> Doctor Strange Masterworks Volume 1
 
 

PLEASE NOTE: This cover is not reprinted in Dr. Strange Vol. 1

Click panels for larger images


From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"Ancient One, I crave a boon! I wish to accept the terms you offered me some days ago! I wish to study at your feet...to be taught your knowledge...to prove myself worthy of the mystic arts!"

-- Stephen Strange, page 8


The arrogant Dr. Stephen Strange loses his livelihood.

 

Doctor Strange from Strange Tales #115
December 1963 • 8 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Sam Rosen
Pencils: Steve Ditko • Inks: Steve Ditko


Title: "The Origin of Dr. Strange”

Origin: Dr. Strange

Villain: Baron Mordo

Guest Appearance: Ancient One

Innovations: First invocations: Vapors of Valtorr, Dormammu, Vishanti, Agamotto

Letters Page: No letters page in this issue!


Synopsis: A haggard and tired Westerner has finally made it to the chamber of the Ancient One. He demands "magic healing powers", but is refused by the old man, who peers into his mind to gain knowledge of the man's story. He is Dr. Stephen Strange, a surgeon of pride and arrogance who one day was in a terrible car accident that caused nerve damage to his hands. He would never be able to operate again. He falls into depression and becomes a bum, and one day he overhears men talking of an "Ancient One" in Tibet, who can cure anything! He travels across the world to find out if it is true, to get his nerve damage healed.

The Ancient One senses a spark of humanity inside this petulant man, and offers him a role as his disciple to find the cure within. Stephen Strange refuses, thinking this is all a big farce, but he cannot leave as they are all snowed in. As he waits out the snow, he sees the Ancient One's assistant, Mordo, conjuring up potions and spells to kill the Ancient One. Strange cannot let this pass, and he confront Mordo, who disables Strange from speaking, walking and otherwise interfering with his diabolical plan. Strange can only watch helplessly as Mordo performs his acts of evil, and he realizes that there is real power in black magic, and that somebody must stand in the way of Mordo.

Strange realizes the spell cast on him by Mordo only keeps him from speaking about Mordo's evil, but not other things. He asks the Ancient One to be his disciple, and the Ancient One agrees, freeing him from Mordo's spell. Strange is shocked that the Ancient One knew, but is reassured that the old man cannot have secrets kept from him so easily! He agrees to train Strange in the mystic arts, so that he can stand in opposition to those like Mordo who would use them for evil.

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu


Issues Reprinted
Doctor Strange from Strange Tales #110-111, 114-141

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
ST #110 ST #111 ST #114 ST #115 ST #116 ST #117
ST #118 ST #119 ST #120 ST #121 ST #122 ST #123
ST #124 ST #125 ST #126 ST #127 ST #128 ST #129
ST #130 ST #131 ST #132 ST #133 ST #134 ST #135
ST #136 ST #137 ST #138 ST #139 ST #140 ST #141

 

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