Doctor Strange

**Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange** is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Steve Ditko and writer Stan Lee,[1] the character first appeared in *Strange Tales* #110 (cover-dated July 1963). 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 Comic Books 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 *Wizard*'s "200 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time" list,[2] and in 2012 was ranked 33rd in IGN's list of "The Top 50 Avengers".[3] He was also ranked 38th on IGN's list of "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes".[4] 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*. He reprised the role in the 2017 film *Thor: Ragnarok*, the 2018 film *Avengers: Infinity War*, and will return in the fourth *Avengers* film in 2019.

## Powers and abilities

### Powers and skills

Doctor Strange is a practicing magician who draws his powers from mystical entities such as Agamotto, Cyttorak, Ikonn, Oshtur, Raggadorr, and Watoomb, who lend their energies for spells.[54] Strange also wields mystical artifacts including the Cloak of Levitation which enables him to fly;[note 1] the Eye of Agamotto, an amulet whose light is used to negate evil magic;[48] the Book of the Vishanti, a grimoire which contains knowledge of white magic;[55][56]:26–27 and the Orb of Agamotto, a crystal ball which is used for clairvoyance.[56]:24–27[57]

In addition to his magical abilities, Strange is trained in several martial arts disciplines,[58] including Judo,[59] and has shown proficiency with numerous magically conjured weapons including swords and axes.[60] Strange was a skilled neurosurgeon before nerve damage impaired his hands.[48]

Doctor Strange is described as "the mightiest magician in the cosmos"[61] and "more powerful by far than any of your fellow humanoids" by Eternity, the sentience of the Marvel Universe.[62] He holds the title of Sorcerer Supreme from 1973 (with the death of the Ancient One)[20] to the present, except during an interruption from 1992[63] to 1995.[64] He relinquishes the title once again in 2009,[36] but reclaims it in 2012 when he proves himself willing to protect the world even without the title.[40]

### Artifacts and technology

#### *Book of the Vishanti*

The *Book of the Vishanti* is portrayed as being written by unknown authors, is closely associated with Doctor Strange, and is the greatest known source of white magical knowledge on Earth. The *Book of the Vishanti* contains spells of defensive magic and is indestructible. Its counterpart, the *Darkhold*, contains all the knowledge of black magic in the Marvel Universe, and is likewise indestructible. It is possible to destroy single pages of either book, but the balancing spell in the other book is destroyed as well to maintain a mystical balance. A collective of the three powerful magical beings - Agamotto, Oshtur and Hoggoth, known as the Vishanti - must allow the spell to be destroyed.

Even though the book is a tome of benevolent magic, the spells within can still be dangerous when used improperly. This is proven when a young, inexperienced Strange tried to use the *Book of the Vishanti* to resurrect his dead brother Victor, but the spell, known as the Vampiric Verses, caused Victor to become the vampire Baron Blood years later.

Apart from spells and mystical knowledge, the book also contains information about persons and events. It is unknown how the book is able to contain up to date and recent information even though it was written thousands of years ago.

The first known owner of the book was the Atlantean sorcerer Varnae from around 18,500 BC. The next known owner was the Babylonian god Marduk Kurios. Marduk set a griffin to guard the Book. The sorcerer known as the Ancient One traveled back in time to c. 4000 BC and defeated the griffin and returned to the 20th century. The Ancient One would remain the book's owner, despite a brief loss when the dark wizard Kaluu returned the Book to the Griffin, until he deemed his student, Doctor Strange, worthy of taking it.

Doctor Strange keeps the book in his town house library in New York City's Greenwich Village. He briefly lost the book when he destroyed his home to prevent the alien wizard Urthona from taking his magical artifacts, but the book was saved by Agamotto, who transported it to his realm and returned it to Strange some time later.

#### *Orb of Agamotto*

The Orb of Agamotto is a fictional magical item in the Marvel Comics universe. It is a powerful scrying crystal ball owned and used by Doctor Strange. It can also be used to detect magic in use anywhere in the world and provide Strange with a location and visual. The orb rests in Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum in a room called the Chamber of Shadows. It usually is inside a display case with three curved legs. When summoned, the glass covering rises and the ball levitates. While powerful, the Orb has been blocked by exceptionally powerful mystic forces (such as Umar) who do not want their exact location known. On at least one occasion, it has been used to open a dimensional portal to the realm of Agamotto.

## TMNT X Pokemon

Doctor Strange usually does things on his own. During missions, he works with Spiderman and Storm.