Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Creator Credits

What if... what if there were an entire multiverse of alternate worlds in which anything were possible? What if... WandaVision turned out to be the first step in the Scarlet Witch's character assassination? What if... there was a movie comprised of equal halves easter eggs and character assassination?

I guess you could call the result Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness but I wouldn't recommend it.

I probably missed something so be sure to tell me so in the comments; my main index of Marvel Cinematic creator credits is here!

Stan Lee: co-creator of Spider-Man, a young costumed hero (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who defend the Earth from many menaces (Avengers #1, 1963); of Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards, a super hero with the ability to stretch and elongate his body; of Mr. Fantastic's team the Fantastic Four (Fantastic Four #1, 1961); of the Fantastic Four's blue costumes with '4' in the center of the chest (Fantastic Four #3, 1962); of the Fantastic Four traveling using a machine which creates a platform that rises from the floor (Fantastic Four #5, 1962); of Black Bolt, the silent king of the Inhumans (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of Black Bolt using sign language to communicate (Fantastic Four #54, 1966); of Black Bolt's voice being immensely destructive so that even his whispers are powerful (Fantastic Four #59, 1967); of Mr. Fantastic as a father (Fantastic Four Annual #6, 1968); of Captain Marvel, a super hero with the power of flight (Marvel Super-Heroes #12, 1967); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of Doctor Strange's ability to release his astral form while his body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet; of Doctor Strange manifesting a third eye in his forehead (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Baron Mordo, a sorcerer dressed in green who is a former ally of Doctor Strange but is now opposed to him; of Hamir, a subordinate (Strange Tales #111, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of the Vishanti, mystical deities invoked by Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #115, 1963); of the Book of Vishanti, a tome of mystical knowledge used by Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #116, 1964); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of sorcerers casting magical shields for defense in battle (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Clea, a sorceress woman from another dimension and ally of Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #126, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of the title "Master of the Mystic Arts" applied to Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #128, 1965); of Doctor Strange's home called a Sanctum (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Hydra, a terrorist organization (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Hamir's name (Strange Tales #141, 1966); of Iron Man, a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Hawkeye, a hero (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964); of Peggy Carter, a woman linked to Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966); of Mount Wundagore, a European mountain (Thor #134, 1966); of Professor X, Charles Xavier, crippled mentor of the X-Men, a mutant telepath (X-Men #1, 1963); of the Scarlet Witch, Wanda, a costumed villain with the power to cast hexes (X-Men #4, 1964)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who defend the Earth from many menaces (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America, a patriotic hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's round shield which is thrown in combat (Captain America Comics #2, 1941); of Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards, a super hero with the ability to stretch and elongate his body; of Mr. Fantastic's team the Fantastic Four (Fantastic Four #1, 1961); of the Fantastic Four's blue costumes with '4' in the center of the chest (Fantastic Four #3, 1962); of the Fantastic Four traveling using a machine which creates a platform that rises from the floor (Fantastic Four #5, 1962); of Black Bolt, the silent king of the Inhumans (Fantastic Four #45, 1965); of Black Bolt using sign language to communicate (Fantastic Four #54, 1966); of Black Bolt's voice being immensely destructive so that even his whispers are powerful (Fantastic Four #59, 1967); of Mr. Fantastic as a father (Fantastic Four Annual #6, 1968); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Hydra, a terrorist organization (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Iron Man, a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Peggy Carter, a woman linked to Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966); of Mount Wundagore, a European mountain (Thor #134, 1966); of Professor X, Charles Xavier, crippled mentor of the X-Men, a mutant telepath (X-Men #1, 1963); of the Scarlet Witch, Wanda, a costumed villain with the power to cast hexes (X-Men #4, 1964)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Spider-Man, a young costumed hero (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of Doctor Strange's ability to release his astral form while his body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet; of Doctor Strange manifesting a third eye in his forehead (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Baron Mordo, a sorcerer dressed in green who is a former disciple of the Ancient One but is now opposed to Doctor Strange; of Hamir, a subordinate (Strange Tales #111, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of the Vishanti, mystical deities invoked by Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #115, 1963); of the Book of Vishanti, a tome of mystical knowledge used by Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #116, 1964); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of sorcerers casting magical shields for defense in battle (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Clea, a sorceress woman from another dimension and ally of Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #126, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of the title "Master of the Mystic Arts" applied to Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #128, 1965); of Doctor Strange's home called a Sanctum (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of Hamir's name (Strange Tales #141, 1966); of Clea's name (Strange Tales #146, 1966)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Ultron, a robotic artificial intelligence (Avengers #54, 1968); of the Vision a hero (Avengers #57, 1968); of the Scarlet Witch's affinity to magic (Avengers #75, 1970); of the Scarlet Witch's romance with the Vision (Avengers #91, 1971); of the Scarlet Witch viewing alternate realities in which her children still existed (Avengers West Coast Annual #7, 1992); of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969); of Donna Strange's death by drowning during Stephen's childhood (Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #45, 1992); of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970)

