Why Mightygodking should write Doctor Strange

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/01/supplies/

[The Ray]

Good pitch. Now let's see some execution.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

It's also a pretty good reason why Grant Morrison should have wrote Doctor Strange.


Marvel writers who use any Sorcerer Supreme should see this, IMO. A Sorcerer Supreme's job is to protect reality from problems that are beyond the scope and understanding of pretty much the majority of the Marvel Universe, even the scientists (just not Doom).


They aren't supposed to be Zatanna powerful, but Lords of Order and Chaos powerful, if not more.

[gryhpon]

now that i think about it, this might be better in the marvel comics forums section.
is it ok if i post it again there , or can someone move it there?

[gryhpon]

double post

[gryhpon]

triple post

[Eliseu Gouveia]

I´d buy this comic. :)

[Arrogantcur]

I saw the post but I haven't read it yet.

I absolutely think he has the talent to write a monthly series and it would be great if one of the big two gave him a chance to do it, but with him concentrating on law school now I don't see how it could happen. Bill Mantlo had to stop writing comics in order to be a public defender full time, so I don't think Bird would be able to juggle the two either.

I think what might've happened was that he was encouraged by the amount of attention the photoshopped remix of Civil War got, decided to make posts about what he'd do with the Legion of Super-Heroes (http://mightygodking.com/index.php/i-should-write-the-legion/) and why DC should hire him to do it--mostly just for fun but also thinking that there was a small chance it would actually happen as a result.

When nothing came of it, I remember a short post on his old LiveJournal quoting Stephen King:

All I know is that talent is a lightning rod and America is a thunderstorm. You go running around like crazy, you get soaked, your arm gets tired holding that damn thing up...and still, lightning, all too often, strikes half a block over, electrifying someone else.

-Stephen King

I think he actually was king of getting his hopes up.

Here's more pure speculation that isn't worth squat: I think that after that, he thought to himself "Okay, you know that lots of people try to get published their whole lives and don't. You've tried to get published before this and haven't. You're in your thirties now, so you should set your sights on a normal career."

EDIT TO ADD: Incidentally, this isn't the first time he's written about Dr. Strange: http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2008/03/24/insert-pun-or-riff-using-word-strange-here/

[mightygodking]

I think what might've happened was that he was encouraged by the amount of attention the photoshopped remix of Civil War got, decided to make posts about what he'd do with the Legion of Super-Heroes (http://mightygodking.com/index.php/i-should-write-the-legion/) and why DC should hire him to do it--mostly just for fun but also thinking that there was a small chance it would actually happen as a result.

To be clear: I wanted people at the time to understand that I was doing it

A) for fun
B) to test-drive story concepts on an audience willing to audit me for free.

Believe me, nobody did more shooting down of "maybe he'll get to write the book!" rumours than I did. I had to email Rich Johnston when people sent him "hot tips" that I'd been contacted by DC re: the book when in fact no such thing had happened.

(Also, I am realistic and don't think someone whose most high-profile participation in the comics community involves putting bad swears in place of original dialogue is going to get snapped up, call me crazy.)

Here's more pure speculation that isn't worth squat: I think that after that, he thought to himself "Okay, you know that lots of people try to get published their whole lives and don't. You've tried to get published before this and haven't. You're in your thirties now, so you should set your sights on a normal career."

Not entirely inaccurate but off on the timing. I was accepted at law school the same month I did the original "I Should Write The Legion" series and had in fact applied about six months previous (and written the LSAT a year prior to that). In fairness, the motivation is pretty close, because I applied to law school when my film production career - while certainly keeping me paid well enough - wasn't going where I wanted it to go.

But I've always kept writing on the side, because, well, I'm good at it and I'm fast. (Not just comics, either. Comics are actually kind of a sideline interest when it comes to what I like to write, with the exception of the Legion and Dr. Strange, both of which I would give my eyeteeth to write. Assuming an eyetooth is not something desperately necessary to live.)

