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Sanctum Sanctorum (Marvel Comics)

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The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, as the residence and headquarters of Doctor Strange. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the building first appeared in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963). It is located at the address 177A Bleecker Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.[1] This is a reference to the address of an apartment once shared by writers Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich.

Sanctum Sanctorum
Sanctum Sanctorum
Art by Steve Ditko
First appearanceStrange Tales #110
(July 1963)
Created byStan Lee
Steve Ditko
In-universe information
TypeResidence
LocationUnited States, New York City
CharactersDoctor Strange
PublisherMarvel Comics

The Sanctum Sanctorum has appeared in various media adaptations, including animated television series, video games, and in numerous media within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Publication history

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The Sanctum Sanctorum first appeared with Doctor Strange in his debut in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963), drawn by Steve Ditko.[2][3] The details of the building have varied by artist, with one reviewer noting, for example, of Marvel Premiere #3 (July 1972) that "[n]ot since the heady days of Ditko for instance, did the doctor's sanctum sanctorum appear in such scrumptious detail, laden it seemed, with the heavy odor of burning incense".[4] In a comical turn in Strange Tales #147, a building inspector informs Strange that he has six months to get the Sanctum Sanctorum repainted and make other repairs, or the building will be condemned.[5] It has been described as "an integral part of the Doctor Strange mythos".[6]

The 2011 comic Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange depicts the first night that Strange spent in the Sanctum Sanctorum.[7]

Characterization

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Location

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177 Bleecker Street, New York City in 2013.

The Sanctum Sanctorum is a three-story townhouse located at 177A Bleecker Street.[8][3] It is "in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village."[9] Contrary to fan theories that this address was meant to invoke 221B Baker Street, the fictional domicile of Sherlock Holmes, it was actually a reference to the address of an apartment shared in the 1960s by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich.[3][2] In the comics, the building was said to have been built upon a site where pagan sacrifices were performed, and Native American rituals before that, and serves as a focal point of supernatural energies. It was noted that as of 2016, the location could be found on Google Maps.[8]

Architecture

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The building's depiction has varied over the years but some elements remain consistent. "The outside looks like a townhouse, while past a veil of magical force on the inside are various rooms with various mystical artifacts", as one source put it.[10] The building seems to have more space in its interior than its outside would suggest.[2] Some corridors become labyrinths, and the layout and arrangement of some rooms appears to shift on their own. The house holds many powerful magical items, some of which have an innocent appearance. Some are dangerous, such as a radio which is fatal to the touch. The basement contains storage, a furnace, and the laundry. The first floor contains living rooms, dining rooms, and the general library. The second floor holds living quarters for Strange, Wong, and any guests they may have. The Sanctum Sanctorum is specifically the third floor of the building, home to Strange's meditation room and occult library, where he keeps the Book of the Vishanti, and his repository of ancient artifacts and objects of magical power, such as the Orb of Agamotto.[2]

The Sanctum consistently has a circular skylight with four swooping lines; this design has stayed with the building despite the window's destruction on many occasions. The design of the window is actually the Seal of the Vishanti; it protects the Sanctum from most supernatural invaders. It is also called the "Window of the Worlds," or the Anomaly Rue.[11] Certain members of the New Avengers appear to acknowledge this. Chemistro, a super-villain member of the Hood's army, though possessing no such power to directly break that of the Vishanti's, was able to change the chemical composition of the wood that held the seal to break it.[12] In one story Baron Mordo was able to transport the house to another dimension.[13] The artistic directors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film adaptation described it as a "turn-of-the-century empire—timeless, really—mixture of classical and neoclassical American architecture".[6]

Residents

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Its main residents, apart from Strange, have been his lover/apprentice Clea, his manservant Wong, and the apprentice sorcerer Rintrah.

