abiIn the Marvel Universe, magic exists, and its practitioners are even weirder than the normal superhumans we see. Doctor Strange stands at the pinnacle of the magicians’ hierarchy as Sorcerer Supreme, protecting humanity against other practitioners of the arcane arts. He’s had his ups and downs over the years, but his appearance in the MCU has revitalized the character. We’ll guide you to the best Doctor Strange comics with our list below.
Best Doctor Strange Comics as of 2025
Like Black Widow, Doctor Strange is another hero who started as a bit character and eventually bloomed into a major player. His first appearance in 1963’s Strange Tales #110 was a five-page filler story. However, he would soon gain a cult following due to the trippy visuals that accompanied his stories. Since then, he’s been an on-again, off-again character, but his popularity has exploded since the MCU films and is currently one of Marvel’s flagship characters.
The Oath
Doctor Strange’s loyal servant Wong is dying from a brain tumor that can’t be cured by magic or medicine. Strange searches for a rare elixir that might save Wong’s life, but his quest puts him in conflict with powerful enemies. The story follows Strange as he fights to save his friend while confronting difficult choices about life, death, and the limits of his powers. The Oath is a 5-issue miniseries written by Brian K. Vaughan with art by Marcos Martin, published in 2006-2007.
The story brilliantly blends Strange’s mystical and medical backgrounds by having him seek a cure for his faithful servant Wong. The tension between Strange’s roles as sorcerer and former neurosurgeon forces him to confront the limits of both magic and medicine. Vaughan’s writing brings emotional weight to the characters while maintaining the cosmic quality that makes Doctor Strange. The relationship between Strange and Wong is given real depth and pathos. Marcos Martin’s artwork is clean and elegant, and captures both the medical drama and the trippy, magical bits. His visual storytelling serves the intimate character moments and surreal mystical content. New York feels realistic, but the Cloak of Levitation is also appropriately unworldly. And a pharmaceutical company not wanting a cure for cancer? Perhaps a little too real. Shout out to the Night Nurse, as well, as a great supporting character. The Oath is an accessible entry point for new readers who want to dive into Doctor Strange’s strange world.
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Triumph & Torment
Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom are forced to work together in a magical contest. They must travel to Hell to rescue Doom’s mother’s soul from the demon Mephisto. Despite being enemies, Strange helps Doom because he recognizes the genuine love Doom has for his mother. Together they face supernatural dangers and ultimately succeed in freeing her soul. Triumph and Torment is a graphic novel by Roger Stern with art by Mike Mignola from 1989.
This story takes two of Marvel’s most complex characters and puts them in an unlikely partnership. Stern explores both characters without simplifying them. Doom isn’t just a villain here; he has genuine love for his mother. Meanwhile, Strange must navigate helping someone he considers an enemy. Mike Mignola’s artwork is stunning, capturing the gothic horror of Mephisto’s realm and the regalness of Doom’s character. Mignola was meant to draw hellish characters– in fact, this led him to Hellboy years later. His style brings a dark fairy-tale quality that matches the themes of redemption and damnation. Triumph and Torment treats magic as dangerous and consequential rather than just flashy. For a comic published in 1989, it was way ahead of the curve. If you’re a fan of Doom or Strange, or just good comics, you’ll want to add it to your list.
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A Separate Reality
These stories venture into Marvel’s mystical underworld, featuring battles against The Undying Ones, Baron Mordo, the cosmic entity Eternity, and the ancient horror Shuma-Gorath. Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner then push the boundaries with groundbreaking tales of cosmic awareness and interdimensional exploration. This is a collected edition that includes those classic Doctor Strange stories from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Leading Marvel creators like Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, Stan Lee, and Barry Windsor-Smith deliver Doctor Strange at his finest in this collection.