And rest assured, the sort of law I'm interested in tends to be on the fringes anyway (in particular, criminal law tends to be the area of choice for renegades, outlaws and crazies of the legal world, and guess what I happen to be good at), so it's not really that normal. :)

[Arrogantcur]

To be clear: I wanted people at the time to understand that I was doing it

A) for fun
B) to test-drive story concepts on an audience willing to audit me for free.

Believe me, nobody did more shooting down of "maybe he'll get to write the book!" rumours than I did. I had to email Rich Johnston when people sent him "hot tips" that I'd been contacted by DC re: the book when in fact no such thing had happened.

(Also, I am realistic and don't think someone whose most high-profile participation in the comics community involves putting bad swears in place of original dialogue is going to get snapped up, call me crazy.)



Not entirely inaccurate but off on the timing. I was accepted at law school the same month I did the original "I Should Write The Legion" series and had in fact applied about six months previous (and written the LSAT a year prior to that). In fairness, the motivation is pretty close, because I applied to law school when my film production career - while certainly keeping me paid well enough - wasn't going where I wanted it to go.

But I've always kept writing on the side, because, well, I'm good at it and I'm fast. (Not just comics, either. Comics are actually kind of a sideline interest when it comes to what I like to write, with the exception of the Legion and Dr. Strange, both of which I would give my eyeteeth to write. Assuming an eyetooth is not something desperately necessary to live.)

Ah, okay, thanks for clearing that up.

(So this is what it feels like to be right some of the time!)

And yeah, I remember that Rich Johnston wrote you got the gig when that wasn't quite exactly what happened. :redface:

And rest assured, the sort of law I'm interested in tends to be on the fringes anyway (in particular, criminal law tends to be the area of choice for renegades, outlaws and crazies of the legal world, and guess what I happen to be good at), so it's not really that normal. :)

So does this mean that there aren't enough good defence lawyers, or that the legal profession is full of renegades, outlaws and crazies?

[mightygodking]

So does this mean that there aren't enough good defence lawyers, or that the legal profession is full of renegades, outlaws and crazies?

It means that to work criminal law - and most people don't realize that probably less than five percent of all lawyers work in the criminal bar - you have to really love it - the money is lower than average for a lawyer (except for the best criminal defense lawyers), the hours (especially on the defense side) are as long or longer than if you're working for a megafirm, and although it's important that right to counsel be protected and that everyone get their fair day in court, it's worth remembering that the majority of a defense lawyer's clients are in fact guilty and frequently shitheads.

But it IS important, and criminal law is the last area where constitutional rights are argued on a daily basis. And unlike every other area of law, in criminal law you're in court on a daily basis; the vast majority of lawyers never even go to court, but criminal lawyers are there all the time and they're there because they love talking and arguing face-to-face. "Two minds enter, one mind wins." It's the practice of law as Wild West showdown and some folks just love that shit.

[Arrogantcur]

It means that to work criminal law - and most people don't realize that probably less than five percent of all lawyers work in the criminal bar - you have to really love it - the money is lower than average for a lawyer (except for the best criminal defense lawyers), the hours (especially on the defense side) are as long or longer than if you're working for a megafirm, and although it's important that right to counsel be protected and that everyone get their fair day in court, it's worth remembering that the majority of a defense lawyer's clients are in fact guilty and frequently shitheads.

The last sentence made me laugh, but of course there are different degrees of shitheaddery. Somebody who steals one car stereo is not going to be as much of a shithead as as a serial rapist, for instance. Anybody who's on trial for possession of weed or possession with intent to sell it is not necessarily a shithead (for the same reasons people who come to rolling stops at stop signs aren't necessarily shitheads). If somebody's brought to trial for assault then it sort of depends on the circumstances (who they beat up, whether that person physically provoked them, etc.), and if somebody is in court because they were pulled over and failed a sobriety test then they're obviously dangerous if they drive drunk on a regular basis but they're not necessarily bad people. (Sometimes I've had one too many at a pub and driven home when I really shouldn't have. It was stupid, it was wrong, and it's a good thing I didn't crash as a result, but I don't think I'm such a bad guy.)

