Customer Reviews

New Avengers Vol. 11: Search for the Sorcerer Supreme

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Excepting NEW AVENGERS Vol. 2: THE SENTRY (which showcased that immense bore, the Sentry), this may be the least interesting trade collecting the NEW AVENGERS run. Brian Michael Bendis continues his uncool shoving of Parker Robbins a.k.a. the Hood down the readers' throats. Bendis, it seems, regards the Hood as the next relevant ubervillain, except, sorry, I'm not sipping the Kool-Aid, and I kind of resent Bendis's persistently plonking the guy into these pages.

In the "Ain't Much To Recommend In This TPB" department, NEW AVENGERS Vol. 11: SEARCH FOR THE SORCERER SUPREME collects issues #51-54, and that's it. Four measly issues. It also features plenty of the New Avengers standing around and twiddling their thumbs, reduced to being onlookers in their very own book while several magic users fight the good fight and save the day.

To backtrack a bit, not too long ago Dr. Stephen Strange helped out the New Avengers in a big way. But, in doing so, Strange corrupted his sorcerous powers and threw the universe's mystical balance all kinds of out of whack, and this cost the good doctor the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme. I've previously thought "Sorcerer Supreme" to be this fancy add-on nickname, sort of like the "Invincible" in the Invincible Iron Man, but apparently this title carries serious weight and is in fact a legitimate mystical office. Anyway, the demoted Dr. Strange had been gallivanting cross country seeking his successor (and hoping like heck that it's not Dr. Doom) so that he could mentor him and to also hand over the magical artifacts which went with the "Sorcerer Supreme" gig. However, one of these artifacts, the Eye of Agamotto, vanishes magically, which just adds to Strange's consternation. Also ruining Strange's day is the Hood deciding to show up, with Dormammu's influence on Parker Robbins really starting to tell.

The New Avengers get involved when Dr. Strange suddenly pops up in their hideout, desperately asking for help. The Hood had just doled out a hoary host of a magical beating on Dr.Strange, and Captain America's townhouse is the only place he could think of for refuge. Since friends don't let friends take on incredibly frightening demons by themselves, the Avengers decide to lend a hand. Plus, there's that issue of our heroes raring to get back at Norman Osborn, and there's that connection between Osborn and the Hood.

We eventually learn the identity of the new Sorcerer Supreme, and let's try hard not to yawn when that big reveal happens. But, before that, there's a slew of mystical guest stars (and by "slew," I mean three), not counting Strange and Dormammu. There's also a demonstration of Bendis's sheer inability to come up with credible-sounding incantations for Dr. Strange. I mean, "Flasta Ruyamama!" Really?

But, like always, Bendis shines when he's writing dialogue and snappy banter for our resident rebels. I'm actually perfectly down with Bendis having these New Avengers do nothing but jive and talk all issue long. We do get some nice moments, starting off with a brief heart to heart of sorts between Clint and Carol Danvers over Clint's televised condemnation of Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers. Later on, an official New Avengers meeting convenes, of which first order of business is establishing a team leader (Luke Cage's bossy stint being more or less an unofficial one). And then, to prove once again that the ONE MORE DAY debacle had wiped out certain key events in Spidey's life, the second order of business is a request for Spidey to unmask. This then leads to an awesome and hilarious moment with Jessica Jones.

So, by the end of this arc, we get a new Sorcerer Supreme and what I thought was the Hood finally, finally getting his (until Bendis's man crush resurfaces). But the closing beat which really turned my head is Norman Osborn's response to Ronin's allegations. Osborn may be one demented puppy but his televised rebuttal manages to effectively counter Clint's media blitzes.

Oh, and I also dig Ms. Marvel stealing a Quinjet from the "official" Avengers. Take that, sanctimonious establishment!

