Marvel has released the newest What If...? poster ahead of this week's episode, teasing Doctor Strange Supreme.Posted to Twitter, the caption promises, "Doctor Strange Supreme arrives in the fourth episode of Marvel Studios' What If...?, streaming Wednesday on Disney+." The poster features a rather gaunt-looking Stephen Strange wearing a darker costume with a hefty amount of purple in place of his usual red. The collar of his cloak is also quite a bit pointer, overall giving the good doctor a sinister air. Behind him, scenes of destruction can be glimpsed, though it's not clear if these are teases of the larger universe of the series or images pulled directly from episode 4.
The promo for episode 4 provides even more looks at this darker take on Strange, who at one point even fights a version of the sorcerer closer to the live-action depiction of the character. While the teaser doesn't offer much in terms of plot details, it does hint at the heavier themes that many involved with the show have alluded to when describing the upcoming episode.
In speaking about her favorite episodes of What If...?, series head writer A.C. Bradley called out this week's Doctor Strange episode as one she was particularly excited -- and nervous -- to write. "The Doctor Strange episode was a very special one to me for writing and going into it, I was quite scared because it features some very heavy themes," Bradley said. "I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that it deals with flaws and tragedy... This is the most human episode of the lot but it also has some beautiful imagery, some amazing action, and hopefully, a few good twists."
Reports indicate that the titular question will involve Strange losing the love of his life, thus driving him to seek out magic at an even lower point in his life. This will result in a darker and more powerful sorcerer less tethered to the morality we associate with the onscreen hero. As always with this series, expect plenty of other curveballs, but a villainous Doctor Strange is certainly an intriguing hook for an episode of the speculative show.
Episode 4 of Marvel's What If...? debuts this Wednesday on Disney+.