10 Times Doctor Strange Outsmarted Everyone

10. Outplaying Dormammu - Strange Tales #127

The Sorcerer Supreme's various victories against Dormammu are perhaps his most well known comic feats, especially with the popularity of the 2016 Doctor Strange film.

Which is why it's so bizarre that Strange's smartest defeat of the ruler of the Dark Dimension is also the one least known. While the majority of clashes involve Stephen sealing the Eater of Souls away in some alternate universe, Strange Tales #129 has the magician go an entirely different route, instead helping the Dread One after their battle results in the Dark Dimension being invaded.

Aware his life and world are in debt to the Master of Black Magic, Dormmamu reluctantly becomes the hero's temporary ally, and agrees to not invade Earth as thanks for the magician's assistance.

It's not entirely life-altering - as Dormammu is hardly BFFs with Strange, and would still gladly murder him in cold blood if the chance arose - but in terms of pitting one weedy sorcerer against a Lord of Chaos, it's a pretty impressive result.