I am usually not big into tie-in issues, but since the mini-series is Doctor Strange: Damnation and this is a Doctor Strange solo series you kind of cannot get around it. Plus it helps tremendously that Donny Cates writes both series. All in all Doctor Strange #386 helps flesh out the events of Damnation #1 a little more. And honestly, this is just a really fun story and interesting situation to put Stephen Strange in.Niko Henrichon's art is perfect for this story arc and you will find yourself staring at the pages to see all the little details he puts in. This is honestly a great jumping-on point for the series even if you have not read Damnation or any other previous Doctor Strange. Read Full Review

Cates never fails to deliver the gold standard in tongue in cheek humor while keeping the seriousness of the plot ticking, which is no small feat. Read Full Review

This issue picks up exactly where Damnation left off, with Strange playing a high-stakes game Blackjack with his very soul in the balance. The result is an entertaining story that boats real stake for our hero even as writer Donny Cates and artist Nico Henrichon have fun with the idea of a demonic casino. Read Full Review

If you thought that what happened to Strange in the arc before was bad? This Damnation tie-in challenged the very thought that he has dealt with the worst. Doctor Strange #386 took that little bit of hope that you may have had for the guy finally picking up the pieces of his life, and shattered them quite literally. Read Full Review

A solid chapter that supports the Damnation storyline in interesting ways. Read Full Review

This issue was a solid issue, if I had to pick a complaint is that the pacing is pretty slow and seems off a couple times. Its not a very action packed issue but mostly a lot of talking and explaining, some of which may not have necessarily needed to be explained but is anyway. Read Full Review

Donny Cates continues to do a great job of redefining Stephen Strange's personality. Other writers have pegged arrogance as Strange's tragic flaw, but Cates goes deeper, showing Strange's pride, temper, and wariness. Read Full Review

"Doctor Strange" 386 focuses on contained settings and sharp character interaction to move the story forward while offering beautiful art, even if somewhat trapped by large panel counts. Read Full Review

Doctor Strange #386 was not the right way to follow up Damnation #1. Strange still looks oblivious and/or apathetic to what Las Vegas is suffering because of his hubris. There are laughs to be had, but they feel unearned. Henrichon makes the book visually stunning, but the narrative doesn't earn that either. I can't recommend this one, and that's sad. Read Full Review

Just wonderful witty yet dark writing by Cates and beautiful art by Henrichon. Also Annie from misery would be proud of that final page!

While this issue is entertaining and fun, I'm kind of pissed to be having to read a tie-in to another fucking event. I like Donny Cates, and he does a really fine job making this issue work on its own (I haven't read "Damnation"). But does this mean I have to read that to get the continuation of this story? It totally slipped by me and I didn't add it to my pull list! I'm getting tempted to say, as good as Cates has been on this, fuck it, see you in May with a new creative team, Doctor Strange. So, in summary, this was actually a really good read. But I think I just might drop this anyway. Well, one more issue...? Thanks, Marvel, you #@&!!#$ers!

Great art and another great doc strange story coming from Cates.

I was a fan of the start of the Damnation story line. It had an 'Inferno' feel to it that I enjoyed. There is a premise that is very supernatural in nature that is fitting for the tie in titles (mostly, I'm looking at you Iron Fist). I saw a lot of people that accused the writers of trying to make their hero unlikable again in Strange when he decided to recklessly use magic to resurrect a whole city. I have not been a devoted reader of all Doctor Strange works. I am limited to mostly Defenders when he casually opened the Dark Dimension that led to the release of Black Knight and things of the like. The Strange Tales title with Cloak and Dagger where his arrogance often released something he later had to capture. Strange was always an arrogant self assured man when I read him who was very reactive instead of proactive. When these characters where created they were meant to have flaws and fail from time to time. It is what Stan Lee and company did to ensure Marvel stood out from other hero tales of the era. To me the idea that now that he has the power of creation from Yggdrasil he would use that power to do what he could. It also makes me assume he would be arrogant enough to try and cheat the devil (Mephisto) to win. It seems to fit the flaws created for the character. Most of the recent stories where about how Strange ignored the high cost of magic even. This seems to be in keeping with that. There is not much to this issue other than giving you an idea of what Strange is up to within the walls of the casino. He is betting his soul on the black jack with the hope Mephisto will leave if he wins. It is a fun enough issue with art that fits in very well with the main Damnation issue to keep you from getting a shock. There is a bit of difference in the costumes in both Mephisto and Strange if that type of thing bothers you. more

High stakes poker game. Super high stakes.

Dr. Strange tries to drive Mephisto off the material plane in a rigged card game. It goes just about as poorly as a rigged card game could. I half-appreciate how thoroughly this issue recaps the Damnation one-shot; it does a fine job of standing on its own. It's a bit repetitive and slow if you're all caught up, though. The scribbly art style works great on Mephisto and demonic hordes and possessed blackjack cards, but it's a little glitchy in portraying Stephen's face.

It's a shame that the Loki story was wrapped up so quickly. The follow up is just bog standard Marvel.