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The "bible." Reprints Strange Tales #110, 111, 114-168. The first 57 stories of Doctor Strange (except for three crossovers) and Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's classic run. Black and white. $16 cover price.
Full capsule review from The Comics Journal #251 by Tim O'Neil:
Steve Ditko's work for Marvel during the early sixties set a benchmark for the weird. The direct opposite of Kirby's humanistic dynamism, Ditko's distorted alienation was distinctive enough to create in the character of Spider-Man one of the true classic concepts in the history of mainstream publishing.
Dr. Strange, while less an icon than Spider-Man, stands as no less an achievement for the team of Ditko and Stan Lee. It is perhaps even a testament to the character's unique makeup that no one after these initial creators has come close to replicating the (ahem) magic of this original run. While Spider-Man's (now cliched) "everyman" status enabled him to swing onto Underoos and (soon) movie-screens across the world, Dr. Strange is just too peculiar a proposition to succeed in the hands of anyone but Ditko.
This volume allows the reader to see a clear evolution of Ditko's peerless line. From the rough beginnings of the strip's genesis, Ditko's brushwork grows to allow for more control, more lyrically illustrative techniques juxtaposed against a firmer command of spotted blacks. This is a must-have volume for anyone interested in studying the artistic maturity of one of the form's masters.
There are, however, two major qualms with this volume as a whole. First, Stan Lee's scripting acts as a polarizing element: you are either born with an enthusiastic appreciation for his hyperbolically dense purple prose or not. Secondly, the final third of the book - bereft of either creator's presence - suffers greatly by the comparison, to the point of being unreadable in parts. It is notable, however, for the brief presence of comics pioneer Bill Everett's distinctive style - closer in spirit to the then-burgeoning underground scene than anything else produced by Marvel at the time.
Ebay Search for "essential strange"
Reprints Strange Tales #130-141, the classic Lee-Ditko confrontation between Doctor Strange, Baron Mordo and Dormammu. This is reprinted in the Essential book now, but if you want the cream of the crop in full-color good-paper comics instead of black-and-white on newsprint, these are cheap (about $2 each). With John Byrne covers. 1984.
Mycomicshop.com
Ebay Search for "strange classics"
Dr. Strange wins a contest of the Vishanti- and the prize is to help Dr. Doom save his mother from Mephisto's clutches in Hell! By Roger Stern, Mike Mignola, and Mark Badger. Excellent- arguably the best Dr. Strange story ever (although the story is driven more by Doom). Highly recommended. 1989. Look on Ebay for a paperback cover.
Savant Essential review by Dave Potter
Mycomicshop.com
Ebay Search for "triumph torment"
Reprints Marvel Premiere #9, 10, 12-14, and Doctor Strange #1, 2, 4, 5. Includes the death of the Ancient One, the finale of the Shuma-Gorath saga, and some mighty strong work by Englehart and Brunner including the classic confrontation between Doc and Silver Dagger. 2002. The entire Shuma Gorath Saga (Marvel Premiere #4-10), inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, is recommended but unfortunately not reprinted.
This TPB replaces a previous recommendation for Doctor Strange Special Edition, which reprinted Doctor Strange #1, 2, 4, 5, with Wrightson cover, 1983.
Ebay Search for "strange separate reality"
This noir-ish Marvel Knights mini-series from 1999 is the best Doctor Strange story in the last ten years. Opinion among hard-core old-school Doc fans was mixed, but Neilalien liked it. Should be able to get the set for under $10.
Mycomicshop.com
Ebay Search for "flight bones strange"
Stern's Doctor Strange in 1983 was the one Neilalien grew up with, and his favorite Doc writer after Lee. This section of that run includes a retelling of Doc's origin and the classic tale that leads to the temporary death of all vampires in the Marvel Universe. Pay no more than $2 each.