Dr. Strange was yet another of the iconic comic characters to be created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In 1963 the counter-culture was well in swing. The culture leaned towards mystical and metaphysical elements unlike any of the eras before. Lee created a character with psychedelic locations, magic, and wonder that connected with the times, and led to an iconic hero in the Marvel Universe. I’ve created this list of the Top 10 Dr. Strange superpowers. Strange draws his power from the six entities called, Agamotto, Cyttorak, Ikonn, Oshtur, Raggadorr, and Watoomb.
10. Martial Arts
Not only does Stephen Strange have the ability to create each of the four elements, but he’s also not a bad hand to hand fighter as well. With his faithful servant Wong, Strange practices the martial arts as a means to protect himself when magic is unavailable. I’m not name dropping, but he took out Dormammu, Wolverine, and has fought the Hand to a standstill. That’s impressive. He’s also one of the only people to dodge an attack from Mantis; she’s wicked fast, you guys! Strange has practiced martial arts since before his teaching by the Ancient One.
9. Astral Projection
By placing himself in a deep meditation, leaving him defenseless to attack, Strange can set his soul free from his body, and move about as if a ghost. Strange uses astral projection to visit various times and places that are of particular interest. Like crime scenes, etc. Astral projection helps Strange to investigate perilous locales and with no sign of his presence. In his astral form, he can still cast magic but cannot physically affect a situation.
8. Intangibility
Intangibility is akin to astral projection, in that Dr. Strange cannot be affected by anything. By casting a spell, he can reduce the density in his body, giving him the ability to phase through attacks and walls. While there is no incantation for the spell, it has been in Dr. Strange’s arsenal since his inception in the 1960’s.
7. Banishment
As a master of mystic arts, Dr. Strange can banish spirits, demons, and evil forces. As long as his magic is stronger than yours, he can utter a few incantations and send you to an entirely different time, place, or even reality. This is another set of spells he learned from the Book of the Vishanti. The literal tome of magic created by Oshturr, Agamotto, and Hoggath.
6. Flight
With the Cloak of Levitation, Dr. Strange can levitate and fly. The cloak is a relic that appeared blue in the first appearance, and then eventually the trademark red a few years later. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and most recently in the Jason Aaron run, the cloak has its personality. Meaning that it plays a role, usually comical, in the life of Strange. While paired with the wealth of other spells and relics at his disposal, the flight might not seem like a big deal. However, his levitation and flight are essential to some of the spells that he must perform.
5. Time Manipulation
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Dr. Strange movie centered around the Time Gem. Before that, Dr. Strange Sorcerer Supreme 17 to be exact, Strange altered time to help out his girlfriend. His use of time manipulation in the astral plane gives him the ability to spend years in his astral form, while only hours pass here on Earth. Giving him an enormous amount of time to prepare for whatever or whoever he needs. It also provides him the ability to travel faster than the speed of thought.
4. Crimson Bands of Cyttorak
The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak are a spell that Dr. Strange uses to bind an enemy. The magic encases its enemy in a broad set of crimson belts that can constrict to the point of death. Cyttorak also produced a gym that gives the mighty Juggernaut his unstoppable power. In the panel above, Strange squares off against Dr. Doom and holds the powerful magic user at bay with the bands.
3. Protective Shield – Shield of Seraphim
Many of the magics used by Dr. Strange are of a defensive nature. The Crimson Bands control an enemy to subdue them. Intangibility makes him impossible to hit, and the Cloak of Levitation means he can evade and escape. With the Shield of Seraphim, a Jack Kirby creation, Strange can absorb the effects of deep space as well as a blast of Dormammu’s magic.
2. Omniscient Vision
The Eye of Agamotto is the clasp Dr. Strange uses on the Cloak of Levitation. Not only that, it gives him the ability to see anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Strange claims that the Eye is the most magical artifact in existence. The Eye made its first appearance in the Dr. Strange origin story in Dr. Strange #112.
1. Magical blasts of energy
Like a carpenter, a good sorcerer knows what tool to use for what project. Dr. Strange uses several different types of magic energy to attack his opponents. The Bolts of Balthakk are the most used by Strange, who used them in the initial runs of his series. The Seven Suns of Cinnibus is a blast of energy that is hotter than the sun. He creates this by using a chant that he found in the Book of Vishanti.
The number of spells, hexes, and charms that Stephen Strange brings to bear are formidable. Informed by celestial beings that he has more magical ability than any man on Earth, he doesn’t take his powers lightly. He uses his magic to create weapons, escapes danger, and protect his friends and acquaintances. His ability to use magic grants him several skills that some would consider superpowers. Flight, hypnotism, teleportation, and mind control are all within his grasp.
