10 Strongest Doctor Strange Allies in Marvel Lore, Ranked by Power Level

[[{“value”:”

“A different kind of superhero” was how Marvel introduced Doctor Strange way back in 1963, and indeed, the good Doctor bucked many Silver Age trends. Doctor Strange’s counterparts had mostly scientific-based origins, but his was rooted firmly in the supernatural. Doctor Strange’s arrival heralded the beginnings of an entirely new corner of the Marvel Universe, and with it, many new villains and heroes.

Doctor Strange’s first adventure in Strange Tales #110 not only introduced one of his greatest foes: Nightmare, but also allies such as the Ancient One. As Doctor Strange’s lore evolved over the next 60 years, he took on many dire threats to Earth, such as the dread Dormammu or Shuma-Gorath. He did not fight alone, however. Doctor Strange has been assisted by a small army of allies, including lovers, apprentices and even pets. Here are Doctor Strange’s 10 most powerful allies.

10

Bats Is Doctor Strange’s Cutest Ally

Bats Is Also One of Doctor Strange’s Weirdest Comrades

The ghost dog Bats is Doctor Strange’s pet, and has assisted Stephen in several of his missions. Bats’ story is a sad one, and one all too common: his original human passed away, leaving Bats stuck in the shelter. Bats eventually found his way into Doctor Strange’s life in one of its darkest moments. Stephen had just lost the title of Sorcerer Supreme, and had returned to practicing medicine, in this case as a veterinarian. Bats died in his care, but was resurrected as a ghost dog.

Since his resurrection, Bats has become one of the most popular members of Doctor Strange’s supporting cast. Bats has helped Doctor Strange, and his ghost-like nature allows him to possess people. A member of the Pet Avengers alongside Throg and Lockjaw, Bats made a massive impact during the Damnation event. After Doctor Strange fell under Mephisto’s control, Bats was instrumental in freeing his humans from the demon’s clutches. Bats continue to prowl the halls of the Sanctum Sanctorum, on the prowl for intruders, and belly rubs.

9

Rintrah Was A Former Disciple of Doctor Strange

Rintrah Made an Unlikely Appearance in the MCU

Over the years, Doctor Strange has taken on a number of apprentices, including the imposing-looking Rintrah. Resembling a giant, green-skinned Minotaur, Rintrah hailed from another dimension. When he first met Doctor Strange, Rintrah was already the apprentice of another: Enitharmon the Weaver. Doctor Strange came to Enitharmon to fix his Cloak of Levitation, which is how he met Rintrah. Sensing great potential in Rintrah, Doctor Strange brought him back to Earth to train him as an apprentice. Rintrah was at Doctor Strange’s side during major stories such as The Infinity Gauntlet.

All good things must come to an end, and Rintrah eventually takes his leave of Doctor Strange. Rintrah would eventually return to the fold, as an instructor at Strange Academy, which was established to train the next generation of sorcerers. Rintrah also famously appeared in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. For his MCU debut, Rintrah was once again a student, this time at the same school that Doctor Strange trained in. Rintrah assisted when the Scarlet Witch attacked the school, showing his worth as both a sorcerer and a hero.

8

The Ancient One Trained Doctor Strange in the Mystic Arts

Doctor Strange Has Since Surpassed His Old Teacher

The Ancient One, who initiated Doctor Strange into the world of magic, is also a very powerful sorcerer in his own right. Born thousands of years ago, the Ancient One traveled the world, learning the ways of magic before retreating to his temple in the Himalayas. Stephen Strange would later seek the Ancient One out to help cure his damaged nerves, and the rest is history. The Ancient One served as a guide for Doctor Strange in his earliest adventures, always ready to offer advice and power when possible. Eventually, in time, Doctor Strange surpassed his teacher.

The Ancient One was not named until Strange Tales #110, when Doctor Strange came knocking on his temple’s doors. This story also established just how powerful the Ancient One was: his then-pupil Baron Mordo was plotting to kill him and take his power for himself. Strange discovered Mordo’s plot, but a spell cast by Mordo kept Strange from warning the Ancient One. However, it was all a ruse on the Ancient One’s part: he was already keen on Mordo’s treachery, and had taken preemptive steps to stop him.

