Issue #148 offers the “origin” of Ancient One. It’s bad.
Really bad. Everything about it is exactly what you’d expect.
He’s an idealist. A rival tries to stop him. Etc.
The rival, Kaluu, is a minor Strange villain who will reappear many times.
This story bleeds right into the next one, which introduces Umar, another minor Strange villain.
She’s Dormammu’s sister.
Also, we get introduced to The Living Tribunal, who provides universal balance in the (going on for way too long) conflict.
But Pink Floyd liked it.
They incorporated it into the cover for their Saucerful of Secrets album.
Sadly, these stories don’t feel any different from what we’ve already seen, but drawn better by Steve Ditko.
The cliffhangers are endless. A constant churning of the same ideas and characters. With no obvious breaking point. I’m stopping at the end of #163, because it’s as good a place as any. It launches an arc where Dr. Strange has to save Victoria Bentley from…Whatever.
