Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa

Doctor Strange: One-Shots

by J.M. DeMatteis, Dan Green (Illustrator)

J. M. DeMatteis

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Superheroes, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Also Credited As:
DeMatteis, John Marc
Ellis, Michael
Lombego, Wally

Bio:
J.M. DeMatteis was a professional musician/singer and rock music journalist before entering comics in the late 70's.

Credits include Spider-Man, Moonshadow, Brooklyn Dreams, Justice League, Abadazad, Hero Squared, the Life and Times of Savior 28.

Created I, Vampire , Creature Commandos, Moonshadow, Hero Squared (co-creator), Abadazad, Stardust Kid, Savior 28 and more.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.7 stars.
I liked the art. I thought it worked really well for this story.
The story was a little weird (what Dr Strange story isn’t?)!

There was a moral to the story.
If I was feeling better (was COVID positive at the time), I would’ve probably understood what the moral was… or maybe not. 🤷

The art was the star for me. There were a few full page illustrations that were done really well.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Doctor Strange visits the temple of his departed master, The Ancient One, he's gifted with a mysterious box...

I've had my eye out for this one for years. It showed up on Shopgoodwill and I scored it for a cool ten bucks plus ridiculous shipping.

Dan Green's painted artwork in this is breathtaking. I have to think the creators of the Dr. Strange movies used this as source material other than snarkily using it as the wi-fi password. It feels dreamlike at times and is something to behold. I have no idea why this hasn't been reprinted in decades. It's gorgeous.

DeMatteis rises above typical comic dialog. The story is told in the second person, as if the reader is the one making the decisions as Dr. Strange. Strange finds a box and a quest to cast a three part spell that will bring about a golden age and kill three fourths of the world's population. Heavy stuff if it comes to pass.

I don't think it's a spoiler to say that it doesn't come to pass. I like that the big bad isn't Baron Mordo or Dormammu or any of the usual suspects.

Would this have been a good story if not for the painted Dan Green artwork? Yes. Would it have had the same impact with another artist? Only if Dan Brereton or J.G. Muth painted it. I don't think it would work as well with conventional comic art of the day.

There are three Dr. Strange books that I will treasure for decades to come: The Dikto run, Triumph and Torment, and now Shamballa. 5 out of 5 stars.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Strange Into Shamballa is way different from a typical superhero story. It has a certain level of mysticism and abstraction that truly stands out due to an amazing art and engaging narration. The nearest I can think of about it is that it reads like Sandman with some Promethea elements coupled with nirvana-ish stuff.

Here, our Sorcerer Supreme doesn't battle any villain. This Marvel graphic novel is more of an inner discovery of oneself. Crudely explained, it is a deep journey on how Doctor Strange acquired his magic.

Into Shamballa is a visual treat. The illustrations are top-notch
and perfectly complement the narration. It is like an art Alex Ross drew in his dreams (or when baked!). The details and expressions are hauntingly accurate.

[Sud666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Strange has always been one of my favorite characters. So while I was haunting the aisles of my local bookstore, I stumbled across this gem. Into Shamballa was written back in 1986, but due to the exceptional writing of Mr. DeMatteis and the surreal art, which reminds me of a painting, this book feels timeless.

The story begins with Dr. Strange making a trip to pay his respects to the Ancient One's temple. The Ancient One has passed away, some time ago, but Dr. Strange finds that he has left him one final gift- a strange box. Upon exploring the box, Strange is thrust into the middle of an epic quest. The Lords of Shamballa, powerful spiritual beings, and the soul of the Ancient One want to usher in a Golden Age for man. But, in order to do this Dr. Strange, as Sorcerer Supreme, must be the one who starts the events that will lead to Armageddon. In the aftermath, the new humanity will be more in tune with the ancient ley lines of magic and this new generation of humanity will achieve the pinnacle of human spiritual development and create a near utopia. For obvious reasons, Dr. Strange isn't quite on board with the concept of Armageddon but the source of the quest and it's potential has him conflicted. I shall not spoil the rest, as it is well worth reading.