Mark Gruenwald: creator of Black Bolt's real name Blackagar Boltagon; of Karl, Baron Mordo's first name (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #2, 1983); co-creator of the Scarlet Witch linked to the Darkhold on Mount Wundagore (Avengers #185, 1979); of Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch's surname; of Chthon, an ancient demon; of the Scarlet Witch being possessed by the Darkhold and becoming evil (Avengers #186, 1979); of Chthon as the author of the Darkhold (Avengers #187, 1979)

John Byrne: creator of the Scarlet Witch's twin sons being non-existant (Avengers West Coast #52, 1989); co-creator of the Scarlet Witch linked to the Darkhold on Mount Wundagore (Avengers #185, 1979); of Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch's surname; of Chthon, an ancient demon; of the Scarlet Witch being possessed by the Darkhold and becoming evil (Avengers #186, 1979); of Chthon as the author of the Darkhold (Avengers #187, 1979) Brian K. Vaughan: co-creator of Dr. Strange's Cloak of Levitation behaving as though it had a mind of its own; of Christine Palmer as a romantic interest to Doctor Strange; of Doctor Strange wearing normal footwear with his costume (Doctor Strange: The Oath #1, 2006); of Nicodemus West, a surgeon who was disliked by Stephen Strange (Doctor Strange: The Oath #2, 2007); of Nisanti, a demon (The Hood #1, 2002)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch going murderously insane in attempts to restore her non-existant children to reality (Avengers #500, 2004); of Captain America as a member of the Illuminati (Avengers #12, 2011); of the Illuminati, a secret organization of elitist super heroes who include Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Iron Man and Dr. Strange (New Avengers #7, 2005)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of Peggy Carter's name (Captain America #162, 1973); of the title 'Sorcerer Supreme' held by Earth's premiere mage; of Shuma-Gorath, a tentacled extra-dimensional monster with a giant eye who battles Dr. Strange (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973); of Tommy and Billy, the Scarlet Witch's twin sons (Vision and the Scarlet Witch #12, 1986)

Marcos Martin: co-creator of Dr. Strange's Cloak of Levitation behaving as though it had a mind of its own; of Christine Palmer as a romantic interest to Doctor Strange; of Doctor Strange wearing normal footwear with his costume (Doctor Strange: The Oath #1, 2006); of Nicodemus West, a surgeon who was disliked by Stephen Strange (Doctor Strange: The Oath #2, 2007)

Steven Grant: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch linked to the Darkhold on Mount Wundagore (Avengers #185, 1979); of Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch's surname; of Chthon, an ancient demon; of the Scarlet Witch being possessed by the Darkhold and becoming evil (Avengers #186, 1979); of Chthon as the author of the Darkhold (Avengers #187, 1979)

David Michelinie: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch linked to the Darkhold on Mount Wundagore (Avengers #185, 1979); of Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch's surname; of Chthon, an ancient demon; of the Scarlet Witch being possessed by the Darkhold and becoming evil (Avengers #186, 1979); of Chthon as the author of the Darkhold (Avengers #187, 1979)

John Buscema: co-creator of Ultron, a robotic artificial intelligence (Avengers #54, 1968); of the Vision a hero (Avengers #57, 1968); of the Scarlet Witch's affinity to magic (Avengers #75, 1970); of alternate realities in which heroes see how their lives might have been different (Fantastic Four #118, 1972)

Roger Stern: co-creator of a Rambeau as Captain Marvel, a costumed hero with flight and energy powers (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, 1982); of Maria Rambeau, woman connected to Captain Marvel (Avengers #246, 1984); of Dr. Strange using the Darkhold (Doctor Strange #62, 1983)

