Essential Defenders #2
In "The Way They Were!", Stephen Strange faces a descendant of the original Mr. Rasputin, a man who wields both arcane power and advanced science in a bid for global control. Written by Steve Ditko and Dennis O'Neil, with art, inks, and letters by Ditko, this issue blends supernatural intrigue with a tense cat-and-mouse game as Strange races to stop a hidden threat—only to find danger closing in even within the sanctuary of his own sanctum. The cover by Gil Kane, with inks by Frank Giacoia and John Romita, captures the eerie clash of magic and menace.
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Mr. Rasputin, descendant of the original, amasses magical & scientific knowledge in his goal of world domination. Sensing an evil presence Strange finds Rasputin who soon realizes he cannot match Strange's magic and shoots him. A hospitalized Strange informs the police about Rasputin but when they fail to find him Strange realizes he may have taken refuge at his sanctum! As Strange investigates a hit-man Rasputin hired enters the hospital to finish the job. Strange emerges victorious erasing all memory of magic from Rasputin and forcing he & his henchman to confess their crimes to the police.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).