Doctor Strange’s 10 best comic book costumes (even better than the movies)

For more than 60 years, Doctor Strange kept the Marvel Universe safe from all magical threats and wore a number of different costumes while doing so. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and first appearing in Strange Tales #110, Doctor Strange infused the nascent Marvel Universe with a vibe that was at times colorful and gruesome. The various outfits that Doctor Strange has worn reflect this.

In 2016, Doctor Strange made the leap to live action, as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The uniform he wore in this film was very reminiscent of his red and blue outfit. This was appropriate as this is Doctor Strange’s signature appearance. However, Doctor Strange has worn a lot of different costumes in the comics that are infinitely cooler than the ones in the movie, and here are ten of them.

10

The classic costume is still considered one of the best

First appeared in: Strange Tales #110, 1963

Comic book fans and the general public are familiar with Doctor Strange’s classic blue and red ensemble, but it wasn’t his first costume. When Doctor Strange debuted in 1963, his outfit was practically all blue, with yellow accents throughout. At the time, Strange did not possess the Eye of Agamotto, but instead wore the Amulet of Agamotto, which can be found in the center of his chest.

Doctor Strange would only wear this outfit for a short time. After a few years of his career, Doctor Strange would fight and defeat Dormammu in combat. As a result of his victory, Strange received the Cloak of Levitation as well as the Eye of Agamotto, which paved the way for his classic red and blue costume. Doctor Strange’s classic blue costume would return, more or less, in 2021 The Death of Doctor Strange.

9

Doctor Strange’s first time wearing a mask made him more like a traditional superhero

First appeared in: Doctor Strange #177, 1974

By the early 1970s, Doctor Strange had settled into a familiar routine, as well as having chosen his trademark outfit. In an attempt to shake up this routine, Writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan presented a new look for Doctor Strange that gave the Sorcerer Supreme the look of a traditional superhero. For the first time, Doctor Strange wore a mask.

Doctor Strange’s “superhero” costume retained the classic Red Cloak of Levitation, as well as the Eye of Agamotto, but introduced some other visual flourishes. The jumpsuit that Doctor Strange wore was also all blue, with blue gloves as well. Although this look didn’t last long and Strange returned to his conventional costume, it set a precedent for future Doctor Strange costumes.

8

“Strange” lived up to its name

First appeared in: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #61, 1993

Around the time that writer David Quinn and artist Mel Rubi took over the reigns of Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme was no stranger to wearing masks, but his “Weird” personality made them even more frightening. This dark and twisted version of Doctor Strange sported a matte black and gray mask. “Stranger”, as he came to be called, was actually an avatar created by the real Doctor Strange, over whom he lost control.

“Strange” took the “superhero” aesthetic of Doctor Strange’s first time wearing a mask to its weird extreme. Not content with wearing a disturbing mask, “Strange” also sported spikes growing out of his arms, perfectly complementing the dark approach Quinn and Rubi were taking with the character. The time of “Strange” was shortened, as was Quinn and Rubi’s journey, leaving this version a curious – but cool exception in the character’s history.

7

Doctor Strange’s most radical outfit is his least popular

First appeared in: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #75, 1994

Another outfit that debuted on David Quinn and Mel Rubi Doctor Strange run, this controversial look saw the character grow his hair long and wear a black jumpsuit. Doctor Strange also wore magic glasses and, in fact, his entire appearance is very reminiscent of John Lennon, from the Beatles. As explained in the story, this new version was created when the real Doctor Strange confronted “Stranger”. In the aftermath of the battle, this new, younger variant was born.

This new look proved controversial among fans and only lasted five issues before a new creative team was hired, and most of Quinn and Rubi’s innovations were ignored. The young, cool Doctor Strange was not popular with fans, and in fact, today this new direction can be seen as an act of desperation on the part of Marvel editorial. at a time when the industry was on the brink.

6

Doctor Strangefate was the best of both worlds

First appeared in: Marvel versus DC #3, 1996

Doctor Strangefate was created as a mashup of Marvel’s Doctor Strange and Professor X and DC’s Doctor Fate. His outfit captures the best of all of these individual heroes. Doctor Strangefate’s outfit largely resembles Stephen’s classic red and blue outfits, and he wears Doctor Fate’s signature helmet. In the DC Universe, Doctor Doom’s helmet is the source of his power and this also applies to his Amalgam counterpart.

