Bachalo--Doctor Strange #1 Cover (2015)
Artists: Chris Bachalo (Penciller) , Tim Townsend (Inker)
57 Comments - 511 Views - 41 Likes
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Doctor Strange Omnibus
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DescriptionBY THE HOARY HOSTS OF HOGGOTH! What a magical cover for 2015's Doctor Strange #1 from Chris Bachalo. I loved Chris' work on Sandman, Death, and the Uncanny X-Men, and once again, he demonstrates his superb artistry here. The cover alone tells you that you're about to experience something fresh and unusual. Instead of a passive scene of Doctor Strange in his Sanctum Sanctorum, Chris drew the Sorcerer Supreme in an active pose, on the move, wielding a huge mystical axe with one hand while magically gesturing to cast a spell with the other. The quirky tilt of his body suggests he is flying or possibly levitating as he goes into battle. A circle of skulls spins around him, implying that whatever forces he's battling, this is a life or death moment. Joining Chris on this run is master inker Tim Townsend, and together they give us a whole new view of Doctor Strange's world. I love Tim's inks here with the thin linework on the mystical axe and on Strange's cloak, contrasting with thick blacks everywhere else. I notice, too, that in the deepest shadows of Strange's cloak and his black pants, there are tiny dots suggesting a universe beyond this one. IMHO, it's a spellbinding cover from two stellar artists at the top of their game and I'm delighted to add it to my collection.Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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M L 
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Beautiful, dynamic cover. Congrats Bill! I was sorry to miss you at #OAX2025.
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
An instant classic when it first hit the racks, and to this day, one of Chris Bachalo's best! The good doctor wielding a battle axe is pretty darn cool. Major congrats, Bill!
Fabio C.
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
he's almost literally jumping out of the page... awesome!!!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Love this one, Bill! Bachalo just nailed it on so many different dimensions!
Casey A
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
You said it, Bill- here, we get Strange as action hero instead of contemplative tea-sipper, and the book certainly delivers on that premise. I love how the figure sits in the upper half of the image, so the Doctor is levitating over the comic shelf that might have obscured him, before the reader had the book in hand. Wonderful addition to your excellent collection!
Rick W
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Battle ax + magic = my kinda art! Bachalo created one for the ages here! Congrats!
Davide G.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Congrats on another amazing cover, Bill! I think you should put the original art without title as the main image. In fact, it's slightly different and, if possible, even better!
Mario Losada
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
A modern classic. A great cover. I can only congratulate you
J. Lim
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Bachalo's varying line work is amazing here. It gives an otherworldly appearance and pop.I also love the dynamic placement of Dr. Strange as well as the title which delivers immediate interest to the overall look. Another home run pick up! Congratulations!
André .
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Every time I see a Bachalo page from this title, I think it might be some of his best work. Lovely.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
I like the way the little skills appear to be laughing. Congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Very nice how they incorporated the logo to their design and not the other way around. Imagine seeing this in the newsstand in the 60's and it's a whole figure showing up at the top third instead of the typical logo and forcing the buyers to do a double take.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
the skulls are so cool! and the work on Dr. Strange's costume is absolutely excellent as well. A very memorable modern cover from the last decade with 2 all-star creators. Amazing cover, congrats Bill!
Paul Brzegowy
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
So many skulls and what a great cover layout. This caught my eye with the yellow cover as well which compliments the OA. Congrats.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Not sure if I've ever seen a cover with its logo in the middle of the image. But the clever design is a perfect accomodation for the character's dramatic posing and weaponry. And who doesn't love skulls on a cover? Stunning example. About as good as it gets for Bachalo/Townsend.
Johnny M
Member Since 2014
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
An iconic modern cover to a great run! Congrats, Bill.
Brian Lake
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Fantastic Cover - and such a great series as well!
Michael Weigant
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Love the whole layout and set-up of Dr Strange ! How unusual to set the logo right in the middle as it really holds the the whole cover together composition wise ! A really nice Bachalo as I haven't found mine yet,congrats !
Ken Martin
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Dr. Strange means business with that axe. Bachalo's work is always amazing and this cover is no exception. Congrats Bill!
Bob Goerder
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
VERY, VERY NEAT COVER!! CONGRATS IN GETTING IT!!
