Dr. Strange - The Oath (#3 of 5)

Genre action Author Brian Vaughan Publisher Marvel Comics External Links Official Marvel Comics Website

The number of enemies that Dr. Strange has battled over the years has to be rather large, even counting the number he has faced more than once. It remains a mystery as to who is behind the source of the theft of the magical elixir that can cure cancer, and thus Wong, and of the mystic gun and bullet that put the Doctor closer to the edge of death than he has probably been during all his battles with mysticism despite his identity being revealed to us. We are left to grapple with what appears to be a villain with as much secrecy as treachery. In creating this new nemesis, writer Brian K. Vaughan continues developing a sinister plot with surprises and twists that leaves you grasping at the potential answers only to have the rug pulled out from under you as he reveals them to be false.

In confronting Brigand in his hideout, the trio of Dr. Strange, Wong, and Night Nurse are momentarily caught off-guard. Despite the fact that Brigand has taken Night Nurse in his grasp and threatens irreparable harm, she continues to prove that she is more than capable of holding her own by breaking his nose and freeing herself. Once disarmed, Dr. Strange is able to restrain the thief and ply his mind for who has hired him. But whoever it is has set up a cacophony of Strange's villains as a barrier within Brigand's mind. As Strange moves about, he cleverly quizzes his enemies to reveal they are bogus, and then starts mowing through them until Brigand is compelled to reveal that the villain is Nicodemus West.

West is the head of Timely Pharmaceuticals - coincidentally (or maybe not) the same company that produces the pills that Wong takes to treat the symptoms of his brain tumor. Dr. Strange also recalls West's involvement in the surgery that attempted to save his hands. How is he behind the magic gun and the cobwebs in Brigand's mind, and more importantly, why is he behind the theft of the elixir? If we want to take it a step further, how much has he been interfering with Dr. Strange over the years? From where does he derive his power and strength?

Before we lose focus here though, it's the elixir that is everyone's concern. Nicodemus confirms that it does indeed cure cancer as Dr. Hilt claimed. However, the Board of Directors of Timely Pharmaceuticals to whom West makes this confirmation is concerned to see that humanity make medical discoveries at a natural pace, not aided by magic. Ominous in nature, the Board puts West in the precarious position of revealing his real self in order to eliminate the current sources of their angst - both the magic potion and Dr. Strange. In doing so, the reason for the Board's faith in Nicodemus and the source of his power are hinted at, though not fully divulged. The clues are there for connecting such as Wong's reference back to their enemy being taught by The Ancient One, but are there sufficient clues to connect the dots and make a picture. Not yet.

That is part of the craftiness that Vaughan exhibits in leading us through this adventure. Though the trio now knows who is behind these escapades, they have no full grasp of what he is capable. That is until they return back to the hospice of Night Nurse to discover it is under attack from some demonic fire breathing foe. Possibly invisible to the average eye, Strange's all seeing eyes see the tentacled beast much as Vaughan sees the end result of where he is leading us, but we are only allowed to see the superficial incidents as they occur. Well thought out and planned, Vaughan is showing us how to write an excellent comic.

Other examples of Vaughan's exemplary craft are rampant throughout the book. The continuous Sherlock Holmes and Watson references between Strange and Night Nurse (we still have not been told her first name) are cute. Used both in jabs at the other and in warm embraces, the two have connected through this delightful repartee. The recurrence of Reginald Pavlish - who will not let go of this world until he has "watched Stephen Strange suffer as much" as he has - is telling us there he has a definite connection to the current events. How he fits into all of this remains shrouded - close but just out of our reach. Finally, Brigand's satirical exile. While the Doctor went searching for answers in the mind of the murderous thief, it is Brigand who must suffer the indignity he tried to foist upon Strange as he is tossed back into his own mind to face his own demons. We see the rules by which Strange is likely to play as he "has no time for the laws of man."

In this panel towards the back of the book, the ominous peer from Dr. Strange when discussing the laws of man is artistically strong and effective. In one panel, Marcos Martin shows how well he has stylized and presented this whole series. Effectively showing a mood or displaying a character in a dramatic pose or position, he has demonstrated a clear understanding of panel storytelling beyond an artistic style. As mentioned before, his style here is reminiscent of Steve Ditko from the early Marvel years, but the effect is pure Martin. Kudos, again and again.

In creating this delightful tale, Vaughan manages to show his understanding of mystery and suspense. Tickling us with clues as to the potential resolution of the caper, he makes anticipation of the next issue an increasing yearning for it right now. What is going to happen and how will this develop - you want to know; I want to know. I can not stress enough how much fun this series has been so far. Though there are only two issues left, there is still time to climb on board and enjoy. The Oath appears to be well worth it and shows that Marvel does indeed have characters worth exploring.