I know, I know. We sound utterly unhinged. But wait just a gosh darned minute.
Back when WandaVision was airing and at the height of its zeitgeist-grabbing powers, we all became a little, uh…fixated on Marvel villain Mephisto. The extra-dimensional fire demon of nightmares seemed to be a great fit for the show’s ultimate big bad. Mephisto had pre-existing connections to Wanda Maximoff and Doctor Strange (who was originally intended to be a part of the show). Naturally the Internet at large began to ponder the many ways in which Mephisto could enter the series. He’s controlling the commercials! He’s the beekeeper! He’s your shadow! He’s creeping up behind you RIGHT NOW!
During the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Doctor Strange informed his new colleagues that he would let each of them die rather than let Thanos get his hands on the Time Stone he was sworn to protect. It was only when Strange foresaw that the only path to ultimate victory was to give up the Time Stone that he did so.
Based on our knowledge of Doctor Strange’s dedication to his responsibilities, this leaves us with two potential explanations. The first is that Doctor Strange was planning on manipulating the multiverse anyway (perhaps to investigate the damage done to it by Wanda Maximoff and Loki in their respective Disney+ series) and he’s just letting Peter Parker in on the ride to appease him. The other explanation is the more sinister: that’s not Doctor Strange…it’s Mephisto.
To that end One More Day picks up after the events of Civil War where Peter Parker has revealed his identity and Aunt May is slowly dying of a gunshot wound. To save Aunt May’s life, Peter seeks all manner of magical assistance (including from Doctor Strange, who declines his request). Eventually Peter encounters the satanic Mephisto, who says he can save Aunt May. In return he wants not Peter’s soul – but his marriage with Mary Jane. They accept the demon’s offer and life continues on…shittily. This was not a much-loved comic.
