#vincent faust

[project-vessel-blog]

Hello, and welcome to my new blog!! I am super excited to officially be posting on tumblr and looking forward to not only sharing my ocs but also my passion project!

Project Vessel has been a decade long running idea that has slowly been worked on in my free time. This year, I decided that I wanted to put not just my college degree to use, but also truly try to bring to light the story I have been wanting to share.

Project Vessel is a psych horror game that follows the son of a maniacal cult leader. As the person who controls his decisions, you the player are ultimately able to choose what path you want to play, giving the story multiple timelines as well as endings. Because of this, the story is going to take a WHILE to write and it has been quite the feat when coming up with ideas. Despite this, I still do have an entire main/true story line planned and have lots of things to share when it comes to lore and canon within the world!

I plan on sharing more information on not just the characters, but also the intricacies of the world, lore and magic systems that exist within it as well. Ultimately I plan on releasing dev logs as I progress in development (hopefully by the end of summer) and I hope that sharing more here helps keep you, the viewer, invested!

For now, thank you so much for supporting an indie creators work. I and a handful of passionate people are excited to create something that will be a love letter to not only its inspirations but our love for art in the first place. I will be posting lots and lots of art in the coming days with various levels of lore drops.

If you would like to see what I have worked on already, I am currently posting on Bluesky @projectvessel and on TikTok as @nozoxshii! (Same as my devilman blog!) ⭐️🖤

[studentsofshield]

Strange Tales: A Doctor Strange Publication History Lesson Part 1, Creation and the Legendary Lee/Ditko Run

By Vincent Faust

The Marvel hero known as Doctor Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110 in July 1963. His debut and subsequent stories for his first few years were plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Stan Lee. Unlike the far more popular and lucrative Spider-Man, the creator credits for the good Doctor have never been too controversial.

"On my own, I brought in to Lee a five-page, penciled story with a page/panel script of my idea of a new, different kind of character for variety in Marvel Comics. My character wound up being named Dr. Strange because he would appear in Strange Tales."

-Steve Ditko, 2008

“Well, we have a new character in the works for Strange Tales (just a 5-page filler named Dr. Strange) Steve Ditko is gonna draw him. It has sort of a black magic theme. The first story is nothing great, but perhaps we can make something of him-- 'twas Steve's idea and I figured we'd give it a chance, although again, we had to rush the first one too much. Little sidelight: Originally decided to call him Mr. Strange, but thought the "Mr." bit too similar to Mr. Fantastic -- now, however, I remember we had a villain called Dr. Strange just recently in one of our mags, hope it won't be too confusing!”

-Stan Lee, 1963

As Lee explains, Strange was initially a short filler. He then appeared in the next issue (Strange Tales 111), but would skip a few issues until appearing for the third time in 114. Strange would maintain this Strange Tales feature spot until ST 168, which then evolved into Doctor Strange Vol 1 (keeping the numbering). Initially he shared the book with co-lead feature Human Torch Johnny Storm (101-134). Nick Fury’s modern day Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. features then took Johnny’s spot for the duration of the Strange Tales run (then getting his own mag as well).

A minor point of contention among Strange fans and Marvel historians is whether Stephen Strange may have been initially depicted/intended as being of Asian descent. This is a theory that Kurt Busiek, acclaimed comics writer and Marvel encyclopedia, has advanced. This debate rose to new heights around the release of the 2016 film, which had become embroiled in whitewashing controversy over the Ancient One’s casting.

Here are some excerpts from Strange’s earliest appearances. Notice the possibly stereotyped facial features.

His features are similar to the Ancient One’s, who is explicitly denoted as Asian off the bat. There are no textual references to Strange’s ancestry at first. But it is worth noting that Baron Mordo is also depicted with similar features, and is fairly clearly written as European.

By his third appearance, Ditko is drawing Strange in a more Caucasian appearance. This would then stick with the character to this day. It is unknown whether this was just a style change that means nothing at all or if it was an intentional change. Perhaps the creative team realized that the character was catching on beyond a one-off anthology fill-in. Did Stan Lee pressure Ditko to alter the character to a more palatable ongoing protagonist for 1960s America? I do not believe Ditko has ever commented on this matter. If you’d like to send him a letter, he may or may not reply.

What followed was one of the most influential runs in comics history. Steve Ditko cast Doctor Strange in mind-blowing realms and dimensions that would inspire young minds. Along with the brooding Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange became popular on college campuses across America. Learning this, Lee and Ditko leaned even farther into these elements. Readers assumed that Ditko was a drug user, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Students were getting into psychedelia and Eastern mysticism, and Ditko’s boundless imagination was the perfect fit.

Stan Lee’s role in these stories is rightfully overshadowed, but his influence should also be noted. Lee provided Strange’s crazy incantations and mystical artifacts. Mythology that has stuck with the character to this day like the “eye of Agamotto,” the “book of Vishanti,” the wand of Watoomb.”

