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Who Is Clea In Marvel Comics? Charlize Theron’s MCU Clea Explained
June 2, 2022Clea first appeared in 1964’s Strange Tales #126, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, as the standard comic book damsel in distress.
Who Is Clea In Marvel Comics?
Clea is the daughter of Prince Orini, the former ruler of the Dark Dimension and the Faltine fugitive Umar, sister of Dormammu. Umar was traumatised by Clea’s birth, and the ordeal was made even worse when she discovered she had lost her power to revert to her Faltinian form. As a result, Clea was left to be raised by Prince Orini, who also kept any knowledge of Clea’s true origins a secret. Umar battled Dormammu to gain control of the dark dimension but was defeated and banished to another realm. Orini on the other hand was Dormammu’s devoted follower, and so was Clea throughout most of her childhood.
Clea’s First Encounter With Doctor Strange
Clea first met Stephen Strange in STRANGE TALES #126, years after Dormammu claimed the Dark Dimension for himself. Dormammu had been trying to conquer Earth for a long time, and as a result, he was frequently opposed by Doctor Strange. Doctor Strange’s bravery in stopping Dormammu’s invasion of Earth impressed Clea in one of these encounters. She attempted to save his life by persuading him not to confront Dormammu. However, Clea was unsuccessful, as Strange was ready to give his own life to stop Dormammu. Dormammu considered her association with Strange as a betrayal and intended to punish her after his battle with Strange. However, during the duel, Dormammu was compelled to ally with Strange to keep his dimension from being taken by the Mindless Ones. To repay Strange’s favour, Dormammu unwillingly released Clea and avoided invading Earth – STRANGE TALES #127.
Who Is Clea To Doctor Strange?
In MARVEL PREMIERE (1972) #12, Strange took Clea on as his apprentice during her exile on Earth. However, her arrival on Earth resulted in the loss of her abilities, so she began studying in the Sanctum Santorum. Clea’s natural abilities as a sorceress began to blossom under Strange’s tutelage. Over time, their romantic feelings for one another grew stronger. Clea would accompany Strange on adventures with ‘the Defenders,’ as well as Strange’s solo titles. In Doctor Strange #1 (1974), she was captured by Silver Dagger, a former Catholic Cardinal who had been driven insane by the Darkhold. This incident would bring Stephen and Clea closer together, perhaps in an unusual way. This is because Strange will need to possess her body to defeat Silver Dagger. Under Stephen’s guidance, Clea eventually earned her book of spells and became equal to him.
Clea Became The Ruler Of The Dark Dimension
When Dormammu was trapped in a pocket dimension following a battle with Doctor Strange and Eternity, Umar took control of the Dark Dimension for the first time. Clea had no choice but to join the rebellion against her mother, Umar. With the “Flames of Regency” around her head, Clea would win the battle and become the ruler of the Dark Dimension. Following the events of Doctor Strange #73 in 1974, she exiled both Umar and Orini to another dimension. Clea insisted on keeping Stephen as her consort, claiming that she needed him. Stephen declined, stating that his responsibilities were to Planet Earth. He further stated that Clea had demonstrated that she didn’t require his abilities or wisdom.
Sorcerers’ Marriage
Despite their acrimonious parting, Clea and Strange reunited soon after. Strange admitted that he was tired of trying to go past love and instead wanted to embrace it. Given the fact that they lived on two different dimensional planes, they married in 1988’s Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #3, forever uniting their souls. They weren’t legally married (since Clea is an extradimensional being), but they wore a mystical ring that looked like two but was one split in half on each finger. Dormammu would return to seize control of the Dark Dimension and imprison Clea, as he usually did. Dormammu was however defeated once more when Strange was drawn to the Dark Dimension to aid Clea. Umar reappears in Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #24, where it is revealed that she is in a relationship with Baron Mordo.
