Imagine a Doctor Strange whose power surpasses even the Sorcerer Supreme, capable of reshaping entire realities with a mere thought. With Avengers: Doomsday just around the corner, fans are buzzing about the potential appearances of iconic characters. Among them, Doctor Strange stands out as a pivotal figure whose various powerful forms could significantly impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). What if the Doctor Strange we see on screen is not the one we know, but one of his most formidable and mysterious versions from the comics? This article delves deep into the most powerful incarnations of Doctor Strange, exploring their origins, abilities, and the profound roles they play within the Marvel multiverse.
Let’s take a look at some of the most powerful versions or forms of Doctor Strange.
Right Hand of Doctor Doom
First up, we have one of the most powerful versions of Doctor Strange on the list: the Right Hand of Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange. This version first appeared in issue #2 of the 2015 “Secret Wars” event. In the beginning of the series, Doctor Strange enters Secret Wars alongside main architects Molecule Man and Doctor Doom. This alliance leads to the fall of not only the main Marvel Universe but also the Ultimate Marvel Universe, as depicted in issue #1.
As issue #2 unfolds, Doctor Strange ascends to the second highest ranking in Battleworld, becoming the Right Hand of Doctor Doom. He declares to characters like Mr. Sinister, Hyperion, and Captain Britain that he is the Sheriff of Agamotto and serves as the Right Hand of Doom, the irrevocable voice and arbiter of proceedings. “Unless there is divine intervention, my judgment will be final. I am the law,” he states, standing next to Doom, who sits on the throne.
This is impressive because God Emperor Doom is the ruler of Battleworld and one of the most powerful versions of Doctor Doom. Being Doom’s right hand places Doctor Strange second only to him. Additionally, this version of Doctor Strange had the potential and power to become the god and ruler of Battleworld itself and this version of the multiverse but declined, saying, “No thank you, I don’t want the job.”
Disciple of Dormammu
Next, we have the Disciple of Dormammu Doctor Strange, featured in “What If?” issue #18. In this alternate reality, Doctor Strange takes a darker path, embracing the dark arts and aligning with Dormammu, one of his greatest enemies. Unlike the classic Doctor Strange, who defends the Earth, this version becomes the most powerful sorcerer on Earth under Dormammu’s influence.
Dormammu declares to his sister Umar, “I am the tool with which I shall break down the gates of order. All the myriad worlds shall become dark dimensions, places of chaos, all under the rule of Dormammu.” Eventually, Dormammu instructs Strange to destroy the Ancient One. This unique take on the character showcases Doctor Strange working for one of his greatest adversaries and even killing Baron Mordo, adding a dark twist to his legacy.
Strange Thing (Earth-2098)
Another powerful and unique version is Doctor Strange from Earth-2098, also known as Strange Thing. In this reality, Doctor Strange helps Jennifer Kale remove the Man-Thing curse from her friend, Dr. Ted Sallis, the original Man-Thing. However, in the process, Strange becomes cursed with the Man-Thing curse, merging his abilities with those of the Man-Thing, thus becoming the Guardian of the Nexus of All Realities.
This Strange Thing possesses all the powers of Doctor Strange and Man-Thing. For those unfamiliar, Man-Thing is virtually invincible; he can regenerate as long as there’s any form of vegetation. Additionally, Man-Thing can teleport to different regions of the world through nexus points, allowing him to transfer his consciousness across vast distances. Essentially, Strange Thing is Marvel’s version of Swamp Thing, making him incredibly overpowered (OP). This fusion of abilities makes Strange Thing one of the most powerful versions of Doctor Strange.
Sorcerer Extreme
Next, we explore Sorcerer Extreme, my favorite version of Doctor Strange on this list. Introduced in “Secret Wars: Battleworld” issue #1, Sorcerer Extreme is a hybrid of Doctor Strange and the Punisher. In this take, Steven Strange attaches his soul to Frank Castle’s body after vampires bite him, granting the Punisher magical powers alongside his combat skills.
