TIME WARP: The Modern Marvel Calendars *Addendum 4*

Time is relative.

It seems "Time Flies"… (whether you’re having fun or not) and as such, I’ve missed several opportunities to post new blog entries. My apologies.

And so...

Happy (belated) New Year - 2014, Sanctum Dwellers!

In this, the first post of the new year, I once again thought it appropriate to blog about the passage of time. Well... honestly, about calendars.

This post also doubles as an updated add-on to an old post from this time in 2009 wherein I showcased all of the various Marvel Calendars - from 1975 - to the "present"... well... at least the ones that featured Doctor Strange or any of my "6-Dimensions" interests.

The original series can be found at the following links:

(Part I : the "CLASSIC" calendar series can be seen - HERE)
(Part II : the "MODERN" calendar series can be seen - HERE)

(Part III : the 1980 Doctor Strange calendar - in its entirety - can be seen - HERE)

This blog post is just to add two "new" entries into the "Part II - MODERN" portion of that series (these added entries will be added to that post directly, as well)

Occasionally, the "addendums" focus on the new calendar for the new year (new, new, new!). But, of late there have been no new calendars to feature DOCTOR STRANGE. This is made especially “strange” by the fact that, as one of the “Illuminati”, the super-secret cabal featured in Jonathan Hickman’s NEW AVENGERS title, and that editor Tom Brevoort continually touts NEW AVENGERS as “the most important title that Marvel is publishing…” you’d think that group (or any member(s) of that assembly) would be featured on at least one of the 12 months of the calendars over the past two years. But, no.

And so, today’s entry is to showcase some old calendars that I acquired since my last such entry; one from 2005 and the other from 2007. Both of which are of the “Page a Day” desktop variety (of a type which I have exhibited here in time’s past - the 1995 desktop calendar - found with the "Modern" Marvel calendars [see link above]).

With this sort of calendar, each day has its own tear-off page, and on that page is featured some artwork or tidbit of info about a character or comic issue.

The 2005 “Characters of Marvel” Calendar, a “Day At A Time” edition, has DR STRANGE right on the cover page! (With a portion of the cover to “Sorcerer Supreme # 51 showing.) A good start!

The format of this edition was to have sequential pages/days devoted to a character, before moving on to the next. This has several pages dedicated to the Master Mystic!

It also had pages on several of my 6-Dimensions characters; Scarlet Witch, Ghost Rider, Nick Fury, etc… as well as a plethora of other characters, so… a good calendar!

The 2007 edition, is a “Marvel Heroes” “Year In A Box” calendar, and was not as kind to Dr. Strange.

It has Doctor Strange featured on ZERO pages! WTF? Well… he’s not featured solo on any pages, but is seen as a small figure in a few group shots, and is mentioned in some write-ups (for "House of M" and such).

Still, Scarlet Witch is featured on a few pages (solo and as a group member) so… that’s ok.

Otherwise, it’s fairly light on my 6-Dimensions characters.

Except… it DOES have MAN-THING as shown on the cover to “Marvel Comics Presents” # 5, so… alright!

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Also of note, is that this year (2014 for any future visitors from the year 2525 [if man is still alive]) features the same day-of-the-week-per-month pagination as previous years wherein a past Marvel Calendar can be reused to perfection!

Such previous years are 2003, 1997, 1986, 1975, 1969, etc… , and I’ve already featured those calendars (well, the ones that actually HAD Marvel calendars) in previous entries of the MARVEL CALENDAR series [see links above].

So, no Doctor Strange in ANY 2014 calendar? No problem. Let me slap my 1975, calendar on my wall.

Heck, I’ll put the 1997 calendar in my study, the other 1997 in my bedroom, the 1975 calendar in my Sanctum Sanctorum, the 2003 in my bathroom....

See?...

Time is relative.

A FINAL FLING 'fore FALL -and-A Glimpse Within My Sanctum

Well, it seems with September a mere day away, I've missed my opportunity to post SUMMERTIME themed blog entries ("Summer" movies and music featuring Doctor Strange and others, but don't worry, I'll get them on here soon enough), so before August ends, I'll "TOSS" (you'll get that joke in a moment) a blog post here about one item in my DOCTOR STRANGE collection (and tease about a bunch of others). The summer item in question?

...a DOCTOR STRANGE FRISBEE!

(See? Now the "toss" joke makes sense.)

I should note that this is NOT an official item (so don't go frantic trying to track one down on eBay. You won't find one). This is a custom made product by good friend, and fellow Doctor Strange fan, Howard Hallis!

I am often quite impressed with the extra mile that Howard will go to make his special items have an authentic flair. This time, he gathered art from other similar Marvel product from the 1960's, and photoshopped together a nice hang tag. Purchasing a frisbee flying disc, Howard pasted his customized decal over the wrap-around hangtag and also made a Dr. Strange decal to affix to the center of the disc, thus creating an awesome homage faux item.

Howard sent this to me a few years back, and while not an authentic product, it has - like all other items he has sent to me - always been kept in a highly visible place of honor within my "Sanctum Sanctorum" (aka: man-cave, hobby-haven, collectibles cavern, rumpus-room, etc...).

The reason I mention this (and why the frisbee was in my hand today) is that I've had some time to work on re-setting up that room (after years of being unable to do so) and obtained a new pegboard/slotwall segment upon which to hang the frisbee and other items, clearing room from a slotwall / display unit there.

As a tiny teaser of some things to come, here is a glimpse into that area of my Sanctum Sanctorum, just inside (and to the left of) the door, and at a few of the slotwall/pegboard items therein (there is another section of slatwall on the opposite side of the giant display unit shown on the right of the pic. But that's a part of the eventual "tour" post that will hopefully be made before long).

An assortment of goodies.

On the pegboard on the left:

Custom frisbee, complete set of 6 different "Marvel Magic" tricks, Marvel guitar picks,

Marvel/Maisto vehicles; Defenders coupe (3 different packs), Defenders Airplane, Defenders Motorcycle, and Doctor Strange mega-truck,

Ultimate Spider-Man fighter pods figures (3 different sized sets - all with Dr. Strange).

