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Monday, June 1, 2020

Marvel Immersion Project: Strange Tales #125-131

As discussed last week, even though conservative artist Steve Ditko probably wasn't too thrilled, the counter-culture of the 1960s was not shy about expressing its affection for Doctor Strange.  In 1965, Jefferson Airplane headlined one of the first big psychedelic music showcases, entitled "A Concert for Dr. Strange."

A Tribute to Dr. Strange 1965 Concert Poster, Longshoremans Hall ...
via Amazon

In 1967, Pink Floyd included Strange's imagery on the cover of their album A Saucerful of Secrets:
A Saucerful of Secrets - Wikipedia
via Wikipedia

Relevant images enhanced:
Ruta Flashback: Pink Floyd A Saucerful of Secrets e Interstellar ...
via Ruta Flashback

My Recent Reads

Strange Tales #125
Originally Published October 1, 1964
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
  • Nemesis: Baron Mordo

Strange Tales #126
November 1, 1964
Lee/Ditko
Dormammu - Wikipedia
via Wikipedia
  • Nemesis: Dormammu

Strange Tales #127
December 1, 1964
Lee/Ditko
  • Part 2 of Dormammu story
  • First appearance of the Mindless Ones 
Mindless Ones | Marvel Database | Fandom
via Marvel Database
Strange Tales #128
January 1, 1965
Lee/Ditko
  • Primary story is now a joint Human Torch/Thing venture (artist: Dick Ayers)
    • Nemeses: Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver
Wanda Maximoff (Earth-616) | Marvel Database | Fandom
Scarlet Witch via Marvel Database
Pietro Maximoff (Earth-616) | Marvel Database | Fandom
Quicksilver via Marvel Database
  • Dr. Strange nemesis: Demonicus

Strange Tales #129
February 1, 1965
Lee/Ditko
  • Nemesis: Tiboro

Strange Tales #130
March 1, 1965
Lee/Ditko
  • His is still the secondary story but for the first time, Dr. Strange is the primary image on the cover.
  • The Torch/Thing story (artist: Bob Powell) features a special appearance by the Beatles!  That's right, no mere mention this time.  The Fab Four actually turn up on the page.  Most of the likenesses are pretty good.  John Lennon (second from left) isn't quite right...
The Beatles in Strange Tales #130, 1965 (With images) | Vintage ...
via Pinterest
  • Dr. Strange nemeses: Dormammu and Baron Mordo, in tandem though Strange doesn't realize Dormammu's involvement

Strange Tales #131
April 1, 1965
Lee/Ditko
  • Part 2 of the Mordo/Dormammu story.  Mordo's minions chase Strange through the streets of Hong Kong.
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6 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonJune 1, 2020 at 9:51 AM

    The Beatles appearance got me curious: Would that increase the value of the issue?
    I have a price guide site I use, so I checked.
    Issue 130 has a lower value than all the issues surrounding it, which I have to think is a misprint of some kind.
    But maybe not.
    My curiosity is not satisfied.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Armchair SquidJune 2, 2020 at 5:42 PM

      Poking around, I'm finding inconsistent information. Might it depend on who's buying? For a comic book collector, not such a big deal? Some I've seen make a bigger fuss over the fact that it's Dr. Strange's first cover. But Beatles collectors can be just as rabid. It might be priced quite differently at those conventions.

      Delete
    2. Andrew LeonJune 2, 2020 at 6:20 PM

      The site I use is an aggregate site. It's not them pricing comics; they're taking data and arriving at selling prices based from across the world.
      So I think this issue's price must be a mistype, because it is noted for both the cover and the Beatles appearance on their site, then has a lower price.

      Delete
    3. The Armchair SquidJune 2, 2020 at 11:01 PM

      Well, if you learn more, let me know.

      Delete
  2. Commander ZaiusJune 3, 2020 at 4:54 PM

    Wasn't familiar with Dr. Strange until the MCU movie. It's now probably my favorite since I felt a Lovecraftian vibe with Strange and the other wizards protecting Earth from entities like Dormammu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Armchair SquidJune 4, 2020 at 10:10 PM

      I loved the movie. That one and Black Panther are probably my two favorites in the series.

      Delete