Doctor Strange Epic Collection: Master Of The Mystic Arts (Strange Tales (1951-1968) Book 1)

Okay, before I start, I would actually rate the stories contained within this volume as 5 stars - I am taking a star off for the quality of the book; I haven't experienced any of the horror stories that other buyers have, but I will say that the paper used for this trade, and the card used for the cover, are extremely thin, so if that's a worry, I recommend buying a copy that you can pick up and check over first.With that caveat out of the way, on to the actual comics themselves! They've managed to squeeze Steve Ditko's entire run on Dr Strange into one book, and it's a fine showcase for his artistic achievements. His style was unique even when he first pencilled the good doctor's debut appearance in Strange Tales, but as the series went on and he grew in confidence, Ditko would produce a myriad of phantasmagoric realms and spectacular magical effects quite unlike anything that had been seen in comicbooks.Of course, the dialogue by collaborator Stan Lee only adds to the unique flavour of the character. Strange's incantations, oaths and spells are a gloriously over-the-top suggestion of a sorcerous world, hinting at the Vishanti, the hordes of Hoggoth, and more. As the two creators pitch Dr Strange against ever more bizarre, other-dimensional foes, the stories seem to create a universe all their own.It's all here; the debuts of the diabolical Baron Mordo, the dread Dormammu, the lovely Clea and the mysterious and awesome Eternity. By the end of Ditko's run, such is the swagger of the book that the final epic storyline spans an incredible 17 issues, unheard of at the time. Also included is the team-up with the other Lee-Ditko master creation, the webhead himself, from Amazing Spider-Man annual #2, ensuring that this really is as complete a Ditko Strange volume as you could want.Extras include two pages of original Ditko art, a pin-up, T-shirt ads, covers for Marvel Tales annual #2 and Dr Strange Classics 1-4 (which reprinted stories collected here), two introductions from the latter, as well as the covers of the first two Strange Masterworks volumes and the first omnibus. A magical collection (paper issues notwithstanding) for a magical run of comics.

The stories are great...especially if, like me you like the nostalgic stuff! The artwork is full colour, unlike the ‘essential series’, do it knocks spots of it in every way! Quirky, fun and very collectible!

All the genius Lee and Ditko stuff that started it all. Very retro and stylised but all the better for it. Ages very well .

All the Ditko stories in colour, in one volume. It's genius! 'Nuff said!

This volume reprints the Doctor Strange stories from Strange Tales issues #110, 111, 114-146, published monthly from July 1963 onward, and Spider-Man Annual #2 from 1965. The stories are scripted by Stan Lee (apart from #129 by Don Rico) and drawn by Steve Ditko, who also co-plots. George Roussos inks #114 and #122-125. There are 33 stories reprinted here, starting with 6-pagers from the beginning of the feature and ending with 10 pages as the good Doctor became an equal partner in the magazine he shared with his co-features. The Spider-Man Annual gives us a 20-page story.The first story is almost a 'traditional' Lee-Ditko mystery/horror story from the non-superhero titles - which Strange Tales was, before the Human Torch brought the age of heroes to its pages; though it manages to fit in Wong, the Ancient One, the Eye of Agamotto and Nightmare and the Dream Dimension into the six pages. The second story featured Baron Mordo, and the third introduced Victoria Bentley. The fourth was an origin story. On his sixth appearance, in #117, he got his name on the cover, and #118 saw his picture finally appear. The stories gradually build in complexity and become a serial, climaxing in a duel with the Dread Dormammu whose shadow has been building up during the series. There is a victory of sorts, but Clea is lost as a result. However, volume 2 is a direct continuation, so don't despair.Steve Ditko's artwork, while generally excellent, actually gets better as the series progresses, and in the subsequent volume reaches even new heights. This is an excellent volume of the stories that made the early days of Marvel Comics so exciting.