The Sanctum Sanctorum became the headquarters of the New Avengers for a time, having been magically disguised as an abandoned building designated as a future Starbucks cafe. The run-down disguise extends to the interior of the building as needed, undetectable by even the Extremis armor of Iron Man.[volume & issue needed]

The building has also served as headquarters of the Defenders.[2]

Defenses

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After constructing the house, Doctor Strange cast a permanent, intricate spell of mystical force to protect it. Despite this, it was seemingly destroyed in a siege by mystical forces, during the Midnight Sons storyline, while various heroes such as the Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider, and Johnny Blaze were hiding inside.[volume & issue needed]

During the World War Hulk storyline, the Sanctum was invaded by the forces of the alien Warbound, its defensive enchantments and illusions shattered by Hiroim.[14]

After the use of unacceptable dark magics in the fight against the Hulk, the Sanctum is invaded by the Hood's army, who are ultimately defeated amid much damage to the building. Doctor Strange is forced to retreat when the battle allows the government-sanctioned Mighty Avengers to take over the Sanctum. Brother Voodoo is called in to neutralize the remnants of the defensive magics.[12]

On one occasion, Doctor Strange destroyed the defenses of the Sanctum to avoid their exploitation by a foe.[15]

Reception

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Accolades

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  • In 2019, CBR.com ranked the Sanctum Sanctorum 4th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list.[16]
  • In 2020, CBR.com ranked the Sanctum Sanctorum 9th in their "Avengers 10 Best Headquarters" list.[17]

Other versions

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Marvel Zombies

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In the "Marvel Zombies" continuity, a handful of heroes seek help and information at the Sanctum. Wong is slain there by a zombified Doctor Druid, who is then killed by Ash Williams. Some of the semi-living books in the house provide vital assistance in the zombie-resistance effort.[18]

Ultimate Marvel

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In the "Ultimate Marvel" continuity, a taxi propelled by great force pierces the defense of the house. The top-floor window sigil is shattered, along with the prison that holds monsters. These are let loose, followed by Dormammu. The fight that follows destroys the Sanctum and kills Strange.[19]

In other media

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Television

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Film

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

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The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

  • As depicted in the live-action film Doctor Strange (2016),[3][22] the Masters of the Mystic Arts utilize three Sanctums in New York, London, and Hong Kong to defend Earth against interdimensional threats. Kaecilius attempts to destroy the Sanctums so Dormammu can consume Earth, but he and his followers are defeated by Doctor Strange, who becomes the master of the New York Sanctum following the death of its previous master, Daniel Drumm, and takes up residence there. The artistic directors of the film recognized the Sanctum Sanctorum itself as "a big character in the film", leading them to design "a building with a distinct, individualized personality".[6]
  • The New York Sanctum appears in the live-action film Thor: Ragnarok (2017).[3][23] Strange transports Thor to the Sanctum to help him and Loki find their father, Odin.
  • The New York Sanctum appears in the live-action film Avengers: Infinity War (2018).[3][24] Bruce Banner crashes into the New York Sanctum and warns Strange and Wong of Thanos. Strange summons Tony Stark to inform him of Thanos and the Infinity Stones and after hearing noises outside, they leave the Sanctum. Wong returns through a portal to protect the Sanctum.
  • An alternate timeline variant of the New York Sanctum appears in the live-action film Avengers: Endgame (2019),[25] in which Banner time-travels to 2012 to recover the Time Stone[3] and encounters the Ancient One.
  • An alternate damaged, unidentified Sanctum appears in the live-action series Loki (2021) episode "Journey into Mystery". It is located in the Void at the end of time.[26]
  • The New York Sanctum appears in the live-action film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).[27] Peter Parker visits the New York Sanctum and finds that it is covered in snow, with two people working to shovel it, while Wong greets him. Parker speaks with Wong and Strange, asking for help in erasing the world's knowledge that he is Spider-Man, caused by Mysterio. Wong leaves through a portal and Strange takes Parker to the Sanctum's basement where he performs a spell to that effect, but it goes awry, causing alternate universe-displaced people to enter their universe. Later, Strange brings Parker's friends, MJ and Ned Leeds, to the Sanctum to work with Parker in the undercroft, where Strange subsequently holds the universe-displaced in cells. Strange arrives with his artifact containing the spell, but Parker takes it and runs out of the Sanctum. He returns to the undercroft through a portal and frees the universe-displaced promising to help them.
  • An alternate universe version of the New York Sanctum appears in the animated Disney+ series What If...? (2021) episode "What If... Zombies?".
  • The New York Sanctum appears in the live-action film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).[28][29] Strange wakes up from a multiversal dream in his bedroom at the Sanctum. He later portals to the main level and also fixes his watch.
    • Additionally, two alternate universe versions of the Sanctum appear, with one being mastered by Karl Mordo and another that housed the Darkhold-corrupted "Sinister Strange".

