Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been out for a few days. The movie was part of Phase Four of the MCU, and it is possibly one of the most comprehensive superhero movies yet. If you’re like me and want to read some of the comics after or before watching the movie, I’ve got you covered with this list.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Comics to Read
The New Avengers: Illuminati
There is a brief moment featured in the trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that has had fans running rampant with speculation that, if proven true, would mark a whole new direction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the trailer, we can see a handcuffed Doctor Strange brought before a council of beings where a mysterious voice says, “tell him the truth”. Many fans believe that this voice belongs to none other than Professor Charles Xavier. If true, this would mark the introduction of mutants into the MCU, and it would also give clarity on who the council Doctor Strange is facing is. The Illuminati. The Illuminati is a council made up of some of Earth’s best heroes whose job it is to decide the planet’s fate, and in the comics, both Doctor Strange and Charles Xavier are both members.
Avengers Disassembled
It begins with the return of a team member thought dead, and by the time it’s over, everything you know about the Avengers will have changed. It’s the worst day in team history as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes try to deal with the shocking tragedy around them. Who is behind this, and why? Will it tear the team apart? Who will fall at the hands of the Avengers’ greatest enemy?
While WandaVision stole the hearts of all who watched it, it was hardly a unique story in its premise. In Avengers Disassembled, we see the senseless deaths of many of our favourite Avengers, from Hawkeye to Vision, Ant-Man, and more. The remaining Avengers find themselves unable to make sense of the tragedy and are on the verge of breaking up before Doctor Strange realises the cause of all the madness and tragedy: Wanda. Doctor Strange reveals that Wanda had created a magical world where she and Vision were together and happily married and had two twin children. But when she was pulled from that illusion? Something inside her snapped, and she started taking revenge on the ones responsible for killing her dreams.
House of M
Over the years, the Marvel heroes have faced the most dangerous threats and saved the Earth and the Universe on occasions too numerous to count. But what do heroes do when the fabric of reality is threatened by one of their own? This is a question that Spider-Man, Wolverine, the X-Men and the Avengers all have to face as former Avenger and daughter of Magneto, the Scarlet Witch, succumbs to insanity and makes the world over into her maniacal father’s view of utopia, ruled over by the house of Magnus.
House of M is the continuation of the Avengers Disassembled story, and it’s one of the most powerful stories to date. Showcasing Wanda on the edge of sanity was something WandaVision did well; however, House of M took it further. When Wanda’s powers lead to the death of her fellow Avengers, she blames what she believes to be the origins of everything, her mutant heritage. After uttering the words that would go on to define her in the comic “No more mutants”, Wanda unleashes her full destructive potential, and only Doctor Strange can hope to put an end to it.
Young Avengers
There came a day unlike any other when Earth’s mightiest teens found themselves united against a very uncommon threat. On that day, the Young Avengers were reborn to listen to music and fight the foes no adult superhero could understand. Heed the call; for now, the Young Avengers hang out. Hawkeye puts the super in hero; Marvel boy will rock your world; Miss America will kick your &*^ to another dimension; Prodigy is an ex-X-Man know-it-all, and Wiccan and Hulkling bring the squee. And Loki? Oh boy, we have a Loki. They’re 18 and ready to inherit the Earth, but first, they must face the mother of all villains.
Over the years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced viewers everywhere to some of the most unforgettable characters unknown outside of the comics. From Moon Knight to Vision to Black Widow, they’ve all gone on to steal the hearts of new and old fans. In the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange looks to continue the proud tradition of expanding the cinematic universe by introducing viewers to a member of the young avengers, Ms. America. While fans of WandaVision will recognise Wiccan as the first Young Avenger to be introduced, Ms. America will be the first of the group to make their big-screen debut, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Spider-Man/Doctor Strange: The Way to Dusty Death
A tale of life, death and obsession that’s been a lifetime in the making. The sorcerer Xandu is desperate to restore the love of his life to the land of the living but to do that, he needs the Wand of Watoomb. However, each time he tries to get it, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man stand in his way. This time Xandu’s quest to revive his beloved will involve another arcane artefact, the Crystal of Kadavus, and even drags the Scarlet Witch into the action. But will Xandu’s plan result in all life as we know it crumbling into dusty death?
There is no denying that Spider-Man: No Way Home was the perfect set-up for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Without the latest Spider-Man movie, the new Doctor Strange couldn’t exist, and this strongly connected dynamic between the two characters is nothing new. In the comics, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man often find their paths crossed. While Spider-Man is unlikely to turn up in the new Doctor Strange movie, this comic book run shows him at Doctor Stranges side and features some multi-dimensional madness to get you excited for what the future holds.
Avengers/Doctor Strange: Rise of the Darkhold
This comic book run gives us the hidden history of Marvel’s most terrifying tome, Darkhold. Penned by the elder god Chthon and containing the blackest of magic, could the Darkhold be responsible for the Werewolf by Night’s curse? Jack Russell’s quest for the truth leads him into conflict with none other than Dracula, and while Modred the Mystic dared to learn the Darkhold’s secrets, he spells trouble for the Avengers when Chthon chooses Scarlet Witch as the vessel for his rebirth.
While there has been a lot of secrecy surrounding Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we know that a big focus will be on Wanda Maximoff A.K.A Scarlet Witch, thanks to the events of “WandaVision.” Darkhold is also sure to be a part of things in the upcoming movie as the mystical book became a rather significant part of the WandaVision show. Another reason to read this comic run is the connection to the Warewolf by Night, a name that should be familiar by now to all who have been following the Moon Knight show and scanning the QR codes for the free weekly comics.
Every year on Midsummer’s Eve, Victor von Doom clashes with the forces of evil in a vain attempt to free his mother’s soul from Hell. But only when Doctor Strange is finally convinced to join the fight does he have any hope of altering the outcome in his favour. The unlikely allies must first journey to Mephisto’s infernal realm, where they find the cost of one soul may be more than they are willing to pay.
While an onscreen clash of the doctors might be precisely what the world needs, the chance of Doctor Doom showing up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is slim to none. However, Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment is wildly considered to be one of the best Doctor Strange story arcs around, and it’s for that reason we think it’s worth the read before going to watch the new movie.
Death of Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is the Master of the Mystic Arts. Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. A one-person barrier protecting our world from all the nightmares, demons, and warlords in dimensions beyond our comprehension. So what happens when Doctor Strange is murdered? Dark forces set their sights on an unprotected Earth as his friends mourn and his enemies rage at having been deprived of the killing blow. The Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the other mightiest heroes are woefully out of their depth. Now, as the world’s remaining magicians race to protect the world from an unimaginable sorcerous threat, one very surprising investigator must unravel the mystery of Doctor Strange’s murder. But can he do it before his own time runs out?
This short yet powerful five-issue arc focuses on the fallout of Doctors Strange’s death and the murder itself. If you haven’t already, this is the perfect Doctor Strange comic to read before the new movie comes out to get in the mood for all the craziness and devastation the multiverse promises to unleash.
Want to pick up any of these Doctor Strange comics for yourself? Then remember to head over to Critters and Comics or click here. Also, if you’re new to comics but you’d like to start collecting, click here to read out post on everything you need to get started.