Frank Brunner: co-creator of the title 'Sorcerer Supreme' held by Earth's premiere mage; of Shuma-Gorath, a tentacled extra-dimensional monster with a giant eye who battles Dr. Strange (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973)

Chris Bachalo: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt; of Dr. Strange battling other-dimensional creatures who are invisible to those around him (Doctor Strange #1, 2015)

Jason Aaron: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt; of Dr. Strange battling other-dimensional creatures who are invisible to those around him (Doctor Strange #1, 2015)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, a patriotic hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's round shield which is thrown in combat (Captain America Comics #2, 1941)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of Thanos, a genocidal extraterrestrial from Titan (Iron Man #55, 1973); of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded by Thanos (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

John Romita Jr.: co-creator of a Rambeau as Captain Marvel, a costumed hero with flight and energy powers (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, 1982); of Captain America as a member of the Illuminati (Avengers #12, 2011)

Kalinda Vazquez: co-creator of America Chavez originating in an alternate reality, raised by two mothers; of her mothers being lost in a black hole (America Chavez: Made in USA #3, 2021)

Carlos Gomez: co-creator of America Chavez originating in an alternate reality, raised by two mothers; of her mothers being lost in a black hole (America Chavez: Made in USA #3, 2021)

Peter B. Gillis: co-creator of Rintrah, a green minotaur who studies magic (Doctor Strange #80, 1986); of Donna Strange, Stephen's sister (Strange Tales #16, 1988)

Steve McNiven: co-creator of the Illuminati, a secret organization of elitist super heroes who include Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Iron Man and Dr. Strange (New Avengers #7, 2005)

Kieron Gillen: co-creator of Miss America chavez possessing the power to open portals into other realities, her portals taking the shape of stars (Young Avengers #7, 2013)

Jamie McKelvie: co-creator of Miss America chavez possessing the power to open portals into other realities, her portals taking the shape of stars (Young Avengers #7, 2013)

Dick Ayers: co-creator of Peggy Carter, a woman linked to Captain America (Tales of Suspense #75, 1966)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Iron Man, a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Don Heck: co-creator of Iron Man, a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Hawkeye, a hero (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964)

Kyle Hotz: co-creator of Nisanti, a demon (The Hood #1, 2002)

J. Michael Straczynski: co-creator of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Brandon Peterson: co-creator of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Sara Barnes: co-creator of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Richard Howell: co-creator of Tommy and Billy, the Scarlet Witch's twin sons (Vision and the Scarlet Witch #12, 1986)

Al Bigley: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch viewing alternate realities in which her children still existed (Avengers West Coast Annual #7, 1992)

Geof Isherwood: co-creator of Donna Strange's death by drowning during Stephen's childhood (Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #45, 1992)

Gene Colan: co-creator of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969)

Dennis O'Neil: co-creator of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of Dr. Strange's allies (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Bill Everett: co-creator of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of Dr. Strange's allies (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Gil Kane: co-creator of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970)

Mark Buckingham: co-creator of Doctor Strange and Baron Mordo as friends (Doctor Strange #87, 1996)

J.M. DeMatteis: co-creator of Doctor Strange and Baron Mordo as friends (Doctor Strange #87, 1996)

Win Mortimer: co-creator of Christine Palmer, a medical practitioner (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Jean Thomas: co-creator of Christine Palmer, a medical practitioner (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded by Thanos (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch's romance with the Vision (Avengers #91, 1971); of Peggy Carter's name (Captain America #162, 1973)

Joe Casey: co-creator of Miss America Chavez, a teenage super hero (Vengeance #1, 2011)

Nick Dragotta: co-creator of Miss America Chavez, a teenage super hero (Vengeance #1, 2011)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of the Darkhold, the book of the damned, a tome of black magic which corrupts those who use it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972)

Mike Ploog: co-creator of the Darkhold, the book of the damned, a tome of black magic which corrupts those who use it (Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972)

Steve Leialoha: co-creator of Dr. Strange using the Darkhold (Doctor Strange #62, 1983)

Al Milgrom: co-creator of Maria Rambeau, woman connected to Captain Marvel (Avengers #246, 1984)

Richard Case: co-creator of Donna Strange, Stephen's sister (Strange Tales #16, 1988)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of Mr. Fantastic wearing a beard (Fantastic Four #407, 1995)

Paul Ryan: co-creator of Mr. Fantastic wearing a beard (Fantastic Four #407, 1995)

