Cloak of Levitation
Encyclopedia
The Cloak of Levitation is a potent mystical item worn by Doctor Strange
, a character in the Marvel Comics
universe
. The primary purpose of the Cloak is to give its wearer the ability to levitate and fly. The first appearance of the first (minor - blue) Cloak was in "Strange Tales
" #110, produced in 1963. The first appearance of the second (greater - red) Cloak was in "Strange Tales
" #127, produced in 1964.
: a billowing, full-length blue cloak
, that had minor abilities and spells woven into it, and the later red cloak that Strange is usually seen wearing.
The original design of the red Cloak of Levitation has been modified slightly by different artists since its creation; this includes the 'horns' around the collar. However, the basic shape and color scheme have remained intact, for the most part. The Cloak has the ability to change shape and shade inline with the wearer's will.
The Cloak of Levitation is a full-length cloak
, with enough surface to fully cover Strange. Even though the color scheme of the Cloak has somewhat varied over the years, the basic color of the Cloak is usually a darker red, often with yellow (golden) designs around the border and collar. Most versions of the Cloak also feature an upraised collar.
.
The red Cloak's first appearance is in Strange Tales
#127, where, after Doctor Strange prevails in a battle with Dormammu
, The Ancient One presents it to Strange as a sort of "prize", having deemed him worthy to wear the Cloak.
The Cloak of Levitation is seen in a great many battles, most of which it plays a significant part. While it is extremely durable, there are a few occasions where it manages to take damage. Due to its mystical origins and properties, simply mending the Cloak with average needle and thread would not suffice. Instead, a person with great knowledge of a mystical weaving technique must mend the garment (though, as a test of worthiness for The Living Tribunal, Strange uses a great amount of mystical energy to reconstruct the Cloak).
It is because of this that Strange gains a friend and valuable ally; after the Cloak is damaged in battle, it is sent to Enitharmon the Weaver to be repaired. After Enitharmon finishes repairing it, he sends it back in the hands of Rintrah, his assistant. After getting his valued Cloak back, Doctor Strange offers Rintrah a position as his disciple, and Rintrah accepts. Rintrah himself later gains Strange's first, blue, levitation cloak, a separate object from the red one.
Misuse of magic (which included a bond with the demonic Zom
) causes Doctor Strange's fate as Sorcerer Supreme to be left up in the air. After several days on the run from evil forces, Strange supervises the transfer of the title to the heroic Brother Voodoo
. The new Sorcerer gains the Cloak, now slightly modified, as part of his new status.
In the first example, after going underground for a good deal of time, the Doctor resurfaces wearing a new Cloak of Levitation. This Cloak bears more resemblance to a Kimono
or a robe.
After being drafted into the War of the Seven Spheres, where he does battle for five thousand years, he returns to his home dimension, his Kimono-like Cloak in pieces. He repairs what's left of this Cloak into a third Cloak of Levitation (sometimes called the "Overcoat of Levitation"), this one bearing resemblance to a trench coat
.
Sometime after this, however, he abandons his new Cloak in favor of his original, traditional Cloak of Levitation.
.
involving the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos
uses the Cloak to hang Dr. Strange, causing his death. This ties into the main series, where Thanos is using the gauntlet to control all of reality. Here, Strange is not slain with his cloak.
to the Punisher. Though the vigilante uses it an attempt to kill all vampires, Wolverine tears the cloak and eye off and kills him.
, one of the villainous rulers of a post-apocalypse America.
In addition to levitation, the Cloak possesses abilities greater than that of any normal garment. These include:
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, a character in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. The primary purpose of the Cloak is to give its wearer the ability to levitate and fly. The first appearance of the first (minor - blue) Cloak was in "Strange Tales
Strange Tales
Strange Tales is the name of several comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It introduced the features "Doctor Strange" and "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", and was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the...
" #110, produced in 1963. The first appearance of the second (greater - red) Cloak was in "Strange Tales
Strange Tales
Strange Tales is the name of several comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It introduced the features "Doctor Strange" and "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", and was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the...
" #127, produced in 1964.
Physical appearance
There were two distinctively different Cloaks worn by Doctor Strange, as bequeathed him by his mentor; the Ancient OneAncient One
The Ancient One is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was the mentor of Doctor Strange and preceded him as Sorcerer Supreme.-Fictional character biography:...
: a billowing, full-length blue cloak
Cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been...
, that had minor abilities and spells woven into it, and the later red cloak that Strange is usually seen wearing.
The original design of the red Cloak of Levitation has been modified slightly by different artists since its creation; this includes the 'horns' around the collar. However, the basic shape and color scheme have remained intact, for the most part. The Cloak has the ability to change shape and shade inline with the wearer's will.
The Cloak of Levitation is a full-length cloak
Cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been...
, with enough surface to fully cover Strange. Even though the color scheme of the Cloak has somewhat varied over the years, the basic color of the Cloak is usually a darker red, often with yellow (golden) designs around the border and collar. Most versions of the Cloak also feature an upraised collar.
History
While next to nothing is known about the Cloak of Levitation before it is given to Doctor Strange, it is suspected that the Cloak is many centuries old, since it was in the possession of the Ancient OneAncient One
The Ancient One is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was the mentor of Doctor Strange and preceded him as Sorcerer Supreme.-Fictional character biography:...
.
The red Cloak's first appearance is in Strange Tales
Strange Tales
Strange Tales is the name of several comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It introduced the features "Doctor Strange" and "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.", and was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the...
#127, where, after Doctor Strange prevails in a battle with Dormammu
Dormammu
Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
, The Ancient One presents it to Strange as a sort of "prize", having deemed him worthy to wear the Cloak.