This graphic novel is the quintessential Dr. Strange tale. It's magic is not only spell based by also metaphysical. The writing evokes a feel of reading a magical theory book and the artwork truly does complement the story. Mr. DeMattis explores the inner psyche of Dr. Strange and shows us some other sides to the Ancient Ones retreat and his servants. The prose is very well done. It makes you think and consider many aspects of the Sorcerer Supreme beyond just magic. This is what a Dr. Strange novel should be- strange and exotic magic, powerful entities from many cultures, intelligent and thought provoking concepts of magic and the soul and an art style that works in tandem with this amazing tale. If you are a Dr. Strange fan or enjoy surreal magical tales-then I can not recommend this to you enough.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created everyone's favourite web-slinger that will forever be as popular as Batman and Superman, there was another Marvel creation under their collaboration that ware more mature and leans more toward the supernatural and the sci-fi origins of most of Marvel's back catalogue. Although Doctor Strange has his own movie that was hugely successful, his adventures were always more psychedelic than the typical superhero spectacle, including this graphic novel that is a favourite towards the Strange enthusiasts.

As part of the Marvel Graphic Novel line published from 1982 to 1993, Doctor Strange returns to the Ancient One's Himalayan home to pay respect to his departed master, and discovers that his mentor has left one final gift, in the shape of a mysterious box. Instead of facing a villain like Baron Mordo or Dormammu, Into Shamballa is really a journey of self-discovery for the eponymous doctor who, despite his title of "Master of the Mystic Arts", he is still wrestling with his inner demons, as established when his first instinct after wasting many hours trying to dissect the Ancient One's box is to simply destroy it, which immediately plunges him to some place otherworldly.

Marvel is all about flawed heroes and Stephen Strange is no exception as he was an egotistical surgeon before a car accident permanently damaged his hands. What we get from this story that has a great narration by J. M. DeMatteis, Strange may not have rid himself of his ego and feels a sense of unfinished business with his departed master. Under the writing style of a prose novel, DeMatteis goes in depth to how the Doctor ticks and no matter how outlandish the story goes, Strange as a protagonist grounds it all.

With a lengthy career as an inker, co-writer Dan Green provided the watercolour illustrations, showcasing his stunning depictions of the numerous locations from our world to the other dimensions. For a book that is word-heavy, there are plenty of pages in which it’s just the art, that is very close to Alex Ross illustrating a Doctor Strange story. Honestly, given that it was published in 1986 as well as the history of that character, you can see how Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's creation was a big influence towards the likes of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman.

Granted, this is no longer in publication (and there are diehard fans that are screaming for a rerelease), if you can track down Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa by J. M. DeMatteis and Dan Green, it is worth your time as this is a truly magical labyrinthine story that brings out the best of the Sorcerer Supreme.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was more like a prose book with art. Pretty much entirely narration. Strange has been sent on a mission to unlock these 3 spells to send man to the golden age or something like that. But that ending really lost me. Cool artwork tho.

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A magical mystical book with some gorgeous artwork, focusing on self reflection and personal growth.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Dr Strange story. Good art and plot. Recommended

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to make long-winded, labyrinthine wanderings into introspection and self-discovery work, in any medium. I'd think it would be even harder in the comics medium, but this was one cool dive down that rabbit hole. and what a cool feeling to come out at the end feeling whole, a little enlightened. J.M. DeMatteis is a great writer. Period.

[Fernando Suarezserna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is beautiful. I haven't read that many comic books, but this is the closest to weird fiction I've found yet.

As other reviewers pointed out, it's a very introspective work. If you showed this comic to someone who didn't know Dr. Strange was a superhero, he could read this story and still wouldn't have a clue about it. It's a tale about a wizard and (what he believes is) his final encounter with his deceased master, who has left him an intriguing gift.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an unusual read! Less a comic and more an illustrated short story, the prose is perhaps a little too steeped in mysticism, with the end being (predictably) little more than philosophical reflection and revelation. That's not necessarily bad, and arguably what a Doctor Strange story should be - and, appropriately, what J.M. DeMatteis is known for. Dan Green's painted artwork is gorgeous (if occasionally too abstract) and somewhat reminiscent of Jon J. Muth's , another frequent DeMatteis collaborator. All in all, this graphic novel is probably a great example of why the Doctor has never been able to hold a monthly series for very long: When done right, it's odd and enjoyable - but only in very small doses.

