Recently I said that Marvel and DC have two different storytelling paradigms: DC’s is fantastic and Marvel’s pseudorealistic. Marvel heroes work best when the essential ludicrousness of their situation isn’t ignored, and the humdrum problems of everyday human life intrude: Spider-Man has to hustle to keep a job or a girlfriend, Iron Man has to be paranoid about staying on the wagon, the Fantastic Four squabble with one another as families do, Hank Pym has to remind himself “don’t beat up any women today,” and so forth. Even someone like Captain America, who’s pretty close to morally perfect, grapples with temptation from time to time, even if in Cap’s case that temptation is usually “be too proactive in doing good.” And generally speaking, Marvel’s pseudorealistic tone works across the line.
Except for Dr. Strange, and this is why, I think, so few writers these days are capable of cranking out a truly great Dr. Strange story. Dr. Strange isn’t conflicted. Dr. Strange isn’t on the hero’s journey. Dr. Strange left Joseph Campbell behind a long while ago: he’s a character who entered the superheroic stage fully formed. He’s already finished his hero’s journey. He has overcome his flaws. Dr. Strange doesn’t attend AA meetings for his drinking problem because he no longer craves booze; he doesn’t need rage therapy for his anger issues because he’s already solved them. He doesn’t fear his own death, not even a little bit. His only flaws, such as they are, are essentially virtues writ large: a stubborn refusal to give up in the face of overwhelming odds is not exactly a detriment to one’s character.
This should not be surprising. Dr. Strange only begins his run as a superhero after he has trained for years with the Ancient One. Quite possibly longer than years, in fact – years to us, maybe, but time can be subjectively manipulated in the right hands or right places. His studies probably lasted for decades or even centuries. On top of that Dr. Strange has been to war alongside the Vishanti, a war that lasted for over a thousand years. He doesn’t look old, because he chooses not to – but he is old, and with age comes perspective and acceptance.
Now, I understand that for some people this is a minus. These are the same people who think Superman is boring because he has no flaws, and that’s a perfectly valid opinion. Wrong, mind you, but perfectly valid. Flaws do not define a character or make him boring: bad writing does that. Flaws don’t make interesting stories: conflict does. Flaws just provide one type of internal conflict; choices present another, and the best stories involving Superman and Dr. Strange are about the choices they have to make. (Or about external conflict, which is heaps of fun.) Superman has the “can’t save them all” story, which gets reused regularly (and is vitally important for understanding the character); Dr. Strange has the “must condemn someone to save the world” story (same).
Really, the good Doctor is the Marvel Universe’s equivalent of Superman in so many ways: he’s the 800-pound gorilla of superheroing in his continuity, the guy who, if he shows up in practically any other title, outclasses everybody else when he’s being written right. (Which is rare.) He’s a source of near-infinite compassion, which is his true superpower when you consider that he is more or less a god walking among men. And all of this, incidentally, just demonstrates how pointless the Sentry really was: the Marvel Universe never needed a Superman analogue, because it already had one.
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It’s back! Thanks, MGK!
I’ve occasionally thought the Silver Surfer makes something of a Superman analogue in the Marvel U, as well. Your thoughts?
the Marvel Universe never needed a Superman analogue, because it already had one.
Quod erat demonstrandum, motherfuckers.
Burke: I don’t think the Silver Surfer counts because he is so often written as an incredibly powerful guy who is wrapped up in his own problems too much to be relied upon to save the world. With Superman and Dr. Strange, you ask for help. With the Silver Surfer, you have to freaking guilt trip him into helping you.
I’m a little disappointed that you went to the “Pym wifebeater” easy joke, but all in all very good.
Mentioning Pym and Doc Strange, I wonder what your feelings are on the idea of the “Scientist Supreme” that came out in Mighty Avengers back when that was still a title being published. Obviously, you are not a fan of Pym, and clearly would not give him that title given the choice, but what about the idea on its face? That reality has not only a magical defender, but also a scientific defender?