On the white slotwall unit on the right:

Marvel Legends figures (foreign Doctor Strange variant with gold poster, Man-Thing, Doctor Strange), 

HeroClix boxes that feature Doctor Strange on the box (along the left side of the unit)

Diamond exclusive Marvel "Dark Side" figures (Dormammu, Man-Thing [Vermin behind him], Astral Dr. Strange)

Spider-Man; Spider-Wars Doctor Strange figure (regular and 2 different variants)

Super-Hero Squad sets (Secret Invasion, Doctor Strange & Ant-Man, Doc & Iron Man)

Mini-Mates box sets (Defenders, Marvel vs Capcom3: Dormammu / Trish, and "Strange Tales")
Marvel Universe Doctor Strange (classic & classic foreign variant, astral variant, "defenders" set with Silver Surfer)

As I said, there are more hang-tag items on the other side (and awesome goodies inside the main unit), but that's for another time.

At first, all these items were jammed onto the slatwall on this side (and some on the other end) of the white display unit, but I had no extra space for more, so a section of pegboard was required to make a little room. With the added pegboard, now all three surfaces have extra room for more swag.

Each section is for different types of items:

- pegboard is for ancillary items

- main slotwall is for figures of Doctor Strange / Man-Thing

- slotwall on other side is for other "6-Dimension" characters (Scarlet Witch, Black Knight and others - some are cool secrets awaiting their own posts).

So, take this post as a farewell to summer, and an invitation to come back for more goodness as Autumn approaches.

MARVEL STAMPS (and DR. STRANGE) SAVE THE DAY! Marvel Philatelist Promotional Swag: Part 2 -or- The Postman Always Blogs Twice

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This is the 2^nd in a duo of blog posts pertaining to Doctor Strange / Marvel swag as produced by the United States Post Office. (The first entry – featuring a solid silver “Ultimate Marvel” coin series can be found [HERE]).

As we showcased in that most recent article, Marvel (and Doctor Strange specifically, for the nature of this blog) had a series of solid silver Coin Medallions and Ingot Stamps minted by the United States Post Office to help celebrate the series of Marvel Comics postage stamps which were released at the time (2007).

From left to right; top to bottom:

Spider-Man, Hulk, Namor, Thing, Captain America

Silver Surfer, Spider-Woman, Iron Man, Elektra, Wolverine

Amazing Spider-Man # 1, Hulk # 1, Sub-Mariner # 1, Fantastic Four # 1, Captain America # 100

Silver Surfer # 1,Marvel Spotlight on Spider-Woman # 37, Iron Man # 1, Daredevil Saga featuring Elektra # 1, X-Men # 1

While the actual push was for the commemorative First Class stamps featuring Marvel Super-Heroes and Villains, as drawn by Marvel artists (in nearly every case taken directly from the comics or utilizing the cover art itself), it was the promotional material that led to the big score for this Doctor Strange fan/collector.

For while Doctor Strange was not a part of the actual US Post Office stamp sheet, he was one of the characters selected for inclusion in the ancillary offering (the aforementioned silver coins and ingots), and as such was included in the promo materials which were released by the Post Office to help sell the stamps. As many a Doctor Strange collector can attest when it comes to Marvel collector swag; “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”… or maybe to keep the Postal theme alive; “not 1^st class… but Bulk mail”.

Allow me to present to you the promo material at this time.

If you were to walk into a Post Office in early 2007, you may very well have been met with this large poster, featuring many of the Marvel heroes as traced over photos – er – “drawn” by Greg Land.

Once again, left to right, top to bottom:

Dr. Strange, Human Torch, Elektra, Thing, Falcon

Mr. Fantastic [head], Hulk, Daredevil, Phoenix, (Mr. Fantastic [body])

Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Invisible Woman, Namor, Stan Lee (as a Postman), Captain America

Wolverine, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman

I don’t know who Land used as a model for Namor, but he is so disgustingly, annoyingly smug-looking that I want to punch him in the throat. So… PERFECT for Namor! Just saying.

However, like anyone who has seen any other Greg Land piece, the poses and faces are instantly recognizable as being re-used from other works. Almost any Greg Land X-MEN cover uses that same Wolverine pose. Just saying that, too.
And while I'm at it... why is Doctor Strange's head smaller than his hand(s)? Look at the GUN SHOW he's pulling off there, too! Damn... Land really doesn't care that not every male hero can be traced from "men's fitness" muscle magazines.

Anyway... it is this artwork that is utilized on all of the promo materials.

If you were to continue up to the counter at your previously alluded-to Post Office, you may have been able to see this “3D” standee dump.

With raised images of the featured stamps flanking the unit, it is printed using several overlaying layers of artwork, thus giving the appearance of being “3D”, with each row of figures appearing closer and closer, until the figures in the foreground “pop” out closest to the viewer than those in the subsequent layers. You can almost smell Wolvie’s sweaty aroma from your computer, can’t you?

At the front is a pad of tear-off contest entry forms (winner would win $10,000… good only at the Post Office Store. Dang… that’s a LOT of stamps).

However, those two items may be the only ones readily viewable by Postal patrons, as the rest were not meant for display.

The following is a 2-sided, 4 piece, over-sized jigsaw puzzle which may have been meant as a give-away to anyone who bought the most Marvel stamps (or perhaps was an intended prize in some kind of promotional contest).

On one side are 4 different enlarged Marvel stamps: Hulk, Silver Surfer, Captain America, Spider-Man (not that I can believe I’m saying this, but to have the Surfer instead of the more recognizable Wolverine makes little sense to me. Perhaps the choice was made by some aging hippie postal worker, fondly remembering licking acid off of Silver Surfer LSD stamps back at Woodstock… I dunno. But then, on a similar note, WHY would the choice of Elektra be made for the actual Stamps over any other, more worthy and responsible “role model” heroine? Certainly, Ms. Marvel [an Air Force Colonel], Storm [the first major African-American Female character], Invisible Woman [a mother – who happens to be a career adventurer] or even Kitty Pryde [youthful, genius, minority, role model] would have made more suitable choices than a returned-from-the-dead assassin?}).

