Marvel Immersion Project: Silver Surfer #18 and Strange Tales #110-111, #114-117

via Wikipedia

This week, I leave the Silver Surfer and move on to Doctor Strange.  This shift involves a step back in time a few years, the Surfer ending in 1970, Strange launching in 1963.  In some ways, it is disappointing to retreat from the '70s, an era in which Marvel busted through the boundaries of what a superhero comic could be.  With Strange Tales, we're back to the villain-of-the week model.

However, Doctor Strange is definitely different.  His origin story of redemption is nothing new, nor is the basic good vs. evil moral landscape upon which his adventures are set.  But there's a darkness to the character that separates him from others at this point in comic history, perhaps closer to the radio drama heroes of an earlier era.  He also romps through wild, mystical dreamscapes in favor of the more realistic New York streets where we encounter Spider-Man or the Fantastic Four.  Plus, there's the artwork...

Dr. Strange, more than Spidey, was Steve Ditko's baby.  Ditko, a straight-laced conservative who probably never went near an illicit drug in his life, was a psychedelic artist before the word went mainstream.  His art for Dr. Strange, while perhaps not an influence, was certainly a harbinger of what was to come, leading me to wonder if perhaps the art world was heading in this direction even without the counter-cultural forces with which it's associated.

I will readily admit, I am out of my depths on this topic.  But it is intriguing and I'll be hanging out with Strange for a few weeks, plenty of time for me to learn more.  I promise to share the highlights.


My Recent Reads

Silver Surfer #18
Originally published September 1, 1970
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby (back to close out the series)

• The Surfer meets the Inhumans!  It would seem there have been significant developments since the last time I encountered this band.  There are now two factions to keep track of: the royal family who live with Black Bolt in the Great Refuge and the Outsiders who roam in exile with Maximus.  The Surfer meets both.
• The encounter doesn't go well.  The issue, and the series, end with a message of rage and despair.
• So ends an excellent first solo series for an outstanding character.  Although there were many guest appearances and a couple of one-shots, the Silver Surfer didn't get his next solo series until 1987.

Strange Tales #110
July 1, 1963
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko

• The lead stories at this point in the Strange Tales run star the Human Torch (artist: Dick Ayers).  However, the reason for my interest is the secondary tale.  In #110, Doctor Strange is introduced!

via Wikipedia

• Also introduced is The Master, to be referred to in later stories as The Ancient One.   He is Strange's guru.

via Wikipedia

• We get a new villain, too: Nightmare.

Strange Tales #111
August 1, 1963
Lee/Ditko

via Wikipedia

• This month's Human Torch story (artist: Ayers) is worthy of note for the introduction of a new villain: Asbestos Man.

via Marvel Fanon

• We meet Dr. Strange's arch-nemesis: Baron Mordo. 

Strange Tales #114
November 1, 1963
Lee/Ditko

• New character: Victoria Bently, an ally with mystical power potential

Strange Tales #115
December 1, 1963
Lee/Ditko

• The Doctor Strange origin story

Strange Tales #116
January 1, 1964
Lee/Ditko

• Human Torch story (artist: Ayers) 
• Villain: The Puppet Master

via Marvel Database

• Cameos by the rest of the FF, particularly Thing who brawls with Torch
• Alicia Masters also features.  It turns out she's the Puppet Master's step-daughter!
• Dr. Strange story
• Villain: Nightmare

Strange Tales #117
February 1, 1964
Lee/Ditko

via Marvel Database

• Human Torch villain: The Eel (artist: Ayers)
• Dr. Strange villain: Baron Mordo