Clea returns to Earth with Strange, leaving Umar and Mordo in charge of the Dark Dimension. Clea couldn’t stay on Earth for long because her home dimension was constantly threatened by Dormammu. And the rebellion would always rely on her to maintain order. When a Faltinean named Flyx appeared to Clea, she had to return to the Dark Dimension. Flyx claimed to be Clea’s cousin and convinced her that Umar and Mordo had broken her trust. It was later revealed that Flyx was Dormammu. He eventually overtook Umar and Mordo’s power and established himself as the Dark Dimension’s ruler. See (Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #48-49). Clea would stay to lead the rebellion against Dormammu in New Avengers Illuminati #4, published in 2007 and become the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension.
Goodbye But Not Good Byes
Clea and Stephen’s relationship worsened as a result of their frequent separation. Moreover, while she was in the Dark Dimension, Strange’s interactions with other women wounded her heart. Clea paid a visit to the Sanctum Sanctorum in DOCTOR STRANGE ANNUAL (2016) #1 to make their separation official by cutting their mystic tie. Rather than settling their differences, Clea and Strange banded together to save Wong from a demonic building contractor. After that, Stephen informed Clea that he was not ready to dissolve their marriage. As a result, the two kept in contact, but just as friends.
Who Is Clea Strange – The Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme
In 2018’s Doctor Strange #17, Strange made a deal with Mephisto in exchange for his help to save reality. Mephisto agreed to help him in exchange for Clea forgetting about Stephen and their time together. He paid her one last visit, but the deal with Mephisto had already been made, and Clea began to forget things. Stephen was killed soon after, and all the magic spells he’d cast and deals he’d made were rendered useless. Clea was able to recall Stephen once again as a result of this event. Sometimes after, Clea discovered Stephen’s murderer with the help of a Temporal Remnant of him. She also had the opportunity to say farewell to him when he was briefly revived. Stephen confessed to Clea that he was a fool for ever letting her go before being snatched by Death again.
Stephen left her with the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation, insisting he couldn’t trust anyone else. In Death of Doctor Strange #2, Stephen grants the title of Sorceress Supreme to Clea. In honour of Stephen, Clea decides to adopt Stephen’s surname ‘Strange’ making her ‘Clea Strange’. Clea is likewise determined to find a way to release Strange from Death’s chilly embrace so that they can be reunited once more. It’s Marvel, so no one really dies.
What are Clea’s True Superpowers?
Clea is a half-Faltine, half-Dark Dimensional mortal who can fly and hover naturally.
Sorcery: Under Doctor Strange’s tutelage, Clea learned the arts of magic and rose to become the Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension. She possesses vast magical powers and knowledge just like Strange.
Flames Of Faltine: Clea has been bestowed with “The Flames of Regency” around her head as the ruler of the Dark Dimension. It’s a mystic flame crown, similar to Ghost Rider but without the skeletal aspect. Clea possesses the ability to instinctively wield the strong Flames of Faltine, enhancing her already formidable magical powers.
Molecular Rearrangement: Clea can rearrange molecules, which she has utilised to change her appearance.
Thoughtcasting: Clea can communicate telepathically. She can also implant telepathic suggestions in others’ minds, manipulate their memories, and detect whether or not they are lying.
Teleportation: Clea has the power to teleport herself and others to different places and dimensions.
Spell Phrases: Clea has the power to cast a variety of spells as a result of her mystic talent and Stephen’s teaching.
Like most superheroes in the Marvel Universe, she’s also a trained hand-to-hand combatant. Furthermore, as an extra-dimensional entity, she possesses greater power, endurance, and resilience than a human. And, given that she’s played by Charlize Theron, she’s presumably a badass.
Who Is Charlize Theron’s Clea In The MCU?
Theron’s Clea is portrayed a little differently in contrast to that of the comic, or maybe it’s just too early to say. Given the fact that her onscreen time is like 15 seconds in one of Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness’s two post-credits scenes. However, it’s safe to say that Charlize Theron didn’t sign up for one damsel-in-distress role at this point. Therefore, the best bet is that she might be the Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension but in need of Strange’s assistance to lead a rebellion against Dormammu. Judging by the end of Strange and Christine Palma’s (Rachel McAdams) romantic relationship in the Multiverse of Madness – Don’t be surprised when romantic sparks erupt between Strange and Clea when next we see them together.
