Strange Tales #115
The Sandman Strikes!
Summoned by Reed Richards to the Baxter Building, the Human Torch is informed that his next mission is to stop the Sandman who has just escaped from prison. Finding the crook, the Torch is told that Sandman will only face Spider-Man, as Spider-Man is the hero who had put him behind bars. The Torch then disguises himself as Spider-Man and issues a challenge to the villain to fight him one on one, however, the Sandman gets the drop on "Spider-Man" and attacks him from behind.
The Torch flames on, burning his imitation Spider-Man suit in the process, and tries to fight Sandman again, and even when doused in water and unable to use his flame powers, the Torch manages to gain the upper hand and defeat Sandman, turning him over to the authorities. The real Spider-Man, who had been making his way towards the scene of the battle does not arrive until the fight is over. Spider-Man expresses relief that the Torch is okay, but he is also worried that the Torch may be a more successful teenage superhero than he is.
Recurring Characters
Human Torch, Spider-Man, Sandman, Mister Fantastic
Continuity Notes
Reed mentions that he is working on a report of their last encounter with the Molecule Man which occurred in Fantastic Four #20.
Reed also mentions that he is attempting to cure Alicia Masters of her blindness. Alicia is the Thing's girlfriend; the pair have been dating since Fantastic Four #9. Reed has been trying to cure her blindness since Fantastic Four #19, but he never succeeds.
Johnny recounts Spider-Man's battle against the Sandman from Amazing Spider-Man #4.
The Origin of Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a famous surgeon who works only for money, not caring for his patients nor interested in medical research. An auto accident damages the nerves in his hands severely and he can never perform an operation again. The proud Strange refuses to work for others and ends up on the street. He learns about the healing powers of the Ancient One and travels to his sanctuary in India. The Ancient One refuses to heal Strange because of his selfish motives, but sudden snow forces Strange to remain in the sanctuary until the snow thaws.
Here he witnesses the Ancient One's pupil, Baron Mordo, launch magical attacks upon his master. Mordo casts a spell upon Strange to stop him from warning the Ancient One of the attacks' origins. Strange, therefore, resolves to learn the secrets of black magics to defeat Mordo himself. The Ancient One accepts Strange as his disciple and dispels Mordo's spell, which he had known about all along.
Recurring Characters
Doctor Strange, Ancient One, Baron Mordo
Continuity Notes
Doctor Strange's origins have been expanded upon and retold numerous times in Doctor Strange #169, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #56, Uncanny Origins #12, Mystic Hands of Doctor Strange #1, and Doctor Strange: The Oath #1.
Strange's destiny to become the new Sorcerer Supreme was already preordained by the Ancient One as explained in Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #84-85, which also revealed that Mordo had been terrorizing Stephen Strange since he was a child.
Doctor Strange: The Oath #1 states that Stephen's car accident took place in the year 1963. Unlike most characters in the Marvel Universe, Strange's lifetime is not entirely subject to the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. As a mystic, he has slowed his aging process.
There are multiple accounts that have been given as to what caused the car accident that ruined Strange's hands. Strange Tales #169 states it was a slippery road, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #45 states that it was excessive speeds, Uncanny Origins #12 suggests a combination of alcohol and fatigue, while Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #85 states he was "racing" away from the demons that haunted his mind.
In his attacks on the Ancient One, Baron Mordo calls upon the Dormammu to aid in one of his spells. Dormammu becomes on of Doctor Strange’s deadliest enemies. He will first appear in person until Strange Tales #126.