Chris Claremont: co-creator of Professor X using a golden hovering wheelchair (X-Men #1, 1991)

Jim Lee: co-creator of Professor X using a golden hovering wheelchair (X-Men #1, 1991)

Matt Fraction: co-creator of Dr. Strange wearing a blue costume with red glyphs on his chest (Defenders #1, 2012)

Terry Dodson: co-creator of Dr. Strange wearing a blue costume with red glyphs on his chest (Defenders #1, 2012)

Dennis O'Neil: co-creator of Clea's name (Strange Tales #146, 1966)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of Thanos, a genocidal extraterrestrial from Titan (Iron Man #55, 1973)

David Finch: co-creator of the Scarlet Witch going murderously insane in attempts to restore her non-existant children to reality (Avengers #500, 2004)

Otto Binder: co-creator of Miss America, a super hero (Marvel Mystery Comics #49)

Chris Warner: co-creator of Rintrah, a green minotaur who studies magic (Doctor Strange #80, 1986)

Gene Colan: co-creator of Captain Marvel, a super hero with the power of flight (Marvel Super-Heroes #12, 1967)

Archie Goodwin: co-creator of alternate realities in which heroes see how their lives might have been different (Fantastic Four #118, 1972)

Jonathan Hickman: co-creator of the Illuminati battling incursion events caused by realities beginning to merge (New Avengers #1, 2013)

Steve Epting: co-creator of the Illuminati battling incursion events caused by realities beginning to merge (New Avengers #1, 2013)

Doctor Strange (2016) creator credits

As is my custom, I'm celebrating another film based on a Marvel Comics property by listing the names of whoever was responsible for creating characters & concepts in the comics which appeared in the film. You can see my master list right here!

Do note that although it is my practice to credit both the writer & artist of a comic book for whatever appears within, we do know that in the case of Doctor Strange he was pretty much 100% Steve Ditko, with Stan Lee only providing the credit. No Ditko = no Doctor Strange. Kudos to you, Mr. Ditko, for creating one of the best heroes of adventure fiction!

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Wand of Watoomb, a powerful mystical staff (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, 1965); of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who defend the Earth from many menaces (Avengers #1, 1963); of Limbo, an alien dimension (Avengers #2, 1963); of Thor, Asgardian god (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses magical power; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods; Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of the Ancient One, Doctor Strange's long-lived master who is based in the east; of Doctor Strange's ability to release his astral form while his body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet which contains a mystical eye (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Mordo, a sorcerer dressed in green who is a former disciple of the Ancient One but is now opposed to Doctor Strange; of Hamir, a subordinate to the Ancient One; of Valtorr, a mystical entity (Strange Tales #111, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of Stephen Strange being a gifted surgeon who cares little for his patients, then lands up in a car accident which ruins his hands, ending his medical career; Stephen becoming disshelved and withdrawn until hearing of the Ancient One and seeking that person out; Stephen discovering the Ancient One is master of magic and becoming the Ancient One's pupil; of Dormammu, a mystical entity who is opposed to the Ancient One; of Agamotto, a benevolent mystical entity (Strange Tales #115, 1963); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of sorcerers casting magical shields for defense in battle (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Dormammu embodied as a being made of mystical flame who rules over the Dark Dimension and wishes to conquer Earth; the Dark Dimension as a realm of space with no obvious landmass (Strange Tales #126, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet; of Doctor Strange preventing Dormammu from invading Earth (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of Dormammu forging an alliance with a former apprentice of the Ancient One to invade Earth; of Kaecillius, a sorcerer clad in orange and blue who fights Doctor Strange and the Ancient One (Strange Tales #130, 1965); of Doctor Strange's home called a Sanctum (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of Doctor Strange's amulet being called the Eye of Agamotto; of Rama, a sorcerer aligned with Doctor Strange (Strange Tales #136, 1965); of Hamir's name (Strange Tales #141, 1966); of the Living Tribunal, a powerful cosmic being (Strange Tales #157, 1967)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of the Wand of Watoomb, a powerful mystical staff (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, 1965); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of the Ancient One, Doctor Strange's long-lived master who is based in the east; of Doctor Strange's ability to release his astral form while his body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet which contains a mystical eye (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Mordo, a sorcerer dressed in green who is a former disciple of the Ancient One but is now opposed to Doctor Strange; of Hamir, a subordinate to the Ancient One; of Valtorr, a mystical entity (Strange Tales #111, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of Stephen Strange being a gifted surgeon who cares little for his patients, then lands up in a car accident which ruins his hands, ending his medical career; Stephen becoming disshelved and withdrawn until hearing of the Ancient One and seeking that person out; Stephen discovering the Ancient One is master of magic and becoming the Ancient One's pupil; of Dormammu, a mystical entity who is opposed to the Ancient One; of Agamotto, a benevolent mystical entity (Strange Tales #115, 1963); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of sorcerers casting magical shields for defense in battle (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Dormammu embodied as a being made of mystical flame who rules over the Dark Dimension and wishes to conquer Earth; the Dark Dimension as a realm of space with no obvious landmass (Strange Tales #126, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet; of Doctor Strange preventing Dormammu from invading Earth (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of Dormammu forging an alliance with a former apprentice of the Ancient One to invade Earth; of Kaecillius, a sorcerer clad in orange and blue who fights Doctor Strange and the Ancient One (Strange Tales #130, 1965); of Doctor Strange's home called a Sanctum (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of Doctor Strange's amulet being called the Eye of Agamotto; of Rama, a sorcerer aligned with Doctor Strange (Strange Tales #136, 1965); of Hamir's name (Strange Tales #141, 1966)

