Dr. Strange (Marvel Comics): description, history, interesting facts

Dr. Strange (Marvel Comics) - superhero, possesses a huge magical power. In the past, a neurosurgeon, he has the title of the Supreme Magician of the Earth and is the main defender of the planet from various mystical dangers. First appeared in the Silver Age of comics.

Dr. Strange: History (publisher of Marvel Comics)

The character's debut took place in June 1963 in the Strange Tales comic strip, issue 110. Strange then appeared more than once in this comic book. And in issue 115 was presented the story of the origin of the hero.

Strange was created by the artist Steve Ditko and screenwriter Stan Lee. According to the latter, the creation of the character was inspired by the radio program Chandu the Magician, which appeared in the 30s.

Strange first appeared outside the comics in the television movie Doctor Strange, which received negative reviews from critics and was not a success for fans. Because of this reaction, the plans to create a full-fledged series about the hero were not realized. After this failure, Strange occasionally appeared in various animated series based on Marvel comic books.

Biography

Stephen Strange was born in the family of Beverly and Eugene Strange in 1930. When the boy was 2 years old, another child was born in the family - Donna. And then Stefan had a younger brother, Victor. While still young, Donna got seriously injured, and the elder brother took care of her. It was at this time that Stefan realized that he wanted to help people, and decided to become a doctor.

Dr. Strange (Marvel Comics) graduated from the medical institute and in record time (in just 5 years) became a famous neurosurgeon. Such a rapid success made Stefan very arrogant. When Strange was 30, his mother died, which made the doctor even more insensitive and callous.

Stefan talked disgustingly to patients and was always rude. The exception was the UN translator Madeline Revell. Strange saved the girl's life, they began a novel, which ended in a proposal to marry. But Madeleine denied Stefan because of his terrible nature.

A few years after the death of his mother from a serious illness, Stefan's father dies. And the next day after the funeral, Brother Victor perishes. Strange decides to freeze Victor's body and try to bring him back to life.

Trying to recover and getting to know magic

In 1963, Dr Strange is in a car accident. The comic depicts a terrible accident in which Stefan seriously injured his hands. Doctors did everything that was in their power, but it was not possible to finally restore the limbs. In the clinic, Strange was offered to move to the position of a consultant or assistant, since he could no longer operate. But because of his pride Stefan refused. He goes in search of a medicine. In his wanderings, he heard about the Tibetan wizard of the Old One, who could restore his hands.

Spends his last money on a ticket to Tibet Doctor Strange. Marvel Comics, however, was not in a hurry to make life easier for his hero. So, the Old One refuses to heal Stefan and suggests that he begin studying magical art, but the former doctor refuses. But after the failed attack on Mordo's oldest disciple, Strange was mesmerized by the forces that the magician controls. He agrees to learn magic.

The oldest foresaw that Stefan would become the Supreme Magician. In addition, he was looking for a successor, in whose place Strange was ideally suited. The training began, which ended in a test - Stefan had to fight with Death. The magician won the price of incredible efforts. His reward was immortality and a mark in the form of an anchor on his forehead, which appears only in those cases when he is in danger.

The birth of a superhero

In 1970, after training, he returns to New York Doctor Strange (Doctor Strange). Heroes "Marvel", as you can see, very often begin their superhero careers in big cities. Stefan was no exception. Returning home, he begins to work as a consultant on mystical phenomena, struggling with demonic beings. During this same period of his life, he first meets Nightmare - a supervillain who feeds on bad dreams. Gradually, Strange becomes a very famous magician, and the authorities do not hesitate to contact him for advice and help.

For a long time he was on his own and kept away from other superheroes Dr. Strange. Comics details the moment when Stefan had to face the world of heroes and villains for the first time - Loki deceived the magician into attacking Torah. As a result, the villain's plan was exposed, and Strange, united with the Asgardian, overcame the enemy.

From that moment, the wizard often entered into an alliance with other superheroes to defeat the villains. However, he did not stay in the team constantly, preferring to work alone.