The creative high point of this era is the famous Eternity Saga. Spanning Strange Tales 130-146, it is sometime referred to as the first proper “graphic novel” story arc in superhero comics. The epic started prior to, and overlapped with the overshadowing Galactus Trilogy in Fantastic Four, but is far longer.

In this story, Ditko introduced Eternity, one of the first cosmic entities of the Marvel Universe. A pantheon that would be added to over the years and later used to epic effect by folks like Jim Starlin, Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning.

The story is about the entanglements of Strange, Eternity, Dormammu, and Baron Mordo.

If you’d like to read all of Lee and Ditko’s magical tales, you have a few options.

There is a hardcover omnibus collecting the entirety of Strange Tales 110-111, 114-146 together in one tome. It is a rather thin one compared to Marvel’s other releases so as to isolate Ditko’s work.

The same material has also been collected variously in hardcover masterworks, black and white paperback essentials, Doctor Strange Classic single issue reprints, etc. Some of these may be out of print and expensive online due to high demand.

All of the above information has been primarily sourced from good olde Wikipedia (a totally legitimate source), the dark recesses of my own brain, the Marvel Wikia, this Polygon article, and most importantly Neilalien.com which is a fantastic Doctor Strange fansite.

[project-vessel-blog]

Hello Everyone!!

It’s been a while….

I’ve been very hard at work creative lots of fun art for this project, but seemingly forgot all about this blog in the meantime. While I have been busy posting everything I finish on TikTok I’ve been very neglectful of the other account (this here blog) I was hoping to grow in the meantime!

While I’ve been drawing away I have also been spending lots of time planning the actual GAME and what is going to come of it! Because of this, I am excited to announce that I am officially starting the process of making a Visual Novel!! It will be the first of many in the series, and I am so so excited to share it with you all. In the meantime, please anticipate more information and art!

[studentsofshield]

“90s Comics Sucked”

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Strange Tales: A Doctor Strange Publication History Lesson Part 2, Roy Thomas and the Masked Doctor

By Vincent Faust

Steve Ditko left the Doctor Strange feature after Strange Tales 146. This coincided with Amazing Spider-Man 38, marking his mysterious and silent overnight departure from Marvel Comics. Some diehard Strange and Ditko fans would argue that those 1960s stories have never been and never will be surpassed. That may or may not be true, but Stephen Vincent Strange has definitely had quality stories since. So let’s get into it.

Immediately following Ditko, Bill Everett came on as artist briefly for Strange Tales 147-152. Everett is most known as the creator of Namor the Sub-Mariner in the Golden Age. A character he eventually had three distinct and acclaimed runs on. His line was very unique for the post-Fantastic Four Marvel. Fans either love or hate his “hammerhead” style Namor. On Doctor Strange, he was both a throwback to the Golden Age style and reminiscent of the burgeoning underground comics scene of the time. Half of these stories were written by a young Dennis O’Neil (years later to become a legend at DC), with Stan the Man handling the rest. 

What then followed for the remainder of the Strange Tales period was a rough spot. Marvel legend Marie Severin did a stint on art, but never truly fit the character like she did with Hulk. Strange Tales 162-168 largely featured scripts by the obscure Jim Lawrence (also did James Bond newspaper strips) and art by Dan Adkins. This period of over a year is not a well remembered time.

Following ST 168, the book’s features get split up. Just like the end of many of Marvel’s anthology books (Tales of Suspense, Tales to Astonish, Journey into Mystery), one feature keeps the numbering and another gets their own new title. Strange continued on into Doctor Strange Vol 1 169 and Nick Fury’s modern day stories moved to Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

This title change also brought a creative change with incoming writer Roy Thomas. Thomas had already written a few Strange tales during the Strange Tales era (lol). Across the Marvel line, he was frequently being handpicked as Lee’s successor on his most beloved characters. Thomas has a solid run that is marked by a controversial decision. He’d return to the character several times through the years.

During this stint, Thomas is joined by Gene Colan, one of the more underrated artists of Marvel’s Silver Age stable. Colan is also known around that time for Iron Man and a huge run on Daredevil, and would later team with Marv Wolfman on the cult classic Tomb of Dracula.

In Doctor Strange 177, Stephen puts on a mask and gets a new out-of-costume secret identity in Stephen Sanders. This was a move to try and hue closer to Marvel’s other more traditional superheroes. Nowadays, it is mostly just a curiosity laughed at in online articles.

Strange's traditional costume and identity were restored in 182. Unfortunately, the book would be canceled after just one more issue. With no space to finish the story, Thomas used other books he was writing to wrap up a crossover that would be another major piece of the puzzle of Strange's history. 

In Doctor Strange 183, Sub-Mariner 22, and Incredible Hulk 126, the three titular heroes team up to defeat the Nameless One and his Undying Ones. A later Subby story roped in the Silver Surfer and introduced Valkyrie. And thus the Defenders were born. The greatest non-team in comics. The team's first stories officially together were in Marvel Feature 1-3. These issues also featured some solo Strange features. The Defenders then got their own comic, being written initially by Steve Englehart. 

Strange's stints on teams will not be chronicled past this point in these posts.

