Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment Kindle & comiXology

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, I've been a budding fan of Doctor Strange. I've always found his character interesting, his backstory compelling, and his overall look and design appealing. Up until this point, I never read much of the comics, but anytime he showed up in the Marvel-related videogames or cartoons, I got excited. After greatly enjoying the live action movie, I thought it was high time I finally explored the comics. But with decades of material to sift through, where does a beginner possibly start? Well, I decided to type in "Top 10 Best Doctor Strange Stories" in a Google search, and see what turned up. And amid all the choices, this trade paperback constantly appeared on many of the lists--being cited as not only one of Doctor Strange's best adventures, but also one of the best stories ever told about the Fantastic Four's long-time supervillain, Doctor Doom. Not to mention that Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola, did the artwork for the book. That was all the more convincing I needed to give the story a read, and the reviews ARE on point--this is an amazing tale that proves that comic books aren't just Saturday morning cartoon fare--they can be just as serious, adult, and thought provoking as any novel or film.The story opens with a centuries old sorcerer known only as Ghengis, who, every one hundred years, puts out a call to gather together the world's best magic users to partake in a contest to see who will be deemed the Sorcerer Supreme. Naturally, Doctor Strange shows up, as well as a great many other magicians from around the world....including, to everyone's shock, Doctor Doom. I don't think I'm spoiling anything when I say that, yes, Doctor Strange wins the tournament....but there's a catch. For the Sorcerer Supreme's first act, he must grant a boon to the second place winner....who turns out to be Doctor Doom. But in another surprising twist, Victor von Doom doesn't desire world conquest from Stephen, but rather, something far more personal--he enlists Strange's help to travel to the depths of Hell itself to battle the demon Mephisto and save his mother's soul. And as the two form an uneasy alliance, Stephen will discover more about Doom than he ever thought possible, and Doom's loyalty will be put to the test, as saving the soul of one person may end up costing them all more than they're willing to pay.Even during his early days, Mike Mignola's artwork is fantastic--the high point being when the Doctor Duo finally reach the underworld and confront Mephisto. The guy really knows how to draw and design all sorts of unique creatures and creepy or memorable imagery. And on a technical standpoint, this book is perfect both for longtime readers AND newcomers, as the book is pretty much a standalone story, and the backstories of the two main leads are covered well enough that beginners won't be confused. The contest between the different sorcerers is mainly just designed to force Strange and Doom to work together, and to my knowledge, the other contestants were made up just for this story. But it's still a fun game to watch, and it's nice to be reminded that Strange isn't the only magic user around. Their designs and personalities alone perk some curiosity at their backstories, and it makes me want to see them turn up in future stories.But of course, the main aspect of this is Strange and Doom--Doom even more so, as we learn pretty much his entire origin story as to where he learned sorcery and why he took to learning it to begin with. And it sheds a ton of light onto his character and makes him one of the most three dimensional, complex villains I've ever come across. Turns out that deep down, the man DOES have a caring heart, and will do anything to save those that he cares about....but his pride always keeps him from getting the help he truly needs. And though the story focuses more on Doom, Strange has a vital role to play as well, and not only does this adventure show how he more than deserves the title of Sorcerer Supreme, but also reveals that he and Doom actually have more in common than they ever realized.The book also includes four, short back up stories. The first highlights one of Doctor Doom's many attempts to battle Mephisto for his mom's soul, and can act almost sort of as a prologue to the main story. The second story takes place not long after Stephen's on again/off again girlfriend, Clea, has left him, with many people around the city showing up at his house to try and become his next student. It really has nothing to do with "Triumph and Torment", other than a quick cameo from Ghengis, and one page with Doctor Doom considering having a meeting with Strange someday. The final two stories have nothing to do with the other three, and I think were only included because Mike Mignola drew them. Both are about Namor-The Submariner: the first one about how he risks life and limb to save a horse from a sinking ship (which has an, admittedly, sweet ending)--the other about how he accidentally travels back in time and strikes up a romance with a female pirate captain (which gives us the origin of the one earring he wears). None of these are required to enjoy the main story, but they're all interesting little extras that can be enjoyed on their own.Bottom line, this is a very well put together story that should be a MUST read for any fan of Doctor Strange or Doctor Doom (especially). Here's hoping this is someday turned into an actual movie, and I hope my continuing foray into the comics is just as fantastic.