The other side (and the actual “puzzle” aspect of the jigsaw) features the Greg Land group shot.

Lastly, and the rarest item of all, is this Postal Bulletin magazine, meant for the eyes of the Postmaster (and maybe a few clerks) only. Within its pages are boring – er… detailed articles and charts discussing not only the Marvel stamps initiative, but those of so many others at the time.

As you can see from the cover, the stamps were made available nationwide July 26^th, 2007 – which is not wholly coincidental as to why I have chosen this time to showcase these Post Office items now.

Who says this isn’t the most mind-blowingly well-thought-out, First Class blog of all? *

*

Everyone says that. Myself included. Don’t let me fool you otherwise.

MASTER of the MINTED ARTS - The DOCTOR STRANGE U.S.P.S. COIN MEDALLION

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With the revelation, earlier this month on July 4th, that DOCTOR STRANGE was an integral part of ensuring that our nation achieved its Independence (as seen [HERE]), it should come as little surprise that Doctor Strange was commemorated with a limited edition solid silver coin, minted by the U.S. Government (well, the United States Postal Service)!

Minted in 2008, and made of 0.7 oz of .999 Fine Silver, this coin, while not legal tender, is a limited edition of the ULTIMATE MARVEL COLLECTION.

 The coin came with a certificate of Authenticity that doubles as a character information sheet.

Unfortunately, they erroneously credited the artwork on the coin as being drawn by Dave Cockrum, when in fact it was by Bill Everett from the cover of Strange Tales # 148.

This coin was but ONE of a series of medallion coins and stamp ingots.

The ingots using artwork from the 2008 Marvel Comics stamps series (which we'll discuss in a post very soon), while the other artwork - on the coins - is from other assorted sources taken directly from the comics. Why is Doctor Strange a part of this series? Well... he was featured as a part of the Post Office's commemorative stamp promotional material (which we shall look at in that aforementioned near-future post).

Here's how The ULTIMATE MARVEL COLLECTION was advertised on the USPS site for the series:

"On July 26, 2007, the United States Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 postage stamps featuring the greatest Marvel Comics Super Heroes, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Elektra, the Incredible Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. Marvel’s Super Heroes have entertained and inspired generations of Americans … providing an escape from every day life and making the world a safer place. 

Now, for the first time, the United States Postal Service has authorized each of the Marvel Comics Super Heroes stamps to be minted as a fully colorized solid silver ingot. The collection also includes 20 officially authorized pure silver medallions that feature colorized images of famous Marvel Super Heroes and villains like Captain Marvel, Thor, Green Goblin, and Dark Phoenix. 

The Ultimate Marvel Collection is the only collection of its kind in the world, and is a strictly limited edition. It is officially licensed and authorized by both Marvel and the United States Postal Service."

I was aware of this series when it was first announced, but soon found that ordering the items was next to impossible. I eventually gave up, thinking that it was an abandoned enterprise, and it wouldn't be for another 5 years that I would see this (and a few others) listed for sale in an online outlet.

Luckily for me, Dr. Strange was cropped out of the cover art for Fantastic Four 243 (Everyone vs Galactus, by John Byrne) or else I'd have had to hunt down another of these.

However, as it is, I'm thrilled to have this piece and no matter what its actual value, to me... it's worth a "mint". (Get it? "Mint"...? Ah... the cheap coinage of puns.)

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL - ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR Part 4: MAGIC RINGS

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Welcome to yet another entry in one of the longest-running series of blog posts on this Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog; wherein I showcase my collection of DOCTOR STRANGE related apparel (hats, ties, shirts, unmentionables…).

This time, we're in (what should be) the FINAL entry of a sub-series of posts which feature assorted Ancillary Accessorizing Artifacts; (patches, buttons and assorted bling).

Anyway… in THIS post, we’re taking a look at DOCTOR STRANGE related RINGS (official and non)!

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The first official Doctor Strange ring was the 1966 Vari-Vue Flicker Ring.

Sold either in gumball machines or carded the rings feature lenticular images which, when tilted slightly would show one of two different images (I've photographed the rings angled so that we can see both images - one on each).

This is the blister card- which, sadly, I do not own as of yet. I'll get one eventually - especially since Doctor Strange IS pictured on the card.

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The next (and sadly, last) officially produced Doctor Strange ring is the 1977 "gumball machine" ring.

The ring came in two different variations - either with 12 clasps holding the image disc in place or a later version with only 4 clasps.

Measuring about an inch wide, this item was also manufactured and sold as a pin and a keychain (see pic below).

These were available as prizes from carnivals, theme parks and yes... gumball vending machines.

There were a total of 6 rings, DOCTOR STRANGE, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman.

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Once official product stops being produced, die-hard losers...er... fans, like me can only hope to make their own and/or find cheap stand-in items to satisfy their desires.

Luckily for you, I am such a loser - er, fan.

The first Custom-Made item that I had made was this solid silver ring with a stylized version of the window from Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum - as inspired from Doc's 1978 TV movie.

I actually had two of these made back around 1994. One to wear and one to keep in my display case. The one I wear is on the right. The display version is tarnished and is in need of a good silver-cleaning.

 If you want to read more about these rings and the film-ring that inspired them, feel free to check out the old post that I originally devoted to this item way back in 2009 [HERE].

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While on the subject of custom-made rings, there is this next item.

This solid silver ring is cast with the version of the curly-tailed demon-symbol which Doctor Strange briefly wore on his tunic.

However, like the Movie-ring above, it is also tarnished and in need of a cleaning, but also had a blog post all it's own several years ago in 2009. Read all about it- and see pics of it when it was still all nice and shiny [HERE].

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While looking for other Dr. Strange mystic-themed rings, I came across this silver ring shaped like an eye (complete with glass eye inside).

