Thanks to the spectacular success of the MCU, Loki Laufeyson has become one of Marvel's most iconic villains. He is best known, of course, as the arch-enemy of Thor Odinson, but the God of Mischief also has a long, complicated, and contentious history with Doctor Strange.
In their first meeting in "Strange Tales" #123, Loki attempts to deceive Strange into stealing Mjölnir, claiming that Thor has placed him in chains. Strange, displaying a pretty stunning ignorance of Norse legend, believes the Trickster God and conjures a flying metal hand that Loki uses to steal Thor's hammer. Luckily, Strange eventually figures out what's happening and engages in battle with his new enemy. After Loki gains the upper hand, Strange declares that, "Despite my mastery of the Mystic Arts, I'm still a mortal — while he — he is far, far more!" Strange only escapes with his life when Thor arrives, prompting Loki to flee back to Asgard. Strange, despondent, laments that he has never been "so close to defeat."
The two would encounter each other many times in the years to come — sometimes as enemies, sometimes as very reluctant allies. In "Doctor Strange" #381, Loki even steals the title of Sorcerer Supreme for himself, leading to a showdown from which Strange (just about) emerges victorious. A certain scene in "Thor: Ragnarok" may have many fans thinking Doctor Strange would wipe the floor with Loki in a square fight, but in the comics, at least, the truth is clearly far more complicated.
