First appearance of Doctor Strange
- Number :Strange Tales #110
- Date :July 1963
- Creators:Stan Lee (screenplay) & Steve Ditko (drawing)
- CGC value 9.8:No copies identified — CGC 9.6 estimated at $250,000–320,000
Strange Tales #110 marks Stephen Strange's entry into the Marvel universe, opening the door to the mystical and supernatural dimension which will considerably enrich the publisher's cosmology. Created by the Lee/Ditko duo in full creative ferment (the same ones who produced Spider-Man simultaneously), Doctor Strange appeared in a short five-page back-up story from the Human Torch.
For the discerning collector, this issue offers a solid investment profile: major historical significance, rarity in high condition, and continued support of the MCU with the Doctor Strange franchise in cinema. It is a pillar of the Silver Age Marvel which remains accessible in mid-grade while reaching heights in higher condition.
Publication context
In 1963, Strange Tales was an anthology title hosting the featured Human Torch and back-up short stories. Stan Lee gave Steve Ditko carte blanche to create a mystical character, a unique direction in the Marvel catalog of the time, dominated by science fiction and physical superpowers. Inspiration came from esoteric pulps and classic horror films.
The creators
Steve Ditko is the true visual architect of Doctor Strange. His psychedelic style, with its impossible parallel dimensions and mind-blowing geometric shapes, will define the character's aesthetic for decades. Stan Lee provided the narrative framework, but it is Ditko's artistic vision that makes this creation unique. The inking is also by Ditko, giving him total control over the final rendering.
The inside story
In just five pages, Ditko and Lee introduce an already established Doctor Strange as the “Master of Black Magic.” A man tormented by nightmares comes to consult him. Strange projects his astral form to fight the Nightmare entity in his dream dimension. The Master (the Elder) is mentioned. The story is dense, atmospheric, and radically different from the rest of Marvel's production.
Description of coverage
The cover of Strange Tales #110 is dominated by the Human Torch taking on the Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete. Doctor Strange is not included — his first story is an unfeatured back-up. This “interior-only first appearance” status contributed to the historical undervaluation of the title, since corrected by the modern market.
Edition and variants
The circulation is estimated at 200,000–250,000 copies through exclusive newsstand distribution. UK pence (9d) variants exist and are extremely rare in high condition, commanding a premium of 30–40%. Print quality is the Marvel 1963 standard, with the usual variations in register and ink density between batches.
CGC census data
The CGC census lists around 2,200 graded examples. No 9.8 is recorded. The highest grades are 9.6 (2–3 copies). The majority are between 2.0 and 5.0. 8.0+ copies represent less than 5% of the total. The White Pages grade is rare and adds a significant premium (15–25%).
Value by grade
| CGC grade | Estimated value (2025) |
|---|---|
| 9.6NM+ | $250,000–320,000 |
| 9.4NM | $100,000–130,000 |
| 9.2 NM- | $55,000–70,000 |
| 8.0 VF | $20,000–28,000 |
| 6.0FN | $7,000–10,000 |
| 4.0 VG | $3,000–4,200 |
| 2.0 GD | $1,200–1,800 |
Price history (2014–2025)
Strange Tales #110 has seen a massive revaluation since the announcement of the Doctor Strange (2016) film. A CGC 6.0 worth $3,500 in 2014 reached $9,000 in 2017 and $11,000 in 2022. The release of Multiverse of Madness (2022) kept the momentum going. Post-2022 corrections were moderate (-10% on mid-grades), with high grades remaining stable or even increasing.
Points of vigilance when purchasing
Dry cleaning
Pressing is common and effective on this title. Examples stored flat for decades respond well to treatment. Be careful, however, with paper weakened by age — too aggressive pressing can aggravate invisible micro-cracks.
Restoration
Typical restoration areas are the spine (spine reinforcement), the corners (piece fill), and the cover (color touch on the white edges which turn yellow). Ask for a Universal Blue Label and check that the grade is not accompanied by the words “Conserved” (conservation treatment which does not affect the label but may worry some buyers).
Common faults
Tanning of interior paper (frequent off-white to tan pages), foxing, spine roll, corner creases, and off-center cover. Rusty staples are also a recurring problem on 1963 comics. Check that all five pages of the Doctor Strange story are intact and free of coupon clippings.
Catalog your Strange Tales #110 and discover thekey numbers Doctor Strangewith ourcollection management application. Follow the evolution of the odds in real time.