Doctor Strange's Dark Evolution Turns Him into the Ultimate Anti-Avengers Weapon

Summary Doctor Strange becomes a vampire, posing a serious threat to the Avengers and the entire Marvel Universe.

Blade turns Doctor Strange into a vampire, gaining access to his magic and knowledge to defeat the Avengers.

Doctor Strange's long history with vampires comes full circle as a key player in the Blood Hunt crossover event.

Warning: contains potential spoilers for Doctor Strange #15!

Doctor Strange has been an ally to the Avengers, but now his dark evolution makes him the perfect weapon to destroy the team. After centuries in the shadows, Earth’s vampires are making their move, blocking out the sun and claiming the planet as their own in the Blood Hunt crossover event. In a preview for Doctor Strange #15, Blood Hunt comes to Bleeker Street, changing the Sorcerer Supreme forever.

Doctor Strange #15 is written by Jed MacKay and drawn by Pasqual Ferry. Blade is paying a call on Doctor Strange and Clea at their residence. Unbeknownst to Strange and Clea, Blade is leading the vampires. Blade alludes to knowing who blocked out the sun and marshaled the vampires into an army. Blade then drives a massive stake through Doctor Strange’s heart, much to Clea’s shock and horror. Blade gloats over Strange’s body, but says he will not let him die.

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Blade then begins drinking Doctor Strange’s blood, with the implication that he will become a vampire.

Doctor Strange Was The First Marvel Hero to Fight Vampires

Doctor Strange Has A Personal History With Vampires

Doctor Strange has a long history with vampires. When the undead joined the Marvel Universe in the early 1970s, the Sorcerer Supreme was one of the first heroes to fight them. Dracula tangled with Doctor Strange early in Tomb of Dracula, and the Lord of Vampires nearly claimed him. Years later, Doctor Strange uses the Montesi Formula to rid Earth of all vampires. The spell worked, but only for a while, and vampires soon returned to the Marvel Universe. Now more powerful than ever, Earth’s vampires, led by Blade, are preparing their endgame.

Doctor Strange First Encountered Dracula in Tomb of Dracula #44

Doctor Strange’s relationship with vampires goes even deeper than his many battles with them. Vincent Strange, Stephen’s brother, fell into a coma shortly after the Sorcerer Supreme used the Montesi Formula. While trying to find magical ways to revive Vincent, Doctor Strange inadvertently undoes the Montesi spell. This not only allowed vampires to return, but also turned Vincent into one as well. Taking the name Baron Blood, Vincent tried to be a hero like his brother, but it was not to be. Vincent, now a ghost/vampire hybrid, will soon return to menace Doctor Strange.

A Vampire Doctor Strange Is A Huge Threat to the Avengers--and the Entire Marvel Universe

Blade Knew What He Was Doing Turning Doctor Strange

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Yet now, Doctor Strange himself is a vampire–and this could spell bad news for the Avengers. Blade and the vampires now have access to Doctor Strange’s magic, and the vast knowledge he has acquired as the Sorcerer Supreme, including how to defeat members of the Avengers. The team stands between the vampires and their agenda of conquest, and they must be taken off the table. As a former Avenger, Blade knows this, and has created the perfect weapon to destroy them: a vampiric Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange #15 is on sale May 8 from Marvel Comics!