DOCTOR STRANGE #1: For people who don't yet love the good doctor...

[BrianKVaughan]

http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images_0606/0drsbkv1.jpg

On sale in a few hours!

I am obscenely proud of this five-issue miniseries, and even if you've never liked the character, I think you guys are going to love this book, if for no other reason that the art of my partner-in-crime, Marcos Martin, who's one of this medium's best storyteller since Mazzucchelli.

If you don't believe me, please check out the first six pages right here on CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8367

Hope you dig it,
BKV

[Atom_basher]

you didnt have to make this post to make me buy it. was already gonna get it

[Babylon23]

I have high hopes for this book. I love Dr. Strange, and would love to see him return to prominence in the Marvel U. I have faith in Brian's writing, and love Marcos Martin's redition of the good doctor.

[KYTouchMassage]

If you saw Wizard's preview, there's some new character who looks like the Unabomber after a nice, fresh shave. Who's he?

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I think my avatar makes fairly clear where I stand.
:)

[Taltos]

wtf? Strange gets shot by some c-lister? So the S.S. cant even stop bullets? I think im going to pass on this one.

[Dark Soul # 7]

wtf? Strange gets shot by some c-lister? So the S.S. cant even stop bullets? I think im going to pass on this one.Aren't you jumping a bit to conclusions here? Don't you at least want to know how it happened?

[SamuraiJack]

I'll buy it just because Danny Rand appears in the first few pages. *grins*

Totally kidding- I like Doc Strange and think he's not gotten a fair shake in years. I love your work on Runaways, BKV, so let's hope this classic character gets the same treatment...

[Sparda]

I'd give this a try simply cause Brian is writing the book. Hope with this mini I get to know the good doctor much better. I only know him out of the spider-man cartoon so I'd like to know him better and his history.

[Eumenide No 2]

It's precisely the art what's making me pass on this book.

[Cayman]

The book I look forward to most this week.

[TimmyTony]

Not interested.
Never cared too much for Vaughn's writing, and the art is very unappealing to me.

I like the character, but not enough to buy this.

[bloodyarts]

I like the character, but not enough to buy this.

Ditto. Strange seems to be one of those characters who make few appearances, but when they do, they're great. Supporting a regular book will suck the "magic" out of this character faster than a two-dollar whore.

BKV is a writer I trust (though I'm losing my interest in Runaways). However, I'm not sure if Strange & co. will bring out the best in him. It's certainly a challenge, as Strange's powers can take him literally anywhere.

Depending on word of mouth/reviews, I'll wait for BKV's arc to appear in trade. I doubt it'll get much better after Vaughn's moved on.

[brundlefly]

wtf? Strange gets shot by some c-lister? So the S.S. cant even stop bullets? I think im going to pass on this one.


Aren't you jumping a bit to conclusions here? Don't you at least want to know how it happened?

I'm with Taltos on this one. If I pick up a Doc Strange series it would be because I wanted to read a magic-centered story, not to see a gun-toting thug giving the freaking Sorcerer Supreme a hard time just so that the book comes of as "edgy" or "streetwise".

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

As much as I enjoy Vaughan's work elsewhere, the cutesy scene at the start (with Arana and Iron Fist) turns me off of this.
And I am not crazy about the idea of a Dr.Strange book drawn in a style that is bordering on toony...

I haven't read any interviews with the writer regarding this book, has he talked about the tone of the book?
Will it be more leaning towards the She-hulk/Doc Samson quasi-comedy mold?

[cappa donna]

I'm with Taltos on this one. If I pick up a Doc Strange series it would be because I wanted to read a magic-centered story, not to see a gun-toting thug giving the freaking Sorcerer Supreme a hard time just so that the book comes of as "edgy" or "streetwise".
I'm definitely gonna pick this up to see if Strnage's character can be given some workable parameter with which to be written consistantly and intelligently. I've seen some posts implying that Sorcoror Supreme = immortal. Not sure if that's confirmed by Marvel though.

[Expletive Deleted]

I'm with Taltos on this one. If I pick up a Doc Strange series it would be because I wanted to read a magic-centered story, not to see a gun-toting thug giving the freaking Sorcerer Supreme a hard time just so that the book comes of as "edgy" or "streetwise".It is a magic-centered story. The gunshot wound actually works pretty well, in context.

As for the rest of the comic . . . it's excellent. I'm a Marcos Martin fan, so it's no shock that I found the art phenomenal, especially the demon sequence at the end. Vaughan gives us some fun moments with Night Nurse and has a great feel for the Doc/Wong relationship. And, as always, the man knows how to do a dynamite cliffhanger.

Best comic of the week, I think.

[Joe Rice]

Very excited for this. Great writer, great artist, nice limited story. That's what I want in comics.

[brundlefly]

It is a magic-centered story. The gunshot wound actually works pretty well, in context.

As for the rest of the comic . . . it's excellent. I'm a Marcos Martin fan, so it's no shock that I found the art phenomenal, especially the demon sequence at the end. Vaughan gives us some fun moments with Night Nurse and has a great feel for the Doc/Wong relationship. And, as always, the man knows how to do a dynamite cliffhanger.

Best comic of the week, I think.

I checked it out today and I stand corrected. I really enjoyed it, wasn't at all what I was afraid it was going to be (a cliched attempt to make a magic-based character all grim and gritty). And I agree that the explanation for the gunshot wound worked well in the context it was used. I really like Vaughan's other work (which is why I checked out the issue, despite my misgivings of the direction that had been announced for it) and think he has a really good grasp of the characters and environment here. I'll stick around for the rest of this mini.

