10 Best Clea Comics To Read After Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The mid-credits scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness left fans with an intriguing question: Who was the character played by Charlize Theron? That character turns out to be Clea, a powerful figure in Doctor Strange lore dating back to its earliest days. The best Clea Marvel comics help explain who she is and what her role in the MCU is likely to be.
Legendary writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko co-created Clea in 1964, and from there she became a staple in the adventures of Doctor Strange. Her importance in Stephen Strange’s life only increased over the next several decades, to the point that Clea is now the Sorceress Supreme. Her comic book history hints at the major role she will play in the MCU in the future.
Strange Tales #126
Clea first appears in a monumental number in Doctor Strange lore. When Doctor Strange first enters the Dark Dimension in strange tales #126, he not only meets Dormammu, one of his greatest enemies, but also Clea, his greatest love.
Clea gets few biographical details in this issue, but her distinctive visual style, defined by her wispy white hair, made her instantly unique. The same goes for her decision to help Doctor Strange despite being a member of the Dark Dimension and a servant of Dormammu.
Doctor Strange #46
The film ends with Clea taking Doctor Strange to the Dark Dimension to face an incursion, a potentially catastrophic collision between realities. strange doctor #46 deals with Clea and Strange dealing with a similar blurring of reality.
The two confront Xennus, a sorcerer from an alternate reality using the Nexus of All Realities to harness a magical means of traversing dimensions. The Nexus concept plays a key role in Marvel Comics, most notably with Man-Thing championing a Nexus point.
Doctor Strange #72
Clea’s story takes fascinating and tragic turns. Much of its origin takes place in strange doctor #72, where she confronts her mother Umar over control of the Dark Dimension. Umar seeks to replace his brother, Dormammu, one of Doctor Strange’s most powerful villains.
The comic establishes that Umar abandoned Clea at a young age with her father, Prince Orini. Orini once ruled the Dark Dimension himself, but later served Dormammu. Clea did the same, but then questioned things, leading her to help Strange on his first visit to the kingdom.
Weird Tales #151
Incursions lead to universe collisions in Marvel Comics, especially the 2015 Secret Wars Event. Clea’s MCU Future Likely Sends Her Across Universes And Into strange tales #151, she flipped between realities after being kicked out of the Dark Dimension.
This comic potentially serves as a template for Clea in the MCU, depending on where her story picks up live. Dormammu suffers a defeat in the first strange doctor movie, which means Clea may already be an Exile or the new ruler of the Dark Dimension.
Marvel Premiere #12
First Wonder #12 ranks as a key comic in many ways for Clea and Doctor Strange. Clea begins training in the mystical arts under Strange in this issue, hoping to regain her talents after being cut off from the Dark Dimension eroding her magical powers.
Clea begins a long journey in this issue, and Doctor Strange ends one in some ways. He officially becomes the Sorcerer Supreme after the Elder’s death, and with his newfound abilities and knowledge, one of Marvel’s most powerful magical beings.
Doctor Strange #53
Clea and Doctor Strange fall in love, but their romance falls on hard times in strange doctor #53. Clea realizes that her focus and attention lies elsewhere as Sorcerer Supreme, and she has her own considerations with the ongoing political unrest in the Dark Dimension.
This issue also points to potential MCU development for the pair. Doctor Strange faces off against Rama Tut, a powerful variant of Kang The Conqueror. Kang figures as a major villain in the MCU going forward, with vast power in the multiverse.
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3
The love between Clear and Doctor Strange remains strong, and the two eventually work out. Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3 sees the two marry in a mystical ceremony uniting them beyond the mere bounds of practical law.
The single marriage is partly a result of Clea not having citizenship on Earth as a native of the Dark Dimension. Their bond remains intact despite subsequent ups and downs, a powerful connection that likely shows up in the MCU as well.
Strange #3
Odd #3 features the full introduction of a Clea variant from the early 2000s marvel knights subline. While the MCU version borrows visually from classic Marvel Comics Clea, its backstory remains an open question. This variant can inform part of the screen version.
This issue borrows a good amount from The matrix, rendering Clea as a very Trinity-like figure working for the Ancient One on Earth. She serves as both guide and love interest for Doctor Strange as he’s thrust into a world he doesn’t understand.
Defenders #39
Clea’s MCU future undoubtedly involves the Defenders. In Defenders #39, she joined the team alongside Doctor Strange, who founded the original comic book team alongside iconic characters such as Silver Surfer, Hulk, and Namor.
Clea has proven to be a powerful ally for the team during several adventures, and it’s likely she’ll play a role in an MCU version given her connection to Strange. The team potentially reunites as a result of Clea and Strange’s dealings with the Incursions.
Doctor Strange #16
strange doctor #16 features an epic cosmic battle that may foreshadow events in the MCU. Clea joins a massive army of mystical and cosmic powers to battle a deranged Galactus to save all of reality. Some versions of this scene fit easily into the future of the MCU.
This story ultimately leads to the death of Doctor Strange in a way reminiscent of the events of Spider-Man: No Coming Home. Strange makes a deal with Mephisto that erases all memory of him to save reality from the threat of Galactus.
Strange #1 (2022)
The death of Doctor Strange has left a major void in the Marvel Universe. Odd #1 ranks among the best Clea comics as she completes her journey as Strange’s disciple and becomes Sorcerer Supreme. She wields all the power, knowledge, and experience of her kingdom and Earth-616.
Clea’s immediate future remains uncertain in the comics as she navigates a strange new world. This ascension for Clea potentially manifests in the MCU down the road, though MCU Clea already seems to possess great power and skill.
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