History of Doctor Strange: birth and complete comics list

Backup feature in the anthology title Strange Tales shared with the Human Torch (then Nick Fury starting at #135). Doctor Strange first ran 5 pages, then 10, then took the full cover starting at #144. Steve Ditko drew #110-146, followed by Bill Everett, Marie Severin (#153-160), and Dan Adkins (#161-168). It's during this period that nearly the entire mythology was born: Wong (#110), Baron Mordo (#111), Nightmare (#110), Dormammu (#126), Clea (#126), Eternity (#138), the Mindless Ones, the Vishanti, the Ancient One, the Eye of Agamotto. Starting with #169, Strange Tales officially became Doctor Strange.

Direct continuation of Strange Tales under the new title Doctor Strange, keeping the numbering. #169 offers a reformulated origin of the character (Stephen Strange neurosurgeon, accident, Tibet, Ancient One). Roy Thomas wrote most of the scripts, Gene Colan and Dan Adkins drew. The volume ended abruptly at #183 in November 1969 — Marvel decided Strange wasn't selling enough and pulled him from newsstands. What followed was a 1969-1971 hibernation where Stephen Strange only appeared as a guest in Hulk, Avengers, and Marvel Premiere.

Marvel relaunched the character in its anthology Marvel Premiere, the title where new concepts got tested (Iron Fist would also debut there). Stan Lee wrote the return with #3 (July 1972), followed by Steve Englehart starting at #9. Englehart revolutionized the mythology by introducing the Sise-Neg's Genesis Saga (#13-14), where Doctor Strange travels back in time all the way to the Big Bang. Frank Brunner, P. Craig Russell, and Mike Ploog drew. The success of the Englehart run pushed Marvel to relaunch a solo title: that's Doctor Strange Vol.2, which kicked off in 1974.

The longest and most iconic volume before Sorcerer Supreme. Launched by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner (#1-5), who continued the Sise-Neg's Genesis. Roger Stern took over at #41 (1980) and delivered one of the most respected runs of the character (#41-62, through 1984), with Marshall Rogers and Paul Smith. Marv Wolfman wrapped up the volume (#63-81) with a more horror-tinged tone, paving the way for Sorcerer Supreme. It's in this volume that Strange regularly faces Dormammu, Mordo, Shuma-Gorath, and officially becomes Sorcerer Supreme after the Ancient One's death.

The longest volume in the franchise, and probably the most important one for collectors. The title officially shifted to Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme to lock in his new status. Peter B. Gillis launched the series, followed by Roy Thomas and Dann Thomas (#5-31), then Roy Thomas alone, and finally David Quinn and Warren Ellis in the final issues. Jackson Guice, Geof Isherwood, and Mark Buckingham drew. More mature tone, deep exploration of mystic mythology, crossovers with Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, Atlantis Attacks. Absolute reference for understanding the modern Doctor Strange.

Very short volume (4 issues) by Dan Jolley and Tony Harris. An attempt to relaunch Strange after the end of Sorcerer Supreme in 1996. The series didn't find its audience and stopped quickly. Stephen Strange went back to guest appearances and mini-series during the 2000s. Worth noting: the cult mini-series Doctor Strange: The Oath (Brian K. Vaughan / Marcos Martin, 2006-2007, 5 issues) revitalized the character and would heavily inspire the 2016 MCU film.

The most notable run of the modern era, launched in Marvel All-New All-Different just before the MCU film (November 2016). Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Avengers) and Chris Bachalo (Generation X, Steampunk) wrote/drew the arcs The Way of the Weird (#1-5), The Last Days of Magic (#6-10) — Strange loses all the magic of the Earth dimension to the Empirikul — then Blood in the Aether (#11-15). Donny Cates briefly took over at the end (#381-390 legacy numbering). Essential run for understanding Strange since 2015.

Post-Aaron launch by Mark Waid (Daredevil, Flash) with Jesús Saiz on art. A more adventurous, cosmic approach: Stephen loses magic on Earth and heads into space, swept into adventures that mix sorcery and interstellar exploration. A run condensed into 20 issues, considered an excellent modern entry point for new readers coming from the MCU. Precedes Death of Doctor Strange.

Launched by Jed MacKay (Black Cat, Moon Knight) with Pasqual Ferry. Stephen Strange comes back from the dead (following Death of Doctor Strange) and tries to reclaim his place as Sorcerer Supreme from Clea, who'd held the post since 2022. Run ongoing in 2026, riding the momentum of the MCU film Multiverse of Madness (May 2022) and setting up MCU phase 6. Variant covers in high demand, especially convention exclusives and sketch covers.

The founding issue. Triple first appearance: Stephen Strange / Doctor Strange, his servant Wong, and the villain Nightmare (master of the dream realm). 5-page story "Dr. Strange, Master of Black Magic". A CGC 9.0 copy sold around $65,000 in 2022. Top 20 of the most valuable Silver Age comics. Very rare in high grade.

First appearance of Karl Mordo / Baron Mordo, former student of the Ancient One turned bitter rival of Stephen Strange. Central antagonist of the character for 60 years, popularized by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2016 MCU film. CGC 9.0 estimated between $8,000 and $12,000.

First complete account of Stephen Strange's origin: arrogant neurosurgeon, car accident destroying his hands, journey to Tibet, meeting the Ancient One, learning magic. Pivotal issue that establishes the canonical origin, picked up in every adaptation (2007 animation, 2016 MCU). CGC 9.0 estimated between $4,000 and $6,000.