Sadly, like the other silver rings in my display case, I think it's time for it to be cleaned. I used to wear it often, but haven't in quite a few years,

Obviously, any "all-seeing-eye" item is thematically tied to Agamotto in my mind, as so when I saw these next cheap cosmetic jewelry rings I had to have them as well.

Made of a "non-metal" these were all found in a party supply / costume shoppe. The triangular one nearly identical to the amulet that I found at the same time (and seen in the post featuring amulets [HERE]).

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I do have a few "6-Dimensions" themed comic rings as well.

This ring is made of red plastic with a gold foil embossed "AVENGERS" iconic "A" symbol. It came with a Wonder Man action figure by ToyBiz from the "Avengers: United They Stand" cartoon in 1999.

 While I have owned it since then, I've been glad to have kept it since Doctor Strange has since joined the Avengers.

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Next, is the "metal" ring that was released as a promotional product for the PHANTOM film of 1996. Why do I have one? Well... while the Phantom has no ties to Dr. Strange, it IS pretty cool.

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My final ring that I have in my collection is a glow-in-the-dark GREEN LANTERN ring.

If anyone has to ask WHY a comic fan has a Green Lantern ring, well... I don't know WHAT to tell you! A more magic ring there can not be found.

And with that, I wrap up this sub-series (within a series) of assorted ARTIFACTS of FLAIR and DR. STRANGE GARB.

 Thank you for wading through all the assorted swag and gear in the series. And if you missed ANY of the previous entries, feel free to use the handy-dandy navigation menu below.

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Previous parts of the

MYSTIC GARB : DR. STRANGE APPAREL SERIES:

- part 1 : CAPS and TIES : [HERE]
- part 2 : SOLO APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 3 : TEAM-UP APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 4 : THE "OTHERS" / "6-DIMENSIONS" T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 5 : "THE END" of GARMENTS  : [HERE]

And the sub-series...

ARTIFACTS of FLAIR:

- part 1: PATCHES of POWER: [HERE]

- part 2: BUTTONS & PINS: [HERE]

- part 3: MYSTIC AMULETS [HERE]

- part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO: [HERE]

- part 4: MAGIC RINGS: [THIS POST]

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL - ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR Part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO

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Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION post which is a cross-referencing, multi-series entry, for the

DOCTOR STRANGE HALLOWEEN-COSTUMES series, 

as well as the CUSTOM-MADE MAGIC RINGS & MYSTIC BLING series 

and also the more recent

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL
-ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR Series

(Part 3a: EYE OF AGAMOTTO).

Of all of Doctor Strange's visual accoutrements, aside from his flaring red cloak, the most recognizable item on his person is the All-Seeing EYE of AGAMOTTO.

So, it would only be logical for any fan of the good Doctor, who might be a collector or curator of Dr. Strange items would inevitably have at least one of their own.

As shown in my most previous posting (showcasing: Amulets, Medallions, Pendants & Charms [HERE]), this is but one of several "Eye of Agamotto" amulets that I have, but it is the only one that I made myself (not counting Eye of Agamotto Buttons & Pins which were shown in that entry [HERE]).

Created by myself back in 1987 as a part of my DR. STRANGE Costume (image below, but the full write-up can be seen in its own post [HERE]), this All-Seeing Eye was crafted out of a molding product called “Friendly Plastic” (a product that was tiny beads of plastic that you would submerge in hot – almost boiling – water so that it would melt and become malleable. You’d then sculpt what you wanted, but would constantly have to re-submerge the item in the water to continue to work with it. “Friendly” it was not).

costume made in 1987 - this pic taken a decade later in 1997

for entry in a Wizard Magazine costume contest

(I won some stuff)
But more about that can be found [HERE]

The Amulet as a whole is 4 inches wide and 2.25 inches thick, and due to the nature of the plastic from which it was made, it is surprisingly dense and heavy.

The EYE that is encased within the Amulet is a molded foam-rubber ball, one of a line of toys popular in the 1980’s called MADBALLS (this is, of course “Oculus Orbis”).

Aside from the necessity of encasing a madball (or at least half of a bisected madball) within the amulet, I also opted to mold the medallion 2.25” thick to emulate the design given the Eye by artist Michael Golden (in the style he illustrated in the mid-1980’s).

The “gold” chain was permanently attached by molding a back-plate behind the Amulet with the chain running between within a slightly raised channel.

The entire amulet was then coated in gold-leaf (not real gold-leaf, sadly) to ensure a look of it being carved out of ore.

To help in achieve the appearance of the artifact being something wrought and not “manufactured”, (like a real mystic object should,) I did not smooth out the surfaces.

Finally, to give it a glow, I painted the “white” of the eye (and a ring around the pupil) with “glow-in-the-dark” paint.

Just for kicks, as a contrast to the pic above from 1997, here is a shot of me wearing the eye “today” (OK… a couple of weeks ago – for a future posting).

DORKter STRANGE - indeed!

Be sure to return soon for the next (and final) installment in the

 "ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR" series...

  MAGIC RINGS!

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Previous parts of the

MYSTIC GARB : DR. STRANGE APPAREL SERIES:

- part 1 : CAPS and TIES : [HERE]
- part 2 : SOLO APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 3 : TEAM-UP APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 4 : THE "OTHERS" / "6-DIMENSIONS" T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 5 : "THE END" of GARMENTS  : [HERE]

And the sub-series...

ARTIFACTS of FLAIR:

- part 1: PATCHES of POWER: [HERE]

- part 2: BUTTONS & PINS: [HERE]

- part 3: MYSTIC AMULETS [HERE]

- part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO: [THIS POST]

- part 4: MAGIC RINGS: [next]

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL - ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR Part 3: AMULETS, MEDALLIONS, PENDANTS & CHARMS

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Welcome back once again as we take a look at an entry in one of the longest-running series of blog posts on this Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog; wherein I showcase my collection of DOCTOR STRANGE related apparel (hats, ties, shirts, unmentionables…).

This time, were in the 3^rd entry of a sub-series of posts which feature assorted Ancillary Accessorizing Artifacts; (patches, buttons and assorted bling).

