Warning: spoilers for Savage Avengers #23!
In the comics, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As Kulan Gath continues to steal the power from the multiversal being known as Shuma-Gorath, the alien villain just begged Doctor Strange to kill him and end his suffering - a request Strange obliged.
Shuma-Gorath first appeared in Marvel Premiere #10 by Steve Englehart, Frank Brunner, Crusty Bunkers, Ernie Chan, and Rob Costanza. As one of the Great Old Ones, Shuma-Gorath ruled Earth millions of years ago before being banished into a different dimension for killing the Ancient One. The massive tentacled demon creature has a wide array of mystical abilities and can shatter entire realities with his power. Shuma-Gorath has come face-to-face with Doctor Strange on many occasions across space and time in some trippy, interdimensional battles. Rumors for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness suggest Shuma-Gorath will hop across dimensions to steal America Chavez's powers and take over the multiverse.
Doctor Strange offered surprise assistance to Shuma-Gorath, as his longtime villain suffered greatly from having his powers drained by the dark Sorcerer Supreme, Kulan Gath. In Savage Avengers #23 by Gerry Duggan, Patch Zircher, Java Tartaglia, and Travis Lanham, Doctor Strange discovers the poison within Shuma-Gorath implanted by Kulan Gath and frees his fellow heroes from its hold. The spell shaves time off of Strange's own life. After gaining access to the Nexus of Realities courtesy of Man-Thing, Strange finds Shuma-Gotath in rough shape - as the entity tells him Gath has won and consumed the little power it has left. itting his time has run out, the ancient being watches as Strange stabs him with Conan's dagger - ending its life.
After Shuma-Gorath fades to nothing and Doctor Strange acquires the Crimson Bands, the Sanctum is breached by Kulan Gath's forces, and the City of Sickles reappears over New York. Despite Shuma-Gorath no longer being an issue, the Savage Avengers are still in quite a bit of trouble against the darkest Sorcerer Supreme.
Given Shuma-Gorath's connection to the multiverse, it's unlikely the ancient being is dead for good. However, seeing the beast in such a sickening state thanks to Kulan Gath emphasizes the powerful threat Doctor Strange and the Savage Avengers are up against. Stopping Kulan Gath will require everything Stephen Strange and Conan the Barbarian have - perhaps, leading to the death of Doctor Strange? Readers can see Shuma-Gorath's defeat before his potential appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as Savage Avengers #23 by Marvel Comics is in comic book stores now.
