Fictional character biography
After losing most of his magical abilities due to his refusal to take part in the War of the Seven Spheres, Doctor Strange aides the Nine (the group the Midnight Sons family of titles was built around) in their battle against the demon Zarathos, the demon mother Lilith and her children the Lilin. During this fight Doctor Strange and the Nine take refuge within Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, which is then besieged and destroyed by the Lilin. [1]
Doctor Strange and his allies eventually triumph over their foes, and banish Lilith and her children to another dimension known as "Shadowside". The means they take to ensure this happens allows the Fallen (corrupted members of the ancient race known as the Blood) to return from their ages long extra-dimensional exile to follow their ancient leader - Zarathos. [2]
One of those who returns is Salomé, who in ancient times was Sorceress Supreme, and who wants her title back. Her first act is to attack Doctor Strange and infect him with a magical virus of her own creation called Salomé's Dance. [3] Dying from this virus, Doctor Strange launches a desperate plan to stop Salomé. As he teleports away, two artificial beings, who Doctor Strange comes to refer to as the Strangers, are created using aetheric energy, only one being seen at first. This first being takes Doctor Strange's place in the battle against Zarathos and the Fallen and becomes known by the name Strange. [4]
Doctor Strange takes refuge in a new Sanctum Sanctorum located underground beneath Trinity Church, and creates an aura there using aetheric energy that stops the progression of Salomé's Dance. Searching for a cure, Doctor Strange sends Strange out to procure objects of power, including the Oculus Oroboros from Romania, [5] The Song of the Blood Opal of the Whole Moon Hawk from Australia, [6] and the Coral Crab from Atlantis. [7]
While all of this is happening, the second Stranger appears on the streets of New York, takes the name Vincent Stevens and quickly makes a name for himself as a psychiatric consultant and the owner of the office tower the Tempo. [8]
Stevens' high profile and close appearance to his creator attracts the attention of Salomé who sends two of her followers to kidnap him. These two individuals are Wong (Doctor Strange's servant who currently serves Salomé) and Xaos—Wong's deceased former love resurrected as an undead winged skeleton. [9] Stevens is rescued from Salomé's lair by Strange and in the process both discover their true nature. They also discover the fact that their bodies are unstable and deteriorating and that they only way to survive is to merge into one being—something Stevens decides he doesn't want to do. [10]
While Doctor Strange's creations are deciding what to do next, his former love Clea arrives in New York seeking him. She quickly finds his new Sanctum Sactorum and request his aid against her uncle Dormammu, who is once again the ruler of her native Dark Dimension. Doctor Strange explains why he can't currently help, but promises to send aid in any way he can. [11]
Now knowing his full situation, Stevens begins to search for a way to escape his fate. Locating a collector of arcane artifacts named Mr. Azopardi, Stevens begins to subtly press him to allow Stevens access to the Levant Rubric, an ancient book containing spells Stevens believes will save him without having to merge with Strange. Mr. Azopardi turns out to be a person of great paranoia, who suspects Stevens of being a demon who wants to steal his soul. Mr. Azopardi lures Stevens into a trap and attempts to kill him. His life is saved only when Strange arrives and kills Azopardi. In the process, the Levant Rubric is destroyed and an enraged Stevens totally rejects Strange. [12]
Having been rejected by Stevens, Strange begins to seek another individual to merge with to save his existence. After failing to convince the X-Men's Polaris, [13] he next contacts Rick Jones. [14] Seeking revenge, Stevens possesses the Hulk and uses him in an effort to destroy Strange. This effort fails and Stevens finally agrees to the merger. [15]
It is at this point that Doctor Strange finishes his creation of a suit of armour made of aetheric energy that protects him from the effects of Salomé's Dance. [16] He confronts the Strangers and attempts to reabsorb the aetheric energy he used to create them to use it in his coming confrontation with Salomé. [17] Stevens rebels against his creator and is destroyed in the ensuing fight. [18]
Seeing his chance to merge with Stevens and live is now gone, Strange flies into a rage, but is calmed by Doctor Strange. Strange is sent to the Dark Dimension by his creator and there he merges with a dying warrior named Nobel. The new combination of the two calls himself Paradox and takes his place alongside Clea. [19]
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Strange Tales #110. Doctor Strange serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats. Strange was introduced during the Silver Age of Comic Books in an attempt to bring a different kind of character and themes of mysticism to Marvel Comics.
Dormammu is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Strange Tales #126. He is the extra and inter-dimensional demonic entity and deity brother of supervilainess Umar and the uncle of superheroine Clea who rules over the Dark Dimension. Dormammu is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Doctor Strange.
Baron Karl Amadeus Mordo is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly as an adversary of Doctor Strange. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #111. Baron Mordo is a gifted magician, especially adept in the black arts of magic, including summoning demons.