Then again, I haven't met a whole lot of criminals (more than zero and less than five, not counting people who smoke or sell weed), so you probably have a better idea of percentages than I do. And I've gone on long enough about this. Your point seems to be that it's not always fun, that in addition to not being paid a lot and having to work a lot you have to sometimes deal with and help people whom you don't want to. So I get why the majority of people might look at criminal law and say "Screw that."

But it IS important, and criminal law is the last area where constitutional rights are argued on a daily basis. And unlike every other area of law, in criminal law you're in court on a daily basis; the vast majority of lawyers never even go to court, but criminal lawyers are there all the time and they're there because they love talking and arguing face-to-face. "Two minds enter, one mind wins." It's the practice of law as Wild West showdown and some folks just love that shit.

It's been glamorized on TV too, and I can definitely see the appeal of going into a courtroom and arguing a case to a jury. If you manage to win a case that could've gone either way or one that didn't look good for your side and you do it without compromising your ethics, I imagine that it's an accomplishment you can be really proud of.

Back to the main topic: if you are not the person who posted this, then you should know that this has been posted. (http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/02/like-house-but-with-wizards/) Reason #2!

[chastmastr]

Assuming an eyetooth is not something desperately necessary to live.
What is an eyetooth, anyway? It sounds like something the Corinthian would have to get extracted...

[Grazzt]

What is an eyetooth, anyway? It sounds like something the Corinthian would have to get extracted...

Here you go. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_tooth)

Also, part three is up. (http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/03/you-dang-kids-get-off-my-lawn-andor-desert/)

This one in particular sounds awesome. We need to see more of the Egyptian pantheon in the Marvel Universe.

[lonewolf23k]

I love mgk's ideas, and I agree that Dr Strange should be handled less like a caped superhero and more like "House, but with Magic."

Personally, here's my list of what should be done with Dr Strange...

#1 - Get a writer who's researched actual occult theory and the supernatural. Or at least, get someone who can fake it believably. There's so much interesting stuff to be found in existing occult lore and mythology, one could write hundreds of stories without once having to make up a fake demon or mystic realm. Instead of having Stephen fight the Dark Lord Xxgerhalan in the Shadow Plane of Ghrooean, why not have him fight the demon Geryon in his Cavern in Hell?

#2 - I also like mgk's idea of introducing a non-magical character into Strange's world to serve as the Watson to Stephen's Holmes. Night Nurse would make a good exemple of this. Alternatively, having Strange team-up with non-magic heroes works too. I remember a Marvel Adventures story where Strange teams up with Spidey to hunt down a dimension-threatening monster that was very cool...

#3 - Concerning Strange being "overpowered"... The best part about Magic is that it's a plot-based power source. If the writer doesn't want Strange to just banish the newly arrived Demon back to the Abyss inside of five pages, he can just add some mystic technobabble about how he first needs to discover it's True Name, or break it's Anchor to our Reality, and it's plausible, because "Hey, it's Magic!"

#4 - Dr Strange is Earth's Sorceror Supreme. It's time he was handled as such. He's not just some guy who lives in a mansion on Manchester who can do some magic tricks. He's Earth's greatest magic-user, and it's primary defender against mystic threats. He should be involved in every big, world-affecting mystic storyline in the Marvel Universe, if only via the Bad Guy explaining how he waited for Strange to be distracted by something else so he could operate under the radar.

#5 - Related to #4: Strange works well for any story involving the supernatural, the occult, or even just the plain weird. Recently, Marvel made a Fantastic Four mini-series where the FFs created a device to explore the World of Stories to fight Lord Nightmare and stop him from conquering it. It was a good story, but looking back now, I realize it would've worked much better as a Dr Strange story.

Well, those sum up my ideas.

