Nicodemus West

Nicodemus West is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Oath #1 in 2006, as the surgeon who operated on Stephen Strange's hands following his car accident.^[1] West later accompanies Strange when he begins his training as a sorcerer, and briefly wields magical abilities of his own.

Nicodemus West
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Doctor Strange: The Oath #1 (December 2006)
Created by	Brian K. Vaughan (Writer) Marcos Martin (Artist)
In-story information
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Timely Pharmaceuticals
Abilities	Mastery of magic Trained physician

Michael Stuhlbarg portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange (2016) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Publication history

The character was created by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin and appears in the limited series Doctor Strange: The Oath.^[2]

Fictional character biography

Nicodemus West was born with heterochromia and became a skilled general surgeon as an adult. He was long-time admirer of Dr. Stephen Strange and proudly accepted the opportunity to perform surgery on his idol's hands after his fateful accident. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, West determined that the nerve damage Strange had suffered was too advanced to repair.^[3]

Later, when Strange traveled to Kamar-Taj in the hopes that magic would help him where medicine could not, West abandoned his career to join him. Both men studied under the Ancient One, but while Strange was prepared to devote himself solely to training, West could not and leaves Kamar-Taj to resume his former career. West's unfinished training resulted in him accidentally killing a cancer patient by casting the wrong spell.

West ends up joining Timely Pharmaceuticals as its C.E.O. after the company seeks his expertise.^[4] West later crosses path with Strange when he steals an elixir to sell its power for profit. They fight using their sorcery, but Strange easily wins and manages to strip West of his powers temporarily. West then falls to his death.^[5]

Other versions

Ultimate Universe

During the "Ultimate Invasion" storyline, Maker traveled to Earth-6160 and remade it into his own image. A different incarnation of Nicodemus West serves as the CMO of Alchemax. He meets with other business community members at Roxxon HQ to speak with Emma Frost about the threat posed to their interests by the Ultimates. West and those present were later killed by Frost due to them conspiring to take Emmanuel da Costa's position where Oubliette Midas was spared due to her potential.^[6]

In other media

Nicodemus "Nic" West appears in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe films Doctor Strange^[7] and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022),^[8] portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg. This version is a rival surgeon to Dr. Stephen Strange who serves as a comedic foil with no sinister intentions.^[9]