Doctor Strange #74 Review - Secret Wars II

Issue Review
Doctor Strange #74

Direct Market Release Date: August 13, 1985

Credits

Title: and now... The Beyonder!
Writer: Peter B. Gillis
Art: Mark Badger
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colors: Bob Sharen
Editor: Carl Potts
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary

Note: This issue takes place between pages 22 and 23 of Secret Wars II #5, and after Thing #30.

After helping Clea liberate the Dark Dimension from her parent's tyrannical rule, Dr. Strange returns to his Sanctum Sanctorum to find Wong and Sara frozen like statues. Strange frees them from their paralysis and is told that a desperate intruder had recently barged in demanding to speak with him. In an attempt to contact Dr. Strange, the intruder used the Orb of Agamotto, and then ran screaming from the residence.

Dr. Strange tracks this intruder to a waterfront bar that, coincidentally enough, he used to frequent in his dark past. The intruder drops to Strange's feet and begs for enlightenment. Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto and discovers that the intruder is the Beyonder, and he recoils when he realizes the Beyonder's true nature.

Strange decides to try to enlighten the Beyonder, and sends him into an an illusion where he encounters Dr. Strange during his origin. Here, he interacts with Stephen Strange as an arrogant surgeon, a drunk whose hand injuries prevent him from practicing medicine, and then as a man seeking the Ancient One to cure his physical body.

As per Dr. Strange's origin, the Ancient One agrees to heal Stephen Strange, but hopes that he will stay and learn the Mystic Arts - an offer Strange refuses. Later that evening, Stephen Strange stumbles across a plot by Mordo, the evil magician to kill the Ancient One. Mordo casts a restraining spell on Strange, but he is able to escape in time to save the Ancient One. The Beyonder himself tried to save the Ancient One, but finds that he is intangible and helpless. The Beyonder watches as Strange decides to become the Ancient One's disciple.

The Beyonder learns that, despite seeking refuge from his woes in a bottle, Stephen Strange found enlightenment by embarking on a journey of danger, solitude, and pain. A journey dedicated towards abandoning the gifts and dreams he had, and using his calling to foster good and prevent evil. The Beyonder promises to be more responsible and dedicated, and leave's Dr. Strange to ponder his effect on the Beyonder's journey.

Quotes

Dr. Strange: Who -- Who are you?
The Beyonder: Me? I'm from beyond! Being human -- it's mad! It's crazy! I need to know it, though! Teach me enlightenment, Dr. Strange! Show me!
Dr. Strange: Such power was never meant to be incarnated into one being -- especially not one as bewildered and erratic as this! The danger is clear -- he could erase the universe with a thought! And yet he limits himself -- and he puts himself in my hands! Now -- and perhaps only now -- he could be stopped! Neutralized! Yes -- destroyed!
The Beyonder: Come on! I'm waiting!
Dr. Strange: All I have to do is lie! Betray the truth! Lead him down a road of illusion -- and damnation!
The Beyonder: I mean -- enlightenment makes sense out of power and love, and pleasure and pain, right?! I need that! How can you live without it?
Dr. Strange: And yet -- do I think the light so faint, and wisdom weak? Do I dare deny him -- especially him -- the things I have learned -- do I not trust the truth?

The Beyonder: Then, Dr. Strange once refused enlightenment from you?
The Ancient One: You begin to see, then. Yes, later I was his teacher. For confusion is a necessary step -- a rock does not doubt -- nor does it believe. Your confusion serves its purpose.
The Beyonder: I don't understand! Who are you?
The Ancient One: I? I am what you were -- and what you shall ultimately become -- that is to say, no one!

Dr. Strange: He has taken in himself the limitation of humanity, but, humankind has had a most tragic and brutal history, driven by the forces which drive him now! Only with him, those things may be magnified to infinity.

Commentary

Dr. Strange #74 is another tie-in that rises above the rest. The only weak spot is that it exposes Dr. Strange's origin as being a bit less compelling than that of, say, Spider-Man. It left me wanting more interaction between the Beyonder and Dr. Strange, who seems to be one Marvel character whose nature and powers would best fit into the Beyonder's concept. While I'm fond of Mark Badger's art, its exaggerated style is probably a bit ahead of it's time for 1985.

This story works best being slotted between pages 22 and 23 of Secret Wars II #5. (For a full breakdown of the reading order see the Commentary section of the Secret Wars II #5 page). Several continuity problems set in if this issue is read after the battle at the end of Secret Wars II #5. Most notable is that Dr. Strange #74 makes it clear that this is the first meeting between the Beyonder and Dr. Strange, meaning that Strange's appearance in the fight at the end of Secret Wars II #5 happened after this story. Also, this issue establishes that Strange was in the Dark Dimension for some time before returning to Earth and meeting the Beyonder, placing that battle after the events depicted here.

All that being said, if New Avengers: Illuminati #3 is to be considered canon, then technically, Dr. Strange has not only encountered the Beyonder prior to this issue, but is also fully aware of his power and nature, contradicting several story points here. The beauty of an omniscient, godlike character like the Beyonder is that it makes incorporating these types of story additions a little easier - technically, the Beyonder could have temporarily wiped their first meeting in New Avengers: Illuminati #3 from Dr. Strange's mind prior to them meeting in this issue.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in Fantastic Four #285!