Paul Smith is one of the best artists to ever draw the Sorcerer Supreme, and now folks are celebrating him in a big way. Tuesday, Skybound announced a new partnership with Act IV publishing, one that will soon result in the release of Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist’s Edition.
A massive hardcover release, Doctor Strange by Paul Smith is set to feature 192 pages that include Smith’s work on Strange in entirety — including Strange issues #65, #69, #70, and #72 (all four of which were penciled and inked by Smith), along with over 40 additional pages from various issues, a selection of beautiful covers, and rarely seen artwork representing every corner of the Marvel Universe. Also included here is the 10-page Daredevil story from Marvel Fanfare #1, Smith’s first published Marvel Comics work.
The book is also oversized, checking in at 12″ x 17″, and though Smith’s artwork ends at inks, the pages are all scanned in color to, as Skybound puts it, to enable “the reader to see the work as close to the original as possible—ink gradients, blue pencil, and all the unique nuances that make original art so special—are all clearly visible and printed at the same size as drawn.”
Paul Smith’s celebrated contributions to Doctor Strange are often cited as a cult classic within the character’s publishing history. With his refined linework and moody storytelling, Smith’s take on the Sorcerer Supreme helped redefine the character and further cemented him as a legend in Marvel Comics history. This Artist’s Edition of his popular Doctor Strange issues offers a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the craftmanship behind his celebrated work.
This release is the second such from this Skybound/Act IV partnership. The Amazing Spider-Man by Steve Ditko Artist’s Edition will be a similar book and is set to hit stores before its Strange counterpart this July. The Spider-Man edition will retail for $195 while Doctor Strange will carry a suggested retail price of $150.
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist’s Edition is set to release at comic stores on August 12th before hitting the book market nationwide on September 8th.
