Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: January 12, 1965
Cover: April 1965
12 cents
Written in a stygian swampland by: Stan Lee
Drawn in a dismal dungeon by: Steve Ditko
Lettered in a conjuror’s castle by: Artie Simek
10 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #130, Story B | Reading order | Strange Tales #132, Story B |
| Strange Tales #131 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #132 |
…it is almost like the calm before a terrible storm!
We read the first half of this issue in June 2021 and wrote the following.
I must emphasize that the Dr. Strange story is one of the single greatest Marvel stories of all time, yet the Bouncing Ball of Doom is what gets spotlighted on the cover.
The first page almost serves as a cover, as is common for Ditko stories. The story really begins on the next page, which picks up exactly where the previous issue went off. I’ve seen arguments online that how well this reads if you just chop off the splash page chapter breaks means this should just be read as a 153 page graphic novel, perhaps the first graphic novel ever.
We saw this same servant of Mordo’s last issue. Ditko is good about using distinctive faces and taking care to repeat characters. Lee is often unconcerned about naming these repeat characters. This random dude will eventually get a name, and then weirdly get chosen as the lead villain in the first Dr. Strange film.
I appreciate how Ditko illustrates the espionage thriller, where Dr. Strange is furtively trying to escape detection.
I appreciate less Ditko’s reuse of the multiple copies illusion from last issue, even less so because he uses it twice this issue.
I like the ethereal battle aboard the airline because all the passengers remain blissfully unaware. That’s the world being shown to us in this arc. That there is this secret war being fought all around us, and has been for centuries. Our survival depends on the right side winning, but we remain blissfully unaware.
While the plot hasn’t moved forward much from the end of last issue, it wasn’t spinning its wheels. This issue made it clear that Strange is being relentlessly hounded by Mordo’s servants and allies. There’s no rest for him… and no time to attend a wedding. He must have done that before now, or well after.
In Tales of Suspense #47, Steve Ditko briefly took over the flailing Iron Man stories to provide a sense of direction for the character. Great story, but now booted off our Best We’ve Read page.
Invocations:
- “Let the Vapors of Valtorr engulf thee–” — Mordo
- “May the Shades of the Seraphim subdue you!!”
- “The Vishanti be thanked!”
- “By the many moons of Munnopor…”
- “By the Roving Rings of Raggadorr…”
- “By the Omnipotent Oshtur!”
- “By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!”
- “In the name of the Eternal Vishanti!”
- “Though your master’s power may exceed my own, I shall fight till the very end– and after, if Hoggoth wills!”
Rating: ★★★★☆, 79/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
Characters:
- Dr. Strange
- Baron Mordo
- Dormammu
- Mordo’s Disciple
Story notes:
- Dr. Strange attacked by more of Mordo’s minions; Strange blinds them with amulet.
- Mordo insists they are partners; Dormammu sees it differently.
- Mordo attempts to recruit Hong Kong ruffians; a demonstration is needed.
- Spirits also prowl Hong Kong.
- Dr. Strange creates same illusion as last issue; and again, but this time his illusions can hypnotize.
- Dr. Strange still does not know the source of Mordo’s power.
- Dr. Strange attempting to catch a plane out of Hong Kong, so that he can choose the next battle.
- Dr. Strange possesses cargo handler to sneak into airport; Mordo’s agents sense his presence.
- Occupants of plane unaware of astral battle between Strange and wraith.
- Dr. Strange disguises his ethereal form as a wraith to fool them.
| Previous | #413 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #130, Story B | Reading order | Strange Tales #132, Story B |
| Strange Tales #131 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #132 |