Love the lyric reference. ;->
Hank Pym has to remind himself “don’t beat up any women today
Peter Parker and Reed Richards do indeed have to remind themselves not to beat up any women today.
Isn’t Reed Richards the Scientist Supreme?
A very interesting comparison. Because his power isn’t as straightforward (you rarely see Doctor Strange doing something like catching a train with his hands, or blowing super breath, though I could believe he’d know a spell for super strength), it can be hard to see Doctor Strange in that Superman role. There are all sorts of ramifications for Superman’s powers that can be explored, but the surface is pretty clear-he’s hard to kill, really strong, really fast, and really nice. It’s easy for Doctor Strange to come across as aloof and crotchety, because he’s rarely trafficking in such easy to understand abilities. Now, that’s not a fault with the character, or the way he’s written. He’s not meant to be a perfect analogue to Superman in how he works, because he has so many more potential tools at his disposal. While I mentioned ramifications to Superman’s powers, they’re also hard limits, for the most part-Superman can’t lift something he can’t get his hands on. Doctor Strange can, and would probably have several spells at his disposal for that.
Another interesting point of departure are their colleagues. Superman can have friction with all of his JLA teammates, but fundamentally they all know him, the basics of what he can do, and his character. That’s not as true for Doctor Strange and the rest of the Marvel universe, both because Strange isn’t a big team guy, and because he’s just got bigger concerns than a lot of them. He’s not looking down on them for that-Spider Man plays a vital role in so many people’s lives, and might even do an admirable job if he’d trained with the Ancient One instead of getting radioactive spider powers. But being really agile can’t stop Dormammu from taking over this dimension. And that means that where Superman can take 5 minutes out of his day to meet a new hero and say “Hey, it’s great to meet you. How are you holding up,” Doctor Strange is often engaged with these otherworldly threats, trying to defeat or deflect them. His higher power level is constantly being engaged, which is why I imagine he’s not regularly popping up and going “Don’t worry, I can heal your dying teammate. Oh, and have super speed for 24 hours, everyone!”
In short, this is an angle on Doctor Strange I hadn’t thought of before, but makes a lot of sense, both for the reasons mentioned here and others that were not gone into.
Slott’s idea about Pym vs Richards as Scientist Supreme is that Pym is all about the science. He discovered size changing because it was something to discover, and then went on to find a billion ways to use it.
Richards is an adventurer. He would invent size changing to get to the microverse, and then get to the adventure.
Reed invents something, uses it for the reason he invented it, and sticks it on a shelf. Pym invents something and explores all of the possibilities of it.
It’s an interesting point of distinction for the two.
Item #41 for me to print out and include with my (complete) Dr Strange collection… Can Marvel just please give the title to you so that SOMETHING interesting can be done with him? I miss having a reason to buy comic books.
So how often should we count on your book getting an issue pulled because Stephen Strange is saving kittens from trees?
Dr. Strange as Superman analogue makes perfect sense, especially when shown in contrast to Dr. Manhattan, the other Superman analogue. In that context, the ‘most powerful guy around’ is a pretty simple criteria (which, depending on the era, Superman himself actually fails to be).
It’s interesting that DC’s magic heroes are almost Marvel-esque for the most part. They have a few ‘god-like’ beings, but the Spectre is shackled, Phantom Stranger is basically the Watcher, and I guess there is Dr. Fate, who is currently at least a ‘rookie’. Most of the other guys are sort of street level, etc. (I don’t count Captain Marvel because really, he isn’t magic. Neither is Wonder Woman. I understand wanting to force a sort of symmetry into the Trinity, but the real symmetry is Sci-Fi/Pulp/Mythology.
Gotta disagree. One thing that defines Superman is he always has time for the little things, a suicide jumper, a cat in a tree, whatever. And he’s always haunted by his limits whether it’s dead parents (2 sets!) or not being able to end war/poverty/hunger.
Dr Strange does not. He’s a big picture guy. He probably could cure AIDS or cancer (that was the plot of a recent mini) but isn’t tempted to since it disrupts the big picture. He’s not going to stop for a cat in a tree or a bank robbery, not unless there’s a magical connection that needs his intervention.
