Warning: contains spoilers for Doctor Strange #17!Marvel has unveiled a new and powerful god, and the MCU will be a waste if they never appear. As Earth is gripped by a vampire uprising, playing out in Marvel’s big summer event Blood Hunt, an unlikely trio works to turn the tide of battle, and as seen in Doctor Strange #17, they bring forth a powerful new deity, one that Marvel should not quickly forget.

Doctor Strange #17 is written by Jed MacKay and drawn by Pasqual Ferry. Trapped in the Crypt of Shadows, Bats, Doctor Strange’s ghost dog, works with Baron Mordo to find a way to stop the vampires. Furthermore, Doctor Strange’s body has been possessed by his evil brother Victor. Bats and his cohorts call forth “the God of Dogs.” This god, resembling a giant, upright dog, gives Bats a fraction of his power.

A super-charged Bats then confronts the possessed form of his human, and in the issue’s unforgettable climax, “bites” Victor Strange’s ghost, pulling it out of Doctor Strange’s body.

The Marvel Universe Has Many “Gods,” and Doctor Strange Has Met A Lot of Them

The Gods of Dogs Is the Newest God on the Block

In his career, Doctor Strange has encountered many powerful beings, some of which could be described as “gods.” Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s early Doctor Strange adventures almost single-handedly created this segment of the Marvel Universe, introducing beings such as Eternity and the Living Tribunal. These beings work on a scale beyond the ability of mortals to fathom, and recent books such as G.O.D.S. have given readers their best look yet at the inner workings of the entities.

The God of Dogs is perhaps the most unique deity yet seen in the Marvel Universe. Fashioned out of the deep bond between humans and canines, the God of Dogs is also extremely powerful. The God of Dogs boasts of his strength to Victor Strange, but then backs it up by exorcizing the evil spirit from Doctor Strange’s body. The charged-up Bats biting Victor, and thus saving his human, has been a highlight of the Blood Hunt event so far. Even Bats, who is a ghost, was not enough to hold the God of Dog’s power.

The Next Stop for the God of Dogs Should Be the MCU

The God of Dogs Could Add Power and Cuteness to the MCU

Currently, the MCU is fleshing out its more cosmic side by slowly rolling out its own takes on Marvel’s cosmic beings. For instance, Galactus is set to appear in next year’s Fantastic Four film, and Eternity debuted in Thor: Love and Thunder. The God of Dogs needs to make the leap to the MCU next. People love dogs, and with this in mind, the God of Dogs has massive crossover potential. Yet beyond being fan service, the super powerful God of Dogs could have a serious impact on MCU stories, particularly those set in its magic or cosmic sides.

Doctor Strange #17 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!