Warning! Spoilers for Strange Academy #3, in stores now!
Avengers Mansion, Baxter Building, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, these are a few examples of iconic locations that are the base of operations for some of Doctor Stephen Strange had to realize this when he put his name on a school in New Orleans that sought to teach the next generation of sorcerers. But in the latest issue of Strange Academy, did creators Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos already predict the school's destruction, and does it have something to do with one of its students?
The issue begins with a class in session with the Ancient One, as the whimsical lesson ends with no homework and an impromptu class trip to New Orleans to start the weekend. Young does his best to craft out the energy and enthusiasm of this unusual gang of magicians who can't decide whether to get food or check out a creepy Voodoo Museum in the crowded New Orleans quarters. Those who take the tour get more than they bargained for when they get to their complimentary palm reading with Miss Hazel, who's supposed to be quite good.
While the young magicians try to turn down the offer in hopes of getting a bite to eat, Miss Hazel insists that they do, especially cocky attitude that earned him a day in Limbo in the previous issue. He asks for Miss Hazel to tell him his future when she'd rather show it to him. In a full-page spread by Ramos, we see a series of interconnected visions linked by fire that show pain, death, and great evil focused around the destruction of the Strange Academy by Doyle's father.
Young and Ramos use this opportunity to give its audience a hint of what's to come in future issues. In the beginning, there was skepticism about having Dormammu's son as a student in the new school and it's still not clear if the Lord of Chaos is even aware of his presence there. The school's founder is present, spells casting and magical axe raised, but it appears to be too little, too late. The multi-eyed one could be a hint that Dr. Strange's enemy Mister Misery could be making a reappearance along with the Fear Lord known as Nightmare, with a group of misshapen individuals in robes that do not look like the magical cavalry also present. Others are either screaming in torment or dying as some of his classmates discover Iric's, Doyle's roommate, and Alvi's Asgardian brother, smoldering body.
The vision clearly disturbs Doyle whose torment is ended by Zoe Laveau, whose authority is recognized by Miss Hazel. Fortunately, the group is alerted of a gang harassing classmates Alvi and Calvin and Doyle almost lets his temper get the best of him in the fight but he's stopped when they're reminded that using their magic maliciously would destroy everything the Strange Academy is trying to teach them. As the students go to enjoy some victory beignets, two of the robed creatures from Doyle's vision appear from the shadows, suggesting that the Strange Academy's destruction may happen sooner than you think. Doctor Strange better start talking to the X-Men about where to get construction materials at a discount.
