Doctor Strange #50
Published and © by Marvel, December 1981
Title: “The Cat & the Cataclysm”
Synopsis: The abduction of Clea and Morgana Blessing draws Doctor Strange back in time – and into the clutches of Dormammu!
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: Marshall Rogers
Inker: Terry Austin
Review: The short-but-ambitious Doctor Strange run by Roger Stern, Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin rolls on with this fun, time-travel adventure. As with the previous issue (see review), Stern offers up familiar fare with just enough spice to keep things interesting. And, again, it is the art that levels this book up. Rogers steps in to color his own work and the results are borderline spectacular. Unfortunately, his color tricks are also beyond the production capabilities of the era’s presses and cheap pulp paper. The rare example of a Bronze Age book better enjoyed digitally or via a higher-quality reprint.
Grade: A-
Second opinion: “A delightful time-travel tale (in #49-53). … Recommended.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: The trippy layouts, dense detail and psychedelic color effects are spectacular …
Not-so-cool factor: … though sometimes at the cost of clear storytelling.
Notable: Cameo appearance by Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 20p British variant of this issue … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “I can see why you were so insistent about examining her for sorceress tendencies!” – Clea, more concerned than catty
Editor’s note: This review was written May 12, 2025.