[Jack]

I completely loved it.

The art was wonderfully expressive, and the story was gripping. I especially liked the arrogance motif. Strange talks about how he used to be arrogant and only care about himself, and how he learned to care about others too, then refuses to let Wong die when he can potentially do something about it. Far better than the typical selflessly noble hero.

I admit that I've never read much Doctor Strange, but this is probably the best of what I have read.

[RabidWolfe]

That was awesome.

Despite being a long time fan, this issue is a great entry point for people not familiar with the character, since it recaps his origin (and thankfully, it ignores JMS's Strange mini-series).

[ednemo]

That was awesome.

Despite being a long time fan, this issue is a great entry point for people not familiar with the character, since it recaps his origin (and thankfully, it ignores JMS's Strange mini-series).

I liked JMS's story. I also enjoyed BKVs first issue. Now I just can't wait for it to be collected!

[FanboyStranger]

I thought it was a fantastic issue, with the highlight being the terminally ill Wong taking down the thieves while Doc obliviously performed the incantation. Good action, great art, a sense of humor, and an interesting ethical dilemma at the heart of it (for a mystical/cosmic character at least). I was thinking of waiting for the trade, but now I'm in for the monthly run.

Also, I think this may present a good solution to the logistical problems that people often cite as the downfall of monthly Dr. Strange series: 'the only people who read Dr. Strange monthly are people who want to write or draw Dr. Strange'. Well, a well-developed mini-series, such as The Oath appears to be so far, once a year might be the best way for Marvel to go with the character. It would creators happy that Doc is being published (though they would probably miss the monthly paycheck), fans happy that they can count on one good Doc story a year, and would not succumb to the buyers' fatigue that tends to doom most monthly-for-the-sake-of-monthly Dr. Strange series.

[Chaosopher]

I really enjoyed the first issue, and very happy to say that this will be one of the pulls. And for the doubters, there seems to be a good reason for everything so far.

[Kevinroc]

I picked up the first issue. The creative team did a really nice job both recapping Strange's origin and setting up the basic premise of this mini. Nice take on Night Nurse, who really hasn't gotten much actual panel time despite the cool idea of her running a super hero hospital.

[Sheldon]

Just read it, and people should definitely give it a try. The art definitely fits the story well, has a nice old school vibe to it.

[glue]

I don't think the art was the best choice for the story, but I still really enjoyed it.

[Doom Hammer]

I'm waiting for the trade on this one, as I think it'll make for a great one-sitting read. I can't say why, it just strikes me that way.

Though I have to say, I have recently undergone a sort of revelation, which I need to share.

I didn't understand the BKV-love until recently. The guy is adored, and though I loved his Ultimate X-Men, I didn't understand the perception of him as a superstar creator.

Having read Pride of Baghdad and the first insallment of Y the Last Man in rapid succession, I get it now. High-quality literature, these stories are. I look forward to the rest of Y, Ex Machina, Doctor Strange, and whatever else the man puts out.

[StoneGold]

Except Hitler never shot himself. Human Torch burned him to death.

[twoheads]

Best comic of the week, I think.

Well, I'd have to disagree there, but only because Agents of Atlas also came out. This was a very, very close second.

What's with all the quips from Strange? Has he always been like that? I don't seem to remember him being so.....sarcastic.

[Mariah]

Except Hitler never shot himself. Human Torch burned him to death.
Shhh, they shot him after they burned him to cover it up, so it didn't look like they murdered him.

*calls the c.i.a.: There's a man here leaking information, please come and pick him up.*

[MrSuslov]

I'd forgotten about this one until I saw it on the rack next to the register at my store. I've got zero background with the Sorceror Supreme, so keep that in mind as you read the following comments.

-I laughed at the introduction with Arana and Iron Fist. It made for a decent dramatic segue into Wong with the Doctor.

-Our shadowed man is reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. I wonder if that's significant. Who is that guy, anyways? I'm sure that someone can figure out this guy's ID, but not me. I liked the explanation of the Walther P38.

-Strange's back-and-forth with the Night Nurse is amusing. The entire hospital sequence is rather bloody, isn't it?

-I'm guessing that the thing with the prescription bottle is a reflection of his bad hand(s), right?

I thought the book was both humorous and serious in good measure; although I'm not necessarily sold on the artwork, it's not objectionable. I'll keep buying it. What better way to get into this guy than a dedicated mini-series?

[mandog]

I dig the **** out of this book

[FanboyStranger]

-Our shadowed man is reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. I wonder if that's significant. Who is that guy, anyways? I'm sure that someone can figure out this guy's ID, but not me. I liked the explanation of the Walther P38.



Oh my god, it's Steve Ditko!

[DennyK]

http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images_0606/0drsbkv1.jpg

On sale in a few hours!

I am obscenely proud of this five-issue miniseries, and even if you've never liked the character, I think you guys are going to love this book, if for no other reason that the art of my partner-in-crime, Marcos Martin, who's one of this medium's best storyteller since Mazzucchelli.

If you don't believe me, please check out the first six pages right here on CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8367

Hope you dig it,
BKV


Brian,

I'm one of those who never really got into Doctor Strange before, but having a few extra dollars in my pocket this week, I picked up both The Irredeemable Ant-Man and Doctor Strange. I could sit here and wax philosophic about why I loved both books (and I did), but I won't, I'd just like to say; "Holy crap, am I ever glad I picked these up!" I was hooked into the story from the very start, and I can't wait to see where the ride is going to end up taking me. I whole-heartedly agree with you in your praise regarding Marcos Martin. The crisp-clean lines match the character and the story perfectly. Thanks for a heck of a great book, and consider me in for the long haul.

