Article:

"Realms Between --
The inter-dimensional
 exploits of
Dr. Stephen Strange."

A Deeper Foundational Beginning
Than Previously Imagined.

Dr. Strange was always a good guy Mystical Super Hero type but Dr. Stephen Strange wasn't.

Coming from Atlas Comics (Pre-Marvel -- post Timely) of the 1950's -- the fantasy series by Ditko and Kirby appealed greatly to most of my friends and acquaintances (in my Comic / SF circles) growing up. The natural evolution of this form -- Strange Tales the fantasy comic series-- became Strange Tales the Super Hero series.

Once Thing and Human Torch took over it wasn't long until Dr. Strange became a wondrous back up event. (For me the main course).

But Stan Lee originally called Dr. Strange master of black magic. Unfortunately black magic is evil (consequences of those who practice it are intensely severe ((the evil they do comes back to them at least 3 times -- they can hide but not forever))).

Luckily Stan changed Dr. Stephen Stranges' nomenclature to The Master of the Mystic Arts.

Stephen Strange was a greedy surgeon who lost his ability to operate on patients after a tragic car accident. He then sought help from the Ancient One living in the Himalayan mountains. Finally he becomes a metaphysical metaphysician.

Dr. Strange's practice of the occult* (it means hidden knowledge*) leads him on many wonderful fun adventures.

Without the inspiration of Steve Ditko and Gene Colan and others Strange would not have been as great as he was and is. Truly a marvelous creation.

The short TV series did not do him justice. (But was better than nothing -- and at some levels it captured a small percentage of the feel of some of the early Dr. Strange comics.

Still if I had a desire it would be to create a Dr. Strange film and bring him to life in a combo of animation, special effects and as an actual live action movie).

Dr. Strange discovered God in Eternity and merged with him (Later the character, Eternity, was cheapened, I feel).

Dr. Strange only practiced White Magic during the 1960's. In the 1990's he practiced techno magic (whatever that is).

The Master of Mystic Arts is a great character. Be sure to start with Ditko's version for full appreciation of this astounding character.

Marvel comic artist Marie Severin says the Kabala (Cabala --Jewish Mystical System) was a source of material for certain issues of Dr. Strange that she worked on.

But what did Stan Lee, Steve Ditko & Gene Colan tap into? What made Marvel & Dr. Strange so great?

Dr. Strange meditates and sits in a lotus position. (Dr. Strange 3rd series #49 see cover and many other issues.)

Dr. Strange and rock stars often hold their hands in the gesture of the anti-evil eye. In sign language it means: "Love." (Probably depends on which hand one holds up).

So if you need advice on where to begin reading or collecting send me an email. I recommend starting with Strange Tales #110 -- 146 (most of) which contain Steve Ditko's original version of Dr. Strange!  --by Rob Gustaveson

***

Guru, Teacher, Ancient One, Union, You, All

Beyond Fanasy and SF:

Note: A Guru is a darkness dispeller...(If your Spiritual leader does not dispel darkness then he or she is not a spiritual leader.)

One must be wary of glorification in the little self (ego -- aka persona).

Harvey Kurtzman was a Yogi (I think) (creative artist at Mad Magazine/EC). Yoga means Union.

There are many forms of Yoga and Meditation.

Meditation means God Contact in Stillness Deep with focus upon the Divine One (aka) "I die daily."

Side note:  There is a Psychic and Mystical side to unusual performances in sports.

Then of course there is the idea and then there is the practice of it. Some things cannot be attained via intellectualizing about it. They must be experienced first hand.

To emulate the teachings of the great masters is superior to preaching about it, obviously. In this world of maya (illusion) where we live -- this then is the battle. Do you choose ego (and the slavery that comes with it) or Spiritualized Soul (that which you really are).

Truth Will Set You Free. Spirit is Truth (naught else is).

This article © Copyright 1-13-2002, 12-2002, 10-2003, 10-2006, 3-28-06

 Robert Gustaveson all rights reserved.

  Religion was made by Man for Man.

I reserve the right to have this article placed anywhere