Writer: Jed Mackay
Artist: Danilo S. Beyruth
Colors: KJ Diaz
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 7th, 2024
A sinister figure lurks around Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum in Doctor Strange #12, a presence whom Strange and Clea can’t detect. Fortunately for the Stranges, their loyal ghost Basset Hound Bats is on the case! Get ready for the return of a powerful figure from Doctor Strange’s past, with some malevolent plans in store.
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The Story
Doctor Strange #12, though it’s a fun little story, is an issue of missed opportunities.
Primarily, this would have been a great chance to see ALL of the mansion, all the nooks and crannies of it, as Bats goes after the shadowy figure roaming about the mansion. I’d love to see what wonders are in the rooms, what new artifact is around the next corner.
Unfortunately, the action is limited to a very small space, with Bats running into the mysterious figure fairly quickly, as the Stranges bicker over Black Cat, who Clea is more than a little jealous and suspicious over.
Anton and Aleister, Strange’s pet snakes, also figure prominently in the story, acting as the “straight man” to Bats’ antics. It’s like Bats is Lou Costello and the snakes are Bud Abbott, wandering through a haunted house film, snipping at each other the whole time.
The intruder is revealed at the climax of the book, and their return promises an intriguing next few months for Doctor Strange and Clea, because this menace has patience, and isn’t going to launch an attack immediately, meaning they’re going to be occupying the shadows of the Sanctum Sanctorum until just the right moment comes for them to strike.
As a “breather” issue, an issue where the reader can take a break from the multi-issue stories and world-ending threats, it’s a solid one, but I’ll be glad to see Doctor Strange and Clea front and center again next issue.
The Art
Danilo S. Beyruth’s art on Doctor Strange #12 brings Doctor Strange’s mansion to life. Every room seems drenched in shadows, and Doctor Strange and Clea both look regal, even when just relaxing on a couch reading mail. It’s hard to imbue personality into a dog, even a ghost dog, but the art makes Bats look adorable, as he sniffs around the mansion and argues with Anton and Aleister.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Strange #12 introduces the return of a threat from Strange’s past and gives us an amusing little romp with the ever-quarreling Bats, Anton and Aleister. The art is the highlight of the issue.