Death of Doctor Strange Will Introduce Marvel's New Sorcerer Supreme

Doctor Strange will pass on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme to a new wielder this December.

Stephen Strange will meet his demise in the Death of Doctor Strange limited series -- and Marvel already has plans for his successor. The publisher has revealed that Death of Doctor Strange #4, due out on Wednesday, Dec. 22, will introduce the next Sorcerer Supreme. Death of Doctor Strange is a five-issue mini-series written by Jed MacKay and illustrated by Lee Garbett that follows the final days of Doctor Strange. In the wake of his absence, a hero must step up and claim their place as the most powerful magic user in the universe.

In addition to the main series, Marvel will be releasing various tie-ins for Death of Doctor Strange. The Way of X creative team of writer Si Spurrier and artist Bob Quinn will reunite for Death of Doctor Strange: X-Men/Black Knight #1. The issue goes on sale Dec. 15 and brings the X-Men and Black Knight together for a battle abroad, as Doctor Strange's death causes London's magical defenses to collapse. This story builds off of Spurrier's recent work on Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade, which powered up the Black Knight ahead of his MCU debut in The Eternals. Speaking on the tie-in, the writer joked "I've always dreamed of writing Doctor Strange... Typical Spurrier Luck that some dirty rat murdered him before I got my shot."

As previously revealed exclusively to CBR, Blade will also be receiving his own one-shot tie-in for the storyline. Written by Danny Lore with art by Dylan Burnett, Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1 goes on sale Dec. 1 and follows the titular daywalker as Dracula's Vampire Nation celebrates the demise of one of their greatest foes. When monsters from another dimension attack the vampire nation, Blade finds himself caught between his responsibilities to his people and his vow to rid the world of all vampires. The issue spins out of Blade's Avengers adventures and puts Blade in the middle of what writer Danny Lore calls "possibly one of the most infuriating situations of his vampire hunting career."

Doctor Strange's death is set to have huge ramifications across the Marvel Universe. Without the master of the mystical arts acting as the last line of defense against magical threats, various heroes will have to leave their comfort zone and step up to save the day. Death of Doctor Strange: Spider-Man #1 will see Ben Reilly thrust into the heart of the conflict as he adjusts to his role as Spider-Man. Elsewhere, Death of Doctor Strange: White Fox #1 frames the Agents of Atlas member for murder.

Written by Jed MacKay and illustrated by Lee Garbett, Death of Doctor Strange #4 goes on sale Dec. 22 from Marvel Comics.