In “Secret Wars: Battleworld” issue #1, Sorcerer Extreme comes under attack from the Infernal Four, consisting of the Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider. Wolverine accuses him of crossing borders, leading to a fierce confrontation. Sorcerer Extreme demonstrates overwhelming power by killing Spider-Man and Hulk with simple spells: “Calm” and “Dust,” respectively. He also turns Ghost Rider to ice and shatters him with a mystical rocket launcher. Despite Wolverine’s attempts to overpower him, Sorcerer Extreme remains undefeated, showcasing his immense magical prowess combined with the Punisher’s relentless combat style. However, one might wonder why he didn’t use his two-word spells to defeat Wolverine as well, but that’s the unpredictable nature of comic book battles.
Asgardian God Doctor Strange
One of the more recent and top-tier forms of Doctor Strange is the Asgardian God Doctor Strange, introduced in “Doctor Strange” issue #383. During this time, Loki had become the new Sorcerer Supreme, forcing Steven Strange to seek a power boost to defeat his brother and reclaim the title. Desperate, Strange travels to Asgard to visit the World Tree, a mystical entity that can bestow great magical power. To receive this power, he must offer a significant sacrifice. Stephen offers the corpse of his dog, Bats, whom Loki had previously killed, saying, “I don’t have much else, but I could offer you a very, very good boy. Please, I don’t have anything else.”
The World Tree deems him a worthy offering, and Strange undergoes a transformation. Narration from Stephen reveals, “Something changes, like nothing I’ve ever felt before. More magic than I have ever known, more than I think I could contain inside of my body. I could see everything. I am everything. So much more than a sorcerer. I don’t think I’m even mortal anymore. No, I am a god of magic, and now I’m going to get my damn cloak back.” In the very next issue, Black Priest Doctor Strange, we see him confront Loki as an Asgardian god, displaying his newfound god-like magical abilities.
This powerful form of Doctor Strange aids the Avengers in battling cosmic threats like Null’s invasion during the “King in Black” event, issue #4. As an Asgardian god, Strange possesses unparalleled magical strength, making him one of the most formidable versions of the Sorcerer Supreme.
Black Priest Doctor Strange
In “Doctor Strange” issue #384, we encounter Black Priest Doctor Strange. In this incarnation, Strange becomes the leader of the Black Priests, creatures from another reality that travel the multiverse through dimensional mirrors. Their mission is to kill everyone who tries to save their universe from incursions, ensuring the multiverse’s survival. Unlike Galactus, who destroys worlds out of hunger, the Black Priests destroy planets to maintain balance and prevent the collective heat death of the universe.
As the leader, Doctor Strange gains the ability to shape, reshape, and destroy all of reality by knowing all the mystical words required to cast powerful spells. This ability makes him potentially the most powerful version of Doctor Strange, capable of altering the very fabric of existence at will.
Doctor Strange Fate
Lastly, we explore Doctor Strange Fate, an amalgamation of Doctor Strange, Dr. Fate, and Charles Xavier from the Amalgam Universe. The Amalgam Universe merges Marvel and DC characters to create entirely new entities. Doctor Strange Fate combines the sorcery of Doctor Strange and Dr. Fate with Charles Xavier’s telepathy, resulting in an extraordinarily powerful sorcerer.
This hybrid character wields the magical prowess of Doctor Strange and Dr. Fate while possessing the telepathic abilities of Charles Xavier. Donning the Helm of Fate, Doctor Strange Fate stands as one of the most powerful sorcerers in any universe, making him a standout on this list.
Top Three Most Powerful Forms
Based on their abilities and impact within their respective storylines, the top three most powerful forms of Doctor Strange are:
- Doctor Strange Fate: Combining the magic of Doctor Strange and Dr. Fate with Charles Xavier’s telepathy, this version is extraordinarily powerful.
- Asgardian God Doctor Strange: Elevated to godhood, this form possesses unparalleled magical abilities, aiding the Avengers against cosmic threats.
- Black Priest Doctor Strange: As the leader of the Black Priests, he can shape, reshape, and destroy reality at will, making him potentially the most powerful version.
Conclusion
Doctor Strange’s journey through various powerful forms showcases his versatility and immense magical prowess within the Marvel Comics universe. From serving as the Right Hand of Doom to becoming an Asgardian god and leading the Black Priests, each incarnation brings a unique twist to his character. Among these, Doctor Strange Fate, Asgardian God Doctor Strange, and Black Priest Doctor Strange stand out as the most powerful versions.