7

Topaz is a Powerful Sorceress, and an Enigma even to Doctor Strange

Topaz Already Had a History With Magic Before Meeting Doctor Strange

The mysterious Topaz was already well-established in the magical corner of the Marvel Universe, thanks to appearances in Werewolf by Night and Tomb of Dracula. Her origins shrouded in mystery, Topaz tried to take control of the Werewolf Jack Russell in her first appearance. Eventually rebelling against her masters, Topaz fought a number of mystical threats, including the demon lord Mephisto. The two would become arch-enemies, and he even imprisoned Topaz in his realm, separating her from her natural empathy, leaving her a soulless monster. When Franklin Richards slayed Mephisto, Topaz was freed from his realm.

After escaping, Topaz found her way to Doctor Strange’s doorstep, and the Sorcerer Supreme worked to restore her body and soul. Topaz would then assist Doctor Strange in battles against Dormmamu, and even used her powers to restore Wong to life. Even after sharing adventures together, Topaz remained a mystery. Her full potential as a sorceress had been reached, but even then fans did not see what feats she was capable of performing. Topaz has not been seen in many years, leaving her one of Doctor Strange’s most mysterious and powerful allies.

6

Doctor Voodoo Can Give Doctor Strange a Run for His Money

Thankfully, Doctors Voodoo and Strange Are the Best of Friends

Doctor Voodoo is one of Doctor Strange’s oldest allies, and best of friends. Introduced in the early 1970s as “Brother Voodoo,” Jericho Drumm was an American scholar, one who turned his nose up at the mystic arts at first. Yet after his brother, a Voodoo practitioner, was killed, Jericho began an intensive study of the field that took him all the way to temporarily being Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. Shortly after taking the title of Sorcerer Supreme, he changed his name to “Doctor Voodoo,” a handle he has used ever since.

Doctor Voodoo is one of Marvel’s most powerful magic users. By channeling the Loa, or the gods of Voodoo, Jericho Drumm has a variety of powers at his disposal, including communing with the dead. Doctor Voodoo’s suite of abilities and spells is vast as well, making him easily one of Doctor Strange’s most powerful rivals. Fortunately, the two respect each other greatly, and Doctor Voodoo serves as the Headmaster of Strange Academy, where he helps teach and mentor the next generation of sorcerers.

5

Wong Is Far More Than Doctor Strange’s “Faithful Servant”

Wong Comes From a Long Line of Magic Users

Wong’s arc through the Marvel Universe has been an inspiring one, taking him from a lowly servant to a powerful magic user in his own right. One of Doctor Strange’s oldest allies, Wong comes from a long line of monks pledged to serve the Ancient One. The Ancient One dispatched Wong to assist Doctor Strange, and one of the greatest friendships in the Marvel Universe was born. Over the years, Wong has learned magic, and while he is nowhere near the level of Doctor Strange, he has still demonstrated an aptitude for the field.

Initially couched in Orientalist stereotypes, Wong has grown to become a layered and nuanced character. Later creators have downplayed the more problematic elements of the character, instead emphasizing his fighting skills and giving him more magical abilities. During Jed MacKay and Pasqual Ferry’s recently-concluded Doctor Strange run, Wong became an agent of WAND, a mystical equivalent to SHIELD. This would become the character’s crowning moment, and the one that took him from out under Doctor Strange’s shadow, making him into the sorcerer he was meant to be.

4

General Strange Was the Dark Side of Doctor Strange

Remarkably, Doctor Strange Was Able to Reform the General

General Strange was a dark and twisted version of Doctor Strange, but one that was ultimately redeemed. The Vishanti pressured Doctor Strange into fighting against the Trinity of Ashes in the War of the Seven Spheres. Doctor Strange fought for an unbelievable 5,000 years, and when the War was over, had seemingly returned to his normal state, with no memory of what happened. It turns out, he was corrupted during the War, becoming the cruel and ruthless General Strange. When the War ended, the Vishanti separated General Strange from Stephen, and imprisoned him in a gem.

