Doctor Strange, like most Marvel heroes, was first introduced on paper in the mid-60s in the Marvel Comics anthology series Strange Tales. Since this point, the beloved and powerful magic-user has garnered a massive following, from both comics and movie fans alike. Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Strange made his on-screen debut in the MCU origin film Doctor Strange in 2016.
Naturally, like most characters who jump from the page to the screen, changes are made to suit the medium, creative vision, and franchise as a whole. Most recently, Stephen can be seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness— now streaming on Disney+ — which is the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 film and a culminating entry in Phase 4’s exploration of the Multiverse. This marks Cumberbatch’s sixth appearance as the Sorcerer, and by now, notable differences can be seen between his MCU character and the one in the comics. Here are six big ones.
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6 The Eye Of Agamotto
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In the MCU, the Eye of Agamotto has a major role and allows us to see how far Strange has come in his studies of the mystic arts. Significantly, it also becomes the key to his victory over Dormammu as it, housing the Time Stone, provides Stephen with the ability to warp time. This is not the same in the comics, per Screen Rant, as the Eye boasts a number of powers, which include boosting mental acuity, mind-reading, and the granting of knowledge of the past.
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5 How Quickly He Mastered the Mystic Arts
This difference is one that could perhaps be overlooked upon initial viewing of Doctor Strange. In the comics, Stephen must learn and train for years before he is able to achieve the title of Sorcerer Supreme. However, the origin film mentions that Strange is able to accomplish this major feat over a period of 18 months. This is referenced slightly when we hear how this process usually takes around 14 years, however, in the film version he is able to fast-track this process.
4 The Cloak of Levitation
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In the MCU, the Cloak of Levitation becomes a symbol of humor. Throughout Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Cloak appears to have a mind of its own, pulling Stephen in different directions, wiping blood and dirt from his face, and reacting to current situations. Per Nerdist, this almost grants the Cloak the title of sidekick in the way it seemingly knows how to assist Stephen. In the comics, however, the Cloak of Levitation is activated by the will and commands of others, so it cannot defy orders or act of its own free will.
3 Stephen Strange’s True Power
In the MCU, Doctor Strange has fought against some of the strongest Marvel villains we’ve seen, from Thanos and Dormammu to The Scarlet Witch. Though each fight varied in terms of victory, what’s important to note is that, while Stephen has mastered the mystic arts, he’s still learning and hasn’t fully tapped into his true power yet. In the comics, Strange is shown to have much greater powers and abilities — indeed, he is the Sorcerer Supreme.
2 The Sling Rings
The Sling Rings were actually an invention of the MCU so that audiences would have an explanation as to why characters were able to travel instantly since they were not born with magical powers. In fact, these tools don’t exist in Marvel Comics at all.
1 Key Doctor Strange Storylines
Storylines are an obvious difference between the film and comic book versions — this is a given when adapting any source material to film. The MCU has provided a strong base for Strange to begin his adventures, and there are lots of opportunities for these to expand and develop, which will surely be explored as the franchise continues. In the comics, there have been a lot more plotlines and character developments for Strange due to the variety of material which has been explored. There has been much more scope for character development through the comics, so we look forward to seeing how this may develop on screen.
