Issue(s): Doctor Strange #69
Cover Date: Feb 85
Title:
Credits:
Roger Stern - Writer
Paul Smith - Penciler
Paul Smith - Inker
Jim Massara - Assistant Editor
Carl Potts - Editor

Review/plot:
The Black Knight is on a cruise ship with Doctor Strange, heading from England to rejoin the Avengers (and making an impression with the ladies in the meantime).

The ship is attacked, however, first by a sea dragon, and then by water elementals.

Strange isn't aware of who's behind the attacks. It's Umar, but Strange has been deliberately avoiding scanning the Dark Dimension because (he says) he doesn't want Umar to think he's aiding Clea. But that's what Umar thinks is happening anyway, so Clea contacts Strange to let him know. After the attacks, Strange decides that since Umar's attacking him anyway he might actually help Clea.

Meanwhile, we see that Clea's decision to have the rebels live behind the Mindless Ones barrier is not only useful as a way to avoid detection, but it actually serves as a briar patch ruse since that's where Umar throws prisoners to be executed.

That guy with the awesome manta-ray mask is the captain of Umar's guard, who also happens to be Clea's father. They manage to drag him in with them when they're thrown to the Mindless Ones.

As always, a great story by Roger Stern, and Paul Smith's art is great for both the mystical and real-world stuff (and he got to draw a dragon this issue!).

I also appreciate the way Stern weaves the Black Knight's return to the Avengers into his Dr. Strange story.

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Takes place before the Black Knight returns to the Avengers in Avengers #252.

References:

• When using the Orb of Agamotto to scan other dimensions for the source of Umar's attack, we see an image of the unnamed warlord and the wizard Tymon from Doctor Strange #65.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Beautiful in story and art.