. She is very inexperienced in her powers and uses them recklessly. In one incident, she causes the death of her brother. Her main opponent is Garokk who wishes to use her past torments and inexperience to gain the title of Sorcerer Supreme for himself.[1]

In a 'reset' 2099 timeline where the Maestro has conquered a decimated world, he apparently kept Strange contained in a mystical circle.[2] When Miguel O'Hara emerged into this timeline and released Strange, she claimed that the demon possessing her protected her from major world-shifts, working with Miguel to repair an old time machine of Doctor Doom's so that he could return to 2015 and avert this timeline. However, after Miguel's departure, Strange revealed that she was working with the Maestro and was under the control of the demon within her.[3]

Strange later appears on Battleworld as a member of the Defenders 2099.[4]

When Miguel returns to a new variation of the 2099 timeline where having superpowers is illegal, he witnesses Strange's demon being banished from her body with Moon Knight using a soul sword.

Age of X

In the Age of X timeline, Doctor Strange poses as a Mutant-hunter for hire, but is in reality a double agent working with Magneto, who teleports mutants to Fortress X for safety.

Amalgam Comics

Set in the Amalgam Comics universe, Dr. Strange was combined with Doctor Fate and Charles Xavier into Dr. Strangefate. As the only character aware of the nature of the Amalgam Universe, he was the chief opponent of Access, who was attempting to separate the DC and Marvel Universes. Originally numbered as Earth-962.[5]

Bullet Points

In the mini-series Bullet Points, Dr. Strange chooses to work for S.H.I.E.L.D., rather than seek out the Ancient One, in exchange for them restoring his hands. Later he is seen possessing claws similar to Wolverine's.[6]

Duckworld

Set in Howard the Duck's home-world and home dimension. This version of Doctor Strange is Ducktor Strange, an anthropomorphic Duck. In this reality, he is still a Sorcerer (the "Mallard of the Mystic Arts"), but is also a drunken derelict, who seems to live in alleys drinking "sorcerous sauce" (alcohol). He has appeared in Howard the Duck magazine #6 (July 1980), wherein he sends Howard and Beverly back to Earth; and in She-Hulk, vol. 4, #20 (Sept 2007), wherein he helps Stu the Intern return to Earth (since Stu's extensive knowledge of Marvel Comics continuity reminded him that he could find the Ducktor and how he could be returned by the Mystic Mallard).

Earth-A/Earth-721

In She-Hulk (vol. 2) #21, a non-powered counterpart of Dr. Strange from Earth-A comes to Earth-616 (aka Earth-B) and impersonates the 616 Dr. Strange. The impostor is revealed when he can't think of a rhyme for the word "Cyttorak".

Earth X

Set in the Earth X universe. Dr. Strange's body is murdered by Clea (this Earth's Sorceress Supreme) under the behest of Loki. His astral form aids Captain Marvel in his journey through Death's Realm as one of the few inhabiting heroes aware of his death.

Exiles

An alternative Dr. Strange helped the Exiles briefly. This character was not a mystic, but instead was still a practicing physician who specialized in superhumans. This version of Doctor Strange was killed by an alternative version of Deadpool.[7]

Fantastic Four: The End

In this series, Dr. Strange is now the Ancient One and had a daughter with Clea who is the new Dr. Strange.[8]

Guardians of the Galaxy

In the alternative future of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange assumed the title of the Ancient One (previously held by his mentor) and took on a disciple of his own, a Lem named Krugarr. Strange/the Ancient One was eventually killed by Dormammu, who was defeated by the combined efforts of Krugarr, his disciple Talon, and the Guardians.[9]

Marvel Zombies

In the Marvel Zombies universe, Dr. Strange is one of the last heroes in the alternative "zombie world" to be transformed into a zombie. He was last seen in living form as part of Nick Fury's resistance to defeat the zombified Marvel superheroes in the spinoff Dead Days before he and the rest of the surviving superheroes are later overwhelmed by the zombie Fantastic Four and turned.[10] He participates in the multi-zombie attack on Doctor Doom's castle, in an effort to capture and devour the unaffected Latverian citizens inside.[11] While part of a multi-zombie chase of Ultimate Reed Richards, he vanishes under a rain of cars launched by Magneto.[12] However, he later resurfaces in Marvel Zombies 3 but with limited function as a result of Magneto's wrath. He is part of Kingpin's undead alliance and can only perform two spells, one of which allows viewers to see into other universes which becomes an essential tool to Kingpin's plans. Ultron kills Zombie Dr. Strange.[13]

MC2

Set in the MC2 universe. Dr. Strange is retired and the title of Sorcerer Supreme has been passed to the younger Doc Magus.[14]

Mutant X

Set in the Mutant X universe. Dr. Strange was the Man-Thing.[15] The title of Sorcerer Supreme had been taken by Mordo.[16]

Spider-Ham

Set in the Larval zooniverse, the funny animal version of Doctor Strange is Croctor Strange, an anthropomorphic crocodile.[17]

Thor: Vikings

Dr. Strange assists Thor in the MAX mini series Thor: Vikings, when zombified, evil Vikings massacre Manhattan by pillaging and killing its citizens. Strange helps Thor locate the descendants of a victim that the Vikings had slain, just after the victim, a village wiseman had placed a curse on the Vikings that caused them to become zombified. With Strange's instruction, the battle-experienced descendants all fight the Vikings with Thor.[18]

Ultimate Marvel

Set in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. First appearing in flashbacks, Dr. Stephen Strange married his former student, Clea, and the two of them had a child, Stephen, Jr. Strange Sr. later vanished, and Clea decided to raise Stephen, Jr. away from magic.

