Episode #28 - Dr. Strange
Original Airdate April 27, 1996

Peter discovers that Mary-Jane is working with a mysterious cult. Baron Mordo, head of the cult, wants them to steal the Wand of Watoom to free his master, Dormammu. And when Mordo manages to get his hands on the wand, Spider-Man must team up with Doctor Strange and his sidekick Wong, to stop them!

Credits
Story By: John Semper and Mark Hoffmeier
Written By: Mark Hoffmeier
Music Composed By: Shuki Levy and Kussa Mahchi
Animation Services By: Toyko Movie Shinsha (TMS)
Guest Starring: Christopher Daniel Barnes as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, John Vernon as Dr. Strange, Tony Jay as Baron Mordo and Ed Gilbert as Dormmau

Review: The 3rd season opener was certainly a strange one. Taking its queue from an old Amazing Spider-Man annual, it featured the first and only animated team up of Spider-Man and Dr. Strange. Continuing from last season’s cliffhanger, Spider-Man is searching for the missing Mary Jane Watson, and it appears someone has taken over her mind.

The opening fight in Dr. Strange sanctuary was defiantly a cool one, and was surprising well animated. Dr. Strange has a cool design and the voice, provided by John Vernon fitted the character. This was my first introduction to Dr. Strange, and it was a nice one. I could have done with Wong, his sidekick. I usually like sidekicks, and this one wasn’t too bad until they arrived at the villains hideout, where most of his lines were really, really stupid. “Steel is mightier than wood!” Indeed.

The villains were not what I expect from Spidey, but then again, they were Dr. Strange’s villains, so they weren’t out too of place. The same can’t be said for their later appearances however. I really don't think they were needed in the Venom and Carnage episodes. Especially considering those episodes already had 2 villains.

It was weird seeing Peter’s parents in the dream sequence. Until now, the show had basically avoided all mention of them. I would’ve thought that Uncle Ben would’ve been used but I suppose, with Peter not remembering his parents, he’d miss them more.

Overall, Dr Strange was good episode with a solid plot, nice animation and some good characterisation from all concerned. It got the 3rd season off to a strong start.