Reviewer: Andy Campbell
Story Title: Beginnings and Endings
Writers: J. Michael Straczynski & Sara (Samm) Barnes
Art: Brandon Peterson
Color: Justin Ponsor
Letters: VC’s Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: Cory Sedlmeier
Editor: Axel Alonso
Publisher: Dan Buckley (Marvel Comics)
The exploration into the origin of Dr. Strange comes to a conclusion in this issue, as Dr. Strange and his allies have a huge confrontation with Dormammu and a whole slew of demons.
I have enjoyed Straczynski & Barnes’s deeper look at Strange’s (mostly) familiar origin, and this issue is no exception. Dr. Strange must finally believe in himself if he is to overcome the overwhelming odds, and he finally learns something of camaraderie as he fights alongside Clea and Wong against the army of demons. We also finally see how this mediocre-at-best mystic gains enough power to become a master. All in all, great stuff, with a suitable ending.
When I reviewed issue #3, I had this to say about the art: “Brandon Peterson’s art is a perfect complement to the writing. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but somehow it just “fits” this book.” Well, I still hold to that. However, this time around, I have to give a special shout out to colorist Justin Ponsor, as his work on this book is amazing. All of the colors leap off the page and really engage the eye. His rendering of Dormammu in particular is tremendous. If I weren’t already reading this series, I may have picked up this issue on the strength of the cover alone. It’s that good. So again, major props to the art team, Justin Ponsor especially.
