13 COVERS AND PAGES: A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE to one of comics’ greats…
By PETER BOSCH
Imagine following Gene Colan, P. Craig Russell, and Michael Golden on a comic title. Nothing could be harder, but that’s what Marshall Rogers did, and did well.
Rogers — born January 22, 1950, and subject of a long-awaited, illustrated biography coming soon from TwoMorrows — has always been noted for his incredible work drawing Batman, with one of the best inkers ever, Terry Austin. But that spotlight is so bright, people often are blinded to the fact he also drew several incredible issues of Doctor Strange for Marvel (again inked by Austin) – and he took the good doctor to heights that could easily be compared to Steve Ditko’s art on the early stories in Strange Tales.
Magnificent as his work was on Batman, it was grounded in the reality of Gotham City. Doctor Strange took Rogers’ art into the astounding mystical realms of magic and other dimensions. And, boy, did he succeed in following Colan and company! From Doctor Strange #48 (Aug. 1981) to #53 (June 1982), his work was beyond amazing. (He and P. Craig Russell also did a Marvel Fanfare story of the Doc!)
And just when it was hard to think it could get better, his last issue (#53) had him and writer Roger Stern recreating one of the great comics of the Golden Age, Fantastic Four #19 (Oct. 1963), a Stan Lee and Jack Kirby classic, but with Dr. Strange added this time to the story.
The late Rogers was born 75 years ago. Here are 13 COVERS AND PAGES from his Doctor Strange run, plus the Marvel Fanfare issue.
(All scripts by Roger Stern, pencils by Marshall Rogers, and inks by Terry Austin – including covers – with the exception of Marvel Fanfare #5, which was written by Chris Claremont and the art was by Rogers, breakdowns, and Russell, finished art.)
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Doctor Strange #48 (Aug. 1981)
Doctor Strange #48 interior page
Doctor Strange #49 (Oct. 1981). The concept of Dr. Strange doesn’t get better than this!
Doctor Strange #49 interior page
Doctor Strange #50 (Dec. 1981)
Doctor Strange #50 interior page
Doctor Strange #51 (Feb. 1982)
Doctor Strange #51 interior page. Even Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos get in on the action in this story!
Doctor Strange #52 (Apr. 1982)
Doctor Strange #53 (June 1982). Fantastic Four #19 (Oct. 1963) cover, script by Stan Lee, pencilled by Jack Kirby and inked by Paul Reinman.
Doctor Strange #53 interior page
Marvel Fanfare #5 (Nov. 1982). Rogers and Russell’s cover is a delight.
Marvel Fanfare #5 interior page
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MORE
— EXCLUSIVE: Long-Awaited MARSHALL ROGERS Illustrated Biography Set for 2025. Click here.
— You Cannot Celebrate MARSHALL ROGERS’ Birthday Without Some Great BATMAN Art. Click here.
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13th Dimension contributor-at-large PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, was published by TwoMorrows. (You can buy it here.) A sequel, American Movie Comic Books: 1930s-1970s — From the Silver Screen to the Printed Page, is due in 2025. (You can pre-order here.) Peter has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. He lives in Hollywood.