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/04/the-really-dark-side-of-peer-to-peer-or-maybe-ants/

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/05/like-losing-your-non-corporeal-hand/

here are parts four and five.

i feel mgk is actually looking at dr strange rather than thinking of him as a plot device. the early lee/ditko stories were awesome and no one has reached that level with him, but i think mgk could

[chastmastr]

I've now subscribed to his blog. It is very cool! :) I also like his ideas for Dr. S.

I do have to ask...

um...

... are you Mightygodking, or just a fan? :confused:

[Grazzt]

I do have to ask...

um...

... are you Mightygodking, or just a fan? :confused:

Mightygodking does post here under his own name, though. So I don't see why he'd bother with a sock puppet.

[gryhpon]

I've now subscribed to his blog. It is very cool! :) I also like his ideas for Dr. S.

I do have to ask...

um...

... are you Mightygodking, or just a fan? :confused:

im a friend of his. i know him from a place he worked at, and he mentioned his blog and i started reading it, with his parts on why he should write the legion of superheroes, a couple of years ago.

[chastmastr]

Cool! :)

David

[Calvin Government]

I really like some of those ideas. Also, hey, it sounds like he has something interesting to do with the occult characters of Marvel... unlike ABSOLUTELY ANYONE AT MARVEL.

[Tobias March]

I really like some of those ideas. Also, hey, it sounds like he has something interesting to do with the occult characters of Marvel... unlike ABSOLUTELY ANYONE AT MARVEL.

Paul. Cornell.

[Paul McEnery]

Paul. Cornell.

He'd only write a story in which Dr. Strange gives up being Sorcerer Supreme to set up house with a nice serving maid who gives him babies.

[chastmastr]

I think Cornell could do a good job but I don't know if Marvel wants to let anyone write a competent Dr. Strange right now.

Arguably that may have been to keep him off the table, since he would have been able to nip a lot of the awful crap that's happened the last few years in the bud.

I also think David Sexton, the Mystic Arcana guy, could do something really cool and interesting, but weirdly after the 4-issue M.A. mini I don't think anything followed up on that. :(

[Calvin Government]

Paul. Cornell.

Cornell seems like he should be able to, given how he is both awesome and probably the most talented writer at Marvel right now, but if he has anything, we'll never hear about it.

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/06/and-just-think-of-the-smell/
this one is really cool

[Grazzt]

The best part is that since we're dealing with a magical character, a corpse doesn't even mean he's actually dead.

[gryhpon]

im surprised no one has done that idea yet

[Stressfactor]

Jim Butcher, of Dresden Files fame had an EXCELLENT idea for Doctor Strange that I wish Marvel had thrown bags of money at Butcher to get him to write.

He bascially proposed that Strange still had his medical license. Sure, his hands weren't steady enough for surgery anymore but he could still be a GP. Then, plunk Strange down in the middle of a free clinic. Running around helping people with their illnesses by day, banishing the forces of evil darkness by night.

Heck, the idea could even have been combined with the ending to BKV's Doctor Strange: The Oath miniseries of a couple of years ago -- put Night Nurse on the staff of the clinic with him and make it kind of a triple cover -- clinic for the poor, undercover clinic for superheroes, Strange having to hare off at odd moments to put down an Elder God who chooses the wrong time to get cranky.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Jim Butcher, of Dresden Files fame had an EXCELLENT idea for Doctor Strange that I wish Marvel had thrown bags of money at Butcher to get him to write.

He bascially proposed that Strange still had his medical license. Sure, his hands weren't steady enough for surgery anymore but he could still be a GP. Then, plunk Strange down in the middle of a free clinic. Running around helping people with their illnesses by day, banishing the forces of evil darkness by night.

Heck, the idea could even have been combined with the ending to BKV's Doctor Strange: The Oath miniseries of a couple of years ago -- put Night Nurse on the staff of the clinic with him and make it kind of a triple cover -- clinic for the poor, undercover clinic for superheroes, Strange having to hare off at odd moments to put down an Elder God who chooses the wrong time to get cranky.

