Strange anatomy: Who's who in Dr Strange
English actor Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the titular role in upcoming Marvel Comics superhero movie Doctor Strange.
Here, we dissect the sorcerer supreme's powers as well the villains he regularly crosses swords with.
GIFTED HAND
Stephen Strange's title of Doctor in Doctor Strange is more than just a superhero name. He is in fact a gifted neurosurgeon. He saves lives with his hands, but became selfish and egoistic due to his success. An accident caused permanent nerve damage to his hands, ending his surgical career.
FLYING CLOAK
Another mystical item worn by Strange, the Cloak of Levitation grants its wearer the ability of flight. The cloak almost has a consciousness of its own and is shown to have saved Strange's life a couple of times.
THIRD EYE
One of Doctor Strange's most prized artefacts, the Eye of Agamotto, is said to give its bearer the ability to manipulate time and probabilities.
ARCANE ARTS
Strange trains under the Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton in the movie, to become the next Sorcerer Supreme. Strange learns to use mystical spells such as a magic whip called Crimson Bands of Cyttorak and can even project astral forms of himself - going into spirit form, leaving his mortal body behind.
STOLEN HEART
Strange's love interest in the comics and in the movie differ. In the comics, Strange has a disciple and romance partner named Clea, who is revealed to be the niece of one of his archenemies, Dormammu. In the movie, Rachel McAdams plays Christine Palmer, a fellow surgeon who has a history with Strange.
ROGUES' GALLERY
BARON MORDO
Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the movie, Mordo is a student of the Ancient One, just like Strange. In the comics, Mordo grew jealous of Strange's prowess and worked with Dormammu, an ancient adversary of the Ancient One, to destroy both Strange and the Ancient One.
KAECILIUS
Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen in the movie, used to be one of the Masters of the Mystic Arts and trained under the Ancient One. He defects to form his own sect that opposes the Ancient One's teachings. In the comics, Kaecilius is Baron Mordo's disciple.
DORMAMMU
The ruler of the dark dimension and an ancient nemesis of the Ancient One, Dormammu is a demon with immense mystical powers.
SHUMA-GORATH
Shuma-Gorath is the lord of chaos and the master of the extra-dimensional creatures known only as the Old Ones. Shuma-Gorath is a tentacled monster with a huge eyeball.
SORCERER SUPREMES
There are multiple alternate universes where Stephen Strange did not become the Sorcerer Supreme.
TONY STARK
In this version of the comic, Tony Stark aka Iron Man is in the same accident as Strange. Stark feels responsible for causing his friend to lose his ability to use his hands and swears to find a cure for him. This takes Stark to Tibet and the Ancient One, with Stark turning into the Sorcerer Supreme instead.
VICTOR VON DOOM
Victor Von Doom aka Doctor Doom from Fantastic Four becomes the Sorcerer Supreme after failing to save his mother's soul from the demon Mephisto. He goes to Tibet in search of answers and is found by the Ancient One. He then learns the mystic arts to rescue his mother.
BRUCE BANNER
Bruce Banner aka The Hulk is introduced to Doctor Strange by Spider-Man in this alternate universe. Spider-Man hopes that Strange can help Banner remove the Hulk once and for all. After his training, Strange hands the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme to Banner. Banner uses the mystic arts to banish the Hulk into hell.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now