Anyway… in THIS post, we’re taking a look at DOCTOR STRANGE related AMULETS, MEDALLIONS, PENDANTS and CHARMS (y’know… dangly-things you wear around your neck).

Once again, the best way is to go chronologically, by year of acquisition (or creation).

My first “Doctor Strange” AMULET of course had to be the biggie:

THE EYE OF AGAMOTTO!

…Created by myself back in 1987 as a part of my DR. STRANGE costume (which can be seen in its own post [HERE]).  However, I’m not going to get into this item too much here, as it deserves a post all of its own (which it will as the next entry of this current sub-series).

I WILL say that it is 4” in diameter and 2.25” thick (and can be a lethal weapon due to its unusual weight and density. Seriously... you could totally kill someone with this thing).

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Next, is another of my custom-made bits of swag: a Medallion, cast in silver, with black enamel backing, in the shape of the window of Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum (or, at least, my rendition of it), which I commissioned a silversmith-artist/friend of mine to make to my specifications in 1992 (or 1993).

The amulet is 1 and 1/8 inches (3cm) in diameter, and I had two made: one to wear and one to keep in my display case.

However, this item did indeed already garner its own blog post (which can be found in Part 2 of the “Magic Rings and Mystic Bling” series [HERE]).

Read all about it there!

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The next item is a bit of self-indulgent “what-iffery”. A 1.5” wide triangular (or pyramidal) shaped “Eye of Agamotto”.

My reasoning for it harkens back to issue #13 of the “DOOM 2099” comic, wherein it was stated that there were 3 Eyes of Agamotto. So in my mind, if the 1st “lesser”eye was the original square amulet, and the 2^nd “greater” Eye being the round “Eye of Agamotto” we all know and love, then the 3^rd eye should be a triangular one, no?

Anyway, I found this in a Party Supply store where I was painting a mural (during the time when I was a mural artist – painting on the walls of business and palatial mansions alike) in 1995. While it might actually be merely a party-favor… to me it was a fanboy discovery.

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Since “All-Seeing Eyes” are the obvious contender for mystic amulets, it’s no surprise that the next entry is touted not only as “the Eye of Agamotto” but also by its real nomenclature; the ‘Eye of Buddha”.

A charm to ward off the Evil Eye, the Eye of Buddha originates from Nepal and shows the eye of wisdom surrounded by the “snail martyrs” (the story of the snail martyrs is as thus: When the Buddha sat to meditate by a tree, he fell into such a deep trance that he failed to realize that the sun’s position had changed and he was in peril of baking to death in it’s hot rays. Seeing the master in danger, 108 passing snails crawled upon his brow and coated his bald head with their life-juices, sacrificing their lives for his – so often when a portrait or statue of the master is seen, its head is adorned with martyr snails – the ultimate tribute to those selfless molluscs.)

When Steve Ditko designed Doctor Strange’s “Eye of Agamotto” the likeness to the “Eye of Buddha” was too close for coincidence (much like the likeness of the Wand of Watoomb to another mystic item, a Tibetan Dorje).

Anyway, these Eye of Buddha / Agamotto amulets are 1.5” in diamteter, and like many items in my collection, I have one to wear and one strictly for display.

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What comes next is not really a "Doctor Strange" item, but one that resembles a Doctor Strange themed design ...

Made of sterling silver, and .5" high/wide... while this might LOOK like the symbol that is on the front of Strange's tunic, it is in fact the 23rd letter in the Greek alphabet; "Psi" (but c'mon! it's close enough).

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Next are two charms featuring hand-gestures that should be familiar to any magic fan…

The first is a “mano cornuto” (“horned hand”) charm, designed to ward off the evil eye.

I had one similar to this one many decades ago, acquired from someone, somewhere, at some time in my youth (until it was presumably lost during a move), until I bought another fairly recently as a replacement (strictly for my Doctor Strange collection, as I am unconcerned about the "evil eye").

2.1cm high, .8cm wide, made of sterling silver.

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The second hand gesture is the “American Sign Language” gesture for “I LOVE YOU”.

17mm tall, 11mm wide and made of pewter silver.

And if we’ve known anything about Doctor Strange over the decades, with his hands kept in that position whist casting magic, he’s been saving the Earth-Dimension from evil with the power of love for over 50 years!

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Come back soon for a SPECIAL ENTRY showcasing the EYE of AGAMOTTO (shown at the top of this post) in a solo entry!

Then, come back for the finale of the Artifacts of Flair sub-series: MAGIC RINGS!

Previous parts of the

MYSTIC GARB : DR. STRANGE APPAREL SERIES:

- part 1 : CAPS and TIES : [HERE]
- part 2 : SOLO APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 3 : TEAM-UP APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 4 : THE "OTHERS" / "6-DIMENSIONS" T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 5 : "THE END" of GARMENTS  : [HERE]

And the sub-series...

ARTIFACTS of FLAIR:

- part 1: PATCHES of POWER: [HERE]

- part 2: BUTTONS & PINS: [HERE]

- part 3: MYSTIC AMULETS [HERE]

- part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO: [next]

- part 4: MAGIC RINGS: [soon]

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL - ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR Part 2: BUTTONS, BADGES & PINS

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 A portion of the Pin Collection in its revolving glass display case habitat.

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Welcome back for another exciting entry in one of the longest-running series of blog posts on this Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog; wherein I showcase my collection of DOCTOR STRANGE and "6-Dimensions" related apparel (hats, ties, shirts, unmentionables…).

This time, we're in the 2^nd entry of a sub-series of posts which feature assorted Ancillary Accessorizing Artifacts; (patches, buttons and assorted bling).

While in our previous outing, we looked at my collection of PATCHES [HERE], in THIS post, we’re taking a look at BUTTONS and PINS (or “badges & pinbacks”, if you prefer that nomenclature).

