Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: September 9, 1965
Cover: December 1965
12 cents
Script by sterling Stan Lee
Art by stalwart Steve Ditko
Lettering by stoical Artie Simek
10 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #139 | Reading order | Strange Tales #140 |
| Strange Tales #139 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #140 |
Where they employ power, you must employ wisdom– the wisdom of the just, the righteous, the fearless!
Dormammu is plainly the “big bad” of this series. Mordo is the lieutenant. It’s time for the big confrontation with Mordo.
I really appreciate what Ditko is doing with Strange’s fists on that opening page. He does the best things with fingers.
Mordo is supplied by near limitless power. But he lacks the wits and will of Dr. Stephen Strange.
And so the final battle begins.
The question of how to illustrate a wizard’s duel has haunted artists across mediums. How do you make it not just a light show with arbitrary outcomes. Lee and Ditko do well with it. It is a light show, but you can tell what’s going on at any point. Who is winning and why.
Dr. Strange is employing a defensive approach, but his shields are fast failing. An impatient Dormammu increases Mordo’s power.
Dr. Strange then creates an illusion of his spirit form. This confuses and flusters Mordo.
Eventually, Dormammu grows tired of his worthless pawn, and decides to settle the matter himself.
Next issue, Dr. Strange vs. Dormammu.
At least one letter writer regarding 135 felt that 6 issues was enough, and it was time to end the saga. That reader is not getting his wish.
Dear Stan,
Six months, and still no end in sight? Come, now! Don’t you really think it’s about time you finished off this Dr. Strange story and started a new one?!!
Ralph S
Rating: ★★★★☆, 71/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
Trading one Dr. Strange story for another, Strange tales #116 falls off the Best We’ve Read.
Invocations:
- …I swear by the Shades of Seraphim…
- By the Hoary Hand of Hoggoth…
- May Raggadorr smite him! — Mordo
Characters:
- Dr. Strange
- Dormammu
- Mordo
- Girl from Dark Dimension
- Ancient One
Story notes:
- Dormammu learns Dr. Strange gained no power from Eternity.
- Dr. Strange takes a defensive strategy. Mordo is reckless, trusting in his power. Dormammu grows impatient and increases Mordo’s power.
- Dr. Strange seems to be controlling both his physical and spiritual form at once; Mordo now suspects Eternity has given him new power; Dr. Strange’s psychic form was an illusion from a simple spell; Dormammu was not fooled and destroys the illusion.
- Dormammu is disappointed by how Mordo is outfought and withdraws his power.
- Dormammu strikes.
| Previous | #424 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #139 | Reading order | Strange Tales #140 |
| Strange Tales #139 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #140 |