Actually years ago I proposed something on the Marvel board and all....back in 2003-2004....that was nearly like this. Ok a small part.


In my pitch I pretty much said that a fun idea would be for Strange to lose his mortal body. His mystic soul drifts and he needs to find a body that he can share with someone. But the body has gotta be a relative of some kind to fit his "soul".

In this Stephan Strange enters the body of a 21 yearold nephew....named Steve Strange (or Steven). His young nephew is a college student near ready to intern at a hospital. But suffers from a lack of real concentration and drive to be a doctor. And is failing.

Strange enters his soul at night to survive. And its a test on both sides. Steven feels his uncle has gave up too much to be Socerer Supreme. Strange feels his nephew has gotta get his life in order and if he wants to be a doctor he needs to dedicate himself more.

Its a fun thing to see Strange get his 2nd shot at being a doctor , even though its his nephews body. And his nephew has gotta really re-learn what it means to be Socerer Supreme and have his uncle constantly in his head tellin him how to be a hero and handle magic.

The end could see the 2 finally split apart. But it would be fun to see for awhile.

[Arrogantcur]

im surprised no one has done that idea yet

Somebody found Galactus dead (an alternate reality Galactus, but still Galactus) during Pacheco & Loeb's FF run, which is kind of the same. But I think this would be better, because rather than everybody staring dumbly at the big carcass we are talking about territorial disputes and grave-robbing and so forth going on while Strange tries to figure out just what the hell happened.

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/07/bad-things-lurk-in-your-personal-spiritual-trash-bin/#comments

it just keeps getting better and better

[scout1279]

Jim Butcher, of Dresden Files fame had an EXCELLENT idea for Doctor Strange that I wish Marvel had thrown bags of money at Butcher to get him to write.

He bascially proposed that Strange still had his medical license. Sure, his hands weren't steady enough for surgery anymore but he could still be a GP. Then, plunk Strange down in the middle of a free clinic. Running around helping people with their illnesses by day, banishing the forces of evil darkness by night.

Heck, the idea could even have been combined with the ending to BKV's Doctor Strange: The Oath miniseries of a couple of years ago -- put Night Nurse on the staff of the clinic with him and make it kind of a triple cover -- clinic for the poor, undercover clinic for superheroes, Strange having to hare off at odd moments to put down an Elder God who chooses the wrong time to get cranky.

I wish Marvel had just let BKV write more Dr. Strange after "The Oath" instead of reserving the character for Bendis, who didn't really do anything with him. But you're right, that is a cool idea that would have worked well.

[gryhpon]

Somebody found Galactus dead (an alternate reality Galactus, but still Galactus) during Pacheco & Loeb's FF run, which is kind of the same. But I think this would be better, because rather than everybody staring dumbly at the big carcass we are talking about territorial disputes and grave-robbing and so forth going on while Strange tries to figure out just what the hell happened.

wasnt galactus also found dead in the miniseries ruins?

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/08/meditative-or-possibly-not/

this reason just makes me wish marvel will hire him

[Arrogantcur]

wasnt galactus also found dead in the miniseries ruins?

Dunno.

By the way, I hope that my new avatar isn't too sycophantic. :redface:

[gryhpon]

Dunno.

By the way, I hope that my new avatar isn't too sycophantic. :redface:
just a little :P

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/09/this-discussion-seemed-to-be-necessary/

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/10/i-am-not-wrong-about-this/

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/11/i-will-brook-no-argument/

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/12/breaking-down-interstellar-cultural-barriers/

[gryhpon]

you know, i posted these here so people would discuss them, so please discuss them to your hearts content

[Arrogantcur]

I've already posted on his site, but will say something more here: I don't think any villain should be a joke if the story isn't a comedy. Not Dormammu or anybody.

