SCARLET SPHERE OF CYTTORAK
Classification: Magic Spells
Creator: Cyttorak
User/Possessors: Ancient One (Yao), Doctor Strange (Steven Strange)
First Appearance: Defenders I#119 (February, 1983)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Sphere of Cyttorak imprisons an opponent within a translucent sphere, presumably to prevent injury to its prisoner(s).
Version: Conjuration
Casting Time: Seconds
Range: Unrevealed, at least short range
Components: A somatic component: fingers/hands/arms gesture
Duration: Concentration
Primary effects: A purple and/or crimson colored sphere that traps persons and/or objects, one time it was green.
Collateral effects: None
History:
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme I#44 (fb) - BTS) - The Cyttorak-related spells were some of the first ones the Ancient One taught Doctor Strange. It's seems likely this included the Scarlet Sphere of Cyttorak.
(Defenders I#119) - When the techno-mage Yandroth attacked the Defenders he used his mindcontrol to take control of Namor, Clea, Nighthawk and Hellcat. Determined to stop the madman, Doctor Strange summoned the Sphere of Cyttorak to trap Nighthawk and Hellcat all while in astral form. On Strange's order, Valkyrie used her sword Dragonfang to break the Sphere of Cyttorak. The Defenders defeated Yandroth shortly after.
(Doctor Strange II#70) - Preparing to face Umar in the Dark Dimension, Doctor Strange summoned the Crimson Circles from the Sphere of Cyttorak to seal his chamber in the Sanctum Santorum. His mission, however was set back when Sara Wolfe knocked in the chamber's door.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme I#41) - When Doctor Strange and Clea were attacked inside the Sanctum Sanctorum by Wolverine, Doctor Strange quickly learned the X-Man was possessed by the Nameless One. After taking out Wolverine, Strange used a (albeit green) Scarlet Sphere of Cyttorak trap the powerful demon.
Comments: Created by Steven Grant, J.M. DeMatteis, and Sal Buscema.
To date there have been many spells attributed to Cyttorak: the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, the Crimson Circle of Cyttorak, the Scarlet Screen of Cyttorak, the Screaming Masks of Cyttorak and the Clamp of Cyttorak.
Personally I've never really understood the difference between the Crimson Circle, the Scarlet Screen and the Scarlet Sphere, they could very well all be the same spell. Also because in Doctor Strange II#70 (April, 1985) Strange summoned the "Crimson Circles from the Sphere of Cyttorak" so presumably they are part of the same spell.
Profile by MarvellousLuke
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Scarlet Sphere of Cyttorak has no known connections to
Images: (without ads)
Defenders I#119, p17, pan1 (main image)
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme I#41, p7, pan3 (trapping the Nameless One)
Appearances:
Defenders I#119 (February, 1983) - Steven Grant, J.M. DeMatteis (writers), Sal Buscema (pencils), Jack Abel (inks), Al Milgrom (editor)
Doctor Strange II#70 (April, 1985) - Roger Stern (writer), Bret Blevins (pencils), Terry Austin (inks), Carl Potts (editor)
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme I#41 (May, 1992) - Roy Thomas & Jean-Marc Lofficier (writers), Geof Isherwood (artist), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
First Posted: 05/05/2023
Last Updated: 05/05/2023
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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