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Doctor Strange #1 (1974) – Page 1 Title Splash (“Through an Orb Darkly”) – Chris Kohler Recreation [INCOMING]

Artist: Chris Kohler (All)

25 Views - 2 Comments - 2 Likes

Doctor Strange #1 (1974) – Page 1 Title Splash (“Through an Orb Darkly”) – Chris Kohler Recreation [INCOMING] Comic Art

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Original Page for Reference

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Batman #251 (1973) – Page 1 Splash Reconstruction

Artwork Details

Title:	Doctor Strange #1 (1974) – Page 1 Title Splash (“Through an Orb Darkly”) – Chris Kohler Recreation [INCOMING]
Artist:	Chris Kohler (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Title Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	25
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	1/21/2026
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This piece is a meticulous Chris Kohler recreation of Doctor Strange #1 (1974), Page 1, the iconic title splash introducing “Through an Orb Darkly,” written by Steve Englehart with art by Frank Brunner.

The recreation faithfully captures the dramatic architecture of the original page: the brooding cosmic cityscape, the philosophical narration blocks, and the commanding portrait of Doctor Strange framed within the mystical orb motif. Line weight, panel balance, and compositional rhythm are carefully preserved, reflecting deep study of Brunner’s visual language while maintaining the clarity and precision expected of a modern, high-end recreation.

For scholarly and collector context, the original 1974 title page is also shown here (second image), identifiable by its darker board tone and visible paste-ups, providing a direct side-by-side reference. The comparison highlights both the production artifacts of the original Marvel era process and the technical discipline required to recreate the page at full fidelity without those mechanical aids.

This pairing functions not only as a standalone display piece, but as a process-aware homage—bridging Bronze Age production methods and contemporary draftsmanship. A strong example of recreation work done at a level that respects historical accuracy, original intent, and collector standards.

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About the Owner

	Retro Comix
Joined:	November 2024
Last Login:	January 2026
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 1/22/2026

Kohler should put his name on this piece as it is impressive what he can do.

Retro Comix
Member Since 2024

2 - Posted on 1/23/2026

Marcus Wai wrote:

Kohler should put his name on this piece as it is impressive what he can do.

He typically signs the back of interior pages

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