One of the biggest questions surrounding ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is why Doctor Strange told Tony Stark that there was only one winning outcome among 14,000,605 possible futures. With the introduction of Earth-838 in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, fans have wondered whether Strange could have used the Illuminati’s combined powers to defeat Thanos more easily.
Earth-838 Doctor Strange Proves Why the Darkhold Wasn’t The Answer
The confusion comes from treating two very different universes as though they had the same heroes, resources, and history. The Strange who examined millions of possible futures in ‘Infinity War’ was operating with the people available to him on Earth-616. That included Tony, Peter Parker, and the Guardians of the Galaxy on Titan.
The Illuminati, meanwhile, existed on Earth-838, a different universe with its own version of Strange and an entirely different set of circumstances. Reed Richards, Professor X, and Black Bolt were not a team Strange could simply call upon in his own reality.
The events of ‘Multiverse of Madness’ provide another important piece of context. On Earth-838, Doctor Strange used the Darkhold to dreamwalk across the multiverse in search of a way to defeat Thanos. Although he helped save his universe, his actions ultimately caused an Incursion that destroyed another universe.
The Illuminati eventually executed him, with Black Bolt delivering the fatal blow after Strange acknowledged the danger his actions had created. This is where the comparison becomes particularly interesting.
The Darkhold offered Strange access to extraordinary power, but it also demonstrated how easily the pursuit of victory could lead to catastrophic consequences. Having more powerful allies or additional options did not necessarily guarantee a better outcome.
Why Doctor Strange Chose Tony’s Sacrifice In ‘Endgame’
When Strange examined the possible futures on Titan, he was looking for a path that defeated Thanos. The future he ultimately chose required the Avengers to endure the Snap, lose five years of their lives, and eventually bring everyone back.
In case you missed it: Marvel’s ‘VisionQuest’ May Have Been Hiding Ultron’s Real Intentions in Plain Sight
Tony’s sacrifice in ‘Endgame’ became the decisive moment that stopped Thanos for good. Strange’s single raised finger was a reminder that Tony had a crucial role to play. Revealing the winning outcome too early could have jeopardized the sequence of events that led to victory.
Importantly, the MCU never explicitly confirms that every alternative involving the Darkhold ended in an Incursion. However, Earth-838 demonstrates the danger of pursuing victory at any cost. Doctor Strange didn’t lie to Tony. He needed Tony to make the sacrifice that gave their universe a chance to survive.
You might like to read: ‘VisionQuest’ Teases Marvel’s First Human Superhero