Brian K. Vaughan: co-creator of Tina Minoru, an Asian magic user (Runaways #1, 2003); of Dr. Strange's Cloak of Levitation behaving as though it had a mind of its own; of Doctor Strange's astral form guiding Christine Palmer through an operation on his chest; of Christine Palmer as a romantic interest to Doctor Strange; of Doctor Strange wearing normal footwear with his costume (Doctor Strange: The Oath #1, 2006); of Nicodemus West, a surgeon who was disliked by Stephen Strange and performed the operation on Stephen's hands after his car accident (Doctor Strange: The Oath #2, 2007); of Stephen bearing horrible scars on his hands from his car accident (Doctor Strange: The Oath #5, 2007)

Marcos Martin: co-creator of Dr. Strange's Cloak of Levitation behaving as though it had a mind of its own; of Doctor Strange's astral form guiding Christine Palmer through an operation on his chest; of Christine Palmer as a romantic interest to Doctor Strange; of Doctor Strange wearing normal footwear with his costume (Doctor Strange: The Oath #1, 2006); of Nicodemus West, a surgeon who was disliked by Stephen Strange and performed the operation on Stephen's hands after his car accident (Doctor Strange: The Oath #2, 2007); of Stephen bearing horrible scars on his hands from his car accident (Doctor Strange: The Oath #5, 2007)

J. Michael Straczynski: co-creator of Stephen trying to write his own name after his car accident; of Stephen exhausting his personal fortune in failed operations on his hands (Strange #2, 2004); of the Ancient One wearing yellow; of the Ancient One telling Stephen to open his third eye (Strange #3, 2005); of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who defend the Earth from many menaces (Avengers #1, 1963); of Limbo, an alien dimension (Avengers #2, 1963); of Thor, Asgardian god (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses magical power; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods; Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962)

Brandon Peterson: co-creator of Stephen trying to write his own name after his car accident; of Stephen exhausting his personal fortune in failed operations on his hands (Strange #2, 2004); of the Ancient One wearing yellow; of the Ancient One telling Stephen to open his third eye (Strange #3, 2005); of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Sara Barnes: co-creator of Stephen trying to write his own name after his car accident; of Stephen exhausting his personal fortune in failed operations on his hands (Strange #2, 2004); of the Ancient One wearing yellow; of the Ancient One telling Stephen to open his third eye (Strange #3, 2005); of sorcerers conjuring shields with decorative glyphs (Strange #5, 2005)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of the Ancient One's title 'Sorcerer Supreme'; of the Ancient One's death (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973); of the Book of Caglistro, a tome of eldritch knowledge (Marvel Premiere #12, 1973)

Frank Brunner: co-creator of the Ancient One's title 'Sorcerer Supreme'; of the Ancient One's death (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973); of the Book of Caglistro, a tome of eldritch knowledge (Marvel Premiere #12, 1973)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969); of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970)

Gene Colan: co-creator of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969); of Daniel Drumm, Haitian magic user (Strange Tales #169, 1973)

