Dr. Strange #1: Way of the Weird (2015)
Writer: Jason Aaron, Artist: Chris Bachalo (2016,Marvel Comics)
Who do you call when things are coming out of your dreams and trying to kill you? Or when your daughter is cursing in Latin and walking like a spider? Or when your dog keeps screaming at you to strangle your neighbors? Doctor Strange, of course. He’s the only person standing between us and the forces of darkness, but has he been paying his tab? Every act of magic has a cost and Jason Aa
A Star is Born
If you’ve recently been captivated by the brilliant and resourceful Zelma Stanton in the MCU’s Ironheart series, you’re not alone! Her sharp intellect and grounded presence as a key ally to Riri Williams have made her an instant fan favorite.
Strange Beginnings
For those eager to dive deeper into Zelma’s origins and see where her incredible story truly began in the comics, you’ll want to seek out Doctor Strange #1, released in 2015. It was within these pages that Zelma Stanton made her unforgettable comic debut, as an ordinary, highly intelligent, and wonderfully skeptical librarian from Brooklyn. Her introduction was hilariously mundane yet utterly fantastical: she sought out Doctor Strange’s help because her beloved library was infested with a bizarre, sentient, and very hungry magical parasite. Zelma’s no-nonsense attitude and her remarkable ability to remain unfazed by the arcane immediately charmed readers. She quickly evolved from a bewildered client into a curious and invaluable ally, eventually even becoming Strange’s apprentice, proving her adaptability across dimensions and disciplines.
First impressions
I vaguely remember discovering this character 10 years ago. I also recall enjoying the fact that she was a person of color. In hindsight I may have been a bit hasty because now looking at Bachalo’s original art I can’t seem to get a sense of her ethnic background. The idea that she’s from Brooklyn seems to be a nod in a positive direction. The color choices are vague as well. I know this sounds ridiculous but Black collectors are all too familiar with “slights of hand” such as these. We always take it in stride. Furthermore, it seems Zelma becomes “browner” as the series progresses and her character is handled by more mindful artists (such as Humberto Ramos). That said, unless someone tells me otherwise, Zelma is Black.
Dollar Bin Dives
With Zelma’s increased visibility in the MCU, we suspect sales of Doctor Strange #1 (2015) will see a notable rise. Currently, a raw copy in good condition typically averages around $15-$30, while higher-graded copies (CGC 9.8) can fetch $100 or more, though these values can fluctuate rapidly with demand. But real talk, I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t find a decent copy in your LCS dollar bin. I’m currently on the hunt.
References:
Aaron, Jason (w), Bachalo, Chris (a). Doctor Strange #1. Marvel Comics, December 2015.
Ironheart (TV series). Marvel Studios, Disney+.