Video games

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Miscellaneous

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The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in "The Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown" and "Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop" Lego sets.[36][37]

References

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  1. ^ Cecchini, Mike (2016-11-12). "Doctor Strange: Complete Marvel Universe References and Easter Egg Guide". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sanderson, Peter (2007). The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City. New York City: Pocket Books. pp. 24–27. ISBN 978-1-4165-3141-8.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Tyler, Adrienne (April 18, 2020). "Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum ISN'T A Sherlock Holmes Reference". Screen Rant.
  4. ^ Pierre Comtois, Marvel Comics in the 1970s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon (2011), p. 106.
  5. ^ Strange Tales #147.
  6. ^ a b c Jacob Johnston, Alexandra Byrne, Scott Derrickson, Marvel's Doctor Strange - The Art Of The Movie (2018).
  7. ^ "The Untold Tale of the Sanctum Sanctorum". www.marvel.com.
  8. ^ a b "Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum is on Google Maps". Time. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
  9. ^ Gina Renée Misiroglu, David A. Roach, The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-book Icons and Hollywood Heroes (2004), p. 183.
  10. ^ Romano, Nick (January 5, 2016). "Doctor Strange Movie Art Reveals the Sanctum Sanctorum". Collider.
  11. ^ Strange Tales #110 (1963)
  12. ^ a b New Avengers Annual #2
  13. ^ Strange Tales #117 (1964)
  14. ^ World War Hulk #3.
  15. ^ M. Keith Booker, Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels (2010), p. 156.
  16. ^ Avina, Anthony (2019-09-06). "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  17. ^ Allan, Scoot (2020-03-02). "The Avengers 10 Best Headquarters, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  18. ^ Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness #3 (July 2007)
  19. ^ Jeph Loeb (w). Ultimatum, vol. 1, no. 1-5 (January - September 2009). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ "Strange". Ultimate Spider-Man. Season 1. Episode 13.
  21. ^ Olivieri, Joshua (March 3, 2018). "8 Animated Marvel Movies Better Than Anything In The DCAU (And 7 Much Worse)". CBR.com.
  22. ^ Faraci, Devin (June 28, 2015). "Expect "Mind-Bending Weirdness" From Doctor Strange, Says Kevin Feige". Birth. Movies. Death. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  23. ^ Leadbeater, Alex (February 22, 2018). "Thor: Ragnarok's Deleted Scenes Hide Odin's Original Death". ScreenRant.
  24. ^ Francisco, Eric (April 27, 2018). "'Thor: Ragnarok' Explains Why Hulk Is Missing in 'Infinity War'". Inverse.
  25. ^ Russo, Anthony; Russo, Joe (Directors) (2019). Avengers: Endgame (Motion picture). Marvel Studios.
  26. ^ Thompson, David (July 8, 2021). "Loki Easter Egg Reveals Familiar Doctor Strange Location In New Episode". The Direct.
  27. ^ Guttmann, Graeme (July 2, 2021). "Spider-Man: No Way Home Toy Teases Doctor Strange & Wong In Fight Scene". ScreenRant.
  28. ^ "Doctor Strange 2 Filming Locations For The Multiverse of Madness". ScreenRant. May 6, 2022.
  29. ^ Haldar, Sneha. "Where was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness shot? Filming locations explored". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  30. ^ Dumaraog, Ana (June 22, 2018). "Spider-Man PS4 Footage Reveals Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum". Screen Rant.
  31. ^ Madesn, Hayes (June 10, 2020). "What Heroes Should Appear in PS5's Spider-Man 2?". Screen Rant.
  32. ^ Insomniac Games (2023). Spider-Man 2. Sony Interactive Entertainment.
  33. ^ "Here are the best Spider-Man 2 easter eggs we've found so far". 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  34. ^ Thwaites, Sarah (2022-11-17). "Every Marvel Snap location (and what they do)". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  35. ^ Arnold, Matt (2022-10-22). "Marvel Snap: Complete Locations Guide". TheGamer. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  36. ^ "76108-1: Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown". Brickset. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  37. ^ Davies, Matilda (2021-11-04). "Spider-Man No Way Home Lego set includes Doctor Strange's Sanctum". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
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