# So tell me about Dr. Strange. What's his schtick? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 4, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193 "2016-04-04T19:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/41 "2016-04-06T13:04:50Z")
> [@Garula](#): > > I’m not really familiar with the Doctor Strange character, but I’ve been told that Doctor Orpheus from the Venture Bros. is meant to be a pretty close homage/parody. Is that true and if so how similar are they? Very, very, similar. The first time I watched Venture Bros, I spent the whole time thinking, “Why is Doctor Strange on the show?” The only real difference is that Orpheus is a bit more exaggerated in his mannerisms and theatrics… but only a little bit. Or by way of analogy: Doctor Orpheus is more similar to Doctor Strange than Team Venture is to Johnny Quest. (FWIW, I expect movie Strange will be a little toned down since MCU characters tend to be more realistic and low-key than their comic book counterparts.) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/42 "2016-04-06T15:06:53Z")
> [@Hermione](#): > > Therefore, that means one of two things: You left out one option, which I think is the most likely: he’s already active as the Sorceror Supreme during Winter Soldier, and the Dr. Strange movie will either flashback to his origin, or just skip it altogether. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/43 "2016-04-06T15:22:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You left out one option, which I think is the most likely: he’s already active as the Sorceror Supreme during Winter Soldier, and the Dr. Strange movie will either flashback to his origin, **or just skip it altogether**. We can but dream. Scuttlebut is that Mikkelsen is possibly playing Magus (with the Church of Truth), although they’re really Guardians/Adam Warlock cosmic villains - maybe a tie-in for the 2nd GotG film or the _Infinity War_ stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/44 "2016-04-06T15:27:30Z")
I occasionally read DS as a kid, not often, but will be interested to see what they do with the movie. Here are some pics of BC in the role: [https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=929&q=cumberpatch+"dr.+strange"&oq=cumberpatch+"dr.+strange"&gs\_l=img.3...591.6489.0.6845.27.16.1.10.1.0.118.1337.14j2.16.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.17.1283.Xh5DP1Tr-no](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=929&q=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&oq=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&gs_l=img.3...591.6489.0.6845.27.16.1.10.1.0.118.1337.14j2.16.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.17.1283.Xh5DP1Tr-no) ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/45 "2016-04-06T15:50:00Z")
Thanks for all the information, everyone. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I occasionally read DS as a kid, not often, but will be interested to see what they do with the movie. Here are some pics of BC in the role: [cumberpatch "dr. strange" - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=929&q=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&oq=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&gs_l=img.3...591.6489.0.6845.27.16.1.10.1.0.118.1337.14j2.16.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.17.1283.Xh5DP1Tr-no) That’s a lot of beard going on in some of those shots. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/46 "2016-04-06T15:52:21Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I occasionally read DS as a kid, not often, but will be interested to see what they do with the movie. Here are some pics of BC in the role: [cumberpatch "dr. strange" - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=929&q=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&oq=cumberpatch+%22dr.+strange%22&gs_l=img.3...591.6489.0.6845.27.16.1.10.1.0.118.1337.14j2.16.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.17.1283.Xh5DP1Tr-no) There are pics of him in Nepal with a homeless guy beard, so we’re getting an origin story. Unfortunately there also appear to be pics of him [in costume with blood on his face](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/03/first-look-benedict-cumberbatch-and-chiwetel-ejiofor-shoot-scene/), so there may be some punching in this movie too, which is uncharacteristic of Doctor Strange. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/47 "2016-04-06T16:07:42Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Er… what? I don’t suppose you’d care to explain that? IIRC, in the current series, normal food nauseates him (apparently due to the changes wrought on his body by long-term use of magic). Eating weird / hideous stuff is either (a) what tastes good to him, or (b) provides what he needs to keep going (the book shows that he is essentially on constant duty, fighting off mystic threats to our dimension). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/48 "2016-04-06T16:35:24Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > And as such, he was name-checked in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Even earlier in _Spider-Man 2_. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/49 "2016-04-06T16:44:17Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Even earlier in _Spider-Man 2_. Different continuity. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/50 "2016-04-06T17:25:42Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Unfortunately there also appear to be pics of him [in costume with blood on his face](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/03/first-look-benedict-cumberbatch-and-chiwetel-ejiofor-shoot-scene/), so there may be some punching in this movie too, which is uncharacteristic of Doctor Strange. That looks like it’s meant to be his own blood - like he got knocked around. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > IIRC, in the current series, normal food nauseates him (apparently due to the changes wrought on his body by long-term use of magic). Eating weird / hideous stuff is either (a) what tastes good to him, or (b) provides what he needs to keep going (the book shows that he is essentially on constant duty, fighting off mystic threats to our dimension). Custard and fish sticks? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/51 "2016-04-06T17:45:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Different continuity. Yeah, besides Spiderman is DC. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/52 "2016-04-06T17:56:38Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Yeah, besides Spiderman is DC. Pardon? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/53 "2016-04-06T18:19:50Z")
