Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 4

Cover Date: July 2018; On Sale Date: May 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Rod Reis & Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Rod Reis; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

The Midnight Sons, led by Wong, fight against the demons of Mephisto in Las Vegas, including the Avengers that are possessed by Spirits of Vengeance. Mephisto arrives on the Ghost Rider's motorcycle with Johnny Blaze's dead body in tow. Unknown to Mephisto, though, Blaze's death was all part of Wing's plan. Blaze has now claimed the throne of He'll and is able to free the soul of Dr. Strange and take control of the possessed Avengers. Mephisto opens a fissure in the ground and Wong falls into He'll. He's found by Blaze, who has been in Hell for far longer than has passed on Earth die to Hell's faster rate of time. Blaze uses his power to send the souls of the Avengers into Strange, who uses the power upgrade to defeat Mephisto. The devil escapes back to Hell, but Las Vegas and the Avengers are freed from the forces possessing them. In Hell, Mephisto us found by Blaze, who confronts him with a force of Ghost Riders from the past, present, and even other dimensions. Mephisto reappears in chains in front of Strange and Wong in Las Vegas, presented as a gift from Blaze. Wong imprisons Mephisto in a mystical cell inside the penthouse of the demonic casino left behind.

Later, Strange meets with Blade, Elsa Bloodstone, Brother Voodoo, and Moon Knight to make a plan to rescue Johnny Blaze from Hell. When Blade comments that no one else would willingly go to Hell with them, Strange produces photos of his candidates, including Scarlet Witch, Doctor Doom, and Daimon Hellstrom among others.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 1

Cover Date: April 2018; On Sale Date: February 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Rod Reis; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Rod Reis; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

Following its total destruction by Hydra, a group of Avengers (Falcon, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel) stand on the outskirts of Las Vegas to commemorate the people who died.  Doctor Strange appears and uses his magical power to resurrect the city and all of its inhabitants just as they were before the city was destroyed.  The celebration is interrupted by a tower erupting from the ground into the sky, while a demonic carnival barker invites them to enter the Hotel Inferno casino.  Strange tells the other Avengers that he will handle the situation and goes inside the casino, where he's greeted by Mephisto.  The Hell Lord explains that Las Vegas and its citizens appeared in Hell after its destruction and became part of his realm; when Strange's spell brought the city back it also allowed Mephisto to spread Hell to Earth.  Mephisto takes Strange to the hotel vault, where he has captured the souls of everyone in Las Vegas that has sinned, transforming the people outside into demonic creatures.  Outside, the Avengers attempt to hold back the possessed people but quickly fall into bickering with one another.  With their sins laid bare, the Avengers are each transformed into flaming skulled Ghost Riders.  Mephisto wagers the fate of the city on a game of poker with Doctor Strange, who accepts though his own soul is on the line.

Elsewhere, Strange's ghost dog companion Bats goes to the home of Wong, Strange's former partner, to tell him that the Doctor is in trouble.  Wong reluctantly agrees to help, but admits that they'll need more muscle to stop Mephisto.  He uses magic to locate a team of heroes with the experience they need: Blade, Moon Knight, Else Bloodstone, Doctor Voodoo, Man-Thing, Iron Fist, and to lead them: the Ghost Rider.