Doctor Strange, Vol. 4 (Marvel Essentials)

Dormammu, Ikonn, Tiboro, Ningal, the Dweller in Darkness, names to conjure with - literally! Yet, they're only a few of the occult enemies who confront Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, challenged by Baron Mordo, the Eye Killers, and sorcerers from across the world and throughout the dimensions! Weirdness awaits in the Realm of the Shadowqueen and an unfallen Roman Empire, but with Nightmare and D'Spayre around, the human psyche may be the deadliest battleground of all! Plus, the mystery of Murdoch Adams, Monster Hunter! With the Man-Thing, Brother Voodoo, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, plus the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Howling Commandos! Featuring rare horror work by genre legend Howard Chaykin! Collects Doctor Strange #30-56, Chamber of Chills #4, and Man-Thing #4.

"The book's creative talent reads like a Bronze Age Who's Who: Roger Stern, Chris Claremont, David Michelinie, P. Craig Russell, Gene Colan, Michael Golden, Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin, Paul Smith and many, many more. It's hard to go wrong with that lineup for $20." -- Andrew Wahl

"Stern didn't get bogged down in magic or mysticism; rather, he did to Strange what he did so well on every title: Character work. There are many good stories from the run, and many great artists.  He started with a story that linked to Marvel's cosmic universe (Adam Warlock, etc.), with Tom Sutton and Ernie Chan; worked with Michael Golden on a great story; and had a truly epic run of issues with Paul Smith. [Stern] brought in Brother Voodoo, Baron Mordo, the Avengers, Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos (in a time-travel story), and lots more." -- Ethan Kalett

"Roger Stern was really the first writer to turn the spotlight inward and focus on Doctor Strange the man. Strange, as a character, never shined brighter.... Stern and [Marshall] Rogers, sent [Doc] on some of his most sweeping adventures. Some of the highlights included a six-part story that saw the return of Baron Mordo, a time-spanning team-up with Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos to stop Dormammu from once again escaping the Dark Dimension, and a visit to ancient Egypt where Doc witnessed the Silver Age battle between a young Fantastic Four and Rama-Tut." -- Marc Buxton

"Stern doesn't only write action/adventure, he writes real, compelling characters. Like Stan Lee before him, he lavishes numerous pages on characters' inner lives and preoccupations. He fills out his characters and makes you care about them as much as he does. Next to Lee/Ditko, Stern wrote the best Doctor Strange stories ever printed." -- Thomas Piperson