Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange # 1

Title: Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange # 1
Reprinting Strange Tales Nos. 110-111, 114-141 and The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 2
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
2015 publication date.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Color version includes covers issue stories first printed as added bonus in color.
At time of Publication:  $ 49.99 US
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets

The first story of Doctor Strange was printed as five- page story in Strange Tales 110, July 1963. Called “Doctor Strange Master of the Black Magic!“

It was not though until issue Strange Tales # 115, December 1963 that origin was told in story which was called, ”The Origin of Doctor Strange” The origin stands up to time and was very close to one shown in Doctor Strange movie.

Mordo and Dormammuwere revealed as from other realities to fight Doctor Strange with magic. I also got to see Doctor Strange’s teacher named The Ancient One. I also liked seeing Doctor Strange use his enchanted amulet which always had on around his neck on some sort of necklace. The book also had some bonus items. An Introduction by Dean Mullancy wrote in 2014. He gave excellent talk about issues included in this Masterworks volume. I used his insights often while reading Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange # 1.

I got to see how Doctor Strange could send spirit out of body. I also saw a very almost mythic character named Eternity.

I never read many issues of Doctor Strange in my youth. I wanted to try some of the comics as Stan Lee and Steve Ditko first envisioned them. It seemed like great choice to read Marvel Masterworks version. I again got through inter library loan.

This is what opening cover says about Marvel Masterworks book

Marvel Masterworks

Welcome to the House of Ideas! Within these pages lurk the amazing, the uncanny and the most spectacular characters the world has ever seen!

It was in August 1961, and change was in the air. Throughout the nation, a new comic book filled the stands, heralding an era of creativity soon to be dubbed The Marvel Age of Comics. Fantastic Four # 1 did not feature the squeaky-clean heroes of yesteryear, clad in gaudy primary colors and hiding behind secret identities. They were real characters placed in extraordinary circumstances. They lived together, they fought among themselves- and sometimes they even lost to the bad guys. This was more than a change in attitude. It was the beginning of something entirely different. And the readers could not get enough.

Thanks to the fertile imagination of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and others, the runaway train called Marvel showed no signs of slowing down. An unending list of heroes followed the FF with ever-increasing action and popularity: The Amazing Spider-Man, The Mighty Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Dare Devil, Iron Man and the X-Men, to name but a few. These were the Marvel Heroes, from the conflict and a continuous struggle to balance human lives with superhuman responsibilities.

The Masterworks series was created to give comic-book readers everywhere the chance to experience the creation of the Marvel Universe Firsthand. The works contained within pulse with the same vitality, the same originality, and same genius today as they did so many years ago, But, after all, the pure joy and fun that went into making these stories continues to transcend the illustrated page. So, lay back, dig in and enjoy Marvel again for the very first time. Excelsiior!

Final Allen note:

I liked this volume enough to order second volume of Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange through library. I feel very expensive to buy issues through dealers at present day comic book prices. I may have to go to black and white versions of Essential Marvels Doctor Strange. Not many libraries bought more expensive Marvel Masterworks version. There are also cheaper soft cover versions.

This is what found on Amazon site about this volume.

A vain man driven by greed and hubris, Dr. Stephen Strange was a world-renowned surgeon until a car accident crippled his hands. Broken and destitute, he journeyed to Tibet to seek a cure...and there found the path to the mystic arts! From his eerie Greenwich Village home, Dr. Strange unveiled new wonders and unimaginable dimensions, creating the most amazing corner of the Marvel Universe. Mystical menaces including Baron Mordo, Eternity, Dormammu, Nightmare, and the Mindless Ones awed readers, while Clea, Wong and the Ancient One rounded out Dr. Strange's astounding world!

COLLECTING: Strange Tales 110-111, 114-141; Amazing Spider -Man Annual 2


Allen Klingelhoets