Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange (known as Doctor Strange) is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Doctor Strange is a former neurosurgeon, a practicing sorcerer, and serves as the Sorcerer Supreme - the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats. Debuting in the Silver Age of comics, the character has featured in several self-titled series and Marvel-endorsed products including arcade and video games; animatedtelevision series; a direct-to-DVD film; and merchandise such as trading cards.
Co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Steve Ditko, the character debuted in Strange Tales # 110 (July 1963), a "split book" shared with fellow Marvel character the Human Torch until issue # 134 (July 1965), and then super-spy Nick Fury until issue # 168 (May 1968). Doctor Strange appeared in issues # 110-111 and # 114 before the character's eight-page origin story appeared in # 115 (Dec. 1963). The character was inspired by the Chandu the Magician radio program which aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System in the 1930s.