Doctor Strange “From the Marvel Vault” One-Shot

This story was originally plotted, penciled and inked in 1998 for the eighth issue of the series Marvel Universe. In his brief introduction, writer Roger Stern explains that the two or three pages of script he had roughed out were “lost a couple of computers ago,” but working from a hard-copy of the plot and photocopies of the art he was able script the story… “over twelve years after it was originally plotted.” The story itself, titled “This Old House,” is set early in Doctor Strange’s career as Master of the Mystic Arts and tells the story of how he acquired his residence in Greenwich Village, the secret origin of his sanctum sanctorum you might say. Although his cloak is colored blue within the story itself, it’s incorrectly but forgivably colored red on the cover. (There’s a reason his cloak changed from blue to red, and it has nothing to do with Doctor Stange earning the Ancient One’s Cloak of Levitation.) The artwork by Neil Vokes and Jay Geldof is suitably Ditko-esque, providing an enjoyable little story overall.

Replies

Mark Stanislawski February 13, 2011 at 12:14pm

[sigh] I LOVED the Marvel Universe series, even though it only lasted 7 issues. I may have to get this. I like Stern's writing and an early Doc Strange story is intriguing.
Philip Portelli February 13, 2011 at 8:21pm

Marvel is constantly stressing that Doctor Strange is not the Sorcerer Supreme yet these "past" stories keep popping up where he is. Given the brevity of Brother Doctor Voodoo's ill-fated reign, they should craft a story where Doc reassumes the role. That's how people see him, anyway as per New Avengers.
Jeff of Earth-J February 14, 2011 at 7:57am

I think the Marvel Universe series got off to a strong start with the Invaders, but seriously lost momentum with the Monster Hunters. I'm convinced that if they'd've stuck with superheroes for the first year or so, the title would have survived longer. Don't get me wrong... I enjoyed the Monster Hunters, but I think the characters and concept were too obscure to generate enough support. The title needed to find its audience before it started to experiment.
ClarkKent_DC February 14, 2011 at 8:48am

What he said.
Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) February 14, 2011 at 9:11am

Man, I don't think I ever heard of Marvel Universe, or if I had I certainly don't remember it. I'm not much of a Dr. Strange fan, but Neil Vokes is a good match for him.
Howard Bagby February 14, 2011 at 10:13am

I don't buy any of the current Marvel Universe books, but I did buy this one. It helps that Dr Strange is one of favorite characters. This one fits in well with my personal Marvel Universe. I would buy more if the stories were in this vein. I had never heard of the Marvel Universe title before I bought this but I am going to try and track the others down.
Dagwan February 14, 2011 at 12:19pm

(There’s a reason his cloak changed from blue to red, and it has nothing to do with Doctor Stange earning the Ancient One’s Cloak of Levitation.)

Wait, what?

I've read that story at least 20 times, and that's how it looks to me.

Unless of course, it's a non-story reason it changed, like the Hulk's skin color.

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Jeff of Earth-J February 14, 2011 at 1:46pm

I simply meant that red on blue is more striking and dynamic than blue on blue. I don't kow this for certain, but I'd be williung to bet that Stan and Steve changed the colors of Doc's cloak for aesthetic purposes, and then wrote a story around it. for that reason (and because the red Cloak of Levitation is more recognizable), I forgive Marvel for coloring it red on the cover.
Philip Portelli February 14, 2011 at 2:14pm

Which is odd that they gave Doctor Strange and Thor red capes since Marvel was known to avoid stepping on Superman's toes, even in the smallest of ways. No early Marvel hero just flew; there were jet-boots, hammers, cloaks, wings, flaming trail, etc.
Jeff of Earth-J February 17, 2011 at 10:41am

I had never heard of the Marvel Universe title before I bought this but I am going to try and track the others down.

Howard, the entire series is available in a single tpb titled "Invaders: Eve of Destruction." It looks like an Invaders tpb, but the four "Monster Hunters" issues are included as well.

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