Doctor Strange

Not to be confused with Carlo Strange.

Doctor Stephen Strange, known simply as Doctor Strange, is a sorcerer, hero, and former surgeon living in the Greenwich Village section of New York City. Strange works as something of a magical mercenary, accepting jobs from magically distraught citizens that come to his home for help. He is assisted by Wong.

Biography

Origin

Stephen Strange was a renowned but selfish New York surgeon, caring more about money and reputation than helping people. One day, he suffered an automobile accident that severely damaged the nerves in his hands, preventing him from ever operating again. Strange went into a deep depression, having nothing to live for without his calling. Wandering the city, he heard rumors from various underworld sources of a mystical healer in India known as the Ancient One. Strange scoffed at these rumors, but was desperate for a solution. He traveled to the mountains of India and saw the Ancient One, and was immediately put off by his supposedly magical nature. The Ancient One saw that Strange was arrogant and self-serving, but also saw a glimmer of goodness and potential in him. Strange went to leave, but the Ancient One caused a blizzard outside, surreptitiously forcing him to stay. He introduced Strange to his disciple, Mordo, who showed Strange to his lodgings for the night. Later that evening, Strange witnessed the Ancient One being seemingly attacked by some sort of bizarre vapor. The Ancient One managed to fight them off, but the old man was weakened. He told Strange that he was being set upon by the forces of evil. Roaming the temple, Strange saw Mordo incanting a spell to a being called Dormammu: clearly the spell that was responsible for the attempt on the Ancient One's life. Mordo spotted Strange and cast a series of spells that prevented him from telling his secret to the Ancient One. Since he couldn't speak of Mordo's secrets to the Ancient One, Strange instead endeavored to defeat him himself, and humbly asked the Ancient One to take him as a disciple. The Ancient One accepted, impressed with Strange's change of heart. The Ancient One, in his wisdom, was in fact already aware of Mordo's true feelings, but preferred to keep him close and in ignorance rather than letting him loose upon the world. The Ancient One informed him that a life of sorcery would be difficult, but Doctor Strange felt that he was up to the task.

1963-1964

Full article: Biography of Doctor Strange, 1963-1964

Through 1963 and 1964, Doctor Strange faced a number of mystical threats, most regularly the spitefully ambitious Baron Mordo, who sought to become the world's most powerful sorcerer by destroying Strange and the Ancient One. Strange also fended off Nightmare and Dormammu in their respective realms, and assisted Thor in multiple conflicts with Loki.

1965

Full article: Biography of Doctor Strange, 1965