Another excellent article. So why the hell aren’t you writing Superman? You have a great grasp on his character and what would work for his stories…
@Scavenger
“Slott’s idea about Pym vs Richards as Scientist Supreme is that Pym is all about the science. He discovered size changing because it was something to discover, and then went on to find a billion ways to use it.
Richards is an adventurer. He would invent size changing to get to the microverse, and then get to the adventure.
Reed invents something, uses it for the reason he invented it, and sticks it on a shelf. Pym invents something and explores all of the possibilities of it.
It’s an interesting point of distinction for the two.”
While I think that was true of Reed when Slott wrote the issue, since Hickman got his hands on him, I’m not so sure.
And while I do love the idea of Hank Pym, Scientist Supreme, wasn’t it stated that the whole thing may have been a hoax created by Loki to fuck with Pym?
Anyways, back on point, another great piece MGK.
@Kid Kyoto,
I think it’s less important that Superman has time to do the little things, and more important that he wants to. And you could certainly argue that Doctor Strange wishes he could do that more often. There’s a part of him that probably says “Saving this kitten isn’t important, saving the whole world so someone else can grab the kitten is.” But at the same time, he could look at it wistfully, knowing that he can’t save that kitten (or that specific suicidal person) because he has to save the universe, but wishing he did have the time to make those subtler changes. That’s my interpretation, at least.
@Jae Yu
Probably because Superman has a lot of potential writers, but not as many people line up to write Doctor Strange.
@gnosis
It was left sort of vague for future writers, but Gage and Seeley have both made reference to the SS bit.
Marvel’s really bad in distinguishing they’re science heroes, in part because most writers don’t understand..anything. (I can rant for hours the difference between an engineer (stark) and a scientist (pym).)
I dig the idea of Reed building an experimental rocket to see what’s out there, while Pym would build one to explore the idea of rocketry. (tony take’s their plans, adds a coat of paint, and uses it to make money and get girls).
Aunt May makes the Wheatcakes Supreme
The same arc that named Pym as Scientist Supreme said his total lack of restraint in pursuing science is why he has the title. Reed and Tony nominally care about their personal safety, or the well-being of the world…. Hank builds A.I. units that develop insane Oedipal complexes and douses himself with unknown physics particles just to see what will happen. Said arc said Reed is the Explorer Supreme, while Stark’s the Engineer Supreme, which sounds right.
I’ll also point out that the Scientist Supreme idea isn’t new to Pym… wasn’t Yandroth, Strange’s old enemy, Scientist Supreme of his world?
” the Marvel Universe never needed a Superman analogue, because it already had one.”
I agree with this sentiment… but I honestly feel that THOR is much more of a Superman analogue than Strange. I mean, they even killed Thor to replace him in the Avengers with the Sentry.
The same reliance on conflict of choice rather than conflict of internal flaws that you bring up persists in Thor, as well- one of the strongest recurring elements is Thor being forced to choose Humanity or Divinity, and whether Earth or Asgard needs him more.
That said, Doctor Strange is on the same power level, and fulfills the role well enough, too, in a much different fashion.
Yeah, Richards does have those rare moments where he says “But of course, we couldn’t do that. It would doom all of reality.”
From the sound of it, we are all very lucky Pym did not get to touch the Ultimate Nullifier.
Holy crap, I’ve never thought of it from that angle, but that’s totally true. Well put, sir.
And the good Doctor, unlike the Sentry, does not suck.
Yes, but that was stupid.
My take on the idea of the Scientist Supreme is this: the Sorcerer Supreme exists to protect reality, and the Scientist Supreme exists to improve it. They are reality’s equivalent of antibiotics and vitamins, respectively.
From the sound of it, we are all very lucky Pym did not get to touch the Ultimate Nullifier.
Janet van Dyne in particular.
As for the Scientist Supreme, I think the reasoning Eternity (if it wasn’t Loki) used was that Reed Richards was the explorer, he was indeed smarter than Pym but he discovered stuff for the sake of learning, making new fields of science everyday. Stark was the Engineer, turning his will into reality, he’d think of an idea and make it happen.
