Claim: Mary Marvel predates a character from Marvel Comics.

Stephen Vincent Strange , M.D. is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . Created by artist Steve Ditko and writer Stan Lee , the character first appeared in Strange Tales # 110 -LRB- cover-dated July 1963 -RRB- . Doctor Strange serves as the Sorcerer Supreme , the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats . Inspired by stories of black magic and Chandu the Magician , Strange was created during the Silver Age of Comics to bring a different kind of character and themes of mysticism to Marvel Comics .   The character 's origin story relates that he was once a brilliant but egotistical surgeon . After a car accident severely damages his hands and hinders his ability to perform surgery , he searches the globe for a way to repair them and encounters the Ancient One . After becoming one of the old Sorcerer Supreme 's students , he becomes a practitioner of both the mystical arts as well as martial arts . Along with knowing many powerful spells , he has a costume with two mystical objects -- the Cloak of Levitation and Eye of Agamotto -- which give him added powers . Strange is aided along the way by his friend and valet , Wong , and a large assortment of mystical objects . He takes up residence in a mansion called the Sanctum Sanctorum , located in New York City . Later , Strange takes the title of Sorcerer Supreme .   In 2008 , Doctor Strange was ranked 83rd in Wizards `` 200 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time '' list , and in 2012 was ranked 33rd in IGN 's list of `` The Top 50 Avengers '' . He was also ranked 38th on IGN 's list of `` Top 100 Comic Book Heroes '' . The character was first portrayed in live-action by Peter Hooten in the 1978 television film Dr. Strange . Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , first appearing in the role in the 2016 film Doctor Strange .