[KK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing artwork!

[Tony Calder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Dr Strange story doesn't really fit with the standard offerings of Dr Strange in his bi-monthly magazine. This is a journey of introspection, of discovery, and in many respects it completes the journey that Stephen Strange began in Strange Tales #110 in 1963. J.M. DeMatteis gives us a story steeped in Eastern spirituality and mysticism, which sends Strange on a journey of self-discovery or, more correctly, allows him to finish the journey he started in the first appearance of the character. If Marvel had never published another Dr Strange story after this, it would have been a fitting end to his story - except, of course, then we wouldn't have got the very enjoyable Dr Strange movie with Benedict Cumberbatch :)

Dan Green provides beautifully evocative artwork to accompany it. Instead of the usual pencil, ink, and colours of a standard comic, Green seems to have pencilled and painted each panel and it certainly suits this story.

[Alexis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute wonder. One of the most beautiful experiences of art and words I've ever had. Beyond the fact that I am Doctor-Strange-All-the-Things, I got so much out of this piece, even on a spiritual level. I really hope I can buy a print copy of this someday!

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Your_Average_Magical_Girls_Fan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fact that I couldn't finish this 64-pages short story speaks volumes about its real quality. It's more a glorified artist portfolio by Dan Green than an actual comic with proper and engaging storyline(s). Justice League International this is not. Extremely - and I mean EXTREMELY - boring read. Avoid paying the crazy amount of money it is sold on ebay or on the collector's market, it is not worth it. More like a 50 cents bargain bin than anything else.

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. This was some 'spiritual journey' story that -- while it contained great art -- was completely uninteresting. Doctor Strange was not different at the end of the book than he was in the beginning -- thus leaving me wondering why they wasted energy on producing a special graphic novel on this subject at all.

[Adrya Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nunca li nada sobre Doctor Strange, mas essa viagem foi muito boa.

[শুভঙ্কর শুভ · Rating 4 out of 5]

fabulous arts with narratives

[Santosh Thapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jestha 8, 2078, Saturday

Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa - J.M. DeMatteis, Dan Green (Illustrator) (1986)
(Marvel Graphic Novel #23)

Genres: Graphic Novel/ Fantasy
Pages: 64
Rating: 6/10

Themes: Reality as Illusion/ Spirituality and Introspection

Opener:
“You ascend the mountain effortlessly, your spells protecting you from the stinging Himalayan wind. There is such confidence in your step; such unyielding assurance.”

Summary:
When Strange shatters it in frustration, he's brought to another dimension called Shamballa where he believes he senses the presence of the Ancient One. And he's told to bring about an apocalypse that will allow the surviving remnants of humanity to grow to Perfection.

Verdict:
One defining aspect of Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa is that there is no one particular villain that our protagonist must overcome, or not in the traditional sense. There is Maya, the Queen of Illusion, but as is often the case with South Asian stories, the villain turns out is not the villain at the end of it all. The struggle the protagonist faces is internal.

When reduced to its bare bones, the story is really simple—Doctor Strange travels to three different spots on the earth to unclog the intersection in the ley lines; the restoration of which will bring Armageddon as well as Apotheosis of humankind. In each of these locations, the protagonist must overcome the illusion that he gets trapped in.

The whole piece has numerous references to eastern mythologies. Starting with the title, Shamballa is just another name for Shangri-La, the conversation between Doctor Strange and his Master when Strange seems reluctant to follow through on the actions that will bring in the apocalypse reminds you of the one between Krishna and Arjun in the Mahabharat, and staying with the Mahabharat, a great war of purging that will usher in a new age is here too. The watercolour illustrations are really well done. In a “superhero” comic without massive battles sprawling a number of pages, the artwork (oftentimes abstract) complements the story quite well. For me, the prose was the best part of the story. It reads like an exotic, surreal tale of magic and mythology. The plot is nothing much to write home about, but if you are into stories about introspection, struggle with inner turmoil and philosophical musings on reality and illusion, and if you are a fan of unusual comics, Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa could be your gem.

