[this is best viewed when not on mobile; coding can be wonky on mobile.]
“
That was decidedly odd. And more than a little breezy.
”
STEPHEN
STRANGE
atlantis interviews by karen page - issue vi
Wwelcome to the next installment of Q&A with Atlantis' finest: you. Once again I was able to sit down with someone I'd heard of a little during my time in New York. It's always a pleasure whenever I'm able to speak with people when we're from the same world. Sometimes a little surreal, but it brings this mad and unpredictable place full circle in a lot of ways. Here we have Dr. Stephen Strange!
KAREN PAGE: What's your full name?
STEPHEN STRANGE: Stephen Vincent Strange
KP: Do you have a name preference or something you prefer to be called?
SS: I prefer Stephen. I've never really been one for nicknames.
KP: How long have you been in Atlantis?
SS: I was here for the better parts of seven months initially before I was sent back. This time I've been here for about six weeks.
KP: What place or world were you from before arriving in Atlantis?
SS: Earth.
KP: Do you find that it's a world that people in Atlantis already know about, or do they recognize you?
SS: There are a number of people from my world so yes, there have been a number who have recognised me.
KP: Okay, a little personal, but: how old are you?
SS: Slightly complicated question. 41 by my reckoning. 46 if we're talking chronologically.
KP: As someone who can time-travel, I imagine that can be a kind of complicated.
What sort of job did you have before coming here?
SS: I was the Sorcerer Supreme and a Master of the Mystic Arts. Rather grandiose titles but they weren't my choice.
KP: They're definitely a mouthful. Is it different than what you're doing in Atlantis?
SS: Somewhat different. I'm a team leader here. It's not out of my experience though. The Masters work in a more collegial manner but I was once a surgeon and there is certainly a great deal of teamwork involved in surgery.
KP: Here in Atlantis, are you in a relationship with anyone? Has it gotten serious?
SS: I am, though without having spoken to him first, I would prefer to reserve my answer as to who to it is. We got together when I was last here and decided to try again when I returned. I would say I am very serious. I know it will not last beyond our return to our world but while we are here, I will say I am very serious.
KP: Completely understandable, but it is nice to hear that you were able to rekindle that with him once you returned.
Do you have any furry friends here?
SS: No, I do not.
KP: What's the strangest moment that's happened to you in Atlantis so far?
SS: There was a day when I woke up in a bikini and was unable to change out of it. That was decidedly odd. And more than a little breezy.
KP: [laughs] I'll bet it was. What's been your best moment in Atlantis so far?
SS: Odd as it may seem, our little sojourn in Breckentale. It brought me and my partner together.
KP: I've heard good and not so good things about the couple of months, or years if we're talking memories, spent in that reality. It's so nice that you're able to still hold onto a piece of that, in a way. On the other side, do you have a worst moment here?
SS: I can't say I've been through anything too traumatising, though the place does have a habit of liking to rub the condition of my hands in my face.
KP: Aside from the unexpected departures is there anything about Atlantis that you wish were different?
SS: That it wasn't seemingly so intent on traumatising people.
KP: If you could change jobs in Atlantis, regardless of qualifications or skills, what would it be?
SS: To be able to be a surgeon again. I'm happy as I am now but I still miss it. I was very good at it.
KP: I do remember reading about some of your accomplishments over the years. What's the piece of home you miss the most?
SS: The New York Sanctum. I don't think I've ever felt so much at home anywhere else.
KP: Now here are a few just for fun: Who's the first person you'd call if you needed to bury a body?
SS: Wong.
KP: Now, flip it. Who's the first person that would call you if THEY needed to bury a body?
SS: Probably Wong again. Though possibly Christine as well.
KP: What did you dress up for Halloween last year?
SS: I didn't.
KP: WWhat product would you stockpile today if you found out that it would never be available after tomorrow?
SS: The Nepalese tea that I got very attached to at Kamar-Taj.
KP: If you could go back to your home world and live someone else's life instead of yours, who's might it be?
SS: No one. For all the highs and lows in my life, I wouldn't swap it.
KP: What's the most useless talent you have?
SS: I have an encyclopedic knowledge of songs, their album titles, and year of release.
KP: You'd be incredibly handy at music trivia then, and I'm going to go ahead and call dibs on you as my partner right now.
If you could be God for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?
SS: Go back in time and rid the universe of Thanos before he got hold of the first Infinity Stone.
KP: What reality show do you think you'd win?
SS: Jeopardy.
KP: Do you have any tattoos?
SS: No. I was never able to convince myself that even the best of tattooists would know how to sterilise their needles properly.
KP: What advice would you give to your younger self?
SS: Don't be such an ass. But my younger self wouldn't listen. Too much of an ass.
KP: Next, let's go for a little bit of 'this or that.' Go with your gut.
Dogs or cats?
SS: Cats.
KP: New York or Los Angeles?
SS: New York.
KP: Beach or mountains?
SS: Mountains.
KP: London or Paris?
SS: London.
KP: Tea or coffee?
SS: Tea.
KP: Early bird or night owl?
SS: Night owl.
KP: Dine-in or delivery?
SS: Delivery.
KP: Method of transportation: Motorcycle or Pegasus?
SS: Pegasus.
KP: Chocolate or vanilla?
SS: Chocolate.
KP: Beer or wine?
SS: Wine.
KP: Comedy or horror?
SS: Comedy.
KP: A few more to wrap things up.
What's something about you that people in Atlantis probably don't know?
SS: I had a sister named Donna. She died when I was fifteen.
KP: I'm so sorry to hear that. If the war ended today, would you choose to stay or leave?
SS: If we were given a choice? [small laugh] I honestly don't know. There are certainly reasons why I would want to stay but there are equally as many reasons why I would want to go back.
KP: That's a decision I struggle with a lot, so I understand the pull from both sides.
If you were to unexpectedly leave Atlantis, how do you want to be remembered?
SS: As someone who helped.
KP: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the rest of Atlantis?
SS: Not that I can think of.
Thank you, Doctor Strange! Sitting down with one of the most powerful beings is both intimidating and thrilling, and I'm very thankful you took the time to chat with me!
Stay tuned for more Atlantis Interviews coming your way soon. ♠️