Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: August 8, 1963
Cover: November 1963
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Steve Ditko
5 pages
After a 2-issue hiatus, we see the return of Dr. Strange, Master of Black Magic! A note explains he returned because of enthusiastic fan response in the letters.
A thing that bothered me the last time I read through Dr. Strange stories is that, in contrast to the Spider-Man stories, less villains are being introduced. In his third appearance, he is fighting Mordo for the second time. In a couple issues, he’ll again fight Nightmare. In contrast, Spider-Man comics are introducing great villains in each issue.
I have come to terms with this, though. It gives the series a less episodic feel than the Spider-Man comics. Dr. Strange really does have a couple of key adversaries most of the series will be dedicated to, and thus feels like a more cohesive saga.
Now for superhero tropes I am not a fan of. Mordo does that thing where he leaves our hero in a death trap, and then walks away without ensuring the trap worked. You have Dr. Strange paralyzed. Why not just stab him or something?
Anyways, Dr. Strange is paralyzed by the vapors of a candle. Mordo informs him that when the flame dies, he too will die. So it’s a bit weird that he escapes the trap by having Victoria put out the candle.
I’m also bothered by the twist that Dr. Strange wasn’t really there; it was an astral projection. First, we know that astral projections are depicted as white. Second, if it was his astral projection, why was he in danger from the vapors? It doesn’t really make any sense.
The issue is redeemed by a really cool panel. I like the idea of a psychic battle– that to an observer they both seem to be standing still, but their mystical powers are hard at work on the astral plane.
Three important things about this issue. The first is that the person they’d always called the Master is now referred to as the Ancient One, and it is this new name that will stick.
The second is that it introduces Victoria Bentley and reveals she has latent mystic talents. She asks Dr. Strange if she can be his disciple, but he refuses. He says that to train her would endanger her. He offers to train her one day when the threat of Mordo is ended. This is the last we will see of her for some time, but she will eventually become a semi-regular supporting character to both Dr. Strange and the Black Knight.
The third is that Dr. Strange is wearing a cloak for the first time, though not yet his most famous one– he’ll have to earn that.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Significance: ★★★★☆
The scans are taken from a reprint in Marvel Collectors Item Classics #5, 1966.
I like what they did with the cover. My first image of this post is the first page of the comic, since the cover is about the Human Torch. But it’s not entirely satisfying, as I would like a cover there. For their reprint, they found a way to do both. They got the trade dress of the cover so we know it’s Strange Tales, but ripped out the Torch picture so that we could see the Dr. Strange logo inside.
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: Dr. Strange vol. 1. You can also find it in Dr. Strange Epic Collection vol. 1: Master of the Mystic Arts. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Dr. Strange
- Baron Mordo/Clive Bentley
- Ancient One (The Master)
- Victoria Bentley
Story notes:
- Clive Bentley is an old friend of Dr. Strange. They haven’t seen each other in years. In fact, Sir Bentley has been dead over 10 years.
- Dr. Strange visits Sir Bentley’s castle in London.
- It is implied that Dr. Strange took a cab.
- A mystical candle gives off a vapor that paralyzes Dr. Strange; when it burns out, he will die; however, snuffing it out saves him.
- Mordo wants to be Master of the Mystic Arts. Currently the title is held by the Ancient One. It will pass to one of his two students.
- Mordo refers to the Master as the Ancient One. This will be what he is referred to from now on.
- The Ancient One offers to help, but Dr. Strange wishes to prove himself.
- Victoria Bentley is the daughter of Sir Clive Bentley.
- Both Strange and Mordo note Victoria has a latent talent for sorcery. Dr. Strange wishes to erase her memory to save her from such a life.
- Dr. Strange wins the day with his amulet.
#110 story in reading order
Next: Fantastic Four #20
Previous: Strange Tales #114
