Doctor Strange is a busy man - sometimes, it seems like the busiest man. But that man has a best friend. So when there's something strange haunting the Sanctum Sanctorum, who can we turn to? Why, BATS THE GHOST DOG, of course! But can Bats solve the mystery on his own, or is this good dog in over his head?
Rated T+
Doctor Strange #12 is just the right one-shot coming of one of the Sorcerer Supreme's biggest story arcs in quite some time. Read Full Review
Doctor Strange #12 is an unexpected story that offers a unique twist on the series through a unique perspective, a ghost dog, while simultaneously being one of the most eerie issues so far. Sure, there's been various threats for Strange to face, but when he and Clea are calm, and Bats isn't, that's not right. Moreover, this issue is another riveting read that foreshadows future threats that lurk around the corners. Read Full Review
Doctor Strangecontinues a solid run with another successful issue as the team shifts the focus from the large-scale action of the previous arc while still exploring the main character. MacKay still strongly focuses on characters and their relationships, as Beyruths guest work aligns with the previous artwork.Doctor Strange #12is the first part of a smaller-scale story filled with excellent writing and great art. Read Full Review
Beyruth delivers some impressive imagery throughout the issue. I really liked the visual style and how it had a flowing tone that was perfect for a tale centering on ghosts. Read Full Review
Doctor Strange #12 introduces the return of a threat from Stranges past and gives us an amusing little romp with the ever-quarreling Bats, Anton and Aleister. The art is the highlight of the issue. Read Full Review
Doctor Strange #12 is the second cooldown issue in a row and a Bats-centric story to portend things to come. Readers who are Bats fans will get plenty of time with the ghostly pup, but the story barely qualifies as a prelude to announcing the return of a villain. If you read the spoilers in this issue, you'll get everything you'll need to know about what's coming and can save what you would have wasted on the cover price. Read Full Review
Plot
Bats senses a strange presence in the Sanctum Sanctorum and tries to tell Stephen and Clea Strange that they should be careful, Stephen explains that nothing can enter without him sensing it because of his spells.
Bats and the snake investigate and are ambushed by Victor Strange, Stephen's evil and resentful brother, who lives as a ghost in the Sanctum Sanctorum in the mirrors, there he leaves Bats and the snake and prepares to attack Stephen at any moment. .
Fun installment where they show Bats' tenderness and loyalty.
Art
It's full of textures with a classic tone reminiscent of 1970s pulp comics and a cool pastel color palette.
Summary
Bats is on the trail of a bust in the Sa more
Another good one-shot story issue, but it's a bit obvious that the point of this was solely to introduce Victor as the next big villain for this series. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as I still enjoyed the issue as a whole. I'm assuming we won't get a ton more on Victor until Blood Hunt in May, which is fine. I'm looking forward to the Secret Defenders storyline in the next two issues.
For some reason, I expected this to be a silent, cutesy issue about a ghost dog. I forgot Bats can talk. And so do most animals in Stephen Strange's orbit.
I liked this issue. I like Bats as a character, but somethng's missing.
The art's fine. Fill in artist Danilo Beyruth does a capable job, and the last page is actually a little chilling.
The story was more of a subplot that I don't think needed a whole issue. It's fine, don't get me wrong, but if it had been broken up into 2-3 page sections across another story arc, the same effect would have been achieved, and spreading it out would give the impression of time passing and built some suspense. The point was to introduce the next bad guy, and it does, but it just fealt rushed.