Last week Marvel released one of their patented cryptic teasers, this time a plain graphic featuring what appeared to be a title: The Death of Doctor Strange. Today the publisher has unveiled new details about the story, which will arrive in the form of a five-issue miniseries written by Jed MacKay and illustrated by Lee Garbett. No colorist or letterer were named in the announcement, though Kaare Andrews will provide cover art for at least the first issue of the series.
Here’s how Marvel describes The Death of Doctor Strange:
Able to defeat supernatural and interdimensional threats no other hero is equipped to handle, Strange was the only hero standing in the way of powerful new villains eager to claim Earth as their own. When he unexpectedly dies, who is left to protect Earth and keep the mystical evils at bay? And most importantly…who killed Stephen Strange? If he couldn’t stop them, who can? This rousing journey will dive into the mythos behind Doctor Strange, showcasing his unique—and vital—position amongst Marvel’s heroes and ultimately transform the future.
The Death of Doctor Strange will be MacKay and Garbett’s first pairing. MacKay is currently writing the excellent Black Cat, as well as the upcoming new Moon Knight series. Garbett has notably worked on Loki: Agent of Asgard and a few arcs of the current Captain Marvel series.
In the statement announcing the series, both MacKay and Garbett professed their love for Stephen Strange, and their excitement to kill him off:
“‘What happens to the world if Doctor Strange isn’t in it?’ It’s a question that I’m excited to show people the answer to in DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE,” MacKay said. “Strange has been a Marvel fixture from the early days, but now, his time has run out and as a Strange fan, it’s been my bittersweet privilege to shepherd him through his last day and the effects that snowball out of it. We’ve cooked up a whale of a story to send Strange off with, and I can’t wait for people to join us on it!”
“Doctor Strange has long been top of my ‘most coveted character’ list. To finally get chance to draw him in such a momentous series is… well, magic,” Garbett said. “I couldn’t be more excited for the project and for everyone to see what we’ve got in store for Stephen and those closest to him. Jed’s conjured the perfect finale for Doctor Strange – and it’s a real third eye-opener! See you in September!”
Is Doctor Strange really going to die? With a new movie on the way it seems unlikely. Maybe he’s faking his death so he can hear people say nice things about him at his funeral, Tom Sawyer-style. I bet MacKay and Garbett would kill on that story, honestly.
The Death of Doctor Strange #1 (of 5) arrives in stores from Marvel in September.
