WONG TAKES CENTER STAGE!
• Someone has stolen pieces of Wong's memory!
• But he's going to need them back to stop the Blasphemy Cartel!
• It's up to Wong and Bats to retrace their steps to find the truth!
• But could this memory be better off forgotten?
RATED T+
The title of the issue is kind of fun. The Big Spell might be a reference to Raymond Chandlers hardboiled detective novel, The Big Sleep. Given that theres a real sense of loss in the story, it could also be a reference to The Big Chill--the 1980s dark comedy about loss. Wongs investigating the death of Dr. Strange, but hes also mourning his loss in his own way. Its not the type of thing often explored in mainstream superhero comics. Read Full Review
Garbett offers some fantastic visuals throughout the issue. The action is fantastic and I love the dark, film noir style of the art and how it complements the detective noir tone of the story. Read Full Review
‘Strange' takes a semi-detour placing Wong in the spotlight, showcasing just what makes the character so wonderful and how he fits into the Marvel Universe while still moving the overall series plot forward in significant ways. Everything about this series is a winning formula that takes us deep into the magical side of the universe, with gorgeous dark yet bright visuals, and a powerful character-focused emotional throughline that keeps one hooked month after month. Read Full Review
With Clea nowhere to be found in this issue outside of a reference or two, Stange puts its weight on Wong and he's naturally quite up to the task. His role is explored at first and then it shifts to him dealing with moving through the intersections of magic and engaging with people to try and understand what's going on. A touch of action gives us a distraction but the real meat of the book is in its time dealing with Jean Grey – the first time I've read hear in anything in years – and then the big reveal at the end which I wish was given more time here instead of the pointless action earlier. A solid book all around but one that could have been paced better and fleshed out more. Read Full Review
Jed MacKay pens what is perhaps the best issue of this new series, an entirely Wong-focused adventure, giving the reader unique context and insight into the character that largely lives on the margins of Doctor Strange tales. Read Full Review
As for this one I would get this if you are a fan of the character or have been following the storyline up to this point. Read Full Review
Fantastic issue that differs from the main story but is still a great wong comic and sort of tie in story.
I like Jed MacKay. And I like Raymond Chandler. And it turns out, Jed MacKay likes Raymond Chandler too, so this is a delightful treat for me.
But it's also such a loving homage to hardboiled Marlowe-style detective fiction that it shares some of the same weaknesses. The way none of the scenes seem consequential until the end, mainly. It's very old-fashioned storytelling. But I'm familiar enough with the form to know the method in the madness. Most of the "inconsequential" scenes have hidden agendas -- and even if they're just building a mood, they're doing good work.
This one really clicks in a way the previous 5 didn't. It's not just Lee Garbett on the art, but wow does that make a humongous difference
At last a decent issue, with the lead character absent. We have plot, dialogue & humour and, for once, there is no massive battle.
If only we could go on like this.
Despite Clea not being in the issue, I did enjoy it, especially the cameos. Not sure meeting with Black Widow did Wong any good. She didn't seem to have any info for him. Kind of a waste of a scene and use of BW. Seeing Harkness and Scarlet Witch in the bar was cool and having a bartender that constantly changed was pretty unique. Props for that. Jean Grey seemed to put him on a path that revealed someone that does have info for him. Some good story movement this issue.
We take a detour with Wong and Bats. I can't say including Black Window added anything to the issue, but I like spell idea for the bartender changing to an entirely different looking woman every few seconds.