And, of course, because there's no such thing as "a-button-is-a-button-is-a-button", there are several sub-sub-categories which we will break them down further:

Buttons, Cloisonné Pins, Badges (and of course, all separated into 2 categories each; "DOCTOR STRANGE" and then "6-DIMENSIONS" characters), and even a few custom-made items.

Once again, the best way is to go chronologically, by manufacture – and broken-down by type (Organized? –or- OCD? – YOU decide!).

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First up, we'll take a look at...

 DOCTOR STRANGE BUTTONS

"MAKE MINE MARVEL" pin 1967

A part of the membership package from the MMMS

(MERRY MARVEL MARCHING SOCIETY)

A whopping 3.5" wide, this giant pin let its wearer proclaim to the world that they were TRUE BELIEVERS!

With the heads of some of the more popular characters of that time, each taken from their respective comics, we do see a Steve Ditko drawn head of Doctor Strange.

As you can see from the pic, mine has some age spots.
I got this one in the pre-internet years (some time in the late 1980's - early 1990's iirc) via an ad in a comic trade newspaper. (You'd check the buy/sell classified ads, and contact the seller, oftentimes buying items sight-unseen. Checks were mailed, and then the long wait for the item to arrive. I prefer ebay.)

Anyway, I'm sure I'll get a pristine copy sooner or later.

*UPDATE*

While not exactly "pristine", I have recently obtained a "very good" (maybe close to "near mint") condition pin.

The only thing that degrades this copy is some minor defect on the left (near Daredevil's head).

It's quite a nice one, notwithstanding, although, I guess that means I STILL will be on the lookout for a "pristine" copy.

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1977 "gumball machine" pin.

Measuring about an inch wide, this item was also manufactured and sold as a ring and a keychain (see pic below).

These were available as prizes from carnivals, theme parks and yes... gumball vending machines.

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1985 - 1.5" wide.

artwork by Steve Leialoha from DOCTOR STRANGE; Master of the Mystic Arts # 67.

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1987 - 2.25" wide

artwork by Frank Brunner from MARVEL PREMIERE # 10

Yup. Nothing sells buttons more than an obscure panel wherein Shuma Gorath taunts our hero with a vision of his death.

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1987 - 2.25" wide

artwork by Kevin Nowlan from the cover of 

DOCTOR STRANGE: Master of the Mystic Arts # 57

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1987 - 3" high x 2" wide

artwork by Marshal Rogers from the cover of 

DOCTOR STRANGE: Master of the Mystic Arts # 49

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1988 - 1.5" wide

Eye of Agamotto - original artwork made for the pin

As far as I can tell, this is an exceptionally rare button. I've never seen another like it.

(it could be from 1986, but it's very hard to tell since the copyright date is slightly obscured by the metal backing plate.)

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Alright... you got me. THIS isn't an actual Marvel produced "Eye of Agamotto" pin.

It's actually a CBS Television lapel / hat pin. Made of golden colored metal (sorry, the pic has the shiny surface of the pin reflecting the black cloth all along the top half) and measuring a little more than a half-inch wide, it is the CBS "Eye" icon.

These were made over the years, apparently, to be worn by CBS employees, but somehow some of them made it out into the secondary marketplace (presumably by pages, interns and mail-room clerks looking to supplement their income).

However, since Doctor Strange's Made-for-TV movie pilot was made for (you guessed it) CBS, I thought this would make sense as a tribute to that event...

(and also a nifty, ersatz "Eye of Agamotto" as well).

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2011 - 1.25" by Dark Horse / Marvel

Displaying an image drawn by Steve Ditko of Doctor Strange from his 1st appearance in 'Strange Tales' # 110, this pin-back button came packaged with the "Marvel Classic Character" syroco statuette manufactured by Dark Horse Comics (Doc was # 5 in the 1st series [- and yes, I'll showcase that soon when I continue my series of Dr. Strange figures & statues]).

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2011 - 2.25" wide by Stussy / Marvel

As I already blogged about [HERE] there was a special edition of shirts and artwork of Marvel characters, licensed by design/apparel company; STUSSY.

One of their t-shirt designs was used as their overarching emblem for the event and, as such, was also used for promotional materials (like, for instance... BUTTONS).

This 2.25" wide pin features images of multitudes of Marvel characters. However, for the interest of this blog, obviously Dr. Strange is included.

However, in a bizarre twist, take a look to the left and the right of Spider-Man.

To the left is Doctor Strange's BODY, but to Spidey's right is Doc's HEAD!

(Talk about a magic-trick!)

While some other characters were allowed to protrude over the boundry of the double "S" Stussy logo (Spidey, Silver Surfer, Dr. Doom, Hulk, Captain America and more...), obviously, having Doctor Strange's HEAD covering the end of the inverted "S" was the last straw, and as such, he had to be beheaded.

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That wraps up the "Dr Strange" section of BUTTONS (but fret not, there's more Doctor Strange Cloisonné and badges to come further in this post). Now we turn our attention to some "6-Dimensions" characters' buttons in my collection.

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"6-DIMENSIONS" CHARACTERS BUTTONS

1976 - 2" wide

Howard the Duck artwork by Bernie Wrightson

Believe it or not; in 1976 Howard the Duck was an actual (write-in) candidate for President of the Unites States. Among the mail-away promotional materials you could get to support the "All Night Party" candidate was this spiffy pin touting Howard's slogan; "GET DOWN, AMERICA!"

Issue # 8 of his series dealt heavily with his campaign and this pin was shown therein (as well as in mail-away ads in the Marvel Comics of those months surrounding the election).

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Here's a small smattering of "6-Dimensions" character pins from my collection. I've many more buttons and pins of my "6-Dimensions" faves than this, but most have been removed from the active collection and will go up on the eBay when I get around to it.

All these are the same size 1.5" and are from 1986 and 1987 (except the Dr. Doom one from the 2099 line of comics - which is from 1995).

Left to right, top to bottom:

DOOM 2099, Moon Knight's Ankh (from when Dr. Strange altered MK's modus operendi), Gargoyle, Cloak & Dagger and just Cloak solo (While C&D partnered with Doc - and shared a title with him - Cloak was also a special team-up during the time Doc's Cloak of Levitation was shredded - in case you wondered why I have these.)