Dennis O'Neil: co-creator of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of the Ancient One in the far east; of the Ancient One as a bald person (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Bill Everett: co-creator of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of the Ancient One in the far east; of the Ancient One as a bald person (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005)

Chris Bachalo: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt (Doctor Strange #1, 2015)

Jason Aaron: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt (Doctor Strange #1, 2015)

David Finch: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of the Book of Caglistro, a tome of eldritch knowledge (Marvel Premiere #12, 1973)

Gil Kane: co-creator of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970)

Marie Severin: co-creator of the Living Tribunal, a powerful cosmic being (Strange Tales #157, 1967)

Mark Buckingham: co-creator of Doctor Strange and Baron Mordo as friends (Doctor Strange #87, 1996)

J.M. DeMatteis: co-creator of Doctor Strange and Baron Mordo as friends (Doctor Strange #87, 1996)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Gaspar Saladino: creator of the Avengers logo with enlarged letter "A" (Avengers #96, 1972)

Win Mortimer: co-creator of Christine Palmer, a medical practitioner (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Jean Thomas: co-creator of Christine Palmer, a medical practitioner (Night Nurse #1, 1972)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Len Wein: co-creator of Daniel Drumm, Haitian magic user (Strange Tales #169, 1973)

Adrian Alphona: co-creator of Tina Minoru, an Asian magic user (Runaways #1, 2003)

Roger Stern: co-creator of Kaecillius' name (Doctor Strange #56, 1982)

Paul Smith: co-creator of Kaecillius' name (Doctor Strange #56, 1982)

Walter Simonson: creator of Thor wearing a beard (Thor #367, 1986)

The Mystic Eyes of Doctor Strange

Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but amongst comic book scholars there are few topics I can think of which are as divisive as the shape of Dr. Strange's eyes (unless it's the colours of the stripes on Captain America's shield). It's well-known that when Dr. Strange first debuted, Steve Ditko drew his hero's eyes as partially-closed or slanted. Slanted eyes are usually employed by artists to indicate Asian characteristics, as with Dr. Strange's mentor, the Ancient One. Ditko drew Dr. Strange this way for his first eight adventures, then graduated him to a rounded-eye design which emphasized the sorcerer's Caucasian features.

Of course, all the obscure by-ways of 1960s Marvel Comics have been referenced and retread to some extent. Dr. Strange's slanted eyes have been restored to him by various fan/artists such as Erik Larsen and John Byrne (above). This is a means by which the fan/artists express their support for the author's original intent,* a way to reflect the way the character was originally depicted (and possibly "correctly" depicted) and demonstrate how much the character has changed over time. Thus, a depiction of Dr. Strange with slanted eyes is "retro," an homage to his roots, a celebration of Steve Ditko's vision... even though Ditko changed his mind about how to express Dr. Strange's eyes after just eight early stories.**

But let's not think of Stephen Strange's eyes as a mere fetish. What could the slanted eyes possibly mean within the context of Steve Ditko's Doctor Strange? The obvious conclusion to draw would be to assume Steve Ditko originally intended for Doctor Strange to be an Asian man. If Dr. Strange were Asian, it would rewrite our understanding of racial diversity in 1960s comic books as he'd predate Luke Cage by almost 10 years as the first non-white "Marvel Age" leading character. This may not change how we feel about the 1960s Marvel Comics themselves, but it would validate how we feel about being fans of the 1960s comics.

Further, we've always viewed the origin of Doctor Strange as the tale of a "man of the western world" who ventures into "the mysterious east" and gains "enlightenment." He begins his origin as a self-absorbed surgeon, loses his vocation after suffering a debilitating injury, journeys to Tibet just to demand the Ancient One cure him, but ultimately discovers a higher calling when he realizes magic is real, the Ancient One is waging a constant war against the evil forces of magic and the Ancient One needs a disciple. Our belief that "the east" is a land of mystery, magic and enlightenment is a little cliche, just a touch patronizing. Why should the east seem anymore mysterious, magical or enlightening than the west... except that most of our heroes originate in the west?

Ah, but if Dr. Strange were Asian... now the story isn't about a man braving a foreign culture to discover a new way of living, now it's the story of a man discovering his own heritage. In this scenario, Stephen Strange would be a westernized Asian man whose ego has grown healthy in the decadent world he's been brought up in, but his own ego and determination eventually leads him home, where he rediscovers the values of his ancestors. Say, that's not such a bad tale. I guess there's no reason we couldn't consider it a valid interpretation of Doctor Strange's character...

