One of the most powerful cosmological forces in the Marvel Universe is being harnessed by one of the most powerful magical forces in the Marvel Universe. The latest Doctor Strange series curls into its final five issues with a story that feels every bit as big as it needs to be. Writer Mark Waid wields the cosmic end of the Marvel Universe with impressive poise in an issue drawn by Barry Kitson and Scott Koblish. As disappointing as it is that another Doctor Strange series is about to vanish into the eldritch shadows, it’s nice to know that it’s going to be doing so having reached very cosmic frontiers in its final stretch.

Mephisto has given the Dread Dormammu the ability to control the overwhelming power of the planet devourer Galactus. A being of advanced science is being brought under the yoke of intense magics. Galactus isn’t all that happy about the situation.  Naturally, he’s going to fight back as Doctor Strange works to keep everything in balance. In over his head dealing with forces far beyond his control, the master of the mystic arts needs to be exceptionally cunning if he’s going to be able to successfully steer the conflict to a favorable outcome. 

Doctor Strange is captured by Dormammu, who is also in tenuous control of world devourer Galactus. Waid himself has tenuous control over the whole power dynamic, but he’s doing what he can to frame a massively powerful conflict in a whole bunch of panels on pages between a couple of covers. The struggle between two distinctly different forces of nature lacks the punch it needs to feel like anything more than a slugfest with blasts of mighty energy, but much of Waid’s work feels impressive by nature of its scope alone. Two powerful entities excitingly collapse into each other. Too bad Waid isn’t able to do much with the conflict. Ultimately it’s disappointing, but Waid has done something special here just by casting the cosmic Galactus into a world of magic. Things progress from there and get a bit out of hand.  Strange casually confronts both the cosmic entities of Eternity AND The Living Tribunal at the same time to try to get them to take an interest in Galactus’ transformation. Something is clearly lost in the scope by this point. 

Kitson frames the action with incredible symmetry. The scope of the combat is very, very difficult to show when it’s cast against the formless Ditko/Kirby-inspired cosmic star-scape. For the most part, the only contrast against the two powerful entities is Doctor Strange himself, but as he is mighty in his own right, there isn’t nearly enough contrast between the cosmic powers in battle and the world they’re fighting over. Still...all that excellent symmetry and mesomorphic posturing look very, very cool. Koblish lends radiance and depth to the visuals in a package that includes some very dazzling color cast against the cosmic darkness.

This is the first issue of the series that’s been released since it was announced that Doctor Strange would be coming to a close again. There are a few issues left before Strange exits again, but the recent announcement makes this issue feel like a bit of a passing. Dr. Strange will doubtlessly return in one form or another once the remaining series ends near the end of 2019. He’s had so many series over the years. What’s one more resurrection to a sorcerer supreme?

Grade: B -