As a college student, Stephen Jr. was approached by Wong, who told him about his father and took him on as a student. He supports himself as a new-age guru to the rich, powerful and famous, and is seen as a celebrity, appearing on television talk shows. He is known to the public as "Dr. Strange", although he does not hold a medical degree or doctorate. He has bemoaned his lack of knowledge in things mystical and usually, just barely saves the day with one last desperate, untried spell. Starting in Ultimate Spider-Man #107, this Doctor Strange is a member of Daredevil's team fighting against the Kingpin, the Ultimate Knights. In Ultimatum, Strange is gruesomely killed by Dormammu when Ultimate Hulk rampages through his house.[19]

The title of "Sorcerer Supreme" was only self-proclaimed by the elder Strange as reported in the comics during a TV news broadcast.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

In this shared universe of interconnected films designated as Earth-199999, Doctor Strange is played by English actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

The character's existence is first confirmed in Captain America: The Winter Soldier where he is mentioned by Jasper Sitwell as a target of Project: Insight alongside Bruce Banner and countless other individuals.

The character makes his onscreen debut in the eponymous film, where his origin story is fleshed out. Brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is involved in a car accident that permanently cripples his hands and ends his medical career. Seeking to restore them, he tries seven different treatments each of which are unsuccessful and leading him to go bankrupt. The despondent Strange soon travels to Kamar-Taj and is trained in the Mystic Arts by the Ancient One, Karl Mordo and Wong which he uses to battle a former student of the latter Kaecilius, though he is unable to save the Ancient One from death, he nevertheless uses the Time Stone to save the world from Kaecilius and his master Dormammu (also played by Cumberbatch). In the end he accepts his place as the Master of the New York Sanctum.

Strange later has a minor appearance in Thor: Ragnarok where he aids Thor and Loki in finding their father Odin, who went missing from Asgard though he is shown to be wary of Loki due to his role in the Chitauri Invasion.

Strange next appears in Avengers: Infinity War where he aids Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy in battling the warlord Thanos on his home planet Titan. Strange is later forced to give up the Time Stone to Thanos in exchange for saving Iron Man's life. When Thanos assembles the Infinity Gauntlet and snaps his fingers, he wipes out half the universal population with Strange being among those erased from existence.

Strange returns in Infinity War's direct sequel, Avengers: Endgame, being restored by the Hulk's snap five years later. Along with Wong and other sorcerers, he comes to open portals for the Ravegers, Wakandan and Asgardian armies and the rest of the heroes to help the remaining Avengers in their final battle against 2014 Thanos. He later reminds Stark about why he had given the Time Stone years ago and tells him this is their only chance of victory, leading to Stark sacrificing himself by using the Stones to kill Thanos and his army. Strange along with Wong later attend Stark's funeral.

Venomverse

A Venomized version of Doctor Strange appears in Venomverse, who is responsible for gathering all of the different incarnations of Venom. His Earth was eradicated by the Poisons so he had gathered Venoms from across the multiverse in order to prevent the Poisons from consuming more of them. He is captured by the Poisons and he realises that instead of bringing more Venoms to fight, he had brought the Poisons more Venoms to consume. In the climax he sends all of the surviving Venoms to their universes while the bomb built by Rocket Raccoon explodes. His fate is unknown.[20]

What If?...

Dr. Strange also exists in several What If?... multiverses.

  • In "What If....Doctor Strange Had Been Disciple of Dormammu?", Strange has his hands healed by Mordo and does not become a student of the Ancient One. Mordo later converts Strange into a disciple of Dormammu. When Strange is forced into a battle between Dormammu and the Ancient One, he decides in favor of good, and finally becomes a disciple of the Ancient One.[21]
  • In "What If...Dr. Strange Had Not Become Master of the Mystic Arts?", Dr. Strange never travels to Tibet, and Mordo become the Sorcerer Supreme.[22]
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References
  1. "2099 World Of Tomorrow" #2 (October 1996)
  2. Spider-Man 2099 vol.2 #9
  3. Spider-Man 2099 vol.2 #10
  4. Secret Wars 2099 #2
  5. Doctor Strangefate #1 (April 1996)
  6. Bullet Points #2-5 (2007)
  7. Exiles #63-65
  8. Fantastic Four: The End #3 (Feb 2007)
  9. Guardians of the Galaxy #36-37
  10. Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1 (July 2007)
  11. Marvel Zombies Vs. The Army Of Darkness #5
  12. Ultimate Fantastic Four #22
  13. Marvel Zombies 3 #3
  14. A-Next" #3 (December 1998)
  15. Mutant X Annual 1999 #1 (May 1999)
  16. Mutant X #32 (June 2001)
  17. Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #4 (Nov 1985)
  18. Thor: Vikings #1-5 (Sept 2003-Jan 2004)
  19. Ultimatum: Fantastic Four Requiem #1 (2009)
  20. Venomverse #1
  21. What If? volume 1, #18 (Dec 1979)
  22. What If? volume 1, #40 (Aug 1983)
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