Warning: SPOILERS for Savage Avengers #9
Doctor Strange, Marvel’s new Surgeon Supreme may have gotten the use of his hands back – but he can’t battle the effects of a magical snake all by himself. Succumbing to the poisonous bite, Stephen is on death’s door until he gets a life line in the form of his very own suit or armor… turning him into The Iron Mage.
In the pages of the Savage Avengers #9, Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom and Conan the Barbarian find themselves on the losing side of a battle with the sorcerer Kulan Gath, who is after the dangerous power of the Third Eye of Agamotto. An enemy worthy of the armored advantage if there ever was one. But it doesn’t come from Tony Stark, like the newest Iron Widow armor. The Iron Mage has gotten his armor from Doctor Doom!
After Conan cuts off the hand of Kulan Gath (then fights the same possessed hand, Doctor Doom fights off an army of the undead, as Doctor Strange goes toe to toe with a one handed Kulan Gath himself. Getting up close and personal with Stephen, Kulan finds a way around his own mysticism and sorcery, conjuring a magical snake and launching it at Strange. Bitten by the snake, Stephen is poisoned – a mortal blow, as Conan describes it. At this point Doctor Doom realizes that reinforcements are needed if they are to get out of the situation alive.
Responding to his request, a satellite orbiting the planet (part of the Latverian Defense System) launches a missile towards Earth. With Strange’s dying breath he casts the Flames of the Faltine, igniting Kulan Gath. It does not kill the sorcerer, but it does give the trio a brief breather… and enough time for the missile to strike Kulan Gath directly. Not to explode, but to deploy its armored payload. Revealing the suit of armor that Victor Von Doom once wore not long ago as the Infamous Iron Man – taking up the mantle after Tony Stark was killed (until he was resurrected).
As the armor pulls itself out of the missile, it sheds the cloak once worn by Doctor Doom and wraps itself around the good doctor who is keeled over, dying. The suit stabilizes Stephen and prepares him for the final battle with Kalun Gath, as his Cloak of Levitation cape wraps itself around his new armored form – creating Stephen Strange, the Iron Mage.
Kulan Gath, wounded, must now face a more powerful version of Doctor Strange, Conan and Doctor Doom. Will it be enough? The plot synopses for “The Quest to Kill Kulan Gath” promises a massive conclusion… but guarantees no survivors.
Savage Avengers #9 is available at your local comic shop, or from Marvel Comics.
The Quest to Kill Kulan Gath Part 1 Folks, we won’t mince words. Kulan Gath has got to go. If Conan The Barbarian, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom can’t do it, then it can’t be done. Plus, what is the fate of Kulan Gath’s guest, Doctor Voodoo?
Dr. Strange, Dr. Doom and Conan the Barbarian set out to kill Kulan Gath before he grows stronger! The team-up you never knew you couldn’t live without concludes. We hope you’ll be okay.
Next: When Doctor Strange’s Magic Fails… His Story Will END
