WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Savage Avengers #0 by Gerry Duggan, Greg Smallwood, Travis Lanham, Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr. and Dan Green, on sale now.
In the pages of Savage Avengers, Doctor Strange's battle against Kulan Gath has become increasingly difficult. Not even the likes of Conan the Barbarian and Doctor Doom are proving to be strong allies against the villain, as the vile sorcerer continues to show he's more powerful than Strange.
Even after the Savage Avengers -- Conan, Wolverine, Punisher, Elektra, Brother Voodoo and a Venom symbiote -- came together to battle the mage, Kulan's always been one step ahead. Now, in Issue #0, we discover the mission he's been keeping from the Marvel Universe, and as Kulan eyes one particular target, the Avengers' secret weapon, he's inching closer to becoming the most evil and powerful Sorcerer Supreme ever.
In this issue, Strange trespasses on the mutant territory of Krakoa to find Illyana Rasputina aka Magik, after discovering Kulan's mission to devour magic users so he can grow in power. As we recap Uncanny X-Men #190 and #191, we see just why Magik is important to Kulan and the reason he wants to consume her, as he has others over the centuries. In those books, Magik teamed up with Strange to dispel the villain after he attacked New York and took control of key Avengers and X-Men. Kulan did a lot of damage and heroes like Spider-Man died. However, Magik and Strange tinkered with time, creating an alternate dimension so Kulan could be defeated.
Now, he's coming for revenge, especially as his ego can't handle that he lost to a "little girl." Illyana admits she's more experienced and Kulan can come at his own peril. This is true as we've seen her fighting X-Men, Avengers and several cosmic heroes in the past, not to mention she had the power of the Phoenix at one point. And Magik can tussle with the likes of Strange and Doom. But as much as this seems like a good thing, it can still work against everyone.
Kulan has leveled up big time by consuming the powers of sorcerers across history, and with the Third Eye of Agamotto, should he absorb Magik's skills, he will become the ultimate Sorcerer Supreme. Strange and Doom already can't stop him, so this upgrade would make Kulan near unbeatable. Strange is worried by Illyana's arrogance and doesn't think she should invite Kulan in. She tells him to relax, she'll tell Professor Xavier about the situation on her own time, suggesting she wants to fight Kulan to test her true mettle.
Yet, a potential attack by Kulan is not something she should dismiss, and as she overconfidently shoos Strange away, one has to wonder why she's taking the chance. Illyana is playing right into Kulan's hands, but he's the last person she should underestimate. Strange thought recruiting her might help in the fight against the villain, but now he's not so sure. By threatening to fight Kulan, she may have doomed them all, because if she loses, Kulan will become the near-omnipotent god of darkness he's always wanted to be.