Plot Summary
A very young and cocky Stephen Strange is practicing alternative medicines in Tibet, where he is treating a young boy named Wong. After hearing it is time to leave he gives Wong a watch and promises to return. Before he goes he takes notice of an old monastery. Curiosity gets the better of him and he decides to go check it out. On the way he meets an old man who walks with him, giving him sage advice. He never makes it to the top, and as he leaves the Doctor in charge tells him he doesn't expect Stephen to keep his promise. Three Years later back in the states, Stephen Strange is has graduated at the top of his class and can now write his own ticket in the medical world. When his professor finds out he is going to renig on his promise to return to Tibet, he reads Stephen the riot act. That night the professor dies in a seemingly random car accident. At the funeral Stephen is talking to his friend about the things the professor told him, and about how he broke his promise to go back to Tibet. They both agree, there is always next summer. Three years later Stephen is living the high life as the star Dr. at a plastic surgery firm. While on vacation Dr. Stephen Strange goes on the slopes by himself, and ends up in an accident, as the book closes he is laying broken in the snow.
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Story Arc
Strange Part 1
This is a pretty distinctive image by Brandon Peterson - a completely unshowy but still somewhat intriguing cover. Fantastic use of colour, the contrasts of ice blue sky, red coat and green fields, gives a sense of coldness and mystery. One of its key assets is that the figure (who we presume is the good doctor, but can't be certain) has his back to us so his identity remains unknown. All in all, quite a lot going on and the picture really stands out thanks to an original approach. Incidentally I really rated this as a six issue series, especially as I wasn't a particularly huge Dr Strange fan coming in. JMS's writing is top notch. Recommended. The cover is no249 of a long term project I am producing on my own blog 'marvel-ous' on blogspot.com. Please visit and check out the other covers that have made my top 250.
Strange Part 1
Okay, I know these days all stories have to be told in six issue arcs, but there is sometimes no need for it. This issue presents the same four page scene done twice, After the first half of the book I thought okay I get it, he put money ahead of people and broke his promise, get on with it. It's kind of bad that it had to be like that, because beyond the repitition, the book is actually pretty good. I like the art it fits the story quite nicely. Everyone seems to be getting a more mature make over. Clea looks cool. It's just that if you are going to be strict about the six issue arc, make sure you have enough story to fill it.
