The Character
Stephen Strange was introduced as an arrogant, celebrated neurosurgeon whose hands were badly damaged in a car accident. This serves as the life-changing event that sets him on the path to becoming Doctor Strange, as he finds that he is no longer able to perform surgery, due to the uncontrollable tremor resulting from his injuries.
He’s desperate to find a way to repair his damaged hands though and travels the world searching for help. He eventually crosses paths with The Ancient One who is, at the time, the Sorcerer Supreme. He becomes a student of the mystical arts and, over time, an expert in martial arts. The Ancient One leads him on what is essentially a journey of redemption, as he finds new purpose in protecting Earth from threats emanating from alternate dimensions.
This is the central shift that occurs within the character of Stephen Strange. We surmise that he pursued a career in neurosurgery for two reasons: personal challenge and the opportunity to help people – the latter being inspired by personal tragedy early in life. In becoming the best in his field, he loses the balance necessary to retain a healthy perspective, and becomes more entrenched in the personal challenge side of things, rather than focusing on helping people. This leads to the inflation of his ego, and the development of his arrogance, which is where we find him when he crashes his car.
The loss of his ability to perform surgery delivers immediate humility, and the realization that he has allowed his entire identity to become defined by his impressive skill. As such, his desperation for a miraculous hand repair is not so much about him trying to return to his career as it is about his frantic search for a sense of self. This is what The Ancient One provides for him. By the time he meets the Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange is a broken man – he has lost all financial, emotional and psychological security. This renders him much more able to accept the knowledge The Ancient One seeks to bestow upon him.
The nature of Doctor Strange has been seen to evolve through his relationship with The Ancient Once, and through his relationship with the title of Sorcerer Supreme. In the comic books, Doctor Strange took on the Sorcerer Supreme title at the death of The Ancient One in 1973. This was the culmination of the years spent training and being guided by his mentor – and an acknowledgement of his progress from arrogant and conceited surgeon to willing servant and protector. It was a development that highlighted his character’s journey from self-involvement, to acceptance of that which is bigger than himself.
Doctor Strange has continued as Sorcerer Supreme, with the exception of two, brief periods. Firstly, from 1992 to 1995, and secondly from 2009 to 2012 – returning to the role after demonstrating his natural inclination to protect the Earth, regardless of whether he held the title. This, again, confirmed the next-level selflessness that had been reached by Doctor Strange.
