Issue(s): Doctor Strange #66
Cover Date: Aug 84
Title: "The chosen one"
Credits:
Roger Stern - Writer
John Byrne - Plot assist
Paul Smith - Penciler
Terry Austin - Inker

Review/plot:
This is a fun self-contained story. Three monks approach Doctor Strange with a request. The current incarnation of their "High Lama" has not been located after a 25 year search. Normally each reincarnation is located within a year. They've given up hope of finding him themselves, so they're hoping Strange can help.

Strange consults his Orb of Agamotto and it provides some clear direction.

Aha! Sure, we all know that country, right?

Turns out that's Long Island, i think.

Strange tracks down the Lama, who turns out to be a golf course groundskeeper named Arnie Green. Green is totally westernized and doesn't seem "enlightened" but he's got a clear affinity for magic - he can see Strange's cape through an illusion, he always has the right amount of change in his pocket, etc. He can even activate the Eye of Agamotto.

Someone is also stalking the monks, but it turns out it's because one of the monks intends to kill the Lama so he can be reborn without the westernized influence. The stalker is the monk's nephew, and was correctly suspicious of his uncle's intent.

Once that is all sorted out and Green reveals that it was his own decision to be born into this body and the western world so that he could modernize his teachings...

..everyone goes home happy.

It's a cute plot. Green will only be seen once more.

In a subplot, Sara Wolfe asks Wong out on a casual date, but Wong rejects the offer because of his devotion to his duty.

In the lettercol for issue #73, John Byrne is given a belated acknowledgement for his help with the basic idea for this issue and the "technical background as to how lamas are made, if not born."

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• While looking for the Lama, Strange plays golf at the country club where Green is working as a groundskeeper. He tees off with Morgana Blessing's father, who is a member of the club. This way, he fulfills a request from Blessing, who has wanted to thank him for saving his daughter's life in Doctor Strange #53.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

This same basic plot was used in the Destroyer (Remo Williams) novel HIGH PRIESTESS -- only there the westernized Lama wasn't a groundskeeper, but actress and new age nitwit "Squirrely Chicane". Fun book if you can find a copy.

I could have sworn Arnie Green [PBUH] also appeared at Doc's fake funeral. Or at least got mentioned in Morgana Blessing's book that he spoke at Doc's funeral.