Clea Strange is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Clea first appeared in the Doctor Strange feature in Strange Tales #126. She is a sorceress, the disciple, lover, and eventual wife of Doctor Stephen Strange, and his third successor as Sorcerer Supreme.
The Midnight Sons are a fictional team of supernatural superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Including Ghost Riders Danny Ketch and Johnny Blaze, Blade, and Morbius, the original team first formed as part of the Rise of the Midnight Sons story arc, culminating in the first full team appearance in Ghost Rider #31. Following the success of the crossovers, Marvel branded all stories involving the group with a distinct family imprint and cover treatment, which lasted from December 1993 to August 1994. The team has been revived several times with different characters, but the most frequent members include Morbius, Blade, and at least one Spirit of Vengeance.
Lilith is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Kulan Gath is a fictional villainous magician appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and Dynamite Entertainment. The character first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #15 as a foe of Conan.
Wong is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Strange Tales #110. Wong was unnamed until Strange Tales #119. He is a supporting character of the superhero Doctor Strange. He stems from a family of monks living in Kamar-Taj.
Morgan le Fay is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, created by Stan Lee and Joe Maneely, is based on the Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legend. In this version of the character, Morgan le Fay belongs to the species of humanoid magical beings called fairies, who are born with supernatural powers, and is the half-faerie half-sister of the mythic King Arthur. Her elven heritage granted her immortality, and she used this time to master the mystic arts. She occasionally tries to take over the world. She has been an opponent of The Avengers, and in the 1970s, she appeared in the original Spider-Woman comic acting as a foe of Jessica Drew, while opposed by a reincarnation of her "ancient foe" Magnus. She is a former lover of Doctor Doom, and was a member of the Darkholders for a time.
Satannish is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Modred the Mystic is a fictional magician appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has alternated between being an anti-hero and an outright supervillain.
Doctor Strange: The Oath is a 2007 comic book limited series written by Brian K. Vaughan, drawn by Marcos Martin, published by Marvel Comics and starring the superhero Doctor Strange. The story follows Doctor Strange as he searches for the person who tried to kill him, while he also looks for a stolen magical elixir that will cure the terminal cancer of Wong, his faithful servant. Doctor Strange finds himself facing another disciple of the Ancient One, who has learned about the elixir and is determined to destroy it.
The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, as the residence and headquarters of Doctor Strange. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the building first appeared in Strange Tales #110. It is located at 177A Bleecker Street in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood. This is a reference to the address of an apartment once shared by writers Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich.
Dr. Strange is a 1978 American superhero television film based on the Marvel Comics fictional character of the same name, co-created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. Philip DeGuere directed the film and wrote it specifically for television, and produced the film along with Alex Beaton and Gregory Hoblit. Stan Lee served as a consultant on the film, which was created as a pilot for a proposed television series. Dr. Strange stars Peter Hooten in the title role, along with Jessica Walter, Eddie Benton, Clyde Kusatsu, Philip Sterling, and John Mills. The film aired on September 6, 1978, in a two-hour block from 8pm to 10pm on CBS, the same network that, at that time, aired The Amazing Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk; CBS did not pick up Dr. Strange as a series.
Silver Dagger is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Daniel Drumm, also known as Doctor Voodoo and Jack O'Lantern, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, and the identical younger twin brother of Brother Voodoo.
Pavel Plotnick, better known as Mister Rasputin, is a fictional character, a super villain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Kaecilius is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily as an enemy of Doctor Strange. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #130 and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, commonly referred to by his academic title. Initially depicted as an intelligent and arrogant neurosurgeon, Strange experiences a career-ending car accident. In his search to repair his damaged hands, he discovers magic from Kamar-Taj. He becomes a Master of the Mystic Arts, using his newfound powers to protect the Earth from various threats. In the process, he allies with the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy to combat Thanos, before allowing Thanos to initiate the Blip, himself among its victims, to ensure their ultimate victory five years later upon being restored to life. On his return, Strange remains the appointed Guardian of the New York Sanctum, but finds that Wong has become Sorcerer Supreme, a position Strange himself was in the process of inheriting from the Ancient One prior to being Blipped. Strange later faces several problems from the newly-established multiverse, including a rift between realities created by an interrupted attempt to erase everyone's knowledge of Peter Parker's secret identity as Spider-Man; and a Darkhold-corrupted Wanda Maximoff, whom he must stop from acquiring America Chavez's ability to traverse the multiverse for her own goals.
Strange Academy is a fictional school appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It was founded by Doctor Strange to train young people from many worlds with magical abilities in the use of sorcery and magical artifacts. The school first appears in Strange Academy #1 and was created by writer Skottie Young and artist Humberto Ramos.