[Hi-Fi]

This was fantastic!! Loved everything, especially the Strange/Wong interaction. Can't wait for #2.

[Michael P]

http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images_0606/0drsbkv1.jpg

On sale in a few hours!

I am obscenely proud of this five-issue miniseries, and even if you've never liked the character, I think you guys are going to love this book, if for no other reason that the art of my partner-in-crime, Marcos Martin, who's one of this medium's best storyteller since Mazzucchelli.

If you don't believe me, please check out the first six pages right here on CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8367

Hope you dig it,
BKV
Hey, buddy, we got rules about stake-claiming on this board.

[Jack]

Hey, buddy, we got rules about stake-claiming on this board.
This is almost as bad as that Bru...something guy!

[Michael P]

This is almost as bad as that Bru...something guy!
God, he is such a n00b.

[Sorcerer Supreme]

Dude! Strange is back, i havben't picked this up yet but I know it Will be totall aesome. WOO!

[Jerry Kraut]

I'll admit i'm a fan of the creators, thus biased, but hell yeah this is the good doctor alright.

"Now shut up with the zen crap."

[MatthewC]

The weird thing is, until this issue I had always assumed that Dr. Strange had used his powers to cure himself of the nerve damage to his hands. I guess there was nothing to back this up, but I had figured that if the Ancient One was reputed to have healing powers, then he did have healing powers.

Which is a question I hope gets asked directly next issue. So, magic can't heal people? Or it can, but only from certain kinds of injuries? Why can't Stephen just wave his hand and magic away Wong's brain tumor? Or fix the wound in his chest with a mystical pass?

[Mariah]

Dude! Strange is back, i havben't picked this up yet but I know it Will be totall aesome. WOO!
I looked all over for this today at my lcs, and couldn't find the dang thing.

[Mariah]

The weird thing is, until this issue I had always assumed that Dr. Strange had used his powers to cure himself of the nerve damage to his hands. I guess there was nothing to back this up, but I had figured that if the Ancient One was reputed to have healing powers, then he did have healing powers.

Which is a question I hope gets asked directly next issue. So, magic can't heal people? Or it can, but only from certain kinds of injuries? Why can't Stephen just wave his hand and magic away Wong's brain tumor? Or fix the wound in his chest with a mystical pass?
I think magic can only heal wounds caused by magic. Dont' quote me, but it kinda makes sense.

[Ryan Day]

Which is a question I hope gets asked directly next issue. So, magic can't heal people? Or it can, but only from certain kinds of injuries? Why can't Stephen just wave his hand and magic away Wong's brain tumor? Or fix the wound in his chest with a mystical pass?

If magic can heal things like cancer, then Dr. Strange and other magic-types kinda look like selfish jerks for hanging out in mansions doing mystical stuff instead of doing something useful like, oh, saving children with terminal diseases.

[banana91]

Hey, I loved this issue and I can not wait for the rest of this awesome mini-series. But alas, this is one of the few Strange stories I've read so if anyone has any suggestions of some good Dr. Strange trades, that would be great.

[Mariah]

Hey, I loved this issue and I can not wait for the rest of this awesome mini-series. But alas, this is one of the few Strange stories I've read so if anyone has any suggestions of some good Dr. Strange trades, that would be great.
I don't know of any trades off hand, but Roger Stern's run in the early 80's is some good stuff, and real affordable too.

[FanboyStranger]

I don't know of any trades off hand, but Roger Stern's run in the early 80's is some good stuff, and real affordable too.

Doctor Strange vs. Dracula: The Montesi Formula just came out yesterday.

[Arilou]

The weird thing is, until this issue I had always assumed that Dr. Strange had used his powers to cure himself of the nerve damage to his hands.

I'm pretty sure he never did. I seem to recall him commenting a few times about his reduced sensitivity.


I guess there was nothing to back this up, but I had figured that if the Ancient One was reputed to have healing powers, then he did have healing powers.

Which is a question I hope gets asked directly next issue. So, magic can't heal people? Or it can, but only from certain kinds of injuries? Why can't Stephen just wave his hand and magic away Wong's brain tumor? Or fix the wound in his chest with a mystical pass?

I suspect that just as with everything else you need the right procedure, which may or may not be availible.

[Young Avenger]

I picked this up today and loved it. Book of the week.

[StoneGold]

I'm still trying to think of a decent No-Prize explanation for the gun, since it was the original Human Torch who killed Hitler. It was Hitler's pistol, but he didn't commit suicide with it, that's just the legend? Seems like it wouldn't be as magical though.

[Expletive Deleted]

Is the Human Torch/Hitler thing in continuity? I thought it was a WHAT IF? issue.

If it is in, let's just say . . . whoever Brigand stole it from got it from an alternate reality where Hitler did commit suicide. Magic, y'know.

[Dark Traveller]

Is the Human Torch/Hitler thing in continuity? I thought it was a WHAT IF? issue.

If it is in, let's just say . . . whoever Brigand stole it from got it from an alternate reality where Hitler did commit suicide. Magic, y'know.

Things like this, I'm willing to ignore anyway.
Like the fact that the sphinx is supposedly a flying time machine.
It's carved from bedrock for pete's sake. :rolleyes:

I can't get this comic till next week. it's killing me! :o :D

[Hiromi]

Excellent surprise book, loved the opening and look forward to the rest of the mini.