This era has some of the most psychedelic and visually innovative Doctor Strange comics. The artwork is groundbreaking. Frank Brunner’s contributions, incredibly detailed, surreal magical dimensions, capture the mind-bending nature of Strange’s mystical adventures. The visual creativity was unmatched, with each magical realm feeling genuinely alien and otherworldly. Steve Englehart’s writing brought depth and cosmic scope to the character. These stories explore themes of reality, consciousness, and spiritual growth in ways that were sophisticated for comics of the time. This collection includes the introduction of several key elements to Doctor Strange lore. The psychedelic, reality-bending nature of these comics matched the cultural moment of the early 1970s. This collection perfectly captures Doctor Strange hitting his stride and demonstrates why he’s remained a vital part of the Marvel Universe. It’s a fantastic showcase of the bizarre, imaginative storytelling and stands as must-read material for any comic enthusiast. Absolutely essential!
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The Way of the Weird
Doctor Strange stands as Earth’s sole guardian against otherworldly threats, but this relentless duty is finally catching up with him. Magic always demands payment, and Strange has accumulated a dangerous debt. He awakens in a strange place, stripped of his possessions and memories, with no spell books or mystical weapons to defend himself. Meanwhile, the Sanctum Sanctorum proves treacherous for newcomers, where opening the wrong door means falling into nothingness. Strange’s trusted allies face an unprecedented crisis as malevolent forces systematically eliminate all magic throughout the multiverse. With magic itself under siege and time running out, Doctor Strange finds himself unprepared for the ultimate battle to save the mystical arts. Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Chris Bachalo.
Aaron’s writing brilliantly deconstructed and rebuilt Strange’s world by depleting his magical resources. The central premise, that magic itself is dying and Strange must find new ways to practice sorcery, feels fresh and urgent. Chris Bachalo’s artwork is spectacular, bringing a kinetic, psychedelic energy that captures the chaotic nature of Strange’s battles. His character designs and spell effects are stunning, and make magic feel dangerous and unpredictable. The storyline modernized Doctor Strange without losing his essence. The supporting cast, including Wong and new characters, feels fully realized rather than just plot-driven. The Way of the Weird strikes a perfect balance between accessibility for new readers and depth for longtime fans.
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Doctor Strange: Season One
Arrogant neurosurgeon Stephen Strange loses the use of his hands in a car accident, ending his medical career. Desperate for a cure, he travels to Tibet where he meets the Ancient One, a powerful sorcerer. Strange learns that magic is real and begins training in the mystical arts. He transforms from a selfish doctor into Earth’s protector against supernatural threats, becoming the Sorcerer Supreme and dedicating his life to defending the world from mystical dangers. Doctor Strange: Season One is a graphic novel by Greg Pak with art by Emma Rios, published in 2012 as part of Marvel’s Season One line that retold origin stories for modern audiences.
Greg Pak modernizes Strange’s origin and maintains all the essential elements while making them feel fresh and relevant. Emma Rios’s artwork is gorgeous, perfectly balancing the realistic medical world with the fantastical mystical realm. Her character work is expressive and her magical sequences are beautiful and otherworldly. Pak doesn’t just rehash Strange’s origin, but finds new angles and emotional truths. The character growth is strong, showing Strange’s journey from selfishness to selflessness. The graphic novel captures what makes Doctor Strange special, and is an accessible entry point for new readers and satisfying for longtime fans.
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How we chose the best Doctor Strange comics
Doctor Strange comics live or die by their artwork. The best ones feature artists who can convincingly portray magical dimensions, spell effects, and reality-bending sequences. The best comics treat magic as having real rules, costs, and consequences rather than just being flashy. Magic should feel dangerous, mysterious, and meaningful. Strong Doctor Strange comics work for both newcomers and longtime readers. They explain enough mystical concepts to be followable while still feeling sophisticated. Whether it’s saving Wong’s life, rescuing Doom’s mother, or facing the depletion of magic itself, the best stories have emotional investment alongside supernatural adventure. What are your picks for the best Doctor Strange comics?
