What Is an Arcaneologist in Marvel Comics? The Captive Who Mixes Magic and Science

In this Marvel Comics run, an arcaneologist is someone who uses both magic and science to make weapons and gadgets. The one at the center of this story is a captive Stephen Strange meets after his trip into space goes badly wrong. Her reason for blending the two disciplines comes from a family secret on a world that ran entirely on magic.

Stephen Strange turns to Tony Stark for help protecting Earth

The story picks up with Stephen in a position where he obviously can't protect Earth as he is. So he goes to seek the help of Tony Stark. Even though the two are on opposing sides, they aren't fighting. What separates them is the very old science versus magic argument, which is very prevalent in this comic run.

As a scientist and a magician, Tony and Stephen have very different views on the subject. It reminds me of that scene in the first Thor film where Thor and Jane talk about magic and she relates it to science.

Tony suggests Stephen look for answers among the stars

Tony suggests to Stephen that it would be best to seek the answers among the stars, and he helps Stephen get there. Stephen is nervous for a couple of reasons. First, he's nervous about going by himself. Second, this is the first time he has driven anything since the car accident that destroyed his hands and his surgical career.

He goes anyway, only to crash land on an alien planet. There he is held captive for months and tested on by the planet's inhabitants.

The arcaneologist who mixes magic with science and technology

Stephen's captivity changes when another prisoner is brought in. She is an arcaneologist, using magic and science together to make weapons and gadgets.

She works this way because she comes from a planet that ran entirely on magic. Her mother, though, was very into science and technology, and the two of them shared that interest as a secret bond. That ended when her father turned her mother in to the local council. After that, she vowed to flee as soon as she could. That's understandable.