Kaecilius Has His Eye On The Book Of Cagliostro In 'Doctor Strange Prelude: The Zealot,' Issue 1

Since July, Marvel has released two tie-in comics, setting the scene for the events leading up to the cinematic arrival of Doctor Strange. Doctor Strange Prelude: The Zealot, Issue 1 is the third prelude comic centering on the character of Kaecilius played by Mads Mikkelsen in the movie.

The comic originates in Denmark where tragedy befalls Kaecilius and his wife Adria.

As the panels wind on and on, we get to see a drunk man, hurt and lost. All he wants is to join his family and so he seeks out for knowledge. Kaecilius couldn't handle the loss of his dear ones. Soon, he became an inebriated man, developed crude opinions on God and other falsified concepts like Afterlife.

He fell through a crack in his life and came out as a Master of Mystic Arts courtesy of The Ancient One and the efforts of Karl Mordo, the wayfarer's guide.Concerted in his efforts, Kaecilius sought calm & peace through training but still lacked the knowledge to help him get closer to his family.

When patience becomes a lost virtue and redemption is all you want, you go and confront Saitama dressed like The Ancient One or maybe it's the other way. Anyway, here we see a rift between the two characters which could go further sideways in the future.

Arrogance, lust for knowledge - call it whatever you want but Truth is what Kaecilius is after and there's nothing stoppin' a man of such intent. Seems like the word 'Truth' here is a moral turpitude. He paid no heed to the foreboding advice of The One and meddles with books in the Kamar-Taj Library looking for answers. They all seem to reference one word - Cagliostro.

In comics, il Libro di Cagliostro [Book of Cagliostro] is a bible of mystical comprehension about life, death and time compiled from Darkhold, notes from 31st century sorcerer Sise-Neg and Cagliostro's own personal history - kinda like a magical version of Codex Gigas.

The comic ends as Kaecilius gains the trust of his students to perform a joint ritual as mentioned in one of the scriptures. They storm the Kamar-Taj Library in the middle of the night with the belief "While there is certain knowledge that can be given, there is still that which must be taken."

Doctor Strange enters cinematic realm this year, next month. But we do have a new image of The Sorcerer Supreme in his Sanctum Sanctorum....