Marvel Phase 4 Theory Uses 'Doctor Strange 2' and Comics to Set Up 'Blade'

Two of the most interesting stories coming in Marvel’s Phase Four are Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the Disney+ series WandaVision. Dropping right in the middle of the studio’s upcoming slate, these interconnected adventures look set to pull the Marvel Cinematic Universe into strange new territory. Where exactly, we don’t know, but a look back at some classic, weird comics may reveal how these Phase Four entries could help set up Blade by bringing vampires to the MCU.

Speculative spoilers for Marvel Phase Four below.

Let’s start by going over what we do know:

• WandaVision (Spring 2021) will interconnect with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 7, 2021).

• Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) will appear in both.

• The Doctor Strange sequel has been described as Marvel’s first horror movie, even though it’s still set to be rated PG-13.

• Blade releases in Marvel’s Phase Five, starring Mahershala Ali as the vampire hunter who’s also half vampire.

So how do we get from the multiverse to vampires? Well, to explain that we need to go back to a five-issue run from the Doctor Strange comics titled “Doctor Strange Vs. Dracula: The Montesi Formula.” Published in the mid-2000s, the story pits Strange against Dracula himself. Yes, the Dracula.

The story revolves around a mystical book called the Darkhold that Dracula is trying to get his hands on. To find it first, Doctor Strange enlists the help of Scarlet Witch, who reveals that the book is hidden in the Avenger’s Mansion. Dracula is close behind them and launches an attack on the manor that includes hypnotized footsoldiers and an army of rats. (It’s basically already a horror movie.)

Eventually, they all face off (Captain Marvel is involved too). Strange attempts to trap Dracula in the Astral Dimension dimension, but that doesn’t work. Ultimately, the Sorcerer Supreme uses the Darkhold to destroy not just Dracula but every vampire on Earth. The end.

Now obviously, we don’t expect Marvel Studios to follow this comic book story note-for-note, but it does provide some interesting source material that could help connect Phase Four to the Blade movie coming in Phase Five. Maybe Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch’s adventure through the multiverse will include a meeting with a vampire, and maybe that vampire will follow them back into the main dimension where the MCU takes place. From there, Blade’s entrance pretty much writes itself.

That’s just one way it could happen, but as we head into Phase Four, it’s worth keeping this wacky comic book story in mind. And assuming that a vampire does show up in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, just remember that a terrifying wall of rats may not be far behind.

Comic book images via Puzzled Pagan, which also has an extremely detailed summary of the entire Strange vs. Dracula plotline that’s worth checking out.