Like the majority of Marvel heroes, Doctor Strange had his début in print during the middle of the 1960s in the anthology series Strange Tales from Marvel Comics. Since then, both fans of comic books and movies have developed a fervent following for the adored and potent magic user. In the 2016 Marvel Cinematic Universe prequel Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch made his cinematic debut as Stephen Strange.
Changes are inevitably made to fit the medium, artistic vision, and series as a whole, as is the case with most characters that go from the page to the screen. Since Cumberbatch has played the Sorcerer six times, there are now clear variations between his MCU persona and the one from the comics. Here are the top six.
The Eye of Agamotto
The MCU’s Eye of Agamotto plays a significant part and shows us how far Strange has progressed in his study of the mysterious arts. Significantly, it also plays a crucial role in Stephen’s victory over Dormammu since it houses the Time Stone, which gives Stephen the power to bend time. This isn’t the case in the comics because the Eye has a wide range of abilities, such as increasing mental acuity, reading minds, and imparting knowledge of the past.
How Quickly He Acquired Mystic Arts Mastery
When watching Doctor Strange for the first time, this distinction can be ignored. In the comic books, Stephen had to spend years studying and practicing in order to become the Sorcerer Supreme. The first movie, however, notes that Strange is able to pull off this important feat over the course of 18 months. This is alluded to in passing when we learn that the process typically takes around 14 years, but in the movie, he is able to expedite it.
The Cloak of Levitation
The Cloak of Levitation takes on a humorous meaning in the MCU. The Cloak seems to have a mind of its own throughout Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, pushing Stephen in various directions, wiping dirt and blood off his face, and responding to the scenario at hand. Nerdist claims that because the Cloak appears to know how to help Stephen, it practically merits the label of a sidekick. The Cloak of Levitation, however, cannot resist orders or act of its own free will in comic books because it is only triggered by the will and commands of others.
The True Power of Stephen Strange
From Thanos and Dormammu to The Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange has faced up against some of the toughest Marvel villains we’ve ever seen in the MCU. Although the outcome of each battle differed, it’s crucial to remember that despite Stephen’s mastery of the mystic arts, he is still a student and has not yet discovered the full extent of his ability. In the comic books, Strange is shown as possessing far higher talents and powers; in fact, he is the Sorcerer Supreme.
The Sling Rings
The Sling Rings were really created by the MCU to provide viewers an explanation for why individuals could move instantaneously when they did not have magical abilities. In reality, Marvel doesn’t have any of these tools.
Important Doctor Strange Story’s Orders
This is a certainty when converting any source material to cinema: storylines clearly change between the film and comic book versions. There are many potentials for these to expand and develop, which will undoubtedly be explored as the franchise progresses. The MCU has given Strange a good basis from which to start his travels. Due to the diversity of material that has been addressed, there have been many more plotlines and character developments for Strange in the comics. We are interested to see how this could play out on film as there has been much more room for character development in the comics.