Things in the Marvel Universe are changing in the wake of Secret Invasion as Dark Reign begins to fully take shape. Search for the Sorcerer Supreme, the eleventh collected volume in Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers, finds former New Avenger Doctor Strange stripped of his title as being Sorcerer Supreme, as a search begins for the one who will now be the holder of that title. Naturally, things don't tend to go too well as this storyarc unfolds. In between all that though, there really isn't all that much here to hold your interest. Compared to a majority of the previous arcs of New Avengers, what comes up here is just kind of boring to be honest. Maybe this is just a reprieve as Bendis' Dark Reign saga comes to fruition, but in the end, Search for the Sorcerer Supreme just winds up not amounting to a whole lot. Billy Tan provides some great artwork though, and even Chris Bachalo, who I've never been a fan of in the least, manages to provide some decent work as well. All in all, Search for the Sorcerer Supreme isn't bad, but considering what Bendis has done in the past with New Avengers, there isn't really anything too enticing here either.

In the wake of the Dark Reign and Dark Avengers, the "New" Avengers have truly become a ragtag team with no identity - a loose assortment of heroes who do not do a lot together. Volume 11: Search for the Sorcerer Supreme plunges the group into Dr Strange land. In fact, this run of issues could be mistaken for Dr Strange's own title since the Avengers do very little "avenging."

Lacking in interesting characterisation, the book needs a stronger direction and fast...the lustre of Bendis has plummetted on this particular title. Clint Barton, Bucky as Captain America, Wolverine, Spider Man, etc - have become reduced to flat, side characters. None of them feel like they have a reason to be in the storyline which meanders around Dr Strange's search for the Eye of Agamotto.

Everyone - I mean EVERYONE is playing tag-along. Bad news.

I'm guessing that Bendis misses the Defenders and maybe even the Champions - both "non-teams" of heroes from the past. Why else resurrect the Son of Satan?? Bendis also feels like he's writing the Dr Strange stories he never got a chance to write. With Luke Cage in the mix and mystical concerns, the Avengers' survival takes a back seat to everything else. There is no real resonance with the Norman Osborn saga.

As a book, Vol. 11 is readable. As an Avengers book, it feels murky. When you see Brother Voodoo at the end of this, you'll go "huh?" and wonder where the Avengers are going to next. Right now, they don't feel justified having their own book. Someone put them out of their misery.

Everyone knows that in the Marvel Comics universe Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, right? Well, evidently that's changing. There have been a lot of changes in the Marvel Universe, and some of them I haven't been too keen on. I have to admit, it took a writer as good as Ed Brubaker to convince me that maybe I needed a new Captain America. So maybe some changes will be all right.

But Doctor Strange? Come on. The guy has been an icon since practically forever. Every time I think of him, I think about the old Stan Lee stories and the Steve Ditko art.

However, Brian Michael Bendis has been known to shake things up. His take on Daredevil won me over, as much as Frank Miller's run back when I was much younger. And the idea of the responsibility of Sorcerer Supreme dropping to...uh-uh. You'll have to read the book to find out, but I was thoroughly taken with the idea and want to see where it goes.

In the meantime, though, The New Avengers Vol. 11 Search for the Sorcerer Supreme is a great graphic novel. There's lots of action, lots of jokes and humor, a meal at Luke Cage and Jessica Jones's house, and a tour of some of the supernatural heroes in the Marvel Universe that haven't been seen in a while.

I don't know that I was particularly taken with the portrayal of the Son of Satan, but it was a fun romp watching him explode with power while fighting demons. And Bendis's introduction of the whole plot, the gentle scenes with Doctor Strange seeking out Wiccan of Young Avengers and trying to find out if he's supposed to be the next Sorcerer Supreme was well done. I really enjoyed the characters and the dialogue.

When the possessed villain showed up on the scene, though, Billy Tan and Chris Bachalo's art really seized the stage. The look, the menace, was terrifically creepy and totally blew me away. Right then and there, I wanted to see a new Doctor Strange series showing him fighting demons like that - in the urban streets as well as other dimensions. Maybe we'll get it soon.

In the meantime, Bendis delivers a great story chockfull of characterization and a blitzkrieg of supernatural action. The one-liners and the unmasking of Spider-Man (again, since the reset button got pushed on his life, which is not something I agree with) were awesome. This is a fun book that will make you think about the possibilities, especially since the Sorcerer Supreme in the Marvel Universe is -

I understand that the new avengers took a new turn when some of them (old avengers) got killed off by Bendis. I loved his work on Daredevil, his stuff on other titles are rather trashy. Like this comic.

