10 MCU Moments Better Than Their Comic Origin
3. Dr. Strange's First Encounter With Dormammu
The conflict between Dr. Strange and Dormammu is a classic David vs Goliath set-up taken up to eleven due to the considerable difference in power between the Dread One and the Sorcerer Supreme. This is especially noteworthy due to Strange possessing incredible mystical power in his own right.
Their first clashes both took place in Dormammu's domain, the Dark Dimension. They both involve Strange engaging Dormammu in place of his mentor the Ancient One and Dormammu dominating the fight due to his overwhelming power advantage, with Strange narrowly claiming victory. The difference lies in how the victory was achieved. The comics version of the encounter saw Strange actually empower Dormammu to defeat a group of beings called the Mindless Ones and this makes Dormammu indebted to Strange for his help.
The film version eschews the Mindless Ones and has Strange trick Dormammu by trapping him in a time loop courtesy of the Time Stone's power. It's a unique and inventive way of stopping a significantly more powerful villain and shows Strange's quick-thinking and intuitive nature.