In volume 1, Doctor Stephen Strange battled demons like Dormammu. But those arcane foes were more outlandish like a Doctor Doom or The Red Skull. Their motivation was more power hungry than occultish. Now, we see the Master of the Mystic Arts take on the cultists who worship Doctor Strange's arch-enemies.
I like horror comics. But demons and devils just isn't my thing. And this collection is chock full of fallen angels. But, the stories were still pretty compelling as they are masterfully written by the likes of Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. Artwork by Gene Colan and a host of others was rather good too.
I love the B&W beauties. But I found a print problem among the last dozen or so issues of the first series of Doctor Strange books. Those issues were originally illustrated and colored as a sort of reverse negative with white ghostly outlined renderings of either the hero or his opponents looming over the action. As a result, the retouch team had to reverse the negative yet again in order to be printed without color. This not only whitewashes the art, the excessive inks turn lovely streamlined works of art into blobbish works of art.
Remember that fresco of Jesus that some lady did a poor job retouching to the effect than the Christ looked more Muppet than Son of Man? That's what happened with those covers.
Along this time period, Doctor Strange was cancelled. Maybe the readers didn't like the newer, darker approach. It wasn't for almost 3 years until Strange would return to print in the first 10 issues of Marvel Premiere. When he does show up, his foes become even more demonic. But by now, the renaissance of Marvel Horror titles had gained full steam and it seemed that an America now enthralled by William Peter Blatty's Exorcist were ready for a more mature Doctor Strange.
Will the world be ready for another Doctor Strange title? Find out in volume 3!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.
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