Every Wong Variant Ranked Worst To Best

With "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022), Earth's Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong) discovers that every time he dreams, he lives the life of a Wong variant somewhere in the multiverse. This makes Wong wonder about his other lives — particularly a Wong from one of his recurring dreams, who keeps running naked from a clown — which is enough to make you wonder if somewhere out there, a Wong DC counterpart might be having uncomfortable encounters with the Joker.

As it turns out, however, a little circus-themed streaking is tame compared to what Wong's really adventuresome selves are up to. From a Wong who got his molecules merged with a fifth dimensional imp to a Wong who could have been part of a much earlier Marvel Cinematic Universe to a Wong who looks considerably better with his clothes on than off, here are some of the weirdest, funniest, and most amazing Wong variants depicted in comics and other Marvel mixed media, ranked worst to best.

Marvel fans who only know Wong from the MCU may be disappointed to learn that Wong isn't anywhere near as powerful in the comics as he is in the films. Generally depicted as Doctor Strange's manservant, Wong typically spends his days serving refreshments to visitors or guarding his master's body when Strange astral travels.

Unfortunately, these responsibilities took on a horrific new dimension in "Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness" #3, when chainsaw-wielding anti-hero Ash Williams of the "Evil Dead" franchise crossed over into an alternate Marvel Universe overrun by a zombie plague. In this world, most of the population had been transformed into flesh-eating undead creatures, including monster-hunter Doctor Druid, seeking shelter in Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum.

Wong welcomes him Druid, but before he can offer him some tea and biscuits, Druid serves himself by killing and eating Wong. Ash drops by shortly after and blows off Druid's head before he can be added to the menu. Hopefully, MCU's Wong won't be dreaming about this place anytime soon. After seeing Strange possess the dead body of his alternate self, Wong probably won't want to inhabit any of Doctor Druid's leftovers.

Universe X is easily one of Marvel's weirdest alternate universes. Appearing in numerous one-shots and miniseries, the Marvel Universe depicted here saw most of Earth's population exposed to the Inhumans' Terrigen Mists. This caused most people to manifest bizarre superpowers and mutations, making many superheroes redundant and obsolete.

In Wong's case, his mutation (revealed in "Universe X" #12) was basically invisible — as long as he kept his robe on. Once he took off his clothes, however, it became clear that his lower half had been replaced by another torso, complete with arms and a second Wong head, effectively making him a conjoined twin. Now literally two-faced, Wong became the servant of Marvel's version of the devil Mephisto, who promised him a world of his own. Wong subsequently manipulated events so Strange's lover Clea could take out Doctor Strange's astral self.

When Wong tried to collect his reward, however, Mephisto forced him to keep Strange's body alive so his spirit couldn't move against Mephisto. Far from becoming king of the world, Wong was now assigned endless bedpan duty — at least, until he was relieved of his responsibilities by Adam Warlock, who cut the traitorous manservant in half.

The Ultimate Marvel Universe was designed to give many Marvel characters a fresh start in an alternate realm where the modern age of heroes began in the early 21^st century. This allowed comic creators a chance to give heroes like Spider-Man and the X-Men new personality quirks and backstories. Some reimagined characters — like the Black Nick Fury — even became so popular they were used for the Marvel Cinematic Universe instead of their original versions.

However, not all the Ultimate characters got to enjoy their lives. Ultimate Wong, for instance, comes from a long line of manservants who attend to the needs of the Sorcerer Supreme. Like his mainstream counterpart, Wong assists his Doctor Strange; when Strange vanished, however, Wong was forced to look after his son, Stephen Strange Jr. 

Powerful but untrained, this Stephen would become a new-age guru who regularly complained about his life to Wong. Sadly, this Wong lacked the sassiness of his MCU counterpart, so he pretty much just suffered under Stephen's constant immaturity without complaint.

Benedict Wong wasn't the first person to depict Wong in live action. Way back in 1978, a made-for-TV "Doctor Strange" movie offered audiences an early glimpse into Marvel's mystical underworld. Peter Hooten played Doctor Stephen Strange, a psychiatrist dragged into a mystic battle against Arthurian villain Morgan le Fay (Jessica Walters). He meets the not-so-ancient Thomas Lindmer (John Mills), Earth's current Sorcerer Supreme ... and his assistant Wong.

