Specials

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Specials

Last updated on 08/15/05

Dr. Strange has appeared in a variety of special comics over the years. Here are some of the more notable Strange specials...

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2
"The Wondrous World of Dr. Strange"
(1965)

Stan Lee (writer), Steve Ditko (artist)

The classic Lee/Ditko team brings together two of their most famous characters, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange, for the first of many team-ups to come.

Doctor Strange Annual #1
"... and there will be Worlds Anew!"
(1976)

Marv Wolfman (co-plot, script),
P. Craig Russell (co-plot, artist, colors), John Costanza (letters)

P. Craig Russell crafted this 35-page story for his own enjoyment. It sat in a drawer for three years, until Marv Wolfman replotted it and used it for this Dr. Strange Annual.

Click here for P. Craig Russell's story about the creation of this Strange tale.

21 years later, Russell redrew and rescripted the story, which was released as Dr. Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen?

Doctor Strange: Shamballa
Marvel Graphic Novel #23
(1986)
8 1/2" x 11" trade paperback

J. M. DeMatteis (story/script), Dan Green (story/artist), Ken Bruzenak (letterer)

An introspective and mystical tale, with insightful writing by J.M. DeMatteis and ethereal watercolor artwork by Dan Green.

Strange returns to the Himalayan temple of the Ancient One to meditate. Hamir, the Ancient One's faithful attendant, gives Strange a gift from the Ancient One: a mirrored box. In trying to solve the meaning of the box, Strange shatters it and gets transported to Shamablla. The Lords of Shamballa ask Strange to perform a 3-part spell which will bring about a Golden Age, but only after a cataclysmic purge of three-fourths of humanity!

Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom: Triumph and Torment
Marvel Graphic Novel
(1989)
(softcover and hardcover)

Roger Stern (writer), Mike Mignola (penciller), Mark Badger (inker & colorist), Jim Novak (letterer)

The Aged Genghis summons the mystics of the world in a once-a-century contest to determine and acknowledge the Sorcerer Supreme, presided over by the undying Vishanti! Surprisingly, Doctor Doom has also heeded the mystic summons... yet Doom is no stranger to the dark arts.

Dr. Strange wins the contest, and must grant a boon to the only unscathed mystic: Dr. Doom! The boon: Strange aids Dr. Doom to free his cursed mother Cynthia from the damnation of Mephisto, in the netherworld of Hades itself!

Softcover

Hardcover

Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty Death
(1992)
trade paperback

Roy Thomas (co-plotter/scripter), Gerry Conway (co-plotter), Michael Bair (penciller/inker), Mark Beachum / Mark Texiera (inkers), Joe Rosen / Rick Parker (letterers), Bob Sharen (colorist)

Strange Tales, vol. 3, #1
(Nov. 1994)

Kurt Busiek (writer), Ricardo Villagran (artist), Richard Starkings (letterer)

Clear acetate outer cover.

Following in the tradition of the realistic storyline and painted artwork of the Marvels series. Nick Fury, the Thing, the Human Torch, and Dr. Strange tell some tall strange tales while playing poker!

Uncanny Origins, vol. 1, #12
"Physician, Heal Thyself!"
(Aug. 1997)

Len Wein (writer), Mark Campos (artist), Jack Morelli (letterer), Bob Sharen (colorists)

A retelling of the origin of Dr. Strange.

Doctor Strange: What is it that Disturbs You, Stephen?
or... Mourning Becomes Electra
(Oct. 1997)

P. Craig Russell (writer/artist), Mark Andreyko (script), Lovern Kindzierski (colors), Galen Showman (letters)

A remake of Dr. Strange Annual #1 (1976). Russell redrew the entire story (except for one panel which we have yet to identify). This classic story depicts an allegorical conflict in the other-worldly plane of DITKOPOLIS. The wicked sorceress/queen Elektra entraps Strange to break the spell that binds the magicks of this realm to her sister Celeste, so that she can supposedly save the realm from a lingering death. Strange uncovers Elektra's deception, and in the ensuing battle her lust for power and revenge causes both the destruction of herself and the realm of Ditkopolis.

Strange Trivia: The title "What is it that disturbs you, Stephen?" is taken from the first line of dialog (spoken by Clea) in Marvel Premiere #7, which was P. Craig Russell's first artwork in a Dr. Strange story (24 years earlier, in March 1973).

Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter
(Oct. 1998)

Kurt Busiek (plot), Roger Stern (script), Neil Vokes (penciller), Jay Geldhof (inker), Richard Starkings & Comicraft (lettering), Matt Hollingsworth (colorist), Steve Leialoha (cover)

The never-before-told very first meeting between Spider-Man and Dr. Strange. They should have left it untold. This looks and reads like an Archie or Scooby-Doo comic! Archie, Reggie and Veronica (alias Peter Parker and pals) fret over who is going out with who and where. Dumb thieves steal magic lantern from museum. Spidey runs into thieves. Baron Mordo wants the lantern to gain favor with a other-worldly demon, who is revealed to be Dormammu. Strange teams up with Spidey to thwart their evil plans. The good old days have seldom been so bad.