Marvel 1975.12 - Doctor Strange #11

Doctor Strange #11

Title: Shadowplay!

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Villain: Baron Mordo

Regulars: Clea, Ancient One

Guests: Eternity

Even for Steve Englehart, this is a very abstract story. In the last issue Eternity told Doctor Strange that the end of the world is coming. Doctor Strange pleaded for Eternity to prevent it, but he said that Doctor Strange had no right to ask for anything because he couldn't even overcome himself.

Doctor Strange finds himself in a world occupied by people, all of whom look identical to himself in the days when he was a top surgeon. The only exception is a man who looks like Richard Nixon. He's invited all the others to a party. The Nixon figure says that he's invited the Red Death to come at midnight. Doctor Strange tries to stop him, but his magic doesn't work. He's knocked unconscious and thrown into a dungeon. He shares the dungeon with a version of himself from the time when he was a drunk.

Eternity appears and tells Doctor Strange that he hasn't lost all his magic powers. He still has the Light of Truth through the Eye of Agamotto.

Doctor Strange escapes from the dungeon, using an escape tunnel dug by the drunk. He knocks out one of his many doppelgangers and steals his clothes. He returns to the party and sees the Red Death arrive. He shines the Eye of Agamotto on the Red Death, revealing him to be a fake. Beneath the mask he's wearing the mask of Comedy, and he says that he previously met Doctor Strange wearing the mask of Infinity. I'm not aware what meeting he's referring to. The Richard Nixon figure is also revealed to be wearing a mask. Beneath his mask he's another Doctor Strange doppelganger.

Eternity transports Doctor Strange to the temple of the Ancient One.

Meanwhile, Baron Mordo is travelling in his astral body, still insane after seeing God in Marvel Premiere #14. He's attracted by the madness of the Aged Ghengis.