Forces

Dr. Strange is a comic book character with incredible magical powers. The level of power allows him to be called one of the most powerful beings in the universe. But the hero uses magic only to protect his planet from otherworldly destructive forces. He was called the Supreme Wizard of the Earth, until after the battle with the Hulk he injured his hands and lost his title. Like all bright wizards, he draws strength from three main sources:

• Own power - depends on the innate qualities of the wizard. Strange is fully endowed with them. Thanks to this power, he received eternal life by defeating Death. Can move to the astral, teleport, hypnotize, create illusions. These abilities can be enhanced through various artifacts, for example, Oka Agamotto.
• The forces of the universe - Dr. Strange can control the mystical energy of the universe and embody it in the following spells: magical lightning, telekinesis, teleportation, turning objects into others, magic shield, invisibility, travel between worlds, little control over molecules.
• Divine powers - Stefan is able to summon the energy of magical and non-magical beings, the so-called Principalists. Due to this, it increases its strength.

Despite the fact that Strange is a White Magician, sometimes he is forced to resort to dark forces and destroying magic.

Abilities

Dr. Strange (Marvel Comics) is not only a superhero, but also an outstanding surgeon, who in a short time managed to gain recognition in this profession. The main specialization of Stefan is neurosurgery. However, after Strange had an accident and injured his hands, he could not continue his medical activities. However, he finally did not quit the profession and acted as assistant and mentor to young surgeons.

Strange is an expert in the field of magic and occultism. He was trained by the Oldest for 7 years.

Stefan is a master of hand-to-hand combat. He studied this skill with the monks Kamar Taya. These skills saved Strange's life when he could not use magic.

Equipment

To enhance their abilities, Dr. Strange (Marvel Comics) uses a variety of artifacts.

The Eye of Agamotto is the most powerful of them. This artifact is an Agamotto eye placed in the amulet. Only a kind magician can manage it. The relic gives the following opportunities to its owner:

• Energy absorption;
• The recognition of lies;
• Increased telepathy and telekinesis;
• a look into the past;
• A journey between worlds;
• Emits light that drives away dark forces;
• Helps to feel the closeness of magical energy;
• Magic shield.

In addition, Dr. Strange uses the following artifacts:

• The mantle of Levitation - gives its owner the ability to fly, and also protects the owner from various physical injuries. The mantle can be controlled by telepathy, in addition, it is able to change its shape and color.
• Yellow belt - lengthened 10 times.
• The Agamotto Ball is an artifact kept in the sanctuary of Stephen, in a room called the Chamber of Shadows. The relic is a transparent sphere, which is placed in a box standing on three legs. Usually Strange uses this artifact to predict the future. In addition, in the ball you can see the threat or danger coming to Earth for any other world.
• Rod Vatumba - a staff decorated on both sides with carved heads of demons. Once upon a time, the artifact was divided into 2 parts, but was then restored to Dormammu. The main strength of the staff is that it can accumulate the energy of the universe and transform it.

Weaknesses

Tells about the weak places of the superhero comics Doctor Strange.

Dr. Strange depends on his artifacts and spells. If he loses any of his relics, he will weaken. And maybe even lose one's strength. In addition, Stefan is an ordinary man of flesh and blood. He can not die from illness or old age, but it can be wounded or killed by any human weapon.

Strange's strengths are losing their effectiveness against people with high intelligence, which is at odds with the laws of the Marvel universe, since initially the magic in this world is stronger than science.

Strange's Versions in Comics

Strange appeared in different roles in alternative universes, described in various comics:

• On Earth-98, Strange was a member of the Avengers team.
• On Earth-231, Stephen, along with other Illuminati, was killed by Reed Richards.
• Earth-2301 - here Strange is a 20-year-old guy who has the title of Master of the Mystic Arts and medical education.
• Earth-8545 - in this universe, Stefan is one of the superheroes who were turned into V-Lock Prime using the "Heritage" virus.

In 2016, Marvel plans to release a film dedicated to Dr. Strange. The main role in it will play Benedict Cumberbatch.