Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: January 10, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
A mystical Marvel masterwork by: Stan Lee and Marie Severin
Lettered by: Artie Simek
10 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #155 | Reading order | Tales of Suspense #86, Story B |
| Strange Tales #155 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #156 |
So long as this bridge endures– this bridge which is not a bridge– and yet, which is more a bridge than any other– Just so long shall hope of escape remain alive within us–
In an opening page clearly meant to evoke Ditko, Dr. Strange hurtles at the speed of thought to outrace the death spell Umar has sent toward Clea.
At last, Dr. Strange has rescued Clea, but it’s a long road to get her to Earth. They encounter many hazards along the way. Perhaps too many for a ten page comic, as each is too easily evaded.
But some of them are cool, like when they get caught in a road of repetition, stuck in a loop.
Severin does a decent job conveying this Realm of Non-Existence.
Clea keeps saying Strange should leave her to save himself, and he keeps refusing. A fine but repetitive sentiment, as it comes up multiple times in this short comic.
Dr. Strange and the Ancient one form a bridge of ethereal contact. I like the rambling about how it’s not really a bridge, but then it kind of is. Or is it?
So long as this bridge endures–this bridge which is not a bridge–and yet, which is more a bridge than any other–
An unconscious Clea is now in the abode of the Ancient One, but still not safe from Umar. Only the Spell of Vanishment can keep her safe. This will apparently send he somewhere unknown forever.
Dr. Strange will never see the woman he loves again, but she’ll be safe.
Apparently the only concern about banishing Clea into the unknown is how it will effect Dr. Strange’s life. That Clea might have an opinion on the matter does not enter anyone’s mind. And she is vanished before she even wakes up.
Ancient One assumes the position of Nirvana. He feels stupid and contagious.
Yet again refusing anyone their own agency, Ancient One then imprisons Dr. Strange in some other dimension to keep him safe from Umar.
We’ve gotten several months ahead in our Strange Tales reading. The threats of Hydra and Umar still loom, but it’s time to catch up on the rest of the Marvel Universe.
Strange Mails.
Invocations:
- By the Vapors of Valtorr, wherein the Nameless dwell– By the Roving Rings of Raggadorr, let my speed exceed her spell!
- The Valtorr be praised!
- In the name of the Ancient One, most venerated–
- Let that which is, be not! Let that which was, live on! Let Clea be forgot! Reverse thy course! Begone!
- By the Secrets of the Seraphim…
- By the Mystic Moons of Munnopor–
- The Eternal Vishanti have smiled upon us– praise to their name!
- By the Demons of Darkness– In the name of Satannish– By the Flames of the Faltine– Let its deadly sting vanish! — Umar
- By all the Demons of Danak — Umar
- By all the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth — Ancient One
- As the Omnipotent Oshtur is my judge… — Ancient One
I don’t think the Rings of Raggadorr have been described as “Roving” before.
It might also be the first time we’ve heard the phrase “The Valtorr” with an article, suggesting perhaps Valtorr is not a being, but perhaps a group. Or maybe it’s the title of an entity.
I thin we knew this, but also note the Vishanti are clearly described in the plural, with the words “have” and “their”. So they are a group of some kind.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 51/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
Story too repetitive. Traps too easily evaded. But some good stuff here.
Characters:
- Dr. Strange
- Clea
- Umar
- Ancient One
Story notes:
- Umar has just hurled spell of death across infinite void to Clea’s prison. Dr. Strange follows the spell at the speed of thought.
- When Strange reaches Clea, he absorbs the death spell, and repels it back at Umar, who is stunned by it.
- Dr. Strange will take Clea to Earth, but they will have to cross Forbidden Dimensions.
- As long as they touch, Strange’s occult power is Clea’s shield.
- In attempting to speed through dimensions, Strange created a interdimensional road of repetition, forcing them to loop through eternity.
- They’ll die if they collide with their past selves, and they can’t leave the road or they’ll be lost in limbo forever. The Amulet is the answer, as usual.
- Umar makes the ground attack Strange and Clea.
- Dr. Strange sends thoughts to the Ancient One to help. Their minds form a bridge of ethereal contact.
- Strange and Clea face Umar’s dimension-spanning storm.
- Dr. Strange and Clea make it back to Ancient One’s abode.
- Ancient One suggests the Spell of Vanishment on Clea, the most dreaded spell of all.
- Ancient One will levitate in the position of Nirvana, and then read the scroll.
- Clea will be lost forever, but safe from Umar.
- The spell can only be used once, for the parchment will follow Clea into the unknown.
- Dr. Strange will go face Umar; Ancient One won’t allow it.
- Ancient One banishes Dr. Strange from the universe to save him, for now Umar walks the Earth.
| Previous | #625 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales #155 | Reading order | Tales of Suspense #86, Story B |
| Strange Tales #155 | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #156 |