...Except for one thing: Doctor Strange is not Asian.

Although the Doctor Strange stories from Strange Tales#110 & 119 each featured Dr. Strange's slanted eyes, his origin story (#115) introduces Stephen Strange with rounded, Caucasian eyes. And so his eyes remained...

...Until, most curiously, he began his tutelage under the Ancient One. For some reason, studying magic in Tibet caused Stephen Strange to metamorph into an Asian man. Or, at least, a Caucasian man with Asian eyes. Perhaps it's simply a mark of how Stephen changed, having become so inwardly transformed by his reeducation that it took on a physical manifestation; magic could be like that. Truly, after his experiences in Tibet, Stephen Strange could never blend in with his own culture again; he couldn't hold a normal occupation, live in a normal house, love normal women... perhaps it's right that Stephen was physically transformed and in a way other than what he wished. Stephen asked the Ancient One to heal his hands: instead, he opened his eyes... by closing them.

I do not have a solution of my own to this riddle. But just thinking of Stephen as an Asian man... it changes how I feel when the Ancient One calls him, "son."

This article was inspired by a series of articles penned by Colin Smith at Sequart; please read them for yourself here!

*= Likewise when Byrne overruled the assertion of the Hulk's skin being gray in his first appearance as a colourist's error, making the gray skin canon. He could not, however, convince us about what colour the spider on Spider-Man's back should be.

**= It would be interesting to review Dr. Strange's appearances and see if he's been drawn with slanted eyes in more than eight non-Ditko stories. I would guess he has.

Why do I like super heroes?

Last week I began preparing what would have been a series of posts about why I stopped reading, supporting and working for Marvel Comics. However, after looking over my first draft I felt disappointed in myself; there's no derth of upset comic book fans raging at how the industry has failed to live up to their standards and this attempted post was just another grain of sand on the beach.
Therefore, in the interest of producing something positive to say about the super hero genre, I asked myself: why exactly did I invest so much emotion into these characters?

While Jim Salicrup was editor of Captain America in the early 1980s, he pointed to the above panel from Avengers#4 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby as a defining characterization of Captain America. Captain America is facing the Sub-Mariner in combat, an antagonist whose superhuman strength places him well above Cap's own human strength level. Cap is canny enough to realize how outclassed he is, but remains confident in his ability to win the fight. "He's stronger than me -- but I'll find a way to outmaneuver him!"

This scene has been echoed by other writers through the years and it's often invoked at moments of extreme cosmic peril. For instance, take the Avengers#177 (1978) by Jim Shooter & Dave Wenzel. In this, the climax of the lengthy Korvac Saga, the godlike Michael Korvac quickly plows through the Avengers' ranks, killing each member regardless of their might; in the midst of this, Captain America enters the fray and briefly holds his own against Korvac. "Or maybe you don't even count me -- because I'm just a man? Hear that, Mike? This is no god hitting you -- no super-man! Just a man! It doesn't matter how strong you are! I'll find a way to stop you! I'll find a way!" This brief turn of events ends as Korvac strikes Cap through a wall with so much force that it kills him. Later, of course, all of the Avengers are brought back to life.

Years later in Infinity Gauntlet#4 (1991) by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim & George Perez, the all-powerful Thanos battles what few heroes remain after he's already killed 50% of the universe. The entire fight is a joke; Thanos is in no real jeopardy and engages the heroes only to divert himself and hopefully win the favour of Death, herself. After Thanos kills most of the heroes, only Captain America is left standing. Even with so little hope of victory, Cap fights to the end: "As long as one man stands against you, Thanos, you'll never be able to claim victory. I've lived my life by those sentiments. They're well worth dying for." Captain America does indeed die (after landing one punch across Thanos' jaw), but is later brought back to life.
Why do I like Captain America? Because he struggles against superior forces, heedless of the cost.

Look also to Tales of Suspense#59 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby. A gang of ten heavily armed criminals (one wearing Iron Man-like armour) break into Avengers Mansion and find Captain America is the only Avenger present. They assume they can handle just one Avenger - the only Avenger without super powers - but he proves to be more than a match for them. After he defeats the gang, Cap can only remark: "But it's lucky you broke in while I was on duty! If any of the other Avengers were here, you might have gotten hurt! They're really tough!"
Why do I like Captain America? Because he's humble.

