Strange Tales #110 (1963) is a significant comic book in Marvel Comics history, as it marks the debut of Doctor Strange, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. This issue is the first appearance of the character and introduces readers to the mystical side of the Marvel Universe.
The story centers on Dr. Stephen Strange, a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon whose hands are severely injured in a car accident, rendering him unable to practice medicine. Desperate to find a cure, Strange exhausts his wealth and seeks out various treatments, but none offer a solution. Eventually, he hears about a mysterious healer known as the Ancient One, who lives in the Himalayas.
Strange travels to the Ancient One’s remote sanctum and, though initially skeptical, begins to learn about the mystical arts and the ways of magic. The Ancient One teaches him about the hidden realms of reality, warning him that the pursuit of power can lead to dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a villain named Baron Mordo plots to betray the Ancient One and take his place as the Sorcerer Supreme.
The issue concludes with Dr. Strange’s decision to embrace the path of sorcery, rejecting his former life of arrogance. He starts to learn the ways of magic, and though the full extent of his transformation is yet to come, readers see him begin to take the first steps toward becoming the protector of Earth against supernatural threats.
Strange Tales #110 is pivotal for launching the Doctor Strange character and the mystical and magical elements of the Marvel Universe, setting the stage for the character’s continued evolution in subsequent issues.