Previous Post Quote: The character seemed off to me though. Staying that he thought a female character dug him and starting it off with the phrase "I enjoy the Hell out of it" seemed very un-Doc Strange to me. What struck me as I read the book was what gradually developed to be the strong suggestion that Stephen Strange is putting on an act when as Doctor Strange, this accounting for his formal manner and speech when in action as Sorceror Supreme, and the much more loose manner and slang when in civilian dress. It struck me as odd, along with several other elements. But I did enjoy the book on the whole and can accept it as a modern telling of the character attempting to reach for an audience who might not be all that familiar... this character has had a lot of rough handling in the last decade or so and this story did feel like a return to the confident and able Doctor Strange he should always be. I do think You are a little too critical on Strange's characterisation as what typified him in the 1970s heyday wasnt what typified him in the mid-80s and 90s. Roy Thomas' Sorceror Supreme series took steps to loosen him up considerably as a person, giving him some sense of irony and a recommitment to engage with the world outside the Sanctum and walk the streets meeting people. I can see all of this in Jason Aaron's treatment, and while there are occasions that feel misjudged his wanting to be out of the house and walk the streets as a normal man is not at all unprecedented. Like any other character he has changed and grown since his heyday in the 70s, that was a decade with a whole different set of interests and social standards forming it, and as subtly ifferent as he is now to as he was then he will no doubt be just as different come the 2020's and 2030's. Marvel try to keep all of their characters contemporary, and I would not be at all surprised if the classic costume is a thing of the past again come Benedict Cumberbatch and his movie...

I have no problem with Doc relaxing or wanting to engage the world. He is supposed to be a man, so logically that would still be a part of what makes him tick. I simply think that, for example, those ways of connecting with the greater world should be a bit more unique. Which if nothing else could be much more interesting to see, let alone more true to the character

The idea of "enjoying the Hell out of it" does not bother me as much in concept as the words chosen, and that admittedly is a minor pet peeve. In and of itself I simply shrugged it off.

However, the increased use of such things gave me the distinct impression they were trying to make him younger than he had bee. That is more than a pet peeve with me.

The hints and statements of him being a womanizer bugged me, they seem absolutely antithetical to the character.

In the end it isn't the ideas of relaxing him, or fleshing out, but rather the way it was done. I didn't realize until it was stated on this very thread but he did seem like Tony Stark with magic, but with a social life that looks more like a street level character. Evolution is great, I'm just not sure that is what this is.

As I said though, I do intend to keep buying, and I hope it will get more in line with the character I love, at least how I know him. Worst case scenario, I always have the option to resist the addict urge and not buy.


As for you remark on 2020 or 2030. All I can say is that IO salute you on your optimism on the fate of the medium.