Newell T aka Stingray
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
I've always loved Bachalo's work, and this is such a great cover! Congrats!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
I absolutely love the way this cover was designed. The way his figure fills the top third rather than the bottom third of the image is just so striking. It really makes him feel larger than life. While I really don't understand why he would need it, the axe he’s holding adds a fierce, raw energy to the piece. What I really appreciate is that in spite of there being no background, the decision to leave it out allows us to really focus on the main figure and the energy surrounding him. Those little skulls floating around are such a nice touch! They add an eerie vibe, and with the Doctor Strange title logo sitting out of its usual place, Bachalo made a bold choice because it grounds the whole piece. The overall composition makes Strange feel both powerful and mysterious, and the addition of those skulls makes it feel like he's teetering on the edge of darkness. Need I even mention the caché of it being the cover to the 1st issue of the series? Congrats on another fine acquisition, Bill!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Great cover from a great run. I really thought Bachalo's style suited the otherwoldliness of the Doctor's life.
Red Raven
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Incredible cover Doc Strange, Very congrats my friend 🌟
Kelsey S
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Great cover! Bachalo is such a unique talent and his covers with Townsend make for such memorable images! The Doctor is in!
stephen yarish
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Such a cool cover! His art style was perfect for the series. Congrats!
Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
What a great cover - love the skulls pouring out around Strange, perfectly capturing his creepy yet cool vibe. Brilliant.
Troy C. Punswick
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
I think I would be more than delighted to add this one to my collection. I would probably be doing cart wheels! So impressive!!!
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Being a big Dr. Strange fan, I’d long hoped one day someone would put a sword in his hand and turn some heads (maybe roll some too!), so I knew back when this came out that by the Vishanti it had started, big congrats on a magical cover!✨
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Awesome cover! Really love the angle here and always enjoy Bachalo's work! Great image of the good doctor!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Bachalo / Townsend were able to drove Doctor Strange to a new artistic dimension. Here inovative an very personal style is unique and unmistakeable. That makes it very beautiful and appreciated!!! I remember perfectly back in 2015 when it was released how this cover caught my eye!! I love TT signature on the axe!!!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
To be honest (if I may), while I really liked the series, I was not a fan of the ax nor of the hipster-ish/humorish tone of it, infused by Aaron (as I prefer my Strange to be serious and mysterious). That being said, Bachalo really upped his game on that book and Townsend has always been his inker of choice, so you have a superb cover in this 1st one. Congrats.
Peter Venkman
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
Phenomenal #1 cover that brings the sorcerer supreme to the realm of wizardry with an ax that dancing skulls are not prepared for ! Congrats !
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
I found Bachalo's Strange a bit out of character, perplexed and uncertain. BUT, this cover is stunning and iconic. Great addition to an amazing collection
JN 80
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
Fantastic Bachalo rendition of Strange. Another stunner
Steve Lawrence
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
I saw this a couple of years ago and almost pulled the trigger on this but didn't for some reason. Very cool image! Congrats.
T Shen
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/14/2025
Love the unique layout of this cover! Dr Strange with this battle axe is a nice little blend of Might and Magic.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 2/15/2025
Beautiful, Bill! And so glad to see it in your collection!
Jimmy Cawley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/15/2025
Nothing beats Strange giving the reader the malocchio
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/23/2025
ZOUNDS!! One of my favorite Marvel covers of the last 10 years, hands down! I remember seeing the solicit for this and exploding with excitement, not only for the fact that one of my favorite artists would be drawing one of my favorite characters, but because of the AXE, and the implied promise there that this creative team would be bringing something different to the table (and they didn't disappoint - especially at the -breakfast- table, in Doc's kitchen)! Beautiful inks on this one, from the strong pools of midnight black on Doc's figure to the grit and gravel of the skulls to the fantastic Townsend-familiar thick outline (and fine-lined internal detail) of the Axe... Superb! A positively spellbinding piece, Bill, standing tall with the other wonders in your (frankly) mystical collection! Congrats!!
Tangled Web Art
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 2/25/2025
Great cover! Loved Bachalo's take on our sorcerer supreme!
Brian G
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 3/4/2025
In my opinion, not just the best Dr. Strange cover ever but the best Bachalo cover ever as well. Not usually one to judge a book by its cover, I do recall immediatly grabbing this one off the shelf as soon as I saw it. So bad ass. Congrats on this, it's a truly special one.
Sean Clarke
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/14/2025
Ever since Ditko created him, Doctor Strange's stories worked better for me when the artist applied a certain... tilt... away from a standard superhero art approach. Bachalo got it, and did a fine job on his run.
Some Collector
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 4/3/2025
That's a big axe. Love this cover. Done very well and is crisp and clean!
John Livesay
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 5/21/2025
Great cover by Chris and Tim!
I started inking on the title with issue #4. Then till issue #20.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 8/7/2025
This Dr Strange series started with a bang thanks to this cover! What a book opener!
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