During the weekend, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness became the center of attention for Marvel fans. The film, which surprised by its darkness and strange approach to heroism, sparked controversy for different reasons. From his version of Wanda, the questions about the origin of América Chavez, to his humorous moments. Sam Raimi’s work seemed to arouse a wide controversy on the most diverse topics. But, one in particular, was a matter of special curiosity for fans of the film franchise of the house of ideas. Who is Clea, the character that appears in one of the post-credit scenes of the film?
It was a surprise appearance that baffled the audience. The first post-credits scene shows Strange after surviving the events chronicled by the film. He is walking down the street when suddenly a woman in a purple suit played by Charlize Theron appears through a portal. The character accuses Strange of causing an incursion — the clash between two universes — and He urges you to accompany him to avoid a catastrophe. With his newly acquired third eye wide open, Strange agrees to follow the woman. Also, facing whatever is on the other side of the portal a few meters away.
During the scene, the character does not reveal his name or his origin. But in the final credits it can be read that Theron plays an old acquaintance of Marvel fans. She is about Clea, a mysterious figure deeply related to Strange. And also, without a doubt, one of the most interesting additions to the increasingly large Marvel universe. It’s not just a Sorceress from the dark dimension. Also, she plays a role of considerable importance in the life of the master of the mystic arts. And if that wasn’t enough, in the comic she assumes the mantle of Sorceress Supreme. So Clea’s arrival is not just good news for the Doctor Strange sub-franchise. It is also for future events and an eventual exploration of all the events related to the world of magic in Marvel.
a wonderful woman
Clea first appeared in the world of comics in Strange Tales #126 1964, signed by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. According to his origin story, the character is a Faltine: an extradimensional creature of a magical nature. But the most disturbing detail that defines her is that she comes from the dark dimension. In fact, Clea meets Strange when the latter faces Dormammu in one of his classic battles. Curiously, she Clea is the latter’s niece, which would make her a natural enemy of Strange. However, the relationship between the two characters is more complex, strange and ultimately emotional than might be supposed. Which provides a gloss of considerable importance to the character’s arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The particularity makes Clea a connection between several relevant elements in the story of the Sorcerer Supreme. Also, the dark end of the master of the mystic arts’ powers. As a powerful entity in its own right, Clea is one of Marvel’s most mysterious creatures. It is also one of those that supports mythology and its scope in several different dimensions. Thanks to her nature, Clea has considerable powers, including superhuman strength, telepathy, and the ability to control the minds of other creatures. As if that weren’t enough, Clea also has knowledge and extraordinary magical ability ranging from creating illusions and conjuring objects at will. And actually, in the comic, Clea is a reflection — sometimes more powerful — of Strange.. On several occasions, she has shown that he can mimic his spells and even make them stronger.
With such capabilities Clea is also one of the most powerful characters in the magical universe of Marvel. So much so that his abilities are only comparable to Strange’s at his highest point of power. Also, those of other extradimensional beings like his father Umar, king of the Dark Dimension. Clea’s duality — often compared to Wanda Maximoff’s uncanny ambivalence — makes her unpredictable and sometimes fearsome. But in the end, she is also an edge that brings depth to Strange’s struggle and the universe around him.
A love story
As the importance of Clea’s character grew, so did her bond with Strange. After a circumstantial alliance to defeat the great powers of the Dark Dimension, the couple ends up falling in love. It is then that Clea arrives in New York with Strange to train alongside her in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Later, Clea and Strange get married and become one of the most powerful couples in the Marvel universe. This, despite the fact that Clea returns to the Dark Dimension to confront her father and become the Dark Sorceress of the dangerous region of the cosmos.
But after banishing her father and reclaiming the dimension under her power, Clea returns to Earth — 616 along with Strange. Finally, and after the death of the Sorcerer Supreme, she takes her place among the wizards of the earth. Oddly enough, the story between Strange and Clea is as tragic as it is significant. And it is one of the first to show the evolution of a romantic relationship in the middle of the world of Marvel since its origins. Will Strange’s wedding be the first we see on screen between two superheroes?
Clea and her future in Marvel
Clea’s arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is no accident. In fact, it coincides with the evolution of both characters in the comic. Once partially corrupted by the Darkhold, Strange is a creature between good and evil. Something that has also defined Clea for much of her history in the world of comics.
With her knowledge of the Dark Dimension, power and magical abilities, Clea will be an important ally in the coming multiversal war. Or so the fact that her character appears in similar conditions with respect to the Sorcerer Supreme seems to suggest. Whatever the answer, one thing is obvious: that the character is played by an actress like Charlize Theron is of considerable importance. The cameo is actually a brief introduction to what will undoubtedly be a character of considerable importance in the future.
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