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Strange Tales is a Marvel Comics comics anthology. The title was revived in different forms on multiple occasions. Doctor Strange and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. made their debuts in Strange Tales. It was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the groundbreaking work of writer-artist Jim Steranko. Two previous, unrelated magazines also bore that title.
The comic changed again with the return of Jack Kirby, the artist who had co-created Captain America for the company, then worked elsewhere for 17 years. Starting with #68 (April 1959), Strange Tales was revamped to reflect the then-current trend of science fiction monsters. Virtually every issue would open with a Kirby monster story (generally inked by Christopher Rule initially, then later Dick Ayers), followed by one or two twist-ending thrillers or sci-fi tales drawn by Don Heck, Paul Reinman, or Joe Sinnott, all capped by an often-surreal, sometimes self-reflexive Stan Lee-Steve Ditko short.
Some characters introduced here in standalone, anthological stories were later retconned into Marvel Universe continuity. These include Ulysses Bloodstone in the story "Grottu, King of the Insects!" in issue #73 (Feb. 1960), Strange Tales #73 at the Grand Comics Database the alien dragon Fin Fang Foom, who first appeared in #89 (Oct. 1961),Tom DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 80: "Fin Fang Foom was a dragon who referenced monsters like Rodan and Godzilla of Japanese movie fame." and the extraterrestrial would-be world conquerors Gorgolla, introduced in #74 (April 1960), and Orrgo, introduced in #90 (Nov. 1961).
In Strange Tales #75 (June 1960), a huge robot called "the Hulk" appeared. It was actually armor worn by the character Albert Poole. In modern-day reprints the character's name is changed to Grutan.
of the Spider-Man supporting characters Aunt May and Uncle Ben appeared in a short story in Strange Tales #97 (June 1962). (2025). 9780756692360, Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9780756692360
The anthology switched to during the Silver Age of Comic Books, retaining the sci-fi, suspense and monsters as backup features for a time. Strange Tales' first superhero, in 12- to 14-page stories, was the Fantastic Four's Human Torch, Johnny Storm, beginning in #101 (Oct. 1962).DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 89: "The most popular member of the FF, the Human Torch, began a series of solo adventures in Strange Tales #101, written by Larry Lieber and drawn by Jack Kirby." Here, Johnny still lived with his elder sister, Invisible Woman, in fictional Glenview, Long Island, New York, where he continued to attend high school and, with youthful naivete, attempted to maintain his "secret identity" (later retconned to reveal that his friends and neighbors knew of his dual identity from Fantastic Four news reports, but simply played along). Supporting characters included Johnny's girlfriend, Doris Evans. Ayers took over the penciling after 10 issues, later followed by original Golden Age Human Torch creator Carl Burgos and others, with Jerry Siegel scripting issues #112–113 (Sept.–Oct. 1963) under the pseudonym "Joe Carter". The Fantastic Four made occasional cameo appearances, and the Thing became a co-star with #123 (Aug. 1964). Strange Tales Annual #2 (1963) featured the first team-up of Spider-Man and the Human Torch.Manning "1960s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 19: "The theme of conflict continued when Spidey first teamed up with the Human Torch in the 18-page lead in this massive annual."
The title became a "split book" with the introduction of sorcerer Doctor Strange, by Lee and Ditko. This 9- to 10-page feature debuted in #110 (July 1963),DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 93: "When Dr. Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110, it was only clear that he dabbled in black magic and had the ability to project his consciousness into an astral form that could leave his physical body." and after an additional story and then skipping two issues returned permanently with #114. Ditko's surreal mystical landscapes and increasingly head-trippy visuals helped make the feature a favorite of college students, according to Lee himself. Eventually, as co-plotter and later sole plotter, in the "Marvel Method", Ditko would take Strange into more abstract realms. Adversaries for the new hero included Baron Mordo introduced in issue #111 (Aug. 1963)DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 93 and Dormammu in issue #126 (Nov. 1964). Clea Strange, who would become a longtime love interest for Doctor Strange, was also introduced in issue #126.DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 103
Lee and Ditko interacted less and less as each went their separate creative ways. The storyline culminated with the introduction of Eternity, the personification of the universe, in issue #138 (Oct. 1965). Issue #146 (July 1966) was Ditko's final bow on the series. Bill Everett succeeded him through #152 (January 1967), followed by Marie Severin (self-inked for four issues before being inked by Herb Trimpe in some of his earliest Marvel work). Another cosmic entity, the Living Tribunal, was introduced during Severin's run, in issue #157. Dan Adkins took over penciling duties from #161 (Oct. 1967) to the final issue, #168 (May 1968).