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*UPDATE*

I've also recently obtained a SCARLET WITCH pin. One that I've seen online now and again.

It's from a carded set of AVENGERS pins.

 I haven't taken her out of the wrapper, so... I guess that means I'm still in the market for either another set or just another one of her, loose.

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1987 - SHIELD (LOGO?!?) 2" high x 3" wide

This is a weird one.

No SHIELD comic out at this time. A 6 issue deluxe edition mini-series (Nick Fury vs SHIELD) would start the following year.

This could have been a promotional item to herald the new project.

If I recall, the series dealt with Nick Fury discovering that SHIELD had been infiltrated and corrupted at its highest levels by shadow-agencies, so he had to re-start a new SHIELD with only a select core group of trusted individuals.

I'll have to dig out the issues to see if this is a new design for that core team.

(If anyone knows the origin of this one and can save me the time digging around, please do so in the comments. Thanks!)

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The only buttons & badges that I (somewhat) regret selling off was my super-rare STARMAN badge and Cloisonné Enamel Pin!

These two items were in my collection for years, until they sold on ebay [HERE].

Ah, well...

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DOCTOR STRANGE CLOISONNE

Now we return to items featuring DOCTOR STRANGE - this time showcasing Cloisonné Enamel Pins! Unlike all the rest of the buttons in the collection, these Cloisonné Enamel pins use a push-pin type of fastener (like a tie-tack).

1988 - 1.25" wide

Doctor Strange logo from Strange Tales v2 and his "Sorcerer Supreme" series of the late 1980's.

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 1989 - 1.25" wide

Doctor Strange in flying position.

(note: the eye patch over Doc's left eye)
I searched for the source of this image in comics from several years prior to, and up to the month of its release, and could not find any that were a match finally FOUND it.
It looks like the work of Mike Mignola, (but could also be that of Paul Smith or Art Adams) and I am now of the mind that it was drawn as a promotional pose and used, seemingly exclusively, for this pin (perhaps the eye-patch being added after-the-fact, since it was a small window of time wherein Doc wore one).
It turns out that the original image is from SILVER SURFER ANNUAL # 2 (1989) and drawn by Ron Lim. The line work was simplified slightly for this pin (which is what gave it the Mike Mignola/ Paul Smith vibe, but I am 100% sure that I have found the source.
As I guessed, the eye-patch was added after the fact (it seems the head as a whole may a fix, as it is the only aspect that does not quite match the art from the annual).

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 1990 - 1.25" high

Doctor Strange "spellcasting", taken from artwork of Dale Keown from 'Incredible Hulk' #370

(although, in that issue, Doc was in his astral form.)

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1993 - 1.25" high

This is the "trade dress" logo for the 'Midnight Sons"' line of comics that Marvel had during the 1990's. Centered around the dark and  mystical characters (mostly the Dan Ketch Ghost Rider who was wildly popular at the time), the Midnight Sons was a favorite branding for me (if only the quality of the comics was any good).

This pin is also copyright Marvel and Planet Studios (who seem to be the manufacturers of the Cloisonné pins made  after 1990).

*UPDATE*

As is the case with many of the items in my personal collection, I've obtained a 2nd of this pin.

Just because I like it.

I'd have sworn I also had duplicates of a few of the other cloisonne' pins, but for the life of me, I don't know where they are.

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Now we switch it up to take a look at CLOISONNE OF "6-DIMENSIONS":

1993 - 1" wide

The Ghost Rider "mystic gas cap" (don't ask) icon.

As much an integral logo as the 'Midnight Sons' one above.

(Planet Studios)

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Here are a few of the "6-Dimensions" Cloisonné  pins that I still have in my personal collection. I do have others, but they're probably going to hit eBay one day soon as well (perhaps even a few of these).

Here's what I have here clockwise from top-left:

Johnny Blaze - 1992 Planet Studios
Warlock - 1993 Planet Studios

Morbius - 1993 planet studios

Generation X - 1996 Planet Studios (OK. GenX isn't Cloisonné , it's a gold-toned metallic)

Galactus - 1989

Marvel Super Hero Island - 1999

Doctor Doom - 1988

Each of these utilize artwork from their various comics.
Blaze - Adam Kubert
Warlock - Tom Rainey
Morbius - Andy Kubert
Galactus - John Byrne
Doom - John Buscema

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OK. Let's take a quick look at some...

 DOCTOR STRANGE CLIP-ONS & BADGES

1996 - 1.75" wide

OK. This is my ONLY Clip-On / Badge featuring Doctor Strange.

Near as I can tell, it's the ONLY one there ever was.

Packaged with the Doctor Strange action figure in the Amazing Spider-Man animated series line by ToyBiz in 1996, this is made of plastic with the image embossed in high-relief.

There's a plastic clip on the back that can also flip back to transform this badge into a mini standee/sign.

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"6-DIMENSIONS" CLIP-ONS / BADGES

Well then, how about some Clip-On Badges featuring others...

1995 - ToyBiz

Similar to the one above for Doctor Strange, these came packaged with action figures in that same Spider-Man Animated Series action figure line.

I got Mysterio (because he's freakin' cool, that's why), Morbius and a SHIELD one that came with a Nick Fury figure.

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1" wide - Tin Clip-On Badges

These type of badges are seen frequently as promotional materials or premiums.

In this case I have a few; the Two for Marvel vs DC crossover event - 1995, and DC Zero-Hour - 1994

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Alas, no. This is also not an "Eye of Agamotto" badge, but instead, one that I received as an entrance badge during a visit to the Museum of Natural History - or the Metropolitan Museum of Art (I forget which) many years ago. But I keep it with my Doc buttons because it's an Eye. So sue me.

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CUSTOM MADE
BUTTONS & OBJECT d'ART

If you take any issue with my keeping a non-official "Eye of Oshtur" badge in my collection, then you may also have reservations about what follows: Custom-Made buttons...

