The Death of Doctor Strange Brings Back a Villain Who Nearly Killed Him

Marvel Comics has given CBR an exclusive preview of The Death of Doctor Strange #1, by Jed MacKay, Lee Garbett, Antonio Fabela and VC's Cory Petit. As revealed by the preview, Death of Doctor Strange will see the return of a villain who nearly killed the Sorcerer Supreme in his debut issue. This time, though, he may just have a key connection to the superhero's death.

At the start of the preview, Doctor Strange finds Pavel Plotnick/Mister Rasputin, who is breaking down in a very public place as a result of his connection to the Plane of Cinnibus. The Sorcerer Supreme severs that connection, freeing Plotnick from his suffering in the process. Afterwards, Doctor Strange tells the two cops who nearly shot Plotnick to instead make sure he gets hospitalized.

Created by Dennis O'Neil and Steve Ditko, Plotnick debuted in 1966's Strange Tales #145. A descendant of Russian mystic Grigory Rasputin, Plotnick shot Doctor Strange, sending the Sorcerer Supreme to the hospital. Eventually, Doctor Strange triumphed over Plotnick by sending an astral projection of himself against the villain. Since then, Plotnick has made sporadic appearances in the Marvel Universe.

You can see CBR's exclusive preview of Death of Doctor Strange #1 below alongside the solicitation information for the issue. Releasing Sept. 22, Death of Doctor Strange features covers from Kaare Andrews; Natacha Bustos; Gene Colan, Tom Palmer and Rachelle Rosenberg; Mike Del Mundo; Stephanie Hans; Peach Momoko; and Skottie Young.

JED MACKAY (W) • LEE GARBETT (A)
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Variant Cover by PEACH MOMOKO
Variant Cover by STEPHANIE HANS
Miles Morales: Spider-Man 10th ANNIVERSARY Variant Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
Hidden Gem Variant cover by Gene Colan
VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
STORMBREAKERS VARIANT COVER BY NATACHA BUSTOS
DEATH COMES FOR THE SORCERER SUPREME!
Doctor Stephen Strange is the world’s greatest neurosurgeon and Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. He defends our planet from the supernatural and interdimensional threats no other hero is equipped to handle. But what would happen if he unexpectedly died? Who would protect Earth and keep the mystical evils at bay? And most importantly…who killed Stephen Strange?! The final chapter in the life of Doctor Strange starts here by Jed MacKay (Moon Knight, Black Cat) and Lee Garbett (Captain Marvel)!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99