In one of the best Avengers stories of them all, Baron Zemo leads a version of the Masters of Evil whose members both outnumber and overpower the Avengers' own. By the events of Avengers#274 (1986) by Roger Stern & John Buscema, the Black Knight has been beaten unconscious, Captain Marvel has been exiled to another dimension, Hercules has been beaten to the point of death and Captain America has been captured, leaving only the Wasp at liberty. Zemo lets his wrath get the better of him as he kicks the bound-up Captain America in the face, gloating he'll finally get revenge on Cap for supposedly killing his father. As he lies helplessly on the floor, bleeding from the mouth, Captain America tells Zemo he hasn't won yet... not while the Wasp is free. And he's right: the Wasp eventually returns to rescue the captured Avengers and round up Zemo's forces.
Why do I like Captain America? Because he believes in his friends.

During the days when Captain America was romantically involved with Diamondback, a former costumed criminal who was inspired to reform by his good example, Diamondback was nearly murdered by her enemy Snapdragon. Traumatized by the episode, Diamondback eventually tracked down Snapdragon and seemingly killed her. After struggling with this secret for more than a year, Diamondback finally confessed what she'd done to Cap in Captain America#424 (1994) by Mark Gruenwald and Phil Gosier. Diamondback thinks Cap could "never love a murderer," but he promises to first, ascertain if Snapdragon is dead and second, get Diamondback the best legal aid possible. He fully intends to help Diamondback redeem herself for the attempt on Snapdragon's life. "I can't presume to judge you. I don't know what you went through. But I do know you're basically a good person. You've more than earned my support."
Why do I like Captain America? Because he supports his loved ones and doesn't judge them, even when they've fallen short.

One of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko's best multiple part stories was a lengthy Doctor Strange arc where his foes Baron Mordo & Dormammu joined forces against him. With Mordo's spies found across the globe, Strange is constantly in danger as he searches for the means to combat Mordo & Dormammu. In Strange Tales#135 (1965), Strange's journey brings him to England, where he asks Mordo's former agent Sir Baskerville for help. However, Baskerville is secretly still an agent of Mordo. He contacts his master and Mordo teleports a minion to Baskerville's castle to destroy Dr. Strange. When Baskerville and the minion return to ambush Strange, they find he's gone, but a suit of armour suddenly comes to life. Believing Strange is inside the armour, the minion attacks it and pursues it through a passageway... right into the path of Dr. Strange, who defeats the minion with a single punch to the gut. How did Strange animate the armour? Simple: he placed his cloak of levitation inside.
Why do I like Doctor Strange? Because he wins fights not through superior power, but superior tactics.

My personal favourite comic book is Doctor Strange#55 (1982) by Roger Stern & Michael Golden. After his lover Clea breaks up with him, Strange is so despondent that his psyche breaks down; it's dangerous for a sorcerer to lose control of his senses because he can't tell what's real and what's being conjured by his subconsciousness. In a moment of anger, Strange wishes he'd "never learned the ways of magic." At this point, a spirit appears and claims his wish has been granted. Strange is soon thrust into a horrible, nightmarish world in which the super hero Doctor Strange... is just a fictional character who appears in comic books. Confronted with this horrible reality - one we readers know is all too true - Strange is coerced to commit suicide as the ultimate escape from reality. Although tempted, Strange finally refuses and fights back against the forces trying to destroy his life.
Why do I like Doctor Strange? Because in the depths of despair, he chooses life over death.

Much has been made of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko's "Final Chapter" story from Amazing Spider-Man, particularly the moment where Spider-Man lifts an immense burden off his back. Personally, there's another moment I like at least as much in Amazing Spider-Man#33 (1966): while trying to escape the fortress of Doctor Octopus and bring a life-saving serum to his Aunt May, Spider-Man is confronted by a gang comprising eight of Dr. Octopus' men. The hero is weary from his struggles, nearly delirious, but flies into battle with them. Without any grace or form, he swings wildly at his foes; the batle goes on for 2.5 pages as the henchmen hold their own for a time. Moments later, Spider-Man is startled to discover he's defeated all of his opponents without realizing it.
Why do I like Spider-Man? Because he's stronger than he thinks he is.
I could carry on, but I hope you've enjoyed this little list.