Marvel Database
Register
Advertisement

Appearing in "Death-Knell"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:

  • Jaxon's airboat (Destruction)

Synopsis for "Death-Knell"

Continued from last issue... Somewhere over the Himalayan mountains, the Man-Thing and Elaine are being carried through the air by an airplane whose landing gear the Man-Thing had grabbed onto just as it took off. Unfortunately, the cold weather finally takes its toll on the muck monster when it causes his brittle hand to snap off, releasing the two to plummet seemingly to their deaths.

Meanwhile, in Paris, Dr. Strange finishes his battle with Azrael, the undead creature that had been his former colleague, Lord Julian Phyffe, who had sided with Baron Mordo in opening the Chaos Gates. Although Azrael had managed to age Dr. Strange into an old man, the Sorcerer Supreme is able to cast a mighty spell that defeats Azrael by banishing him from Earth.

After revitalizing himself with a spell of rejuvenation, Strange leaves with his colleague, Madeleine De St. Germain, and their travels take them to Citrusville in Florida. Once there, Strange investigates a series of recent disappearances that he believes have to do with the sacrifices Baron Mordo would have to complete to open the Chaos gates. The pair meet with Sheriff Daltry who tells them about the eighteen disappearances and nine deaths. After Strange inquires about the Kale family, Daltry confirms that three Kales were the first to be taken and, when asked, suggests that Jennifer Kale's ex-boyfriend, Jaxon, would be the best choice to take them out to the Kale place.

As the trio travel through the swamp in Jaxon's airboat, Strange notices that Jaxon's psychic aura has a strong mystic color and recalls that Howard the Duck had told him that Jennifer was a witch. Strange deduces that Mordo has chosen Jennifer to be the "high priestess" that the spell requires and presumes that Mordo is planning for him to be the "high priest" sacrifice. As they arrive at the Kale place, Elaine exits the house and warns them to go back but the airboat is then smashed from below by the Man-Thing. While Madeleine and Jaxon tend to Elaine, Dr. Strange battles the Man-Thing who seems to fight him in a suspiciously intelligent manner but Strange's magical attacks have limited effect on the muck monster due to the nature of its powers. Madeleine spots Mordo watching the battle and tries to shoot him but it was only an astral projection and Mordo quickly traps her. As the creature gets the upper hand and pins Strange under water, the sorcerer considers letting the Man-Thing defeat and capture him but then the ankh appears on Strange's forehead, alerting him to the fact that he is in mortal danger, causing him to realize that the monster is trying to kill him. Above, Mordo brags to the captive Madeleine about how he knew that Strange would assume that he was meant to be one of the sacrifices needed to open the Chaos Gates when Mordo's choice for the ultimate sacrifice had actually been the Man-Thing, the guardian of the local Nexus of Reality. In the swamp, the Man-Thing releases his grip on Strange who has seemingly drowned.

This story is continued in Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #41....

See Also

Links and References

References

Advertisement