I've been a comic fan for over 30 years and have read some truly entertaining stories. Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment is probably my favorite story among original graphic novels. The two Doctors make for the perfect pairing due to their origins, powers and contrasting personalities. Without giving away too much.. Doom and Strange enter Hell itself to challenge Mephisto, one of Marvel's most powerful and evil villains. Their goal? To do something never done before, by freeing a soul condemned to hell. Doom's always been one of my favorite villains due to his intellect, pompousness, daring, drive and ambition. (All unsurpassed by any normal human in comics). If there is one single story I would say captures all of who Doom is as a character, this would be it! There's action, suspense and surprises. Triumph & Torment is a must read.The art could've been better in my opinion so I'd rate it a solid 8 on a scale of 1-10.

What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said already? It is one of the best team ups in comic book history between the two most famous Doctors, Doom and Strange! They go to hell and back, plus you get extra stories in the back of the book (unless that’s just for the kindle edition?)! Great buy, great read!

Seeing Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange in the same book reminds us that Doom is also a Master of the Mystic Arts. This book starts out well showing the tragic and pathetic side of Doom, but the ending is just a slugfest and inconclusive as well. Glad they tried - wish they had done it better

This book, much like the What If? Deals with Doctor Doom fighting the devil to win back a soul. This time it's his mother's though and it's a very great read. I didn't see a reason to put Submariner comics in here, but it was still a great read, especially for Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange fans.

This book is simply amazing, and any fan of either Doctor Strange or Doctor Doom should own a copy.

Excellent storyline highlighted by a deep, twisting plot, leading up vividly illustrated action scenes.

Dr Doom has been my main reason to get this oneThis character has really grown on me, highky recommend you read books of Doom before this one as they will give you his originDr Strange also got my attention thanks to T&T, definitely need to read more about him

I nearly passed this by as a digitalisation of the Original Graphic Novel only – but please note this is so much more than that!This is a collection of that Graphic novel – AND a reprint of that era’s Doctor Strange issue first hinting of a meeting between the two main characters AND a reprint of Doctor Doom’s own strip explaining his drive to learn sorcery...along with a couple of Namor the Sub-Mariner exerts from marvel Fanfare issues drawn by the same artist as the main feature.Those last pieces are a tad superfluous and feel like padding as do the many related pin-ups collected, although their quality is high.As a collection then this is a high class quality study in the Occult corner of the marvel universe, wonderfully written and beautifully presented.It is possible this may be the best Doctor Strange and/or Doctor Doom package available and deserves to be in your collection.Highest Recommendation

I just really dig it. It's fun and action packed and Doom is a bell just the way you like it.

Zu einer Zeit als Hellboy noch kein so großes Thema war oder erst werden sollte, schrieb Autor Roger Stern eine Graphic Novel in der er die beiden großen Doktoren des Marvel Universums zu einem Team vereinte, das es so noch nicht gegeben hatte.Als Zeichner hatte er einen echten Könner an seiner Seite: MIKE MIGNOLA.Was heraus kam lohnte sich wirklich - Ein Werk, dass sich hinter Mignolas anderen Werken bestimmt nicht verstecken muss. Dr. Strange und Dr. Doom begeben sich in die Hölle um die Seele von Dooms Mutter aus den Klauen von Mephisto zu befreien. Dabei erfahren wir sehr viel über die beiden Hauptakteure.Mignola schwelgt in tollen Bildern. Das Format der Graphic Novel unterstützt diese Bildergewalt, die man sich nicht entgehen lassen sollte.Leider ist das Format heute in Vergessenheit geraten. Ich trauere dem noch heute nach und war froh dieses Teil zu kriegen. Ein wahres Highlight dieser Reihe. Es lohnt sich!

Ein Klassiker. Geniale Geschichte. Perfekt gezeichnet. Das erste Zusammentreffen von Doctor Strange und Doctor Doom. Eindrucksvoll erzählt, stimmungsvoll gezeichnet. Nur zu empfehlen.