Dr Strange inherited his mantle of Sorcerer Supreme (I meant title - just punning here) from the Ancient One.
[...]

Obviously this title was created by Stan Lee/Steve Ditko and there was no further rethink on the idea. But since Bendis is always reinventing the Marvel Universe and has obviously written this into a Dr Strange episode, what is the Sorcerer Supreme (SS)? Is it a role? Is there a hierarchy of would-be SS in the wings? Is there an anointed one? How come Strange doesn't himself know who his successor is? What kind of a SS would that make him?

Bendis version of the SS is whoever possesses the Eye of Agamotto, Cloak of Levitation is the SS. Big deal. He doesn't advance the idea one bit. Dr Strange is larking about with a kid from the Young Avengers (Ugh), Son of Satan, Brother Voodoo. C'mon, their puny powers are nothing compared to the dreaded Dormammu, Baron Mordo, Mephisto, Nightmare etc.

The rest of this sorry episode is some bantering in Luke Cage's kitchen, Spiderman unmasking, some chick then declares her one-time crush on Parker, Luke Cage gets jealous. Then Dr Strange has this SS-ego problem and the Avengers all rush out to help him. Don't they have other things to do, like save the world?

The manga-ish artwork doesn't help. Really, this is dumbing down comics and I see us approaching another stagnation in the comics industry.

I am posting this review to combat the one star rating it received (in my opinion) undeservedly. Typically I don't enjoy magic related comics but this one was fun. I found the story interesting, there's lots of action and the dialogue was great. If you are confused about how some of the characters could be in the New Avengers I recommend checking out the previous volumes which are also worth reading.
My only criticisms would be that it's a bit on the short side, only four issues inside which is kinda light. Also, the back cover lists it as rated A, which I believe is the equivalent of a G rated movie? If so that must be a misprint because there is a good amount of cursing and all the violence is scary and demon related. So I would give this a T or whatever is PG13 at a minimum.

I won't lie. I didn't really care about the new Sorcerer Supreme going into this story, and I didn't care too much afterward. Here's the rundown: After abusing his power in order to stop Dormammu's influence over the Hood, Doctor Strange was stripped of his title as lord of sorcery. As penance, he was forced to appoint a new heir to the throne, but it's not that easy. See, the eye of Agamotto does the choosing, Strange just has to wander around until it chooses and hope that a worthy successor is chosen! Further complicating matters, the Hood returns for revenge, having been re-powered by the mystical Norn stones. Can the Avengers thwart this madman? Who will the eye of Agamotto choose? Really, does anyone care?

Bendis continues to write up a storm and is well backed up with the artwork - primo story telling. I'm a long time Avengers fan and this is a different kind of Avengers writing but it's incredibly compelling. it's fresh mainly through the dialogue -but also daring in themes and edgy because the characters seem to have more degrees of freedom in the things they say and do. Importantly, none of it is "disrespectful" to the Avengers stories of old - it's just a whole lot more visceral. This collection is no different - a bit thin but then the Premiere HCs tend to be on the slim side. There are the seeds of important character development with Luke Cage's family and Spiderman and just about all the characters get some attention. The Hood storyline is coming to a head and Clint Barton takes centre stage.

Book was just ok...Didnt advance the story that much and I just wasnt a big fan of how the book was drawn. Definilty pick it up though if you are a fan of the series and are collecting them all.

I don't know how much worse it can get for marvel,this is the stuff on the bottom of the barrel that you just can't scrape off. Its just beyond terrible,theres no need to review it. Hawkeye isn't even Hawkeye anymore.And how are Wolverine and Spiderman Avengers? The story of Dr. Strange looking for the next sorcerer supreme is just an ill chosen storyline for the Avengers. Luke Cage so jealous because Jessica reveals she was in love with Peter Parker in High School, whats the point of all of that insecurity,and then Cage not wanting to be leader of the Avengers- weak.Who is ever gonna care about Brother Voodoo, what kind of a character is that anyway? I don't know what Disneys gonna do about Marvel, but they better do it quick, this crap is getting OLD.