“Middle Realms: The Interdimensional Exploits of Dr. Stephen Strange”.
A deeper foundational beginning than previously imagined.
Dr. Strange was always a good guy of the Mystical Super Hero type, but Dr. Stephen Strange was not.
Coming from Atlas Comics (before Marvel, after Timely) of the 1950s, Ditko and Kirby’s fantasy series really appealed to most of my friends and acquaintances (in my Comic/SF circles) growing up. The natural evolution of this form, Strange Tales, the fantasy comic series, became Strange Tales, the superhero series.
Once the Thing and the Human Torch took over, it wasn’t long before Dr. Strange became a wonderful supporting event. (For me the main course).
But Stan Lee originally called Dr. Strange a master of black magic. Unfortunately, black magic is bad (the consequences of those who practice it are intensely severe ((the evil they do comes back to them at least 3 times; they can hide but not forever))). Fortunately, Stan changed the nomenclature from Dr. Stephen Strange to The Master of the Mystic Arts.
Stephen Strange was a greedy surgeon who lost the ability to operate on patients after a tragic car accident. He then sought the help of the Elder who lived in the Himalayan mountains. He eventually becomes a metaphysical metaphysician.
Dr. Strange’s practice of the occult* (meaning occult knowledge*) leads him on many wonderful and fun adventures.
Without the inspiration of Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, and others, Strange wouldn’t have been as good as it was and is. Truly a wonderful creation.
The TV miniseries didn’t do it justice. (But it was better than nothing, and on some levels it captured a small percentage of the feel of some of the early Dr. Strange comics.
Still, if I had one wish, it would be to create a Dr. Strange movie and bring it to life in a combination of animation, special effects, and as an actual live-action movie.)
Dr. Strange discovered God in Eternity and merged with him (later the character, Eternity, became cheaper I think).
Dr. Strange only practiced White Magic during the 1960’s. In the 1990’s he practiced techno-magic (whatever that is).
The Master of the Mystic Arts is a great character. Be sure to start with Ditko’s version for a full appreciation of this amazing character.
Marvel comics artist Marie Severin says that the Kabbalah (Kabbalah, Jewish mystical system) was a source material for certain issues of Dr. Strange that she worked on.
But what did Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Gene Colan take advantage of? What made Marvel and Dr. Strange so great?
Dr. Strange meditates and sits in the lotus position. (Dr. Strange 3rd series #49 see cover and many other issues).
Dr. Strange and rock stars often shake hands in the anti-evil eye gesture. In sign language it means: “Love”. (It probably depends on which hand is raised.)
So if you need advice on where to start reading or collecting, email me. I recommend starting with Strange Tales #110 – 146 (most) which contains Steve Ditko’s original version of Dr. Strange!
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Guru, Master, Elder, Union, You, Everyone
Beyond Fantasy and Science Fiction:
Note: A Guru is a dispeller of darkness… (If his spiritual leader does not dispel darkness, then he or she is not a spiritual leader).
One must be careful about glorifying the little self (ego, aka person).
Harvey Kurtzman was a yogi (I think). Yoga means Union.
There are many forms of Yoga and Meditation.
Meditation means Contact with God in Deep Stillness with focus on the Divine (also known as) “I die daily”.
Side note: There is a psychic and mystical side to unusual performances in sports.
Then of course there is the idea and then there is the practice. Some things cannot be achieved through intellectualization about it. They must be experienced first hand.
Emulating the teachings of the great masters is superior to preaching about it, obviously. In this world of maya (illusion) where we live, this is then the battle. Do you choose the ego (and the slavery that comes with it) or the spiritualized soul (what you really are)?
The truth will set you free. The Spirit is Truth (nothing else is).
strange-tales-comics
This article © Copyright 1-13-2002, 12-2002, 10-2003, 10-2006, 3-28-06 Robert Gustaveson all rights reserved.
Religion was made by man for man.
http://graphic-illusion.com
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About the Marvel Comics Strange Tales:
This great title from the Silver Age of Marvel, STRANGE TALES, was very exciting for both the continuity of the plot and the use of the artist. Coloring and even placing word balloons is an art! Exceptional ink and pencils. Incredible stories!
Both Dr. Strange (by Ditko or Gene Colan) and Nick Fury (which I especially loved when it was illustrated and written by Kirby, Steranko, and Lee) are among my favorite comics, ever. Surprisingly, this series continues to be underrated.