Doctor Strangefate’s outfit marks another outing using a mask for the Sorcerer Supreme, in this case the Strangefate Helmet. This helmet, when combined with a classic Doctor Strange look, equates to a character with undeniable visual appeal. Furthermore, the Helmet gave an aura of mystery to Doctor Strangefate. In the Marvel Universe, Doctor Strange cultivates such an aura, and his Amalgam counterpart achieves it in spades.

5

Doctor Strange 2099 introduced vests into the mix

First appeared in: Fantastic Four 2099 #5, 1996

The 2099 variant of Doctor Strange introduced some interesting wrinkles to the Sorcerer Supreme’s classic outfit. The year 2099 already had a Sorcerer Supreme, who shared adventures with Spider-Man, but the real Doctor Strange paid a visit to that era’s version of the Fantastic Four. The reason for his visit that year was never revealed and remains one of the character’s biggest pending plot points.

Despite that, 2099’s Doctor Strange sported one of the coolest variations on his classic costume. Many exclusive items such as the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agamotto are present, as are the yellow gloves. However, this Doctor Strange variant sports a blue vest and a brown leather belt. The introduction of these new items put a new twist on Doctor Strange’s classic costume.

4

Doctor Strange’s “street clothes” look was simple but stylish

First appeared in: New Avengers #51, 2009

Following Civil WarDoctor Strange made some morally questionable decisions, which resulted in him briefly losing the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme. After this loss, Doctor Strange revises his outfit once again, reducing it. Gone are the bright, flashy colors, replaced by a brown overcoat, black shirt and gray pants. It was simple but elegant.

This phase of Doctor Strange’s career can be seen as his “wild years”. He wasn’t starring in a regular monthly title, and in fact, it would be several years before he got another book in the works. The “street clothes” he wore during this period reflected a period of soul-searching for Doctor Strange, and ultimately resulted in him not only recapturing the title of Sorcerer Supreme, but also joining Marvel’s upper echelon.

3

Doctor Strange’s Space Armor Could Be His Sleekest Look Yet

First appeared in: Doctor Strange (Volume 5), No. 1 2018

When Mark Waid and Jesus Saiz took over the creative reigns at Doctor Strange, they started off in style by depriving Strange of his magic, as well as giving the character his first armor. After he can no longer access his regular sources of magic, Doctor Strange must leave Earth to find new avenues of power. To aid in his quest, Strange forges a magical suit of armor.

Although Doctor Strange has experimented with different accessories and looks, this was the first time he wore armor. In space, Doctor Strange encounters a host of diabolical threats, and the sleek black and white armor helps him face his enemies head-on. Doctor Strange takes off his clothes when he returns to Earth, but there is still the possibility that he will one day return.

2

The Supreme Soldier Fights the Good Fight (Magical)

First appeared in: Infinity Wars #3, 2018

The Ultimate Soldier, a mashup of Captain America and Doctor Strange, was the product of Warp World, a pocket reality consisting of “fused” heroes. In this world, the Ultimate Soldier, or Stephen Rogers, once again volunteered for the Super Soldier program, only this time it was magical in nature. As Soldier Supreme, he played a key role in the Allied victory in World War II.

As befits a combination of Doctor Strange and Captain America, the Soldier Supreme’s outfit was visually stunning. Combining Captain America’s mask (which featured a pentagram in place of an “A”) with Doctor Strange’s classic blue and red color scheme, Soldier Supreme perfectly blended the appearances of the two seemingly disparate characters. This made the Supreme Soldier one of the Infinity Wars’ most captivating contributions.

1

The Ultimate Spider was four heroes in one – and the outfit reflected that

First appeared in: Secret Warps: Arachknight Annual #1, 2019

If Ultimate Soldier was already a crazy mashup, then Ultimate Spider took it up a notch by adding two other heroes – and creating a memorable outfit in the process. After Infinity Warsthe Ultimate Soldier was fused with Arachknight, themselves a combination of Spider-Man and Moon Knight, to create the Ultimate Spider. Using the name Peter Rogers as a civilian alias, Ultimate Spider-Man was a visually stunning character.

Spider-Supreme sported Doctor Strange’s trademark red cloak, fused with Moon Knight’s cowl. Spider-Supreme’s outfit also featured Doctor Strange blue color scheme for the jumpsuit, overlaid by a giant spider. Like the Ultimate Soldier, Ultimate Spider’s time has been shortened, but his smart suit is one of the best in the initiative.