2008-05-31 A superb collection of mind-bending tales

This collection contains a series of epic mind-twisting stories that go far beyond where even the most adventurous of the other Marvel characters dared to journey.
The opener with the religious zealot Silver Dagger and Death itself is a sign of things to come. Steve Englehart gave his imagination full reign in these early tales and Marv Wolfman, Jim Starlin and Roger Stern do not disappoint either. The accompanying artwork is great throughout with some real touches of genius.
Here we see the returns of old favourites Eternity, Umar, Baron Mordo and Dormammu as well as the return of the Ancient One. We learn of Clea's origin and Dracula gets his fangs into Doctor Strange and Wong. He even takes on Satan, Oh yes, one small point, the Earth is destroyed and then rebuilt again by Eternity.
Then a couple of real epics which blend into each other as Strange first goes back in time, concentrating on the history of the U.S.A. (it was bi-centennial year) where he meets Sir Francis Bacon and Benjamin Franklin. He faces the wizard Stygryo in several forms, then Xander the Great then journeys into Phaseworld and ultimately the Quadriverse to take on the Creators and their plan to become "Stars" to control the universe. Just when your brain is starting to strain at all this in comes Dr. Stranger-Yet and then the In-Betweener.
The last tale is a mundane one by comparison as Strange and Nighthawk take on Death-Stalker.
Being in black and white you do miss some of the majesty of the originals and twice during the run collected here the deadline was missed and old stories were repeated with a little tidying up, those repeats are included here.
A brilliant collection but you'll need a clear head to see you through.