[Spider-Man song] Spider Man, Spider Man, shoots goo in your mouth! [/Spider-Man song] > **[The first Spider-Man in comics wasn't Peter Parker, but a pervert supervillain](https://gizmodo.com/the-first-spider-man-in-comics-wasnt-peter-parker-but-5921849)** > > For the past fifty years, nerdy Peter Parker has maintained the mantle of the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man. And even though this web-slinger's escapades are frequently befuddling and uncomfortable, he's recognized in the public sphere as the... ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/54 "2016-04-06T18:21:23Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > By the Occluded Orifice of Oroboros! [The first page of this blog is the original comics origin of Doctor Strange, and how he stopped being a wealthy arrogant dickhead and became a proper selfless mystical hero.](http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2015/10/14/remember-to-forget-when-doctor-strange-swapped-origins-with-neo-from-the-matrix/) Terrific stuff, and it’s amazing just how much sheer _story_ Ditko and Lee pack into those few pages. Wow, what a letdown going from that superlatively plotted, written and drawn original by Ditko and Lee to the horrible Straczynski version that follows! I do hope the movie will be worthy of this great great character. (Anybody remember the film version starring John Mills? It was truly dire.) ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/55 "2016-04-06T20:05:12Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > (I’m a frustrated fantasy writer…and when I write magical characters, I actually design them, and their powers, fully, using a role-playing-gaming system – not GURPS, but very GURPS-like – so I go into my stories knowing what the mage can and cannot do.) Very interesting post. Nice analysis. > [@Don\_Draper](#): > > 1. “Dr. Strange” is not a super-hero code name. His actual name is Stephen Strange, and he is a licensed doctor/surgeon, though with his crippled hands he can’t perform surgery anymore. Well, sure, but it’s not coincidence. Stan Lee presumably picked the character’s name because it sounds like a mystical super-hero. If he’d been “Dr. Greenblatt,” then he probably wouldn’t be out there under his real name. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/56 "2016-04-06T20:15:50Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > We can but dream. > > Scuttlebut is that Mikkelsen is possibly playing Magus (with the Church of Truth), although they’re really Guardians/Adam Warlock cosmic villains - maybe a tie-in for the 2nd GotG film or the _Infinity War_ stuff? No, Skuttlebutt was [Beta Ray Bill’s spaceship.](http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Skuttlebutt) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/57 "2016-04-06T20:20:38Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > (Anybody remember the film version starring John Mills? It was truly dire.) I vaguely remembered watching is as a kid, and not long ago, I found it on YouTube and watched it again. If you are in a forgiving mood, it is kind of fun. Of all of Marvel’s attempts at live-action superhero films in the 1970s, it is the least bad. Bear in mind, it is a low-budget TV movie, in an era of primitive special effects. Given their budget constraints, I am inclined to be forgiving of their attempt to bring to life one of Ditko’s weird otherworlds. They also made a conscious effort to NOT make Wong a stereotype. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/58 "2016-04-06T21:29:16Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Wow, what a letdown going from that superlatively plotted, written and drawn original by Ditko and Lee to the horrible Straczynski version that follows! “Going from” only in the sense that one was literally 40 years after the other, with loads of stuff in between. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/59 "2016-04-06T21:37:20Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > “Going from” only in the sense that one was literally 40 years after the other, with loads of stuff in between. Yes, I’m aware of that. I should have made clear that I meant ‘going from’ as in the linked strip. The original is followed immediately on the next page by the Straczynski version. It’s jarring reading the one and then straight after the other. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193/60 "2016-04-06T21:50:50Z")
I assumed they were doing a Dr. Strange movie because he has some connection to those magic stones that Thantos (I think that’s the guy) wants to collect. Like we got Guardians of the Galaxy because it introduced the power stone things and Thantos. I’m also assuming Captain Marvel has something to do with the stones. So am I right? What connection does Dr. Strange have to the other characters already filmed in the Marvelverse? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-tell-me-about-dr-strange-whats-his-schtick/751193.md?page=4)