[Leonardo Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

DeMatteis and Dan Green make their best version of, what its essentially, a prose book with illustrations that an actual comic. That said, still quite an interesting read. Just like any Doctor Strange story that takes itself too seriously, this has Orientalism all over it, if you wanna do a serious “grown up” graphic novel you gotta earn the baggage that comes with using many cultural and religious symbols as just set dressing for “magical” stories.

The prose is standard for DeMatteis, albeit a bit too try hard at times (making fun of Strange’s verbose and overly dramatic expressions and the sex scene in India just screams “This book is for grown ups i swear!!”), but still a enjoyable tale about arrogance, self discovery and our place in the midst of all things. DeMatteis writes well conflicted characters that need to do some soul searching. Dan Green does the work of a lifetime and its style and composition very much came to be an influence on Vertigo books in the decade that followed

[Ignacio · Rating 2 out of 5]

No soy muy fan de esta etapa de DeMatteis en la cual abordó historias de autodescubrimiento en las que se sirvió de un ilustrador de vena pictórica para hacer un cómic con una parte de relato ilustrado importante (Moonshadow). Aquí, un poco lastrado por el trabajo de Green, muy planito entre gamas frías y sin sacar partido al potencial del Doctor Extraño para lo imposible (otras dimensiones, la representación de sus hechizos apenas luce...). Tampoco el guion termina de afilar el dilema del cual partía (¿sacrificarías una parte de la humanidad para llevar al resto a una edad dorada?). Una cuestión que le lleva a horadar facetas personales que suelen olvidarse en sus relatos y termina engullida por un desenlace muy porque yo lo valgo, sin la dimensión dramática requerida.

[Katarina (poleksya) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was something completely different then the previous story (I've read a bind up of this and Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom: Triumph and Terror) and I enjoyed it a bit more, although I had to go back a few times and read it again to understand. Into Shamballa isn't a typical super hero story, but an exploration of Doctor Strange's character and a story of self discovery. It has gorgeous artwork, just the kind I love, dreamlike and weird. This might not be for everyone's taste, but if you are a fan of Doctor Strange, I encourage you give this one a go.

[Keith Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, J. M. DeMatteis has written pretty much every superhero at DC or Marvel, but he has also written some fairly esoteric stuff. I would argue that his esoteric side had its clearest and most concise expression in this beautifully illustrated original graphic novel. Doctor Strange travels the world in an attempt to solve a puzzle left for him by his old mentor and in the process receives a revelation about the nature of reality and the human soul.

The illusion can be transcended.

[Letizia Loi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo! Ogni pagina - tutte in acquerello! - è un vero e proprio pezzo d'arte. La particolarità dei fumetti migliori di Doctor Strange, poi, è che sono sempre un viaggio, un avventura mistica, alla fine della quale impara qualcosa. Perché nonostante sia uno degli eroi più potenti dell'universo, al suo nocciolo rimane un uomo che viene costantemente tentato dai suoi difetti; la parte più realistica del personaggio, con la quale chiunque si può immedesimare.

[Ray Aldred · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork was phenomenal in this graphic novel, and the writing was really fantastic as well, but the two working together didn't really go well together. I got the gist of where everything was going, but half the time I couldn't really follow the story. I felt like I was in a fever dream throughout the comic. One minute Doctor Strange will be one place, and then he will be someplace else entirely. Over all, this was an interesting take, but it left me underwhelmed.

[Rexhurne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to have a marvel story without a villain. It's really about Buddhism and spiritualism, and not easy accessible to people that just want an action romp. I feel like the MCU mirror dimension and effects are partly inspired by some of this imagery? That art in general was top notch!

I can't claim to fully understand this story, but i feel this was the right character for this kind of original way of storytelling.

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art in this book is one of the most beautiful I ever saw (in same vein as The Redeemer (Elektra vs Logan) but more epic in my opinion). Story is intriguing and ending more than satisfying.

I had an opportunity to purchase this one together with one other Dr Strange graphic novel. If you manage to get your hands on a copy I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Gui Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has great human x wizard divergent questions and it show us, in a few pages, how unprepared Strange is to handle things despite of him thinking that he is ready for anything being the Mage Supreme.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is extremely difficult to follow and I wouldn't call it well-written. However, the combination of the uniquely beautiful art and the abnormal story structure give this book a rare feeling of mysticism that makes it worth the read.