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One issue of What If? imagined Doctor Strange finding a home with the Chaste instead of the Ancient One — becoming an expert fighter in the process.
In most versions of the Marvel Universe, fighters like Shang-Chi and Daredevil are considered among the world’s deadliest warriors. But there’s at least one world where a typically more restrained and mystical hero embraced such a role — and proved himself quite adept at it.
The Doctor Strange of What If? #83 by Mike Baron, Rafael Kayanan, Rafael Kayanan, Christie Scheele and Steve Dutro imagined a world where Doctor Strange became a Martial Artist instead of a Sorceror Supreme — and in the process became one of his world’s finest hand-to-hand fighters, even potentially outclassing heavyweight fighters like Shang-Chi.
On Earth-3971, Doctor Stephen Strange was a gifted surgeon until a fateful car crash resulted in him losing his impressive skills with his hands. Like in many realities, this Stephen Strange traveled the world and eventually sought a magical cure for his ailment. But this Stephen Strange was more easily drawn to drink and was therefore in a bar when an unseen figure disparaged the Ancient One and instead drew his attention to the Chase. Instead of finding a benevolent master of the mystic arts to train under, Stephen ended up at the feet of the Chaste — most notably Stick, who in most worlds would go on to train Daredevil. Strange was tutored in the martial arts instead of the mystic, becoming an amazing warrior while harnassing magical potential as a boon to his skills.
He notably gained deliberate skill with his robes, using them as surprisingly versatile ranged weapons. This version of Stephen Strange also learned to overcome his Hippocratic oath and (with some grim determination) made peace with the fact that he would often have to kill his enemies. He quickly earns his place with them — and when the time comes, it is Strange who ventures to America to train Matt Murdock instead of Stick. Hoping to prove himself the healer he once was, Strange took in Murdock and taught him to be Daredevil. But without Stick’s harsh teachings, Murdock became increasingly consumed by his desire for revenge against the men who killed his father, those who would control him, and ultimately, the whole world.
By the time Strange had completed Murdock’s training, he had been recruited by the Hand and became their fiercest killer. Soon, the pair were shown competing for the fate of Elektra, whose potential could be harnessed for either good or evil. With his mystical potential complimenting his fighting skills, this variant of Doctor Strange is capable of holding his own against a ruthless Daredevil, countering each blow and blocking many of his more deadly strikes. Even when Daredevil gains the edge in the fight, it turns out that Daredevil had secretly made an alliance with the woman he loved — resulting in both of them fighting by Doctor Strange’s side.
Out of respect for their wishes, Doctor Strange allows them both to move on and find happiness elsewhere in the world — but with the promise that “they’ll be around,” likely as allies against the now weakened Hand of this reality. It’s a small appearance, but an impressive one by the Stephen Strange of this world — especially considering this version of Strange got to establish a deep bond with Daredevil, a hero he frequently doesn’t have a bond with. With his mystical talents shining through with minor telepathy and a graceful (but lethal) fluidity, this Doctor Strange is among the most deadly and skilled in the entire Marvel multiverse.
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