Enter: The Master Of Black Magic!

When it comes to comic book stories, less can be so much more--and I know of no finer example of that time-tested idiom than a story premiering in mid-1963 which featured the first appearance of the Master of the Mystic Arts Black Magic, Dr. Strange, a tale which totaled a mere five pages but even in its simplicity managed not only to provide the reader with the basic elements of this intriguing new character's background but to also wrap those elements within a tidy yet satisfying first adventure. Written by Stan Lee with art by Steve Ditko, Strange made his debut as a backup feature in (what else?) Strange Tales, sporting a virtual marquee of his own.

The copy is quite correct (and perhaps intentional) in mentioning that the feature premieres quietly and without Marvel's usual cover fanfare; in fact, it would take seven issues (equating to seven months, which in a way underscores the point) before Strange would receive even a mention on the title's cover, as if Lee were walking on tiptoes with this character:

In his extensive section on Dr. Strange in Origins Of Marvel Comics, Lee makes no mention of his reticence in promoting the character--only that he and Ditko were "cautiously feeling [their] way" with him in terms of fleshing out the framework of his world and the extent of his abilities; yet it's really only a minor observation on my part, a matter of curiosity which some of the more learned among you may be able to shed some light on. In no way does it (nor should it) impact on what turns out to be a very nicely structured introduction to an intriguing character who, as the story's final panel announces, will be our guide to the mystic world which represents uncharted territory for those who until now have focused their efforts on super-heroes rooted in reality.

And as we'll see, even those in the real world have need for such a man.

Our catalyst, known in the story only as "the sleeper," is the means by which we're able to see how well this story proceeds in logical progression in order to acclimate the reader to this new character, his domicile, his limited supporting cast, and of course the story itself. How time indeed flies when you're having fun--five pages may well seem like ten (or more) to you by the time you've read it.

With Ditko having provided the essentials, Lee isn't negligent in exploring what he's been given, either through caption or dialog; and as the sleeper arrives at Strange's sanctum, it's delightful to turn these pages as if for the first time and let the words and descriptions guide us through what we're seeing. For instance, even in these early tales, Strange's manservant, the as yet unnamed Wong, has a high opinion of his master's knowledge and experience in the occult; and as if to back that up, we see that little if anything comes as a surprise to Strange or is otherwise unfamiliar to him. Visually, Ditko has also added that interesting patterning to Strange's gloves, and there's the ever-present incense to indicate he's contemplative and has adopted eastern methods of study. On a more cosmetic note, one can't help but do a double-take at the peculiar grooming of Strange's eyebrows and mustache.

Afterward, we get a sense that Strange has an idea of what he'll be encountering in this man's dream (and reading this story in hindsight, perhaps we're all on the same page with him in that respect)--so rather than have Strange look into the matter further, Lee and Ditko instead provide us with our introduction to the man from whom Strange acquired his knowledge and training--the Ancient One, though, like Wong, still unnamed at this point, perhaps to draw more focus to Strange as a principal character as well as conserve the limited story space available for exposition. Strange also demonstrates the use of his astral form--a variation of what we would see employed by Charles Xavier in the X-Men book to be launched two months after this story is published.

One thing Lee does make a point of establishing is that the Ancient One is unable to take on anything more than an advisory role in Strange's dealings with those he comes up against, though it will later become clear that the Ancient One's range in exercising that role is considerable.

With all that we need to become familiar with Strange taken care of, Ditko and Lee proceed directly to the mystery at hand, as our sleeper drifts off--with Strange again making use of his astral form to enter the dream of the dreamer. What he discovers is undoubtedly the sleeper's tormentor, who hints at the true reason for the dreamer's anguish; but the more dangerous culprit waits in the wings, a being whom Strange recognizes from past experience.

Yet in a nice twist to this bizarre story, it isn't Nightmare who may spell Strange's doom, but our awakening sleeper, who finally realizes why his dream has been recurring--only this time, his chained tormentor has uttered to Strange a name, one that the sleeper realizes Strange cannot be allowed to investigate.

Again, the introduction of a new piece of Strange's makeup as a sorcerer that will come to be something more--the Eye of Agamotto, here only the unnamed, vaguely defined power within Strange's amulet (destined to be traded in for a newer one at a later date), which foils the sleeper's intent as well as, indirectly, Nightmare's. And with the return of Strange's astral form comes the answer at last.

It's of course a story that, with the removal of Strange and Nightmare and the addition of two or three more pages, would have fit well in the earlier issues of Strange Tales that had only ordinary humans to deal with such eerie situations. (In fact I wouldn't be surprised if this tale had recycled such a story.)

We've seen here merely a glimpse of what Strange has to offer, his "black magic" manifested in really only two ways that the reader can base their interest--his "metaphysical" form and his "magic amulet," the latter of which unfortunately appears to be his ultimate weapon in a crunch (and so visually distinctive as to let any attacker know it's the one thing to immediately neutralize):

Yet all in all, a fine step forward for a new and very different character who would be tapped to join Marvel's ranks in the early '60s--as well as a character who would add a great deal to Ditko's reputation as a noteworthy artist and storyteller.

NEXT:

The debut of... who else? ... Baron Mordo!

Strange Tales #110 Script: Stan Lee Pencils and Inks: Steve Ditko Letterer: Terry Szenics