Doc Magus in the Multiverse of Madness

 

Someday I’ll manage to cover literally every single aspect of the MC2 and wrap up this blog, but today is not that day. No, for today’s entry I wanted to detail a previously unknown (to me) appearance for Doc Magus aka Dormagus in the Marvel Multiverse. Specifically, Doc Magus in the 616 aka the Main Marvel Universe. Sorry about the clickbait-y title, I couldn’t resist!

 

Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme was a series released from 2016 to 2017 following the Main Marvel Universe’s Doctor Strange teaming up with various other characters who have at some point in their time or reality carried the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme, including a young Yao who would later be known as The Ancient One, the mentor of Doctor Strange and many others.

 

At the conclusion of the series (Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #12), Yao is faced with the seemingly impossible task of by completing the Trials of the Worthy in order to obtain The Cup of Eternity which will extend his life (hence the later title of Ancient One) and is aided in this task by Doctor Strange’s team of Sorcerers Supreme. Meanwhile, guided by a book known as The History of the Supremes, the mysterious Merlin (also apparently at one time a Sorcerer Supreme) disappears to recuit more help.

 

With the aid of his fellow Sorcerers the young Yao makes his way through various obstacles until finding himself unable to pierce the magical barrier preventing him from reaching the Well of Longing within which lay the Cup of Eternity. Fortunately, Merlin returns with a large group of Sorcerers Supreme from across time and realities.

 

 

Nestled among this assemblage of Sorcerers Supreme is the MC2’s very own Doc Magus aka Dormagus, alongside such characters as 2099’s Stranger, the Main Marvel Universe’s Clea and Baron Mordo and the future Guardian of the Galaxy’s Krugarr. Using the groups combined magical might concentrated through Merlin who wielded the last Word of God, the magical barrier was broken allowing Yao to go and fulfil his destiny.

 

Before heading into the cave containing the Well of Longing and ultimately the Cup of Eternity, all the Sorcerers present showed their respect to their future master with a bow. Yao apologized for the fact he would never mention this to any of them when he would later meet them in his future. Merlin shortly afterwards returned the Sorcerers to their rightful places.

 

While this is merely a cameo appearance, I do like that Dormagus is represented here as he is the MC2’s own Sorcerer Supreme. This appearance also suggests that perhaps Merlin has read about Doc Magus’ fate in The History of the Supremes. Furthermore, the way Doctor Strange explains to Yao that he lives long enough to teach all of the Sorcerers Supreme present certainly requires exploring. Doctor Strange is probably speaking metaphorically as Dormagus and others such as Krugarr and the Stranger were born after the lifespan of the Ancient One, with his teachings being passed on to future generations, his legacy.

 

Until I stop digging up, digging into and just plain digging these little MC2 related details, I remain

 

frogoat

The Hulk's Destiny

Reading and re-reading the various MC2 comics sometimes yields small and unexpected nuggets, facts and tidbits. For example, when Doctor Strange reforms the original Defenders in A-Next #3, we learn a little about what's happened to Stephen Strange, Namor and the Incredible Hulk in the past 15 years. Doctor Strange has been stripped of his role as Sorcerer Supreme under unrevealed circumstances and replaced by the youthful Doc Magus. Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner has seen his kingdom Atlantis destroyed by Doctor Doom, whom Namor is believed to have killed soon after in a fierce battle. Meanwhile Dr Bruce Banner, better known to the world as the monstrous Hulk has settled down in the suburbs to raise his son, David. That is, of course, until Doctor Strange shows up...

After the Defenders clash with the new Avengers team, Doc Magus questions why Strange orchestrated the encounter. Despite giving his reasons and explanations for everything else, when it comes to the Hulk Doctor Strange simple says 'He has a destiny to fulfill.'

 

Nothing really comes of this statement for several years until Last Hero Standing #5 when the Hulk- after wreaking havoc while mind-controlled by Loki in the latter's attempt to bring about an end to the 'Age of Heroes'- takes out his revenge on the Asgardian god for ruining his formerly happy life. 

So, was this the Hulk's destiny: being banished to everlasting Limbo with good ol' Loki? Or perhaps this prophesized destiny has yet to be completed? Was there more to Doctor Strange's  machinations than we know? Maybe it's nothing and I'm simply overthinking things...again.

Until I find run out of things to love in the MC2, I remain

frogoat