Strange Tales (1951) 110

For the health care professionals who make the tough decisions today is National Doctors Day.

The first National Doctors Day was held March 30, 1933, 30 years before Doctor Stephen Strange first graced the pages of Strange Tales 110.

Strange Tales 110

While the good doctor no longer performs his magic in the operating room, he still has his medical license therefore qualifying him as honorary chairman for the day.

Strange was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. His origins lie in the surgical field. Following a car crash that ruined the nerves in his hands, Strange sought solace in the high tops of the Himalayas and the tutelage of the Ancient One.

Overcoming his mortal short comings, Strange learned the mystic arts, becoming a master. The title also earned him the animosity of the evil ones. Strange now acts as guardian of good, battling those who would use magic for ill.

Doctor Strange remained a minor character throughout much of his career in the Marvel U. He finally broke into the mainstream in 2016 in his self-titled film.

That’s not to say Strange didn’t have other opportunities prior. In 1978, he had his own made-for-television movie starring Peter Hooten, complete with porn ‘stache.

Doctor Strange:  The Sorcerer Supreme was a direct-to-video animated film released in 2007. He also had a cameo on the feature-length animated movie World War Hulk in 2010 and appeared in the animated film Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell in 2016.

Following his 2016 movie, Strange appeared in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

As stated above, National Doctors Day began in March 30, 1933, marking the first ether anesthetic administered for surgery. It’s first observance was in Winder, GA. Greeting cards were mailed and flowers placed on the graves of deceased doctors.