Tag: demons of darkness

Strange Tales #155, Story B

The Fearful Finish–!

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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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.

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Strange Tales #152, Story B

Into the Dimension of Death!

Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: October 11, 1966
Cover: January 1967
12 cents
Truly hath Stan Lee authored yon awesome epic–
Verily hath Bill Everett such scenes depicted–
And, finally didst Artie Simek the lettering incribe!
10 pages

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I sense– a female!

I’d say this issue picks up where the last issue left off, but nothing happened last issue. Except that Clea was captured by Umar after a recap of the last 40 issues.

Everett’s depiction of Dark Dimension is fine, maybe even good. Maybe I’m just in a bad mood since Ditko left and am being unfair to Everett. I do appreciate Everett for his work on Sub-Mariner, Venus, and Daredevil… just not here.

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Strange Tales #151, Story B

Umar Strikes!

Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: September 8, 1966
Cover: December 1966
12 cents
Script by Stan Lee, defender of the faith!
Art by Bill Everett, keeper of the flame!
Lettering by Artie Simek, printer of the word!
10 pages

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By the Demons of Darkness! By the oath I now speak! Umar commands– reveal what I seek!

At the end of last issue, we briefly met Dormammu’s sister Umar.

Given how weird and cool Dormammu looked, it’s disappointing to see his sister look just like a human woman. You can try to explain it off as these beings having amorphous forms or such. But it mostly seems like a failure of creativity and design.

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Strange Tales #136, Story B

What Lurks Beneath the Mask?

Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: June 8, 1965
Cover: September 1965
12 cents
Edited and written by mystical, magical Stan Lee
Plotted and illustrated by weird, wondrous Steve Ditko
Lettered and bordered by loveable, laughable Artie Simek
10 pages

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Strange Tales #135, Story BReading orderStrange Tales #137
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Demons of Darkness, at my command transport me to the hidden land!

Dr. Strange is still searching for Eternity. Last issue was something of a misstep along the way. He sought answers from a once-loyal servant of the Ancient One only to find betrayal and a trap. This will have a similar flavor. He’ll seek out another wise mystic and again get led astray.

While these are in a sense interludes, I appreciate that it’s not easy to find Eternity. Dr. Strange is somewhat fumbling in his quest. He doesn’t know where to go and keeps taking wrong turns.

Mordo remains in pursuit this whole time, grown more desperate since Dr. Strange seeks Eternity. Mordo doesn’t understand the word. But Dormammu knows exactly what it means and fears Dr. Strange learning the secret. This increases the excitement for the search.

As he searches, our insight into this world grows. We meet a woman whose life he once saved. We meet another unnamed mystic. We see Rama Kaliph has been rendered comatose by Mordo, and only Mordo’s defeat will save him.

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