Why have I seen the supposedly unbreakable Crimson Bands of Cyttorak broken?
The Crimson Bands of Cyttorak spell has been described as unbreakable many times [“unbreakable, impenetrable” in Defenders #1, for example]. Yet we have seen escapes. Interesting escapes that do not damage the Bands’ credibility: • In Incredible Hulk #371, the “Dark Hulk” broke out of them easily, but he was from another universe and the laws of our universe didn’t apply to him. “An effective trap… within the bounds of your universe, magician. A pity for you… that I am not governed by your laws!” • In Man-Thing #4, Man-Thing shattered the spell before Doc can complete it, with a little help from a counter-spell from Baron Mordo. • Dr. Strange himself has escaped from the Crimson Bands (but not through physical prowess). In Triumph & Torment, Dr. Doom tried to capture Dr. Strange with them. But Dr. Strange remarked that Doom had cast the spell incorrectly. Escapes that damage the Bands’ credibility (broken through physical prowess without explanation or elaboration): • The Hulk brok
