Know Your Heroes: Doctor Strange

By Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Birthed in 1963 from the more than fertile imaginations of artist Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, Doctor Stephen Strange made his first appearance in the aptly named Strange Tales # 100. The 1960s counter-culture movement took to the good doctor shortly thereafter -- co-opting him and ultimately turning him into a pop fixture that has survived good trips (the direct-to-DVD Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme) and bad trips (the 1978 Peter Hooten TV movie) over the decades.

But what do we love about Doctor Strange comics? Well...they are a bit weird! And, while Benedict Cumberbatch is bringing the character to the big screen this November, the best place to find the Master of Mysticism’s greatest/kookiest adventures is still at your local comic shop. So look into our third eye and be mesmerized by PREVIEWSworld’s must-read list below. By the time we snap our fingers…you may just find yourself walking into a comic book store.

Doctor Strange Volume 1 and Volume 2

Doctor Strange has starred in plenty of classic Marvel yarns, but few have been as critically praised as Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo’s current run. Now collected in two separate collections, DOCTOR STRANGE VOL. 1: THE WAY OF THE WEIRD (FEB160948) and VOL. 2: LAST DAYS OF MAGIC (JUL161067) cover the first 10 issues of this sleeper hit series. Aaron puts Strange through the ringer as he explores the inevitable toll that magic can take on a Sorcerer Supreme. Bachalo’s art gives warped perspective to Stephen’s ordeal, but the art truly takes on new life as Aaron’s subplot about a mystic munching evil comes to the forefront.      

Doctor Strange and the Secret Defenders TP

It’s Ocean’s 11 meets Marvel in DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE SECRET DEFENDERS (JUN160972). Magically summoning heroes, Doctor Strange sends a rag-tag team on secret missions across the MU. 5 fast-paced, action-packed tales are contained within – each starring a rotating cast of characters! Expect plenty of guest appearances from Marvel's finest.

Doctor Strange Epic Collection: A Separate Reality

SEPARATE REALITY (JUL161069) serves as a sort of greatest hits for the Master of Mysticism. Legendary creators such as Stan Lee, Barry Windsor-Smith, P. Craig Russel, and Roy Thomas (and more!) all take their turn executing offbeat adventures from Doctor Strange’s seminal years. At their disposal are the villainous likes of characters such as Baron Mordo, Shuma-Gorath, The Undying Ones, and much more. A must-read for fans of the Silver Age.

Doctor Strange: The Oath

Did you know Brian K. Vaughn, the critically acclaimed writer of SAGA and Y THE LAST MAN, wrote DOCTOR STRANGE? He did. Drawn by Eisner Award-winning penciler Marcos Martin (DAREDEVIL), THE OATH (FEB138451) is a “whodunit” where Stephen Strange must get to the bottom of a homicide investigation. However, true to form with Brian K. Vaughn, the story has a unique twist: The murder Strange is investigating...is his own!

Doctor Strange: The Flight Of Bones TP

Stephen officially joins the Marvel Knights family tree with FLIGHT OF BONES (JUL161070), a collection of stories from the turn of the century that promises to take readers on one bad, bad trip. The trade paperback invites fan-favorite creators such as Kieron Gillen, Mike Carey, and Klaus Janson, to force Strange out of his element. So be prepared for an anthology through the heart of darkness. And that’s saying something when you’re talking about the cloaked mage.

Color Your Own Doctor Strange TP

Build your own mind-melting reality with COLOR YOUR OWN DOCTOR STRANGE (JUL161071)! Sporting artwork by some of the character’s top artistic talents, this 120-page coloring book will take you on a potentially kaleidoscopic journey through untold realms. Don’t have the Eye of Agamotto to anchor you? No problem. A box of Crayola’s and your imagination will be your guide.

Doctor Strange: Strange Origin TP

Not familiar with the story of the master surgeon turned master of mystic arts? Well, STRANGE ORIGIN (JUN160971) will set you straight on everything from the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth to the book of the Vishanti. No idea what I’m talking about? Then this trade paperback explaining the rise, fall, and rebirth of Stephen Strange is for you.

Marvel's Doctor Strange Prelude TP

You’ve seen the movie. You can’t get enough of Marvel’s Studio’s latest. YOU MUST NO MORE. Fortunately for you, Marvel Comics always provides a nifty companion piece to each of their big Hollywood productions. Part of their line of “Prelude” books, the DOCTOR STRANGE PRELUDE TPB (JUN160970) puts movie viewers ahead of the film’s opening scenes, providing insight into Doctor Strange’s world going into his theatrical debut. Taking place entirely within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, PRELUDE is an ideal jumping on point for recent converts to the cult of Strange!

The Doctor is in...theaters on November 4, 2016, but you can find these titles and more at your local comic shop now.

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen handles social media and community outreach for PREVIEWSworld.com and the DCD family of sites. His comics work includes BAMN, Fight of the Century, and the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics.