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Kirby/Ditko cvr; origin Dr. Strange; 2nd app. Sandman, early Spider-Man x-over


The cover of Strange Tales #115 features a typically extraordinary Steve Ditko illustration, which neatly summarizes the Human Torch v. Sandman yarn that's featured first in the issue. Readers were also getting a story that boasted a cameo by Spider-Man, as well as a fun plot twist with Johnny Storm posing as Spidey.

The true treasure of this book, however, may be the Dr. Strange origin story in the back pages. Although the Sorcerer Supreme had appeared in the previous four issues of Strange Tales , this is the first telling of how Dr. Stephen Strange came to pursue the mystic arts. (There's also the first appearances of several classic spells, plus the first invoking of Dormammu.) This classic book provides much of what became the basis of the Doctor Strange films starring Benedict Cumberbatch. As a core character of Marvel Cinematic Universe lore, there can be no mistaking the value and importance of this classic Silver Age comic.