Stephen Strange is known as the Sorcerer Supreme, the most famous title within the Marvel universe. However, the term “supreme” does not necessarily equate to “most powerful,” as there are many other sorcerers with abilities that surpass Stephen’s. Many individuals in the multiverse have chosen to follow their paths toward dark magic.
First introduced in 1963, Doctor Strange has faced off against numerous threats over the decades. Alongside Strange, this superhero has also encountered many other powerful sorcerers with capabilities spanning across multiple dimensions. Although Strange often escapes these daunting situations, he does so through quick thinking or sheer luck, rather than relying on his own strengths. In other words, many versions of the Sorcerer Supreme are often formidable enough to terrify even Strange himself.
Hiram Shaw
While he may not be as widely recognized as Sebastian Shaw—the famous character in the Marvel universe—Hiram Shaw is still someone to be reckoned with. First appearing in the comic “X-Men: Hellfire Club #1” by Ben Raab and Charlie Adlard, released in 2000, Shaw’s magical abilities were hinted at during his exchanges with Dormammu.
When Shaw confronted Dormammu, he inadvertently triggered events reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials, leading to a perilous shadow dimension that revealed Shaw’s relentless quest for power. Despite this, Dormammu also recognized Shaw to the extent that he had to be protected for a time. However, Shaw ultimately chose to continue pursuing the dream of ultimate power, bringing death to families and those around him.
Salomé (Semiramis)
Salomé is a member of a magical order known as The Fallen, and is considered the first Sorcerer Supreme from Earth-616. First appearing in “Marvel Presents #146” by David Quinn and Geof Isherwood, published in 1994, Salomé has clashed with Doctor Strange multiple times to reclaim her title.
Although Salomé’s role was primarily as a supporting character for Stephen Strange in the 1990s, this dark sorceress has recently returned in the Marvel’s “Unforgiven” series, showcasing a much larger scope and ambition.
Since Strange has struggled with facing Salomé before, it’s not surprising that in her recent reappearance, she could even challenge the Avengers. Salomé’s magic is formidable enough to dismantle even the most advanced civilizations. As of now, Salomé has yet to officially reclaim her title as the Sorcerer Supreme once more.
Margali Szardos
Known commonly as Margali, this Sorcerer Supreme has a mysterious background and is closely associated with the X-Men. Szardos is the adoptive mother of Nightcrawler, one of Marvel’s beloved characters, and has also crossed paths with Doctor Strange in other dimensions. Additionally, she has been known to wield the Eye of Agamotto, the most prestigious artifact of the Sorcerers Supreme.
Aside from her impressive abilities, Szardos has occasionally manipulated Nightcrawler’s psyche to enhance her own magical prowess. With her unique heritage and formidable powers, this sorceress is often seen as a rare and powerful presence in the Marvel universe.
Isaac Newton
In addition to his scientific achievements, Isaac Newton has also been a Sorcerer Supreme in the Marvel universe. Newton collaborated with Doctor Strange during a crossover event where Sorcerers united to combat the Forgotten.
However, Newton often struggled with maintaining his own divine intellect while seeking the “Word of God” to enhance his own powers. With his extensive knowledge, Newton has faced many powerful Sorcerers and has been a pivotal figure in the establishment of the secret organization H.Y.D.R.A after encountering the time traveler Leonardo da Vinci, as depicted in Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver’s S.H.I.E.L.D series.
Moridun
Originating from the Fifth Cosmos—a reality that exists parallel to the main Marvel universe—Moridun is a character created by Al Ewing and Gerardo Sandoval, and is among the most formidable dark sorcerers that Strange has ever faced.
Surviving each time he is reintroduced to reality, Moridun constantly seeks forbidden knowledge and inadvertently transforms into Omnimax, a cosmic entity with immense power. Moridun has battled both the Avengers and the Defenders, even forcing the superhero Wiccan to transform into the dangerous Demiurge.
Although not as famous as other Marvel characters, this Sorcerer Supreme has left a significant impression on the Marvel landscape. Often considered the progenitor of magic and sorcery, Moridun’s role as a Sorcerer Supreme is critical, even in the context of the Fifth Cosmos.
Necrom
First appearing in “Excalibur #45,” published in 1991, Necrom is the Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth-148 universe. He is an extraterrestrial being and also serves as a sorcerer from another dimension, often aiding Merlyn—a well-known sorcerer in the Marvel universe.
Necrom is the creator of the Anti-Phoenix after harnessing a fragment of the Phoenix Force, a powerful entity that embodies the essence of life and creation. His abilities have reached a point where he can rival even the most powerful sorcerers. The only way to defeat him is to grant him even more power until he ceases to exist in his physical form, similar to what happens in “Excalibur #50” by Alan Davis.
Kulan Gath
In truth, Kulan Gath is a villainous sorcerer who has battled many famous superheroes. Originating from the Conan the Barbarian lore, this Sorcerer Supreme has undergone a significant power upgrade, allowing him to transcend to new heights of magical prowess.
In the comic “Savage Avengers #24” by Gerry Duggan and Patrick Zircher, Gath was able to eliminate the Avengers and transform the entire Marvel universe into a dark dimension after defeating Doctor Strange. Only when Doctor Doom, Strange, and Kang the Conqueror journeyed through time and collaborated did Gath’s reign of terror come to an end.
Merlyn/Merlin
Often regarded as one of the most powerful sorcerers in the Marvel Universe, Merlin has appeared as a supporting character for various superheroes. Although he is often associated with Doctor Strange, he has also been presented as a key figure in the X-Men series “Excalibur” by Tini Howard and Marcus To.
While serving as a protector of Captain Britain, Merlin’s links to various realities create a complex character that continuously evolves and adapts. Not only is he a Sorcerer Supreme, but he also serves as the ruler of Otherworld, where he is often seen as a pivotal figure in the multiverse.
Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom has donned the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme in various storylines, first appearing in “What If…? #52” by Dan Slott and Manny Galan. In this comic, Doom takes on the role of the Ancient One instead of Stephen Strange and eventually confronts many powerful entities like Mephisto and Dormammu in his quest for power.
Later, Doom continued to reprise this role in “Thor #5” by Jason Aaron and Christian Ward. With immense magical abilities, Doom has fought against Thor, who is currently the host of the Phoenix Force. Despite this overwhelming power, “the deity of all deities” could not defeat “the greatest evil,” leading to an epic battle that stretched beyond time.
Otto Octavius
The comic “Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #1” by Zack Thompson and Davide Tinto introduces a rather unique character: Supreme Octopus, a fusion of Doctor Octopus and Doctor Doom, who has also taken on the title of Sorcerer Supreme in his own universe.
Supreme Octopus is a different version of Otto Octavius who has succeeded in gaining significant influence within the Marvel universe. As a character who seeks to control reality, he uses his powers to manipulate and dominate various dimensions. Additionally, he has been known to challenge powerful beings like Shuma-Gorath, Dormammu, and Knull—entities that even Strange struggles to confront. These ambitions have solidified Otto Octavius’s place as a significant character in the Marvel universe and as an ominous Sorcerer Supreme.
Source: ScreenRant, Marvel Comics
