In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Doctor Strange comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Doctor Strange. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).

Marvel's EPIC COLLECTION is a line of economical black and white trade paperbacks that reprint early material in bulk. They are not usually published in order, so gaps will appear in the list below until they are all published.

The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Doctor Strange, if it's within your budget.

• STRANGE TALES [1951] #110  (1st appearance of Doctor Strange)

• STRANGE TALES [1951] #115   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1968] #169   (origin retold)
• MARVEL PREMIERE [1972] #11   (origin retold)
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1974] #21   (origin retold)
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1974] #56   (origin retold)
• UNCANNY ORIGINS [1996] #12   (origin retold)
• STRANGE [2004] #1-6   (modern origin by J. Michael Straczynski)
• DOCTOR STRANGE: SEASON ONE [2012-HC]    (stunning hardcover graphic novel reinterprets origin with Wong recast as a peer)
• DOCTOR STRANGE: MYSTIC APPRENTICE [2016] #1   (one-shot w/new classic story plus reprint of 1st appearance and origin)

Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Doctor Strange comic books. Doctor Strange has had a long publication history stretching across decades.

• STRANGE TALES [1951] #110-111, 114-168   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1968] #169-183   
• MARVEL FEATURE [1971] #1-3   
• MARVEL PREMIERE [1972] #3-14   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1974] #1-81   
• DOCTOR STRANGE CLASSICS [1984] #1-4   
• STRANGE TALES [1987] #1-19   
• DOCTOR STRANGE, SORCERER SUPREME [1988] #1-90   
• STRANGE TALES [1994] #1   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1999] #1-4   
• DOCTOR STRANGE: THE OATH [2006] #1-5   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [2015] #1-26   
• DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE SORCERERS SUPREME [2016] #1-12   (second monthly title parlaying the success of the MCU film)
• DOCTOR STRANGE [2018A] #381-390   (return to legacy numbering)
• DOCTOR STRANGE: DAMNATION [2018] #1-5   
• DOCTOR STRANGE [2018B] #1-20   (flagship relaunch)
• DOCTOR STRANGE ANNUAL [2019] #1-   

This section contains a curated list of some of the best storylines for Doctor Strange, any one of which can be a good place to get started.

A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Doctor Strange, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags.

• STRANGE TALES [1951] #110   (1st appearance of Doctor Strange)
• STRANGE TALES [1951] #115   (origin of Doctor Strange)
• STRANGE TALES [1951] #126   (introduction of Clea)
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1968] #169   (origin retold; 1st issue of this series; continues numbering from STRANGE TALES [1951])
• MARVEL FEATURE [1971] #1   (1st appearance/origin of the Defenders)
• MARVEL PREMIERE [1972] #3   (Dr. Strange stories begin)
• MARVEL PREMIERE [1972] #10   (death of the Ancient One)
• DOCTOR STRANGE [1974] #55   (a fan-favorite stand-alone issue)