But Pym was the Mage, his science transcended normal science and bordered on being almost magic. He managed to make thing grow and shrink to impossible sizes, he actually made sentient life out of machinary (Ultron for better or worse) and his built his Infinite-Mansion outside of time and space, but able to be everywhere. That’s why he was supposedly Scientist Supreme.
I do agree now that the way Hickman is writing the Fantastic Four/Future Foundation, Reed Richards’ actions are different. I also am annoyed Pym’s taken a step down in awesome, he’s good in Avengers Academy, but not the same level he was in Mighty Avengers.
Bah , Hank Pym always had a bad rap he never deserved (btw for going down on Janet, he gains a medal for the most realistic use of a super power I’ve seen in a comic…)
Nothing to add about the Doc, I can only agree with you & I hope you liked the tribute I made about your Strange posts.
“…the Marvel Universe never needed a Superman analogue, because it already had one”
I almost teared up a little when I read that. Bravo.
Who do I have to strangle to get you the job on a Doc Strange book?
@Tales, I still disagree. To be a hero with bottomless compasion Strange would have to show up for everything. Alien invasions, cats in trees, bank robberies, everything. He’d have to go looking for them. He’d be patroling NY for trouble.
And with his mystic senses, teleportation, ability to create duplicates etc, he can do that.
But he doesn’t. He saves the world when there’s a threat in his portfolio, the rest of the time he studies, meditates, travels to other dimensions etc. Now of course he’s a different sort of character than Superman, he has to work for his powers so we can argue that’s all necessary for the next time there’s a mystic threat.
None of this makes him a bad guy or less of a hero but it does mean he’s not the sort of hero Superman is.
Every time you post one of these, I end up going back and rereading every Dr. Strange comic I own. Thank you for destroying my free time today.
You make Doctor Strange sound like Doctor Who.
I like him better as an aloof mystic. John Constantine, but not as snarky.
You just made my brain explode all over my monitor.
I’ve never thought about Dr. Strange in that way, and now I do.
Must go collect the series’ now and read them all.
The Scientist Supreme era of Hank Pym’s life was the only time the character had a glimmer of being interesting. Even the costume was neat.
Then they pitched it out the window because comics people hate new.
The problem I had with the whole ‘Scientist Supreme’ thing wasn’t that I thought that another comic character would make a better Scientist Supreme, but rather that (as a character in NextWave not unjustly points out), Hank Pym is a really terrible scientist. Smart, yes, but not disciplined, nor does he approach things with the caution they so often deserve. Even Doom knows better, these days at least.
So is this part of the reason we haven’t seen the “Dr. Strange & Rex vs. Dr. Doom & My Little Ponies” team-up yet?
There’s the germ of a good idea to the Sentry. Two different good ideas, in fact. First of all, the idea of a flying brick character who genuinely means well and wants to help but is so crazy that he’s LITERALLY his own worst enemy is kind of new. There are plenty of evil people with Superman’s powers, and plenty of well-intentioned extremists, and plenty of crazy people with different sets of powers, but there’s at least some novelty in that combination. And secondly, the idea of a character who used to be incredibly important but how or whether the whole world remembers them is interesting. It’s happened as a result of retcons when management decided they didn’t like Supergirl or wanted a younger, hipper Tony Stark, but it’s interesting to see it happen in reverse, sort of, and how it affects things.
I mean, I’ve only read a handful of Sentry stories and if that Rogue revelation is a typical example of how he was handled then good riddance, but the basic ideas were actually really interesting, I think.
That kinda sums up Marvel’s writing for the past several years. Civil War? Great premise (whether or not government regulation for superheroes is a good idea), badly executed. One More Day? Great starting premise (Peter Parker’s choices as a superhero lead to Aunt May getting shot and him becoming increasingly extreme in a search to save her), horrible execution. Secret Invasion? Great premise (shapeshifter invasion; classic), badly executed.
You should write it, Jemma Salume should draw it, and I’d buy it every goddamn month.