[Jack]

I'm still trying to think of a decent No-Prize explanation for the gun, since it was the original Human Torch who killed Hitler. It was Hitler's pistol, but he didn't commit suicide with it, that's just the legend? Seems like it wouldn't be as magical though.
Uhhhhh.... Hmmmmm....

It's not what the gun did, but what everyone believes it did? Giving it the accumulated power of all the hatred for Hitler in the world?

[Mariah]

I went back this morning and got it, (yay me!!) and the book is sooo good. Seriously, I wish Brian would stay and do an ongoing. This is miles above the Strange mini years ago.

My only complaint is the art, while good, just didnt' click with me.

[StoneGold]

Is the Human Torch/Hitler thing in continuity? I thought it was a WHAT IF? issue.

Actually, no. It turns out, it was first written when Timely did their attempt at a superhero revival in the 1950s. Marvel reprinted it a few years back, and believe me, I was as shocked as anyone when it turned out that Roy Thomas didn't come up with that one years later. And it has been reintroduced into continuity, at the very least in the Human Torch mini that Thomas wrote in the early 90s.


Honestly, what I love most about that little piece of continuity is it makes for the funkiest Marvel trivia question ever.

[Archer]

Totally awesome! Not my favourite style of art, but it was done very very well and as such I liked it a lot. The writing was perfect - great grasp of the characters, comedy, tension, great opening and a great cliffhanger.

As others have said, this is what I'd love to see for the Doc in the future - every year or so one really well written Strange mini with an actual story to it (which includes character development and an actual beginning middle and end - something I find most ongoings completely lack).

I'm a big JMS fan but based on the first issue this is *so* much better than the last Strange mini.

[chrismileslord]

I have never been a fan of strange, so I just can't justify it...

[1WEBHEAD]

I really was never into Strange but this issue has caught my attention.My only compliant is how Dr. Strange got shot.All I hear on these boards is that Dr. Strange is the cheese when it comes to magic.Oh well.I'm BKV will explain what happened earlier and how the rich mystery mastermind guy got a hold of the cure for Cancer.All in all cool issue, and keep up the good work.

8.5/10

[LordKaos]

I happy to say that it wasn't terrible. In fact for a first issue it was pretty interesting, especially the end. Though I don't think the battle should have been that difficult but who knows. The God could have been more powerful than he looked.

The only thing I didn't like was some of Strange's dialogue.
Things that Strange shouldn't be saying:

"That handsome devil is Doctor Strange. And unless we wrong quickly, he going to be a handsome angel."

"Muderous old S.O.B."

"Oh, Dear."
(Strange has seen wierder things.)

[Dark Traveller]

The only thing I didn't like was some of Strange's dialogue.
Things that Strange shouldn't be saying:

"That handsome devil is Doctor Strange. And unless we wrong quickly, he going to be a handsome angel."

.)
He's at deaths door, hovering above his own body and trying to put those around him (and no doubt himself) at ease, so I personally have no problem with it.
In such a statement he places both urgency and a reassuring manner by commenting on, (in mild mockery) his own good looks.*
I much prefer this to having him say something like, "demons of denak this shall not pass! Dr Strange will endure!"


*or at least his sense of vanity.

[long pig]

I liked it.

But, please, mr.writer, don't downgrade Strange's power. Make sure you remember that Strange's body is shielded by a forcefield at all times, remember that he has Xavier level telepathy, control over time and matter. Add that in there.

I hope the comic does well because I love Strange...but don't make him out to be a common superhero.

[LordKaos]

He's at deaths door, hovering above his own body and trying to put those around him (and no doubt himself) at ease, so I personally have no problem with it.
In such a statement he places both urgency and a reassuring manner by commenting on, (in mild mockery) his own good looks.*
I much prefer this to having him say something like, "demons of denak this shall not pass! Dr Strange will endure!"


Well I would prefer that one of my favorite characters had fewer OOC moments.

[Mariah]

I liked it.

But, please, mr.writer, don't downgrade Strange's power. Make sure you remember that Strange's body is shielded by a forcefield at all times, remember that he has Xavier level telepathy, control over time and matter. Add that in there.

I hope the comic does well because I love Strange...but don't make him out to be a common superhero.
In Marvel, magic has a weakness against iron. Simple enough reason to go through his force field.

[Ravenheart]

I really liked the first issue and hopefully if the mini series does well,it'll pave the way for a monthly Dr.Strange book.

[Mariah]

I really liked the first issue and hopefully if the mini series does well,it'll pave the way for a monthly Dr.Strange book.
Me too, it's too bad Vaughn won't be doing work for marvel for a while. This issue was top notch.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Mixed reviews. Should I get it? Hmmmm.

[Sunlitspire]

I liked it, the explaination for Strange getting shot does make sense, after all getting shot by [I]that[I]particular gun would put a dent in most mystical shields. The ending in particular is very cool.

Anyway I love Brian's other stuff particularly Ex Machina so carry on the good work.

[mattx110]

if anyone is afraid of marcos martin being too "cartoony" for the eerie adventures of doctor strange and doesn't buy this because of that, well, you should be happy to know you're wrong.
at first he seems to be cartoony, but he does a great job of handling the heavier atmospheric stuff just as well. really, a very intelligent artist, makes all the right choices in draftsmanship and lighting, and has personality.

and umm... that brian vaughan guy is OK too.


oh and thanks for that "human torch killing hitler" thing stonegold, i'm gonna have fun with bit o' knowledge for years.

[ultramandingo]

I liked it, the explaination for Strange getting shot does make sense, after all getting shot by [I]that[I]particular gun would put a dent in most mystical shields. The ending in particular is very cool.