The feature "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." soon became the province of writer-penciler-colorist Jim Steranko,DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 130: "Writer/artist Jim Steranko had begun to draw the 'Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD' feature in Strange Tales #151 and started writing it four issues later." who Les Daniels called "Perhaps the most innovative new talent to emerge at Marvel during the late 1960s". Steranko introduced or popularized in comics such art movements of the day as psychedelia and op art, built on Kirby's longstanding work in photomontage, and created comics' first four-page spread – again inspired by Kirby, who in the Golden Age had pioneered the first full-page and double-page spreads. He spun plots of intrigue, barely hidden sensuality, and hi-fi hipness – and supplying his own version of Bond girls, essentially, in skintight leather, pushing what was allowable under the Comics Code at the time.
"Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." became the first Strange Tales feature to receive its own cover logo below the main title, beginning with #135; it skipped an issue before returning permanently with #137. "Doctor Strange" received its own cover logo, designed by Sol Brodsky,Marvel Bullpen Bulletins: "Sensational Secrets and Incredible Inside Information Guilelessly Guaranteed to Avail You Naught!", in Tales of Suspense #83 (Nov. 1966) and other Marvel comics that month with Strange Tales #150 (Nov. 1966).
Strange Tales ended with #168 (May 1968). The following month, Doctor Strange's adventures continued in the full-length Doctor Strange #169,DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 128: "Hailing 1968 as the beginning of the 'Second Age of Marvel Comics,' and with more titles to play with, editor Stan Lee discarded his split books and gave more characters their own titles... Strange Tales #168 was by Dr. Strange #169." with Nick Fury moving to the newly launched Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The next feature was writer-artist-colorist Jim Starlin's take on Adam Warlock, picking up the character from the 1972–73 series Warlock (a.k.a. The Power of Warlock) and reviving him in Strange Tales #178 (Feb. 1975).Peter Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 168: "Recently resurrected in The Incredible Hulk, artificial human Adam Warlock returned in a new series, taking over Strange Tales for four issues." This feature introduced the characters Gamora, Pip the Troll and The Magus, and helped establish the mythos Starlin would mine in his many "Infinity" sagas of the 1990s. After issue #181 (Aug. 1975), the story continued in Warlock #9 (Oct. 1975), picking up from the old series' numbering. Strange Tales soldiered on with Doctor Strange reprints through issue #188 (Nov. 1976).
Strange Tales vol. 1
| October 1, 1965 / #143 (April 1966) | 390,992 | 455,625 | 230,285 | 299,425 |
| October 1, 1966 / #155 (April 1967) | 420,036 | 474,529 | 261,069 | 276,225 |
Circulation figures from annual statements, charted as per-issue average paid circulation by Miller, John Jackson, et al., The Standard Catalog of Comic Books, Krause Publications, 2002, pp. 1007–1009.
| #92–103 (Jan.–Dec. 1962) | 136,637 | n.a. |
| #–104–115 (Jan.–Dec. 1963) | 189,305 | # 121 (June 1964) |
| #116–127 (Jan.–Dec. 1964) | 215,090 | #131 (April 1965) |
| #128–139 (Jan.–Dec. 1965) | 230,285 | #143 (April 1966) |
| #140–151 (Jan.–Dec. 1966) | 261,069 | #155 (April 1967) |
| #152–163 (Jan.–Dec. 1967) | 241,561 | #167 (April 1968) |
| #164–168 (Jan.–May 1968) | 266,422 | n.a. |
Strange Tales vol. 2
Circulation figures from Capital City Distribution orders, charted as per-issue paid circulation by Miller, John Jackson, et al., The Standard Catalog of Comic Books, Krause Publications, 2002, p. 1009.
| Vol. 2, # 1 (April 1987) | 25,100 | |
| Vol. 2, # 2 (May 1987) | 18,000 | |
| Vol. 2, # 3–8 (June–Nov. 1987) | 17,100 – 18,000 | |
| Vol. 2, # 9–12 (Dec. 1987 – March 1988) | 16,100 – 16,400 | |
| Vol. 2, # 9–11 (Dec. 1987 – Feb. 1988) | 16,100 – 16,400 | |
| Vol. 2, # 12 (March 1988) | 18,300 | Black Cat appearance |
| Vol. 2, # 13 (April 1988) | 19,100 | Punisher appearance |
| Vol. 2, # 14 (May 1988) | 17,600 | Punisher appearance |
| Vol. 2, # 15–18 (June–Sept. 1988) | 14,700 – 15,000 | |
| Vol. 2, # 19 (Oct. 1988) | 13,900 | Final issue |
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