Marvel was branding in the 1960s.

Daredevil, Red Skull, Cap, Mr. Fantastic. And that’s just Halloween costumes.

So far we’ve looked at Daredevil and Red Skull. Today, let’s explore the supernatural with Master of the Mystic Arts.

Ben Cooper Doctor Strange

Created by Steve Ditko, Doctor Strange made his comic book debut in Strange Tales 110. Sharing the book with the Human Torch, Strange and the flaming teenager would alternate top billing each month. His origin wasn’t revealed until issue 115. Acting as the script writer using plots by Ditko, Stan Lee based Strange on the 1930’s Chanda the Magician radio show.

With a new distribution deal, Marvel was allowed to publish more books. That allowed Strange to take over the whole book with issue 169. His solo exploits ran to issue 183. He would go on hiatus until 1971 in Marvel Feature with a three-issue story arc.

He would next be featured in Marvel Premiere in issues three through 14.

Strange’s popularity grew to allow him his own title, Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts, that ran 81 issues. Cancellation of that book led to a second volume of Strange Tales shared with newcomers Cloak and Dagger.

The good Doctor would earn his own self-titled book in 1988 with Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme. It would be lumped in with Marvel’s Midnight Sons family of supernatural books. Following that, Strange would again guest-star in one-shots and limited series and served in supporting roles for the beginning of the new millennium. By 2010, he would be part of The New Avengers.

As with most heroes, Strange would have to suffer his own death only to be brought back in dramatic fashion.

Of course, he would later be launched into the MCU with his own feature film.

So, don’t be too harsh judging this early cosplay, what do you expect for a couple bucks?

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.