Anyway I love Brian's other stuff particularly Ex Machina so carry on the good work.


hitlers gun with silver bullets ....you could probaly put some holes in doc doom

[long pig]

In Marvel, magic has a weakness against iron. Simple enough reason to go through his force field.
That's just frost giants and such from Asgard. i.e Kurse.

But, I don't mind him being shot the way it was executed, he could have simply turned his shields off for that very purpose.

I'm just worried that this series will be more of the same Strange-is-just-a-normal-hero-who-shoots-blasts-while-making-spiderman-gestures or Strange-gets-beaten-up-by-a-normal-thug-or-forgets-he-has-powers.

[Mariah]

That's just frost giants and such from Asgard. i.e Kurse.

No, in Uncanny X-Men when magical characters touched Colossus, they burned. The Witch Baba Yaga, and Nastirh didn't like his touch either, during Inferno.

[lonewolf23k]

"Oh, Dear."
(Strange has seen wierder things.)

That he has, and I actually thought it was a nice, understated way of handling Strange's experience with the occult. He takes a look at a gigantic cat-like demon god, and what's his reaction?

He doesn't go "OMFG Holy Crap did you look at that!?"

He goes "Oh. Oh Dear." With a look on his face that just seems to say "Damn, this might take me a while."

[Beyond The Beyonder]

The Oath was the highlight of this week's new comics for me and it reminded me how much I wish Vaughan were doing more work for Marvel. Brian, will you please take over Astonishing? It's a fair trade, man, do us all a favor!

Firm grasp on Strange's voice. Good interaction between he and Wong. As one who works with energy in the healing arts, I was thrilled to see the way the negative energy in Hitler's pistol figured in, and I'm curious to see the way this series explores the nature of magic and medicine.
Great dialogue. Enjoyed the use of Iron Fist, Night Nurse, Arana. loved the back-door Quantum & Woody referece. Really solid storytelling and I feel like Brian's joy in working with Marvel Universe characters comes through in the book.

More, I say, more!

[berk]

Mixed reviews. Should I get it? Hmmmm.I'd say, if you're not sure, give the first issue a chance so you can decide for yourself. It all depends on your vision of the character. I didn't like it, myself and won't be following the rest of the series, but it seems a lot of people did enjoy it.

[killerbass]

I liked it -- a lot.

Unless the quality of the book drops off substantially, I am in for the duration.

The unexpected highlight of the week for me.

--Tom

[LordKaos]

With a look on his face that just seems to say "Damn, this might take me a while."

Are you sure that's what the face is saying?

[Mariah]

Are you sure that's what the face is saying?
It could have meant "Did I leave the coffee pot on when I left today?"

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I'd say, if you're not sure, give the first issue a chance so you can decide for yourself. It all depends on your vision of the character. I didn't like it, myself and won't be following the rest of the series, but it seems a lot of people did enjoy it.

Alright. I'll check this out when I hit the shop back up. Damn...I now have to get Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Girl, catch up with She Hulk, and now I have to test the waters with Strange. I'm a prisoner of my own system though. I have to give everything a steady chance.

[long pig]

I really hope this great comic does well when it comes down to the bottem line. I don't think Strange has ever HAD a newer comic with this much...push. Well, maybe "Strange", but that was horrid.

As for the iron thing, I don't get it. Colossus isn't Iron anyway...I dunno. They are looking to give Strange a few weaknesses, that may be a new one.

[Sean Whitmore]

But, please, mr.writer, don't downgrade Strange's power. Make sure you remember that Strange's body is shielded by a forcefield at all times, remember that he has Xavier level telepathy, control over time and matter. Add that in there.


Or, barring that, he could make Strange interesting.


SEAN

[Sean Whitmore]

Are you sure that's what the face is saying?


I think his face is saying, "Lord, I hope this book isn't nit-picked to death."


SEAN

[Dark Traveller]

As for the iron thing, I don't get it. Colossus isn't Iron anyway...I dunno. They are looking to give Strange a few weaknesses, that may be a new one.

I've read that the anti-magic/spirits/faerey thing with iron came about, because Way back in the iron age, weapons had to be kept out of holy places.
The weapons naturally enough were made of iron and as time passed the belief came about that iron could cause some harm to the spirit world.
This belief is/was common among many peoples.
Encluded among these are the Celts, Icelanders, Sammi and in at least in some kind of version, the Hindi.
I saw this temple being built in London and no part of it was aloud to contain steel or iron as this would interfere with the holy presence.

[Doom]

I'm still trying to think of a decent No-Prize explanation for the gun, since it was the original Human Torch who killed Hitler. It was Hitler's pistol, but he didn't commit suicide with it, that's just the legend? Seems like it wouldn't be as magical though.

I'm going with Jack's explenation. Enough people believe that Hitler shot himself that his gun would gain Unholy powers. Much like how people's belief in religous iconagraphy gives them Holy powers.

The book itself was great. Strange comes across as a very wise, if arrogent character. So sure of himself and for all the right reasons.

I absolutly loved the little scene where Strange is yelling at Wong about how they will fight his ilness, and as he does so he loses control of the bottle of pills he's holding. It's a really nice reminder that yes, Strange does have to live with the nerve damage in his hands. (I had also thought he healed this, since howelse could he weave magic spells. But one of the last Doctor Strange minis: A Flight of Bones, also mentioned about the damage to his hands.)

The bit where Strange explains about why he has to do this and his line about Oaths was brilliant. As was Strange channeling the spell to open the doorway, and being oblivious to what Wong was doing in the background. (Really well done art to show that.)

A great book, I look forward to getting the rest of it.