Played by Japanese-American actor Clyde Kusatsu, who later lent his voice to such superhero fare as "The Legend of Korra," "The Spectacular Spider-Man," and "Batman Beyond," this Wong sees some action when he's forced to fight le Fay — who sneaks into his house disguised as a cat. He's beaten, but Strange gains magical powers from a special ring and revives Wong. He later gains additional powers from Lindmer, but is told by Wong that he needs to have greater knowledge and wisdom to use them properly.

Meant as a pilot for a possible television series, "Doctor Strange" failed to gain good ratings, destroying any chance of CBS picking it up. Considering both "The Incredible Hulk" and "Spider-Man" were airing around the same time, a "Doctor Strange" TV show could have conceivably jump started the Marvel Cinematic Universe decades earlier ... but perhaps that was the case in some alternate universe.

The 2004 limited comic series "Strange" showcased an alternate universe where Wong began as a mute Tibetan orphan, cared for by Stephen Strange while Strange was still a medical student serving overseas. Inspired, Wong regained his ability to speak, adopted the name "Stephen," and became a doctor himself. 

In this storyline, Wong gains a reputation as an expert in healing broken hands. Thus, it's his expertise that Strange seeks out after his accident, not the Ancient One. In an amusing twist, Strange travels all the way to Tibet to seek out Wong, only to later discover that Wong's clinic is located just two blocks from Strange's old house in New York. 

When Wong and Strange finally reconnect, Strange discovers Wong (now sporting a long ponytail) training in the mystic arts with the Ancient One. Strange ultimately joins Wong and fellow mystical arts student Clea and takes on Baron Mordo and Dormammu. Strange gains great power and "Doctor Stephen Wong" decides to work with him at the Sanctum, telling him, "My place is with you."

The Amalgam Universe briefly flashed into being when the Marvel and DC Universes collided in the "Marvel vs. DC" comic book miniseries. Characters from each universe got mashed together, creating new heroes like "Darkclaw" (Wolverine/Batman), "Super Soldier" (Superman/Captain America), and even "Lobo the Duck" (Lobo/Howard the Duck). Watching over this newborn universe was "Doctor Strangefate" (Doctor Strange/Doctor Fate), who was intent on keeping the universes stuck together.

Of course, every mystic guardian needs an assistant, and Strangefate had an extremely bizarre one — "Myx," an interdimensional being whom Strangefate manipulated into serving him within the Earthly realm. Myx had the power to summon Strangefate's agents to his sanctum, and then teleport them anywhere in the world to do his master's bidding. Ultimately, Strangefate (who was revealed to be this universe's mutant telepath Charles Xavier) failed to keep his universe from separating, but he continued to manipulate events until the mainstream Marvel Universe's Doctor Strange gave him a pocket Amalgam Universe for the Amalgam heroes to reside in.

Myx was, of course, an "amalgamation" of Wong and Superman's trickster foe Mr. Myxzptlk, a seemingly all-powerful imp from the fifth dimension. Less mischievous than his DC counterpart (and possessing a name that's much easier to pronounce), Myx's appearances were few, but his backstory as an indentured servant to Strangefate is intriguing.

"Marvel Adventures" offered a line of comics for younger readers that emphasized the fun of living in a world full of superheroes and magic. In this universe, "Jason Wong" was Doctor Stephen Strange's best friend from college and went to great lengths to help him after a car accident damaged the doctor's hands. This led to both of them taking a trip to the Himalayas, becoming students of the Ancient One as Strange learned he had a natural talent for sorcery.

Much younger than other Wongs and sporting a stylish man-bun, this Wong is a brilliant researcher who hangs out at the Sanctum Sanctorum with Strange, enjoys looking at modern art in the Guggenheim Museum, and plays video games with the Ancient One. At one point, Jason worked with Matt Murdock's law partner Foggy Nelson to find a loophole in a mystic contract to banish Dormammu back to his home dimension — showing it sometimes takes more than just magic to save the world.

