Triumph & Torment: Part 1 - I Hear and Obey
A master becomes coherent, a gathering ties test fates, and 2 separate and distinct powerful being paths come together. A contest, a training montage and the Big Fight against the Biggest Bad. No, this is not Rocky III, nor is it Dragonball Z.
This is Marvel at it's finest, with 2 of it's most formidble and powerful mortals taking on one of it's greatest villains.
Warning: Big pics, not dial-up friendly in any way. (*Some are mine, some are not mine.)
The Ancient Genghis is horny after being celibate for hundreds of years, so he calls an org- organized contest of mages at the request of the Vishanti. The Vishanti challenge the mystics for one among them to take on the role of Sorcerer Supreme. Among the people who hear the call is Dr. Victor Von Doom, and we get some of his classic backstory.
Pain? Pain is for lesser men than Doom. I pity da fool....
This would be so much easier today with Twitter. The Ancient Genghis has to go high up to get great reception for his "Tarzan call".
Now, anyone with photoshop and good skills can make this image read:
"STEPHEN! STOP THAT! Quit thinking about Clea and wash your hands, you dirty boy!"
Doom throws down the gauntlet. The mystics know what this means. Not enough lube.
Doom can't help being Doom. And pays for it.
Stephen wins by asking the Ancient Genghis to come out, showing he has patience and inspection as well as power. The Vishanti give their blessings and depart, and Stephen Strange has to settle a matter of a boon. Not for himself, but for the sole person not enchanted by the crystals... Dr. Doom. A boon he is honor bound to grant.
Comments: I love love love how everyone is treated with intelligence and there is as little PIS (or at least it is explained admirably) as possible. Heck, every character rises to the occasion.
Snide remarks aside, this is one of those stories that is timeless in it's ability to awe at the grandeur and power at stake. One of the few true Marvel stories worthy of the name Masterworks.
Next up... Rocky training sequence with Dr. Doom.
*for the mods*, the story is 72 pages, not including covers, splash page with writer and artist names, etc.