[redlantern2051]

I just pciked it up and read it. Wow!!! I know next-to-nothing about Dr Strange, but I am a big BKV fan from "Runaways", so I checked this out and...wow!!! Looks very good and I'm in.

[Dark Traveller]

Read it. Loved it.

Minor quibbles; Strange says he's been operated on only once before (after his car crash).
When he's in fact also had his chest opened up in one of the eighties issues.

Strange said he crashed his 'vintage' 63 Stingray.
Ok, this one's not so bad.
He may well have been driving the 63, but it would have been brand new, not vintage, because Strange was born in 1930.*
Doctor Strange would have been in his early thirties at the time, so this car does work out to be about the right car for him to be driving.
We could just write this off as Strange subtly hiding his true age, without flat out lying.


*Doctor Strange's body stopped aging when he was about 44.

[Haunt]

i think Doctor Strange is best as a guest-star. but, i don't particularly like magic (bias).

[Sean Whitmore]

Minor quibbles; Strange says he's been operated on only once before (after his car crash).
When he's in fact also had his chest opened up in one of the eighties issues.



I figured that might be the case, and I never even read Doctor Strange before this.

I think a good rule of thumb when dealing with characters who have been around for several decades is to avoid such declaratives. I mean, it's one thing to say "I've never killed before," that's easily proven or not. Something like being operated on is a common thing comic characters go through.


SEAN

[lonewolf23k]

Are you sure that's what the face is saying?

Well, to me, his face was saying "...Same spit, different day..." He definetly had a blasé look to him...

[Avalanche]

Dr. Strange has always been hit or miss with me. Sometimes he's fun to read while for me most of the time he's not. I'll be passing this up.

[Taltos]

wtf? Strange gets shot by some c-lister? So the S.S. cant even stop bullets? I think im going to pass on this one.
alright i was wrong. But there better be a payoff at the end of the arc that warrants not showing "the most firece battle of my career."

[Mikl C]

WOW. I loved it. Like alot :)
The doctor's in the house! I need more circular magic though! Haha I don't know why that makes me happy but it does.

[cappa donna]

alright i was wrong. But there better be a payoff at the end of the arc that warrants not showing "the most firece battle of my career."
And tell all your friends too. This is setting up to be a good one. ;)

[astronato]

I wasn't thrilled with the preview provided for this book, mostly because I would prefer Doctor Strange mainly stay in the realm of magic and away from the spandex crowd, but....it was all uphill after the first two pages and I really enjoyed it.

I like the art style and Doctor Strange's Vincent Price/William Powell look.

Night Nurse would make a great love interest for the Doctor.

Looking forward to the rest.

[Mariah]

I wasn't thrilled with the preview provided for this book, mostly because I would prefer Doctor Strange mainly stay in the realm of magic and away from the spandex crowd, but....it was all uphill after the first two pages and I really enjoyed it.

I like the art style and Doctor Strange's Vincent Price/William Powell look.

Night Nurse would make a great love interest for the Doctor.

Looking forward to the rest.
lol, I thought I was going crazy thinking he looked like vincent price

[Sean Whitmore]

I'm not very familiar with Night Nurse, but did she seem unnecessarily confrontational to anyone else?


SEAN

[long pig]

Or, barring that, he could make Strange interesting.


SEANMaking Strange interesting or changing his character? I have to choose one?

Keep his character the same and make him interesting. A good writer can do both.

As for this comic, the more I read it, the less I like it. I mean, it's FULL of errors and such. I mean, some thug broke into Strange's house? WTF? Dormammu was unable to do that, Dracula was as well. The Silver Surfer said that Strange's house's defenses are dangerous to even him. But, a common thug walked right in?

Please.

Strange gets shot by a bullet and nearly dies, yet in another comic he takes world shattering blasts by Galactus and doesn't even lose balance?

Please.

Strange has cured people of cancer before for god's sake! He did it in DSMMA 19 years ago! But now he simply forgot he can?

Argh...please.

Still, I hope the comic does well. -sigh-

[Sean Whitmore]

Strange gets shot by a bullet and nearly dies, yet in another comic he takes world shattering blasts by Galactus and doesn't even lose balance?


And in another comic he got knocked out by a candle. Let us not pretend Strange's power has been portrayed at all consistently over the decades.



Strange has cured people of cancer before for god's sake! He did it in DSMMA 19 years ago! But now he simply forgot he can?


I didn't read it so I can't comment specifically. Did Strange just snap his fingers and make the cancer go away, or were there some long, specific circumstances that went with it? If the former, it sounds monumentally bad.


SEAN

[long pig]

And in another comic he got knocked out by a candle. Let us not pretend Strange's power has been portrayed at all consistently over the decades.
Usually his feats where he's hurt my normal things is when he's a gueststar or a Defender's comic. The Defender's writer admitted that he knew nothing of Strange and writ him as a guy who shoots blasts. There are far, far, far more durability feats that put his shields durability on par with something like adamantium than him being hurt by a gun or something.


I didn't read it so I can't comment specifically. Did Strange just snap his fingers and make the cancer go away, or were there some long, specific circumstances that went with it? If the former, it sounds monumentally bad.
He entered the body of the surgeon and did the operation himself, during the operation he cast a spell of healing and the cancer was gone.

Maybe he hates Wong?

[Mikl C]

Maybe the cancer is non-operable. Regardless of healing spells.

[PastePotPete]

Making Strange interesting or changing his character? I have to choose one?

Keep his character the same and make him interesting. A good writer can do both.