Later, General Strange was able to free himself, and confront Doctor Strange. The General nearly defeated the Doctor, and was only defeated when he was made to feel empathy once again. The General, aghast at what he had done, then pledged to do better. Proving that he will always be a healer, Doctor Strange agrees to help rehabilitate the General. As a dark mirror of Doctor Strange, the General had all of his powers, but none of the compassion that made Stephen a great hero. What role the General will have in Strange’s future remains to be seen.

3

Clea Is More Than Doctor Strange’s Apprentice and Lover

Clea Was Sorcerer Supreme of Two Different Dimensions

Clea may be best known as Doctor Strange’s former apprentice as well as lover, but in reality she is one of the most powerful magicians in the Marvel Universe. The niece of Dormammu, one of Doctor Strange’s oldest foes, Clea was a resident of the Dark Dimension. Blindly serving her uncle for many years, Clea eventually escaped his influence, traveling to Earth and becoming one of Doctor Strange’s first apprentices. Doctor Strange and Clea fell in love, and have had an on-again/off-again relationship through the years.

Recently, Doctor Strange was seemingly killed, and Clea ascended to the role of Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme in his absence. Clea was already the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension, meaning she held the title in two different realms, something unheard of before. With the ability to draw on two different power sources, Clea was arguably Earth’s most powerful magic user, and was even able to hold her own against Doctor Doom. Clea worked tirelessly to restore her dead lover to life, eventually succeeding. Clea will soon embark on a new chapter in her life as she joins the latest version of the Thunderbolts.

2

Agamotto Is the Premiere Sorcerer Supreme

The Eye of Agamotto Is One of Doctor Strange’s Most Powerful Tools

Doctor Strange fans may know the name Agamotto, as Stephen regularly invokes the name, but they may not be aware that he was Earth’s first Sorcerer Supreme. Living in prehistoric times, Agamotto was the son of Oshtur, and is one third of the Vishanti. A member of the Stone Age Avengers, Agamotto set the template for all Sorcerer Supremes to follow. In addition to laying down many of the Marvel Universe’s magical rules, Agamotto also created a number of mystical objects that Doctor Strange regularly uses to fight evil, such as the Eye of Agamotto.

Today, Agamotto dwells in his own realm, and has taken on a variety of appearances, including the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. In his own dimension, Agamotto is extremely powerful. Once, the planet eater Galactus tried to consume Agamotto’s realm, but the sorcerer was easily able to best him. Agamotto attacked once again when Doctor Voodoo became Sorcerer Supreme, feeling Voodoo was inexperienced. Agamotto possessed other heroes, using them as pawns against Doctors Strange and Voodoo, and the fight only ended when Voodoo sacrificed his life, seemingly defeating the first Sorcerer Supreme.

1

The Vishanti Makes Doctor Strange the Sorcerer Supreme

The Vishanti Are Three In One

First Appeared: Strange Tales #115 (mentioned), Marvel Premiere #5, created by Stan Lee, Gardner Fox and Sam Kweskin

The patrons of Doctor Strange, the Vishanti, are easily his most powerful allies. A trinity of powerful magic users, including the aforementioned Agamotto, the Vishanti, are Doctor Strange’s patrons, and he draws his powers from them. The distinctive symbol on the Sanctum Sanctorum is the Seal of the Vishanti, which protects the building from all sorts of magical threats. Agamotto’s mother Oshtur and the alien god Hoggoth are the other two members of the Vishanti. Together, these three magical beings have kept the universe safe from Dormammu and a host of other magical threats.

In the modern day, the Vishanti rarely interfere in the affairs of mortals. However, they did press Doctor Strange into fighting in the War of the Seven Spheres, an event that took a massive psychic toll on Stephen. The Vishanti were not without mercy, as they returned Doctor Strange a nanosecond after he left, as well as purging the War’s painful memories. Despite being Doctor Strange’s patrons, he has had a contentious relationship with the Vishanti in recent years, and at times has forsaken them.

“}]] Best friends.  Read More