They should also be strong enough to beat the hero at least some of the time, and brave enough not to turn tail when victory isn't assured. Consider:

-Vader and Palpatine vs. Luke
-Alien(s) vs. Ripley
-Obadiah Stane vs. Tony Stark in the Iron Man movie
-Agent Smith vs. Neo in The Matrix (up until the very end, Smith had an edge over Neo)
-Kyle Reese & Sarah Connor versus the Terminator
-A regular old Terminator versus the T-1000

Etcetera.

[chastmastr]

you know, i posted these here so people would discuss them, so please discuss them to your hearts content

Um, OK.

I like them. :)

Though honestly (and here goeth the endless refrain, tra la la) I'd rather this be either after the MU is fixed in general, unless Doc helps fix it, or in a new continuity, for reasons I've gone on ad nauseam about.

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/13/weird-new-worlds-that-want-to-kill-you/

this just seems to be immune to bad ideas

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/14/ironically-my-tax-law-exam-is-today/

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/15/a-breather/



http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/16/notoriously-awesome-jews/

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/17/also-there-is-always-an-alfred/

this is a really cool one

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/18/fear-my-back-issue-fu/

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/19/you-dont-even-want-to-get-started-on-the-magical-browser-wars/

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/20/blah-blah-legacy-something-something-blah-blah-blah/

[gryhpon]

http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/21/big-fishies/


http://mightygodking.com/index.php/2009/04/22/demolition-style/

[Arrogantcur]

I think posting the titles would generate more interest, gryhpon. I mean, by now we all know how to get to MGK's site and it's just a matter of scrolling through the entries from the last 22 days.

Take this one, from today:

NYARLATHOTEP
BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A VILLAIN WHO MAKES MEPHISTO LOOK LIKE A PUSSY

[gryhpon]

I think posting the titles would generate more interest, gryhpon. I mean, by now we all know how to get to MGK's site and it's just a matter of scrolling through the entries from the last 22 days.

Take this one, from today:
sorry, ill post more detailed stuff in the future

[Tobias March]

I think posting the titles would generate more interest, gryhpon. I mean, by now we all know how to get to MGK's site and it's just a matter of scrolling through the entries from the last 22 days.

Take this one, from today:

Good example, I mean who, outside of Alan Moore in his Green Lantern story about the demons of Ysault (now expanded into Johns' Sinestro Corp/Darkest Night plot) has truly adapted Lovecraftian type magickal threats for their heroes like Strange/Dr. Fate etc.

[Arrogantcur]

Here's today's:

THE OBLIGATORY DEFENDERS REUNION

HEY, DID YOU KNOW THAT DEADPOOL WAS VERY BRIEFLY A DEFENDER? ISN'T THAT GREAT?

[gryhpon]

here is todays

Herberts Taco Hut
The least magical place on earth(and it serves chimichangas)

[gryhpon]

DOOM
you knew he was gonna show up eventually-just accept it

[gryhpon]

todays reason

NIGHT NURSE
because you shouldnt be afraid to use other people's good ideas wholeheartedly

[gryhpon]

ODYSSEUS AND THE A-AXIS

the king of ithica's journey home went further afield then most people suspect

[gryhpon]

A FEW THINGS ABOUT STEPHEN
(not a smoker, not a joker, nor a midnight toker)

[gryhpon]

THE DIRE WRAITHS' REVENGE

The most eveil race of alien sorcerers ever return - and man are they pissed

[Tobias March]

The Dire-Wraiths are odd. Weren't they a villain created for the Rom Spaceknight character, latterly explained as magickal Skrulls? (which is similar to how Kirby somehow conflated the monoliths from Arthur C. Clarks 2001 series with the MU after the tie-in comic)

[Grazzt]

I feel sort of sorry for Billy in that last post. He's being so cleverly played, and he's too starstruck to even catch a whiff of it.

[gryhpon]

the last reason
(sorry this is like days late)

ELI"S COMING

Or "How All This Crap Atually Works With Regards To Present Continuity"