3" wide - custom button

This button is one that I keep as a "Cautionary Tale", to remind me about the perils of items for sale online.

Y'see, I saw this as a small, out-of-focus pic on an eBay auction, which touted it as something from an "estate sale". Was this a button that I was unaware? Surely, no one would try to pass off a blatant fake as a real item, would they? I needed to have it for the collection!

Well, once it arrived, I saw it for what it was. A blatant fake passed off as a real item. It was a Dr. Strange sticker (from the 1960's Topps Marvel sticker/card series) adhered to a paper backing and made into an otherwise nice-looking button.

Heck, it could be worse...

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2.25" - art by Don Perlin from an issue of 'Defenders'

THIS one is worse. But only because I've never been a fan of the art of Don Perlin in Defenders.

Made especially for me by a friend (who did not know of my Perlin views) when my buddy got a new button-making kit (around 1988). I keep it because it was made as a gift and heck... it's DOC!

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What follows are several 1" wide pins.

These were all purchased online (ebay, etsy) and, like the Don Perlin button above, are made of clippings from actual comics (SHOCK! CALAMITY! Oh, the HUMANITY!).

The Doctor Strange one up top was drawn by Sal Buscema and is taken from a Christmas-time subscription advertisement (Doc's head is in a wreath), Dormammu's head is drawn by Steve Ditko and is from the splash-page to the classic 'Strange Tales' # 140 ("Pincers of Power").

Dr. Doom is from the cover to Fantastic Four # 5 (his 1st appearance. [I sure hope this was clipped from a reprint!])

Next, the Doc profile is taken from the "corner-box" of an issue from his "Master of the Mystic Arts" series. There were only a few issues with an orange background there, so I could pin-point it if I were that nerdy (I'll do it later, for sure, but this post is late enough as it is *Dang, I'm SUCH a geek... I just checked and I can state definitively that it came from the cover to # 19 - due to the location of the TM symbol and a green strip of color which are around the back of the pin - all indicators of # 19.). 

The hand is from a Steve Ditko "Mighty Marvel Pin-Up", originally published in 'Strange Tales' #128, and more recently reprinted as the cover of the comic that was packaged along with the Marvel Legends Doctor Strange action figure - which is from where this button was clipped.

These are the only buttons with art clipped from actual covers, as the paper stock is slick.

This batch utilizes Steve Ditko drawn head from 'Strange Tales' # 137 )"When Meet the Mystic Minds). The "Demons of Denak!" word-balloon is from issue #23 of "Master of the Mystic Arts" written by Marv Wolfman  and lettered by Joe Rosen (YES, I flipped through DOZENS of issues until I found it - and it wasn't easy - you wouldn't believe the number of times it is used. But, I found the exact panel that matched the shape of the balloon and the fact that the artwork lines up perfectly [that's the shadow of Doc's jaw at the top and his neck just above the balloon, with the cloak and even the panel border lining up]. Shoot me now).

"Demons of Denak!, indeed..."

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We'll wrap up this madness with a few buttons that I made personally over the years...

2.5" wide - Sanctum Window design (1989)

Using a silver paint marker to delineate the window's "bars" and black paint applied directly to the inner side of a plastic "reusable" button (probably intended for photos and whatnot), I made this to wear on the lapel of my black trenchcoat back in the day.

I may have to remake a new one to wear these days. I forgot how much I liked this.

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2.5" wide - "Eye of Agamotto" (1989)

Back when I used to frequent comic conventions as a professional comic artist (1989 - 1991) aside from drawing commissions then and there, I also came with pre-drawn and hand colored illos and also had a few buttons, like this one, which were photocopied from my drawings and hand-colored by marker.

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3" wide - "Eye of Agamotto" (2012)

Obviously, since the 1989 version was a rough-looking button and a product of its time, I thought it would make sense to remake the Eye utilizing my computer skillz in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

It looks far more impressive in person (almost like the "real thing") and is merely a print-out placed inside a larger version of the re-usable button kit. I DO have a standard button making machine, so maybe I'll make a permanent one too. We'll see...

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2.25" wide - "Eye of Agamotto" (1998)

I'm listing this one last, even though it wasn't the last one made, purely because it's so different (and technically, isn't complete).

Constructed from a metal ball-bearing wheel housing (from some sort of machine - those little nodules are actual ball-bearings,) I painted it with enamel paint and covered it in a clear glaze (with the intent to finalize it with some metallic paint and a final clear-coat).

Sandwiched between the front and back plates is a hologram of an eye.

The effect is that the eye moves and looks around and is recessed slightly behind the outer rim of the amulet.

Before it is officially complete, I'll probably give it some "eye-lids". Maybe movable ones!

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However, lest you think that these are the only "Eyes of Agamotto" in my collection, fret not... for I have made at least one other (but it is a medallion!), and I have other medallions and pendants as well!

Remember when I showed this photo-manipulated version of my Eye of Agamotto several years back? An item also shown at the very top of my blog...

I'll be sure to showcase that, along with other medallions & pendants next time...

So, be on the lookout for THAT next installment of this series!

MYSTIC GARB: DOCTOR STRANGE APPAREL

- ANCILLARY ACCESSORIES: ARTIFACTS of FLAIR

Part 3: MEDALLIONS and PENDANTS!
[HERE]

And don't forget to check out any you may have missed of the

Previous parts of the

MYSTIC GARB : DR. STRANGE APPAREL SERIES:

- part 1 : CAPS and TIES : [HERE]
- part 2 : SOLO APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 3 : TEAM-UP APPEARANCE T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 4 : THE "OTHERS" / "6-DIMENSIONS" T-SHIRTS : [HERE]
- part 5 : "THE END" of GARMENTS  : [HERE]

And the sub-series...

ARTIFACTS of FLAIR:

- part 1: PATCHES of POWER: [HERE]

- part 2: BUTTONS & PINS: [HERE]

- part 3: MYSTIC AMULETS [HERE]

- part 3a: EYE of AGAMOTTO: [next]

- part 4: MAGIC RINGS: [soon]