As for this comic, the more I read it, the less I like it. I mean, it's FULL of errors and such. I mean, some thug broke into Strange's house? WTF? Dormammu was unable to do that, Dracula was as well. The Silver Surfer said that Strange's house's defenses are dangerous to even him. But, a common thug walked right in?

Please.

Strange gets shot by a bullet and nearly dies, yet in another comic he takes world shattering blasts by Galactus and doesn't even lose balance?

Please.

Strange has cured people of cancer before for god's sake! He did it in DSMMA 19 years ago! But now he simply forgot he can?

Argh...please.

Still, I hope the comic does well. -sigh-

Argh! right back at you.

"I dislike this story because of an error I've found in the continuity!"

I haven't read every Dr. Strange comic, but I do know that the good Doctor needs to be more firmly grounded in order for him to be accessible and fun to read about. Lately, he's been an overpowered Deus Ex Machina for the Marvel U. If changing him to make him more fun means ignoring a back issue here and there, I'm all for it.

People are so hung up on continuity! Will you please let Brian K Vaughn do his thing? We're in good hands!

This comic was very fun, very slick and very pretty. Can't wait to see what BKV's got planned for the rest of the series. If you give this one a pass, you're missing out.

[Dark Traveller]

Lately, he's been an overpowered Deus Ex Machina for the Marvel U. .

Any story that requires Strange to arrive at it's very end to fix the problem is badly written.
The writer should know where the story's going and have the ending alreadly plotted.(and not have this ending present a problem for the rest of the M U )
The comic's hero or at least some character or full gueststar within it should be solving or bringing the story to a good conclusion.

[Michael P]

This comic is cool.

[mattx110]

Maybe he hates Wong?
in the midnight sons thing back in ghost rider, he telefragged (do people say that? i don't really play video games) Wong and his wife/girlfriend. just sent them off in a portal and heard his screams. strange was like "i didn't notice... anyway, we have real problems" (in quotation marks for clarity, but paraphrased loosely).

[long pig]

Argh! right back at you.

"I dislike this story because of an error I've found in the continuity!"

I haven't read every Dr. Strange comic, but I do know that the good Doctor needs to be more firmly grounded in order for him to be accessible and fun to read about. Lately, he's been an overpowered Deus Ex Machina for the Marvel U. If changing him to make him more fun means ignoring a back issue here and there, I'm all for it.

People are so hung up on continuity! Will you please let Brian K Vaughn do his thing? We're in good hands!

This comic was very fun, very slick and very pretty. Can't wait to see what BKV's got planned for the rest of the series. If you give this one a pass, you're missing out.
Bah, you're probably right.

Still, I'm still very much angry about Doc's treatment by writers over the past 6 years. He's been on a constant downward spiral just because people refuse to understand the character.

I also don't think he's overpowered at all. He's in charge of magical goings-on in the 616 Universe, he has to be powerful to keep Earth and the dimension it's in, safe.


in the midnight sons thing back in ghost rider, he telefragged (do people say that? i don't really play video games) Wong and his wife/girlfriend. just sent them off in a portal and heard his screams. strange was like "i didn't notice... anyway, we have real problems" (in quotation marks for clarity, but paraphrased loosely).
Honestly, though...who doesn't hate Wong? He's a dick sometimes.

[Michael P]

he telefragged (do people say that? i don't really play video games)
Yeah, although it's a very specific term, and not really applicable there. Telefragging is where you use your teleporter to teleport into the same space as another player, which explodes them from the inside out. Kinda like what Francis Klum did to his brother in that Spider-Man/Black Cat series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telefrag

[mattx110]

Yeah, although it's a very specific term, and not really applicable there. Telefragging is where you use your teleporter to teleport into the same space as another player, which explodes them from the inside out. Kinda like what Francis Klum did to his brother in that Spider-Man/Black Cat series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telefrag
thanks for that, i didn't realize it actually happened exactly as video games physics allows it in continuity :-) kitty pride always dared to accidentily phase someone into a wall, but that's the closest i remember.

and well, we only saw wong step into teleporter and die (or at least be in a lot of pain), we don't know if someone else was standing on the other side or not :-)

[Mariah]

Yeah, although it's a very specific term, and not really applicable there. Telefragging is where you use your teleporter to teleport into the same space as another player, which explodes them from the inside out. Kinda like what Francis Klum did to his brother in that Spider-Man/Black Cat series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telefrag
Yeah, you lost me at applicable. I'm guessing we're talking about a videogame here or something?

[Michael P]

Yeah, you lost me at applicable. I'm guessing we're talking about a videogame here or something?
FPS shooters. It was technically possible very early on, but didn't become an intentional part of game architecture until Unreal Tournament.

[Mariah]

FPS shooters. It was technically possible very early on, but didn't become an intentional part of game architecture until Unreal Tournament.
*brain explodes*

[benday-dot]

Has there been any comment yet made about the colouring on this Strange mini...? I really love Javier Rodriguez's choice of pallet. Too many comics these days feature oversaturated high gloss colour work. In particular the blue of Strange's tunic and the green of his astral form give the book an awesome subdued almost retro look to me. Of course the rest of the comic is good too. I like Strange rendered more realistically (as in classic Frank Brunner), atmospherically (as in Gene Colan) and cartoony as in Ditko and here too Marcos Martin. There's room for many interpretations. Thumbs up for this work!

[drwho]

Finally, read this and loved it. This had a silver age feel to me and the coloring was awesome. Of course I can't see them doing away with Wong though. He is too much of the Strange Mythos to kill him off. A wong question for anyone that may know. For awhile I believe Wongs girlfriend died and was replaced by this skeletal demon thing with wings. Did they ever resolve that story or was it swept under the rug along with Dr. Strange's demonic girlfriend?