Doubly crucial issue: first appearance of Dormammu, the interdimensional entity from the Dark Dimension who would become Strange's great cosmic rival (and the big bad of the 2016 MCU film); and first appearance of Clea, Dormammu's niece, future apprentice and then wife of Stephen Strange and future Sorcerer Supreme in 2022. CGC 9.0 estimated at $15,000-$20,000 in 2026 thanks to the MCU push.

Start of the arc historians consider the peak of the Lee/Ditko collaboration: the Eternity Saga, which would run for 17 issues (#130-146). Strange travels through dimensions to fight Dormammu, Mordo, and the ultimate cosmic threat, meeting Eternity in person. Absolute visual reference of Ditko's psychedelic aesthetic.

First appearance of the cosmic entity Eternity, personification of the Marvel universe itself. Essential issue for understanding Marvel's cosmology (Eternity, Infinity, Death, Galactus, the Living Tribunal). Returns in Infinity Gauntlet, in the Aaron run, and in every modern cosmic arc. CGC 9.0 estimated at $5,000-$8,000.

Last episode drawn by Steve Ditko before he left Marvel. Conclusion of the Eternity Saga with the final showdown between Strange and Dormammu. Marks the end of a graphic era. Bill Everett would take over starting at #147 with a very different style. Major historic transitional issue.

Issue where Strange definitively settles the score with Dormammu for this era, banishing him from the Earth dimension. Note: Strange Tales #150 is also notable as one of the first to feature John Buscema on a fill-in cover. CGC 9.0 estimated at $1,500-$2,500.

Last issue published under the Strange Tales title. Starting the next month (June 1968), the series was rebranded Doctor Strange and restarted at #169 with Stephen Strange as the main title character. Important issue for Silver Age completists. CGC 9.0 estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

First issue published under the Doctor Strange title. Roy Thomas took the chance to offer a reformulated origin of the character, denser and more mature than the one from Strange Tales #115. It's technically Doctor Strange Vol.1 #1, but the numbering inherits from Strange Tales to preserve continuity. CGC 9.0 estimated at $800-$1,200 in 2026.

Official return of Doctor Strange after 2.5 years of hibernation (1969-1971). First issue of the Marvel Premiere run, which would deliver 12 consecutive episodes (#3-14) until the launch of Vol.2 in 1974. Stan Lee scripted, Barry Smith drew. CGC 9.0 estimated at $200-$400.

First issue of Doctor Strange Vol.2, which would last 81 issues until 1987. Launched by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner after the success of their collaboration on Marvel Premiere. They continue the Sise-Neg's Genesis and redefine the tone of the character for the next 40 years. CGC 9.0 estimated at $300-$500.

One-shot graphic novel considered by many to be the best Doctor Strange story ever published. Roger Stern and Mike Mignola (pre-Hellboy) tell the story of the forced alliance between Strange and Doctor Doom to save the soul of Doom's mother from Mephisto's hells. Gothic, dark, deep tone. Absolute reference.

Launch of the longest series in the franchise, which would run 90 issues until 1996. Peter B. Gillis opened, Roy and Dann Thomas quickly took over. More mature and mystical tone. Issue #1 is available at reasonable prices (CGC 9.6 between $80 and $150), so it's an excellent entry point for beginning collectors.

5-chapter mini-series that gave the character critical credibility back in the 2000s. Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Saga) and Marcos Martin (The Amazing Spider-Man) deliver a detective story where Strange investigates his own assassination attempt. Direct inspiration for the 2016 MCU film (notably the astral surgery scene). Absolute reference for new readers.

Launch of the Jason Aaron / Chris Bachalo run, just before the MCU film's release (November 2016). Aaron imposes his vision: Strange is a warrior wizard with a more brutal and physical edge. Chris Bachalo delivers some of the most beautiful psychedelic pages of the 21st century. Variant covers heavily in demand (Skottie Young, Frank Cho, Olivier Coipel).

Start of the arc The Last Days of Magic where the Earth dimension loses all its magic to the Empirikul, interdimensional invaders who systematically destroy magic. One of the most ambitious arcs of the modern era. Strange comes out weakened, which would pave the way for Damnation and Death of Doctor Strange.

Event mini-series where Mephisto sends Las Vegas to hell after Strange resurrects Las Vegas in the wake of Secret Empire. Crossover with Iron Fist, Ghost Rider, Wong, Moon Knight. Horror-pulp tone, written by Donny Cates at the peak of his Marvel popularity. Skottie Young and Joshua Cassara variant covers in high demand.

First issue of the Mark Waid run post-Aaron. Stephen Strange loses magic on Earth and heads to space for cosmic adventures. More accessible, space-opera approach. Excellent entry point for readers coming from the 2016 film. CGC 9.8 between $25 and $50 in 2026.

Event mini-series where Stephen Strange is murdered in the first issue. The rest of the mini explores his investigation from the afterlife and the consequences for the Marvel Universe. 5 main issues + 7 tie-ins (Bloodstone, X-Men, Spider-Man, Avengers, Wong, etc.). Leads directly to Strange (2022) and then to Doctor Strange Vol.6 in 2023.

Launch of the Strange series (without "Doctor") where Clea Strange, Stephen's wife, officially becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme after her husband's death. Indispensable first issue because it establishes Clea's status, who would then appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 2022) played by Charlize Theron. 10 issues total.

Launch of the current run. Stephen comes back from the dead and tries to reclaim his place as Sorcerer Supreme from Clea. Run ongoing in 2026, with heavily collected variant covers (Inhyuk Lee, Peach Momoko, Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, convention sketch covers). Issue #1 available raw between $5 and $15 depending on variant.