Dr. Strange/Dr. Doom: Triumph and Torment
This 1980s gem, written by Stern and drawn by a young Mike Mignola (Hellboy), is truly worthy of the term Graphic Novel. In this story, the Vishanti, a triumvirate of powerful mystical beings, summon the Earth's greatest mystics, including Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom, and put into motion a combat ritual to determine who will be the Earth’s Sorceror Supreme.
In the end, only Dr. Strange and Doom are left standing, but it's Strange who prove himself worthy. As the new Sorceror Supreme, Strange must grant Doom a boon. Doom requests Strange's aid to rescue his mother's soul from hell and the demonic entity Mephisto.
This clever tale not only retells both origins of Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom, it carefully explores their motivations and true character. Particularly with Doom, who’s been branded as one of Marvel’s greatest villains, proves to be one of the more rational villains as he genuinely believe what he is doing is right rather than being evil.
This graphic novel might be difficult to find as it’s been over twenty years since its original publication (it was available in both softcover and hardcover), but it's well worth your efforts.
Here's the original cover:
It's amazing to see how Mignola's art improved in just a few years.
It's amazing to see how Mignola's art improved in just a few years.
That's a gem alright -- but the cover you show isn't the same as the copy I own. Were there multiple printings with different covers?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it's from the early 1990s reprint.
ReplyDeleteExcellent GAraphic novel, and writing by Stern, the way Dr. Doom decieves Mephisto is magnificent.
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