[Dark Traveller]

A wong question for anyone that may know. For awhile I believe Wongs girlfriend died and was replaced by this skeletal demon thing with wings. Did they ever resolve that story or was it swept under the rug along with Dr. Strange's demonic girlfriend?

The skeletal demon with wong's girlfriends mind in it was found to be merely a torture inducing hoax.
Wong's girlfriend was found still waiting to say goodbye to him at the death/heaven tunnel. Which she did before passing on.

[mattx110]

*brain explodes*
that's what happens when you go through the wrong transporter :-) you catch on fast.

[K'Nort]

FPS shooters. It was technically possible very early on, but didn't become an intentional part of game architecture until Unreal Tournament.

Is that like PIN numbers?


I know little about Strange, but I like mystical characters, I usually like Vaughan, and I heard raves about this book all week so I picked up a leftover copy the following Wednesday and got my money's worth. The art didn't stay as cartoony as the preview implied and the colouring was particularly nice.

[C.O. Jones]

Just read it. Liked it and recommend it.

1) Did anyone notice the guy walking in front of the mansion with the helmet of Fate on?

2) Check out that same panel: the house is supposed to be on the corner of Bleecker and Fenno, yet none of the street signs reflect this.

3) And how would Hitler's gun be a instrument of evil if it took out an evil dictator?

4) Why, if Iron Fist had a bad hammy, does he have an icebag on his knee?

And I'm sure everyone got that Otkid=Ditko.

[nuclearman]

Has there been any comment yet made about the colouring on this Strange mini...? I really love Javier Rodriguez's choice of pallet. Too many comics these days feature oversaturated high gloss colour work. In particular the blue of Strange's tunic and the green of his astral form give the book an awesome subdued almost retro look to me. Of course the rest of the comic is good too. I like Strange rendered more realistically (as in classic Frank Brunner), atmospherically (as in Gene Colan) and cartoony as in Ditko and here too Marcos Martin. There's room for many interpretations. Thumbs up for this work!

yeah i agree... the coloring was great.... especially liked iron fist at the start.

this was a great book... can't wait for #2:D :D

[drwho]

After reading this and one of the Dr. Strange essentials it makes you wonder how many times he has been shot.

[meethraa]

I didn't see this one coming! Picked it up today on a whim and it sure was worth it.

Who is this Marcos Martin guy? Almost felt like I was reading a Allred comic, but distinctive enough not to look like just a clone. I want to find more stuff he did. Ajuda, por favor?

Vaughan was Vaughan, and you know that can't be bad.

I'm definitely getting the other 4!

[Dark Traveller]

Just read it. Liked it and recommend it.

1) Did anyone notice the guy walking in front of the mansion with the helmet of Fate on?

2) Check out that same panel: the house is supposed to be on the corner of Bleecker and Fenno, yet none of the street signs reflect this.

3) And how would Hitler's gun be a instrument of evil if it took out an evil dictator?

4) Why, if Iron Fist had a bad hammy, does he have an icebag on his knee?

And I'm sure everyone got that Otkid=Ditko.

1) Nope, I can't see him. :confused:

2) Lets blame the artist AND the writer.

3) I thought of that myself. Maybe they should have used the gun from the grassy knoll. :cool:

4) probably just blame the artist on this one.

[sgt pepper]

I've never been able to get into Strange, but this is a good one (the only other portrayal of Strange I can think of that I enjoyed was what Gaiman did with him in 1602).

Nice work BKV.

[Den]

Tight budget. Normally I subscribe for all the comics I get. Today I went into the store to get myself an Avengers Next #1, only to find that I had not missed my chance to aquire the first issue of "The Oath" .

I'm a fan of the Doctor anyway, so maybe I went into it with some bias in favor, but I loved this issue.The touches of humor here and there perfectly offset the rather grim medical situations in the book. The obvious friendship between Strange and Wong was well demonstrated, showing the loyality works both ways. The Night Nurse is a great concept, and I hope that if all goes well, she gets seen more often around the MU.

[drwho]

Tight budget. Normally I subscribe for all the comics I get. Today I went into the store to get myself an Avengers Next #1, only to find that I had not missed my chance to aquire the first issue of "The Oath" .

I'm a fan of the Doctor anyway, so maybe I went into it with some bias in favor, but I loved this issue.The touches of humor here and there perfectly offset the rather grim medical situations in the book. The obvious friendship between Strange and Wong was well demonstrated, showing the loyality works both ways. The Night Nurse is a great concept, and I hope that if all goes well, she gets seen more often around the MU.

She has been appearing quite often in daredevil.Was the original night nurse mini the same as this character? Does anyone know what that mini was about?

[Dark Traveller]

I don't think the origional (1972?) night nurse comic was a mini, I think it just got canceled.
Supposedly it was a Patsy Walker type thing. Believe it or not the character's name was Lynda Carter! :D

[Den]

I love learning stuff like this. :) Thanks guys.

[The New Fate]

http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images_0606/0drsbkv1.jpg

On sale in a few hours!

I am obscenely proud of this five-issue miniseries, and even if you've never liked the character, I think you guys are going to love this book, if for no other reason that the art of my partner-in-crime, Marcos Martin, who's one of this medium's best storyteller since Mazzucchelli.

If you don't believe me, please check out the first six pages right here on CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8367

Hope you dig it,
BKV
I was just about to post and see if anyone else was interested in this. My ? is should I start here or wait for this new team the good Dr. will be part of?