i think the  Ancient One would have been quite remiss in only teaching Strange about indian/tibetan type magic,and limiting his knowledge to just that,Master of the Mystic Arts would seem to me to be a title covering all types of mystic forces.

***

If we look at mythology and the occult in general, we see that the similarities between belief systems are very apparent, right down to very very similar concepts that have taken on slightly different forms, names, and details, mostly due to people's different geographical, historical, or linguistic differences.

Dr. Strange, being the world's elite magician, would no doubt be aware of the underlying set of forces and laws that each "tradition" is simply a surface mask of.

We, as readers, are seeing one particular version of what magic might appear to be, but Strange would most likely be well-trained in the true essence of magical power that is beyond all names and outward appearances. 

Many years ago when JB was on Uncanny X-men I read my first and only Dr Strange book until Butch Guice did his version; I loved that story and have been wanting to go back and get it. I thank Gerry for finding this needle in a haystack as I could only recall slight details. Gerry is certainly the #1 Dr Strange fan to me. I have just ordered a copy.

i think the  Ancient One would have been quite remiss in only teaching Strange about indian/tibetan type magic,and limiting his knowledge to just that,Master of the Mystic Arts would seem to me to be a title covering all types of mystic forces.

Gerry -

Makes sense!  That's what JB told me in another thread!

"i learned all the ways of Sorcery"

Good quote Gerry !  My only question would be (based upon my earlier thoughts) is . . . . does "all" mean "all ways comprehensively" or "all ways limited to a mystic Himalayan context"?  I would still support the latter, if only to help provide a solution to the "magic has no rules" problem.  But I think you are right, "all ways" means all ways "comprehensively.  And as I stated up thread, Stan Lee left the door open for this when he originally wrote the character.

Dr. Strange, being the world's elite magician, would no doubt be aware of the underlying set of forces and laws that each "tradition" is simply a surface mask of.

Good thought Aaron !  The underlying mystical force, kind of like "the Force" in Star Wars?

Question for Gerry -

Based upon all we've discussed so far, what do you think?  Does Magic in the Marvel Universe (generally) and in DS (specifically) have rules or no rules?  Please elaborate for either answer.  Also, what would you suggest (if you think Magic works better with rules) would be a useful way to limit (write) DS?  What kind of rules should be utilized?  In other words, if the "magic has no rules" is really a problem with making Dr. Strange a good book (ongoing and sales) then what needs to be done?

Dan, i think your ovethinking this way too much.the problem has never been "magic has no rules", the problem has always been with the writers not "getting" what Dr Strange is about.David Quinn and Warren Ellis being prime examples.Woefull ,abysmally bad stories.no surprize that Doc was cancelled after those 2 writers got their hands upon him.

Dr Strange should be about mystery and imagination.i would prefer loose guidelines rather than rules.Comics should be well told stories,and fun!

look at the sales figures from issue 51 up to#85, thats a lot of lost readers . .

1 Oct 1992	109,514	Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #51: Average Total Paid Circulation for the Preceding 12 Months as Reported in Publisher's Statement of Ownership
1 Oct 1995	23,861	Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #85: Average Total Paid Circulation for the Preceding 12 Months as Reported in Publisher's Statement of Ownership