PART TWO Of Dr. STRANGE CLASSICS: COVER, SPLASH PAGE & PIN-UP GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Ready for yet more mystical images from LEE & DITKO's Dr. STRANGE tales from the mid-'60s, as reprinted in the four issue Classics series in 1984?  Good, then you've come to the right place as that's just what we've got for you, Criv-ite fans.  I first read these stories in a black & white weekly British comic called TERRIFIC way back in 1967, and I knew they were something extra-special even then.  This was MARVEL at its very best and no mistake.

If you've never read these yarns before then you've missed out, frantic ones, and could be considered impoverished in your comics collecting lives.  However, do not despair - all these pulse-pounding pictures are on view in the Dr. STRANGE OMNIBUS volume - available even as I type these imperishable words.  And, what's more, you'll get to see these double-page covers without the irritating personal address labels taking up space in the corners.  So what are you hanging around here for?

Race right 'round to your local comicbook store right away and immerse yourselves in the wondrous worlds of Dr. Strange by buying your very own awesome Omnibus volume before they sell out.  You don't want to miss it.

And below is the ALEX ROSS cover of the Omnibus edition.

BABE Of The DAY - MARILYN MONROE...

The magnificent MARILYN MONROE.

What else need be said?  (Except wow!)

Dr. STRANGE CLASSICS: COVER, SPLASH PAGE & PIN-UP GALLERY - PART ONE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

H'mm, now that's strange (no pun intended).  When I look at these pics, I don't automatically associate them with the house in which I lived when I purchased them.  In fact, I was surprised when I saw the date of 1984 in the indicia, because I thought I'd obtained this four-issue series in 1982 or '83, when I first lived in the house I'm in now.  (In case you're confused - or interested - I resided here from 1972 to 1983, before my family moved to a new home, only to return to our former abode after just over four years, in 1987.)

This cracking series reprints the classic 12 issue 1960s run of STRANGE TALES #s 130-141, wherein Dr. STRANGE embarks on his greatest adventure.  This STEVE DITKO plotted tale ran for a year - a year - something that most rabid readers who first experienced this scintillating saga in epic editions like this (or MASTERWORKS and OMNIBUS volumes) forget.  Although story-plotted by Ditko, STAN (The Man) LEE makes his customary immense contribution by scripting the palpitating proceedings as only he can.

The images on display are scanned from my original issues, hence the personal address labels (sans address) on the back of the covers.  I could have scanned them from the Omnibus volume, but I didn't want to risk damaging it, so I'm afraid you'll just have to live with the labels.  When these stories were reprinted, two at a time, in Strange Tales around the mid-'70s (#s 183-188), ten pages were discreetly edited out, but in this presentation, one lone page aside in the final story, the main saga is complete.  (The deleted panels set the scene for Strange Tales #142, but as the MORDO/DORMAMMU tale was over they were edited out, being regarded as superfluous.)

So enjoy the awesome artwork on offer, and don't forget to return for part two.  I'd hate for you to miss anything!  (I'm thoughtful that way.)

  

'Twas usually Jolly Jack Kirby who sometimes drew characters' eyes on a different level, but
here, Sturdy Steve Ditko seems to be emulating him.  The Doc looks like he's had a stroke