Marvel fans loved the "Spider-Man" animated series from the 1990s, especially when later seasons began letting Spidey team up with favorite characters like Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Blade — essentially turning the show into an early animated version of the MCU. In the Season 3 episode "Doctor Strange," Spider-Man teams up with the good doctor (John Vernon) to save Mary Jane from a cult run by Baron Mordo — and gets some additional help from Wong, voiced by none other than legendary "Star Trek" actor George Takei.

Much like Takei's "Star Trek" character Sulu, this Wong is an expert swordsman who goes into battle armed with a couple of mystic blades. Both Wong and Strange love diving into danger headfirst, finding the experience of battling mystical threats "exciting." Their behavior baffles Spidey, who tells them, "No offense, but you guys are really weird!" Nevertheless, Strange and Wong make an effective team, helping save Mary Jane in their unique, mystical swashbuckling style.

Initially a nameless servant of Doctor Strange who appeared in "Strange Tales" #110 back in 1963, the Wong of the mainstream Marvel comics universe has had his story reimagined many times. Originally, Wong fit the demeaning Asian stereotype of a houseboy who existed only to serve Doctor Strange. Over time, however, writers filled in Wong's backstory and explained how he came to work with Strange.

In "Doctor Strange" #43, we learn Wong's ancestor Kan was a monk who accidentally helped destroy an other-dimensional realm by fighting its Wizard Kings. In penance, Kan's descendants devoted their lives to aiding mystics and began serving the Ancient One. Thanks to this tradition, Wong is well-versed in both mystic and martial arts, although his training is focused on how to support wizards like Strange, not be a mystic warrior himself.

Even so, Wong's personality has changed over the years, allowing him to become more assertive. He has protected people from mystic threats using just his martial arts abilities. He has an ongoing feud with the Avengers' butler Jarvis over the best way to run a superhero's household. And while Wong does still identify as Doctor Strange's servant, Strange acknowledges Wong as his master since Wong has been training Strange in the martial arts for years. Wong's family may emphasize service, but Strange and Wong's relationship is based far more on friendship and mutual respect by this point.

Today, it's widely accepted by Marvel fans that Wong has mystic abilities on par with Doctor Strange himself. But for most of his existence, Wong's magical aptitude has been iffy at best, with most writers choosing to make him a martial arts expert instead of a magic user.

In the 2007 animated Marvel film "Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme," however, Wong finally made the move from being Strange's subordinate to his teacher. An accomplished sorcerer who has been serving the Ancient One for years, Wong notices Stephen during one of his missions, realizes his potential, and begins shadowing the man. Shortly after Stephen's car accident, Wong saves the despondent ex-surgeon from a suicide attempt, and then guides him to Tibet, where Strange joins the Ancient One.

Although Strange is initially instructed by Mordo, when the warrior's tutelage proves too brutal, Wong takes over Strange's studies in the mystic and martial arts. One of the most compassionate sorcerers in the movie, this Wong finds his purpose in supporting other sorcerers — but is more than capable of taking on mystic threats by himself when the situation calls for it.

Was there any question about which Wong would top this list? MCU's Wong (aka "Wongers") is easily one of the best sorcerers that Earth has seen in any universe. At first portrayed as the curmudgeonly librarian of Kamar-Taj in "Doctor Strange" (2016), audiences soon learned there was much more to this mystic warrior, from his love of Beyonce to an unexpected aptitude for karaoke.

Wong is dedicated to safeguarding our reality from mystical threats, and he became Sorcerer Supreme after Strange blipped out for five years due to the events of "Avengers: Infinity War." When he's not protecting the universe though, he kicks back and watches "The Sopranos" (at least until his new gal pal Madisynn King spoiled multiple episodes). And unlike the more uptight Wongs on this list, MCU Wong regularly shows his bad boy side — particularly when he is springing pal the Abomination (Tim Roth) from prisons.

But perhaps one of the most endearing things about Wong is his work history. In episode three of "She-Hulk," fans got a closer look at Wong's resume and learned he spent nine years working for Target. Assuming his responsibilities included dealing with customer returns, it's possible Wong's time as a Target employee did far more to prepare him for being Sorcerer Supreme than Doctor Strange's entire surgical career. Being a world-renowned neurosurgeon is great and all, but handling irate customers? Now that puts you in the right frame of mind for beating up demons.