Why the next Sorcerer Supreme tournament is wrong in terms of addressing the mantle properly
"Oh, but they just announced the event, it's too early to make judgments!"
I'm not addressing the story itself. I'm assuming the cover corresponds to the actual contestants, which is my main complaint when it comes to this event.
The mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme doesn't reflect one's mystic might. It's a job and a burden, leaving the person in charge of protecting their realm. It's not necessarily a power-up, although the user does become stronger thanks to the blessing of the Vishanti (on Earth). Therefore, it's not about power but responsibility.
With that in mind, magic isn't an easy thing to perform. It demands study, even for those born with it. That's precisely the reason why the Strange Academy was founded: to protect kids from the dangers magic entails.
Besides, it's been more or less established that magic comes at a cost. The inconsistencies in this rule are many (and not a favorite of mine), but it exists at some extent. It was never explained, but the kids were allowed to perform magic thanks to a deal with the Vishanti.
Cost or not, many magic users struggle(d) with the consequences of tapping into a power that was beyond their limits. To name a few: Wanda, Damon, Illyana, Nico, Jericho and yes, even Stephen Strange. Those names also carry an important legacy when we're talking about magic users.
Which leads us to some of these contestants. At least three of them have little to none contact with magic: Gambit, Valeria and Carol.
Let's remember that technically speaking the Tournament of the Vishanti is not always about power, but wit. That's how Stephen managed to get the title: by outsmarting the challenge. Does that means anyone could get a mantle?
Not necessarily. Why? Because of what comes next. Jed MacKay established how important the role is. When Stephen died, all the barriers protecting the planet fell, allowing enemies of all dimensions to crawl across our dimension. That was the whole point.
Now explain to me how someone whose knowledge of magic is close to zero is going to perform spells, erect barriers and protect the world without any training? Even the classic characters had training: Stephen was trained by Yao (Ancient One), Wanda by Agatha, Illyana by alt!Storm and Stephen, Jericho by both Papa Jambo and his twin Daniel Drumm.
Again, magical knowledge doesn't come up easily without training and study. Here's an example of Clea's logic when she created a new spell.
Moving on to the next topic, while there's a guide for explaining magic at some extent (Mystic Arcana), authors have their freedom to classify them as they see fit. But if you read enough Doctor Strange comics, you'll realize that his magic comes from magic deities (such as the Vishanti themselves, Cyttorak, Ikthalon, Bhaltakk, Denak, among others). Asgardian magic flows from Yggdrasil. Demonic magic usually flows from the realm itself. Point is, there's always a source. You cannot pull magic out of thin air (coughcough Doom in OWUD).
The lack of continuity is also concerning and disappointing. While, yes, there's the possibility of a person to become Sorcerer Supreme of two different dimensions, Clea showed us how taxing and dangerous to the user those conflicting powers are. Then there's Illyana and Maddie's case. Yana was considered Limbo's Sorcerer Supreme until recently in Death of Doctor Strange. I'm not sure if she passed the mantle to Maddie when they made a deal concerning the realm, but even if she did, Maddie is also a contestant. Either way, the two participating in the contest means there will be a double Sorcerer Supreme should they succeed.
Lastly, let's established how the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme was passed chronogically in the main 616 universe.
- Yao dies and passes the mantle to Stephen/Stephen wins the first documented Tournament of the Vishanti.
- The Vishanti forsake Stephen at some point. Later on, Salomé destroys the Sanctum and steals the mantle, driving Stephen off this dimension.
- Salomé is defeated and the mantle is reclaimed. The alliance with the Vishanti is reforged through the War of the Seven Spheres.
- Due to the events of the Illuminati and his involvement with dark magic, Stephen steps back and gives up on the title. He looked for new candidates, but in the end the Eye of Agamotto has decided on Jericho Drumm as the next Sorcerer Supreme.
- Jericho Drumm dies as a result of a struggle against Agamotto and his deceased twin brother turned evil. The mantle returns to Stephen after a trial led by the Ancient One.
- Loki deceives Stephen to believe he lost a third Tournament of the Vishanti (the second was never addressed). Loki becomes Sorcerer Supreme.
- Loki's michief is revealed and the mantle returns to Stephen.
- Stephen dies. He finds a way to choose his successor, Clea, by leaving a piece of his soul as an anchor, making it possible for her to become Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, while also being the SS of the Dark Dimension.
- Clea returns Stephen's piece of soul when he comes back to life.
- Stephen performs the same soul trick in order to pass the mantle to Doom during the events of Blood Hunt.
You see, it's true there's inconsistencies in how the mantle is passed down. But some traits remain: 1. The Vishanti (Agamotto being one of three) supervise the mantle. 2. It's always passed down to a sorcerer/magic user.
While it's true anyone can learn magic, it becomes crystal clear that a novice isn't good enough to embrace the role. In simple terms: imagine if a new debut character becomes the leader of the Avengers. Do they have any experience in being a hero? No. Same goes to a non-magic user becoming Sorcerer Supreme.
In other words, it's disrespectful to the importance and the burden such mantle entails. Maybe characters like Gambit, Captain Marvel and Valeria will not be included, working as a bait for the cover. If they do, then it remains a fraude in terms of understanding the level of complexity magic carries with itself.
Surely, these three had their moments with magic, but the point is, it's not enough. Without training and studying, it's not possible. I also want to make it clear that I like these characters and have nothing against them, only the fact that they shouldn't be included in this event when they're not sorcerers.
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