The Cloak of Levitation is seen in a great many battles, most of which it plays a significant part. While it is extremely durable, there are a few occasions where it manages to take damage. Due to its mystical origins and properties, simply mending the Cloak with average needle and thread would not suffice. Instead, a person with great knowledge of a mystical weaving technique must mend the garment (though, as a test of worthiness for The Living Tribunal, Strange uses a great amount of mystical energy to reconstruct the Cloak).
It is because of this that Strange gains a friend and valuable ally; after the Cloak is damaged in battle, it is sent to Enitharmon the Weaver to be repaired. After Enitharmon finishes repairing it, he sends it back in the hands of Rintrah, his assistant. After getting his valued Cloak back, Doctor Strange offers Rintrah a position as his disciple, and Rintrah accepts. Rintrah himself later gains Strange's first, blue, levitation cloak, a separate object from the red one.
Misuse of magic (which included a bond with the demonic Zom
Zom
Zom is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a gigantic semi-humanoid demon who has clashed with Doctor Strange.-Publication history:...
) causes Doctor Strange's fate as Sorcerer Supreme to be left up in the air. After several days on the run from evil forces, Strange supervises the transfer of the title to the heroic Brother Voodoo
Brother Voodoo
Brother Voodoo is a fictional character, a supernatural superhero in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Gene Colan, he first appears in Strange Tales #169...
. The new Sorcerer gains the Cloak, now slightly modified, as part of his new status.
Other cloaks
While, though most of the series, Doctor Strange wears the same cloak, there are a few occasions where he stores his traditional cloak and uses a newly-created cloak.In the first example, after going underground for a good deal of time, the Doctor resurfaces wearing a new Cloak of Levitation. This Cloak bears more resemblance to a Kimono
Kimono
The is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" , has come to denote these full-length robes...
or a robe.
After being drafted into the War of the Seven Spheres, where he does battle for five thousand years, he returns to his home dimension, his Kimono-like Cloak in pieces. He repairs what's left of this Cloak into a third Cloak of Levitation (sometimes called the "Overcoat of Levitation"), this one bearing resemblance to a trench coat
Trench coat
A trench coat or trenchcoat is a raincoat made of waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or leather. It generally has a removable insulated lining; and it is usually knee-length.-History:...
.
Sometime after this, however, he abandons his new Cloak in favor of his original, traditional Cloak of Levitation.
Counter-Earth
The Counter Earth, a planet that orbits opposite of the regular Earth, has a version of Doctor Strange called the Necromancer. This sorcerer also has a Cloak.Future Imperfect
The cloak is seen in the Hulk graphic novel "Future Imperfect". Taking place a hundred years from 'now', after a nuclear war, the cloak, tattered, is shown as one of many items in the memorial-room home of the Hulk associate Rick JonesRick Jones (comics)
Richard Milhouse "Rick" Jones is a fictional comic book character in the .-Publication history:Rick Jones first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, as a sidekick to the Incredible Hulk...
.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The cloak survives to the far future, in the Earth 691 timeline. Here, Doctor Strange passes down his mantle and cloak to the alien sorcerer Krugarr. The alien wears it consistently through his multiple appearances.Infinity Gauntlet
In an alternate realityParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
involving the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
uses the Cloak to hang Dr. Strange, causing his death. This ties into the main series, where Thanos is using the gauntlet to control all of reality. Here, Strange is not slain with his cloak.
What If...
In the reality where Wolverine becomes lord of the vampires, a severely weakened Doctor Strange lends his Cloak and the Eye of AgamottoEye of Agamotto
The Eye of Agamotto is a fictional mystical item in the Marvel Comics universe. The artist Steve Ditko, drew inspiration from the real world charm called 'The All Seeing Eye of the Buddha', known among Buddhists as "The Amulet of Snail Martyrs", a Nepali symbol meant to protect its wearer against...
to the Punisher. Though the vigilante uses it an attempt to kill all vampires, Wolverine tears the cloak and eye off and kills him.
Wolverine: Old Man Logan
The cloak is seen in another trophy case, this time belonging to the Red SkullRed Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
, one of the villainous rulers of a post-apocalypse America.
Abilities
The Cloak of Levitation, as its name suggests, has the primary purpose of granting its wearer levitation. The greatest advantage of this is that it wearer need know little about the mystic arts in order to operate it, nor must the wearer tire any of his "mystical strength" in order to operate it. While the Cloak actually has no will of its own, it has been known to act on the will of its wearer without command, responding to mere thought. While the top speed of the Cloak is unknown, it has been shown traveling at subsonic speeds. The maximum load-bearing weight of the Cloak is also unknown, but Doctor Strange has been shown carrying passengers. In the miniseries "The Oath", it is suggested that the Cloak exhibits semi-sentient behavior (such as hiding in a favorite closet).In addition to levitation, the Cloak possesses abilities greater than that of any normal garment. These include:
- Resistance to damage from the elements, physical attack, and mystical attacks, (for example, the Cloak has withstood the direct blow from the enchanted Asgardian crowbar of the WreckerWrecker (comics)The Wrecker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Wrecker was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appears in The Mighty Thor #148 The Wrecker (Dirk Garthwaite) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics....
) - The ability to change shape to mimic other garments, such a business suit,
- Ability to act upon the will of its last wearer, even when not in physical contact (or even in the same room) as the wearer,
- The ability to act as an extra limb, grabbing, striking, or even wrapping. It snatches a thrown knife in issue 66, for example.