Aaron's take on Strange is lighter, snappier and has more of a youthful energy than previous takes on the character. Unfortunately, instead of feeling like a breath of fresh air, it's hard to reconcile this Stephen Strange with how the character has been shown in the past. That said, Aaron's grip on pacing and character provide a story which is internally consistent, even if it doesn't relate to existing canon as well. In particular, the relationship between Strange and Fong feels more interesting than is typically depicted, even if this run has yet to really explore it.

For all my misgivings, it's Bachalo's art that keeps me coming back, and in that regard, this issue is the strongest yet. The bold, psycholedelic early pages are sharp contrast from the severe, desaturated final act, but other are handled masterfully. Few artists have captured the mystic aspects of Strange's world with the energy and aplomb Bachalo displays.

Despite my revervations, I'm interested to see which direction the character is being taken in, and even if I weren't, I'd consider buying it for the artwork alone. more