Sanctum Sanctorum (Marvel Comics)

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The Sanctum Sanctorum first appeared with Doctor Strange in his debut in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963), drawn by Steve Ditko.{{cite book | last = Sanderson | first = Peter | title = The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City | publisher = Pocket Books | year = 2007 | location = New York City | pages = 24–27 | isbn = 978-1-4165-3141-8}}{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-strange-sanctum-sanctorum-address-sherlock-holmes-reference/ |title=Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum ISN'T A Sherlock Holmes Reference|first1=Adrienne|last1=Tyler|publisher=Screen Rant|date=April 18, 2020}} The details of the building have varied by artist, with one reviewer noting, for example, of Marvel Premiere #3 (July 1972) that "[n]ot since the heady days of Ditko for instance, did the doctor's sanctum sanctorum appear in such scrumptious detail, laden it seemed, with the heavy odor of burning incense".Pierre Comtois, Marvel Comics in the 1970s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon (2011), p. 106. In a comical turn in Strange Tales #147, a building inspector informs Strange that he has six months to get the Sanctum Sanctorum repainted and make other repairs, or the building will be condemned.Strange Tales #147. It has been described as "an integral part of the Doctor Strange mythos".Jacob Johnston, Alexandra Byrne, Scott Derrickson, Marvel's Doctor Strange - The Art Of The Movie (2018).

The 2011 comic Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange depicts the first night that Strange spent in the Sanctum Sanctorum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-spells-of-doctor-strange-securing-the-sanctum-sanctorum|title=The Untold Tale of the Sanctum Sanctorum|website=www.marvel.com}}

File:177 Bleecker Street.jpg, New York City in 2013.]]

The Sanctum Sanctorum is a three-story townhouse located at 177A Bleecker Street.{{Cite magazine|title=Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum is on Google Maps|url=https://time.com/4542437/doctor-strange-google-maps-sanctum-santorum/|access-date=2021-11-26|magazine=Time|date=24 October 2016 |language=en}} It is "in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village."Gina Renée Misiroglu, David A. Roach, The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-book Icons and Hollywood Heroes (2004), p. 183. Contrary to fan theories that this address was meant to invoke 221B Baker Street, the fictional domicile of Sherlock Holmes, it was actually a reference to the address of an apartment shared in the 1960s by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich. In the comics, the building was said to have been built upon a site where pagan sacrifices were performed, and Native American rituals before that, and serves as a focal point of supernatural energies. It was noted that as of 2016, the location could be found on Google Maps.

The building's depiction has varied over the years but some elements remain consistent. "The outside looks like a townhouse, while past a veil of magical force on the inside are various rooms with various mystical artifacts", as one source put it.{{Cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Doctor Strange Movie Art Reveals the Sanctum Sanctorum |url=https://collider.com/doctor-strange-movie-image-sanctum-sanctorum/ |publisher=Collider}} The building seems to have more space in its interior than its outside would suggest. Some corridors become labyrinths, and the layout and arrangement of some rooms appears to shift on their own. The house holds many powerful magical items, some of which have an innocent appearance. Some are dangerous, such as a radio which is fatal to the touch. The basement contains storage, a furnace, and the laundry. The first floor contains living rooms, dining rooms, and the general library. The second floor holds living quarters for Strange, Wong, and any guests they may have. The Sanctum Sanctorum is specifically the third floor of the building, home to Strange's meditation room and occult library, where he keeps the Book of the Vishanti, and his repository of ancient artifacts and objects of magical power, such as the Orb of Agamotto.

The Sanctum consistently has a circular skylight with four swooping lines; this design has stayed with the building despite the window's destruction on many occasions. The design of the window is actually the Seal of the Vishanti; it protects the Sanctum from most supernatural invaders. It is also called the "Window of the Worlds," or the Anomaly Rue.Strange Tales #110 (1963) Certain members of the New Avengers appear to acknowledge this. Chemistro, a super-villain member of the Hood's army, though possessing no such power to directly break that of the Vishanti's, was able to change the chemical composition of the wood that held the seal to break it.New Avengers Annual #2 In one story Baron Mordo was able to transport the house to another dimension.Strange Tales #117 (1964) The artistic directors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film adaptation described it as a "turn-of-the-century empire—timeless, really—mixture of classical and neoclassical American architecture".

Its main residents, apart from Strange, have been his lover/apprentice Clea, his manservant Wong, and the apprentice sorcerer Rintrah.

The Sanctum Sanctorum became the headquarters of the New Avengers for a time, having been magically disguised as an abandoned building designated as a future Starbucks cafe. The run-down disguise extends to the interior of the building as needed, undetectable by even the Extremis armor of Iron Man.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=April 2009}}

The building has also served as headquarters of the Defenders.

After constructing the house, Doctor Strange cast a permanent, intricate spell of mystical force to protect it. Despite this, it was seemingly destroyed in a siege by mystical forces, during the Midnight Sons storyline, while various heroes such as the Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider, and Johnny Blaze were hiding inside.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=April 2009}}

During the World War Hulk storyline, the Sanctum was invaded by the forces of the alien Warbound, its defensive enchantments and illusions shattered by Hiroim.World War Hulk #3.

After the use of unacceptable dark magics in the fight against the Hulk, the Sanctum is invaded by the Hood's army, who are ultimately defeated amid much damage to the building. Doctor Strange is forced to retreat when the battle allows the government-sanctioned Mighty Avengers to take over the Sanctum. Brother Voodoo is called in to neutralize the remnants of the defensive magics.

On one occasion, Doctor Strange destroyed the defenses of the Sanctum to avoid their exploitation by a foe.M. Keith Booker, Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels (2010), p. 156.

• In 2019, CBR.com ranked the Sanctum Sanctorum 4th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list.{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=2019-09-06 |title=10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-superhero-hideouts-most-iconic-greatest-ranked/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=CBR |language=en}}
• In 2020, CBR.com ranked the Sanctum Sanctorum 9th in their "Avengers 10 Best Headquarters" list.{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=2020-03-02 |title=The Avengers 10 Best Headquarters, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/avengers-best-headquarters/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=CBR |language=en}}

The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness #3.Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness #3 (July 2007)

The Sanctum Sanctorum of Earth-1610 appears in Ultimatum.{{Cite comic | writer= Jeph Loeb | story= | title= Ultimatum | volume= 1 | issue= 1-5 | date= January - September 2009 | publisher= Marvel Comics | page= | panel= }}

• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in The Super Hero Squad Show.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Ultimate Spider-Man.{{cite episode | title=Strange | series=Ultimate Spider-Man | series-link=Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series) | season=1 | number=13}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Avengers Assemble.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Stranger in a Strange Land."{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Dr. Strange.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/8-animated-marvel-movies-better-than-anything-in-the-dcau-and-7-much-worse/|title=8 Animated Marvel Movies Better Than Anything In The DCAU (And 7 Much Worse)|first=Joshua|last=Olivieri|publisher=CBR.com|date=March 3, 2018}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

{{Main|New York Sanctum}}

The New York Sanctum appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Doctor Strange (2016),{{Cite web |last=Faraci |first=Devin |date=June 28, 2015 |title=Expect "Mind-Bending Weirdness" From Doctor Strange, Says Kevin Feige |url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/06/28/expect-mind-bending-weirdness-from-doctor-strange-says-kevin-feige |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630215739/http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/06/28/expect-mind-bending-weirdness-from-doctor-strange-says-kevin-feige |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |website=Birth. Movies. Death.}} Thor: Ragnarok (2017),{{Cite web |last=Leadbeater |first=Alex |date=February 22, 2018 |title=Thor: Ragnarok's Deleted Scenes Hide Odin's Original Death |url=https://screenrant.com/thor-ragnarok-deleted-scenes-odin-death/ |publisher=ScreenRant}} Avengers: Infinity War (2018),{{Cite web |last=Francisco |first=Eric |date=April 27, 2018 |title='Thor: Ragnarok' Explains Why Hulk Is Missing in 'Infinity War' |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/44249-avengers-infinity-war-hulk-change-ragnarok |publisher=Inverse}} Avengers: Endgame (2019),{{Cite AV media |title=Avengers: Endgame |date=2019 |type=Motion picture |publisher=Marvel Studios |people=Russo, Anthony; Russo, Joe (Directors)}} Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021),{{Cite web |last=Guttmann |first=Graeme |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Spider-Man: No Way Home Toy Teases Doctor Strange & Wong In Fight Scene |url=https://screenrant.com/spiderman-no-way-home-doctor-strange-wong-fight-toy/ |website=ScreenRant}} Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022),{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Doctor Strange 2 Filming Locations For The Multiverse of Madness |url=https://screenrant.com/where-was-doctor-strange-multiverse-madness-filmed/ |website=ScreenRant}}{{Cite web |last=Haldar |first=Sneha |title=Where was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness shot? Filming locations explored |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/where-doctor-strange-multiverse-madness-shot-filming-locations-explored |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}} and in the Disney+ series What If...? (2021) episode "What If... Zombies?".

• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears as a landmark in The Incredible Hulk.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears as a landmark in Ultimate Spider-Man.{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-ps4-doctor-strange-sanctum-sanctorum/|title=Spider-Man PS4 Footage Reveals Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum|last1=Dumaraog|first1=Ana|publisher=Screen Rant|date=June 22, 2018}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears as a landmark in Marvel's Spider-Man,{{Cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/marvels-spider-man-breathtaking-locations/|title=10 Most Breathtaking Locations In Marvel's Spider-Man|first=Ritwik|last=Mitra|date=April 12, 2021|website=Game Rant}} Spider-Man: Miles Morales,{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/ps5-spider-man-2-game-heroes-should-appear/ |title=What Heroes Should Appear in PS5's Spider-Man 2?|first1=Hayes|last1=Madesn|publisher=Screen Rant|date=June 10, 2020}} and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.{{cite video game|title=Spider-Man 2|developer=Insomniac Games |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|date=2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/guides/spider-man-2-easter-eggs/ |title=Here are the best Spider-Man 2 easter eggs we've found so far |date=20 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Marvel Snap.{{Cite web |last=Thwaites |first=Sarah |date=2022-11-17 |title=Every Marvel Snap location (and what they do) |url=https://www.polygon.com/guides/23463426/marvel-snap-full-location-list-zones-abilities |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Arnold |first=Matt |date=2022-10-22 |title=Marvel Snap: Complete Locations Guide |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-snap-complete-locations-guide/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Marvel's Midnight Suns.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
• The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in Marvel Rivals.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals Details the Fantastic Four, New Maps, and Mode Coming in Season 1 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-details-the-fantastic-four-new-maps-and-mode-coming-in-season-1 |access-date=January 24, 2025 |website=IGN}}

The Sanctum Sanctorum appears in "The Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown" and "Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop" Lego sets.{{cite web|url=https://brickset.com/sets/76108-1/Sanctum-Sanctorum-Showdown|title=76108-1: Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown|publisher=Brickset|access-date=April 22, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Matilda|date=2021-11-04|title=Spider-Man No Way Home Lego set includes Doctor Strange's Sanctum|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a38165444/spider-man-no-way-home-lego-doctor-strange-sanctum/|access-date=2021-11-26|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Doctor Strange}}

{{New Avengers}}

{{Stan Lee}}

{{Steve Ditko}}

Category:Doctor Strange

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Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1963

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