Unfortunately, most of the stuff between Ditko and the material discussed in the third part has not been collected very well. Check out masterworks and essentials if you want it now. It should be in the second epic collection eventually.

All of the above information has been primarily sourced from good olde Wikipedia (a totally legitimate source), the dark recesses of my own brain, the Marvel Wikia, this Polygon article, and most importantly Neilalien.com which is a fantastic Doctor Strange fansite.

[studentsofshield]

Various Reading Orders/Collected Edition Details for the Guardians of the Galaxy

In this post I will lay out the reading order and collected editions info for the “original” Guardians of the Galaxy team set in the 31st century. I will also provide reading orders on a few of the modern Guardians with more obscure backgrounds. Without further ado, check out the lists below and have a blast.

Original Guardians Reading Order

This is a pretty much complete reading order for the original team. As discussed in the other post, most of the early parts are written by Steve Gerber. Then the major Korvac Saga crossover by Jim Shooter. Then the 1990 series is written about half and half by Jim Valentino and Michael Gallagher. The final three pieces are written by Dan Abnett.

Marvel Super-Heroes Vol 1 18 Marvel Two-in-One 4-5 Giant-Size Defenders 5 Defenders Vol 1 26-29

Marvel Presents 3-12 Thor Vol 1 Annual 6 Avengers Vol 1 167-168, 170-177 Avengers 181 Ms. Marvel Vol 1 23 Marvel Team-Up Vol 1 86 Marvel Two-in-One 61-63, 69 Sensational She-Hulk 6 Fantastic Four Vol 1 Annual 24 Thor Vol 1 Annual 16 Silver Surfer Vol 3 Annual 4

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 Annual 1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 1-25 Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 2 Guardians of the Galaxy 26-29 Guardians of the Galaxy 30-39 Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 3 Thor Corps 2-3 Guardians of the Galaxy 40-47 Galactic Guardians 1-4 Guardians of the Galaxy 48-50 Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 4 Guardians of the Galaxy 51-58 New Warriors Vol 1 68 Guardians of the Galaxy 59-62

Korvac Saga 1-4 Guardians 3000 1-8 Guardians of Infinity 1-8

Collected Editions

My recommendations: The original Korvac Saga is a must read for all Marvel fans. It is one of the true classic stories of the Jim Shooter era. The Guardians being in it is just a convenient bonus. If one somehow prefers the Guardians over the Avengers, might as well grab that second Tomorrow’s Avengers trade. The first one is easily recommended though. All of the early 1970s Steve Gerber oddities between one book. The Jim Valentino era is worth exploring if one enjoys pre-Image 1990s Marvel comics.

After many DnA fans continued to grumble about Brian Michael Bendis’ take on the Guardians in Marvel Now, the publisher relented and gave Abnett (now split from longtime writing partner Andy Lanning) some minor gigs writing the obscure future Guardians. Despite being a huge fan of his work, I haven’t gotten around to checking this chunk out since it was always presented and discussed as the pity project.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow’s Avengers Vol 1 TPB Marvel Super-Heroes Vol 1 18, Marvel Two-in-One 4-5, Giant-Size Defenders 5, Defenders Vol 1 26-29, Marvel Presents 3-12

Guardians of the Galaxy: Earth Shall Overcome HC Marvel Super-Heroes Vol 1 18, Marvel Two-in-One 4-5, Giant-Size Defenders 5, Defenders Vol 1 26-29

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Power of Starhawk HC Marvel Presents 3-12

Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow’s Avengers Vol 2 TPB Thor Vol 1 Annual 6, Avengers Vol 1 167-168, 170-177, 181, Ms. Marvel Vol 1 23, Marvel Team-Up Vol 1 86, Marvel Two-in-One 61-63, 69

Avengers: The Korvac Saga (various formats) Thor Vol 1 Annual 6, Avengers Vol 1 167-168, 170-177

Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Omnibus Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 1-29, Annual 1-2, Fantastic Four Vol 1 Annual 24, Thor Vol 1 Annual 16, Silver Surfer Vol 3 Annual 4, Marvel Super-Heroes 18

Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol 1 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 1-7, Annual 1, Fantastic Four Vol 1 Annual 24, Thor Vol 1 Annual 16, Silver Surfer Vol 3 Annual 4

Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol 2 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 8-20

Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol 3 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 21-29, Annual 2, Marvel Super-Heroes 18

Guardians of the Galaxy Classic: In the Year 3000 Vol 1 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 30-39, Annual 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Classic: In the Year 3000 Vol 2 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 40-50, Galactic Guardians 1-4

Guardians of the Galaxy Classic: In the Year 3000 Vol 3 TPB Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 51-62, Annual 4

Guardians 3000: Time After Time TPB Guardians 3000 1-5

Korvac Saga: Warzones TPB Korvac Saga 1-4, Guardians 3000 6-8

Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of Infinity TPB Guardians of Infinity 1-8

Modern Guardians Backstories

Star-Lord

Marvel Preview 4, 11, 14-15, 18 Marvel Super Special 10 Marvel Spotlight Vol 2 6-7 Marvel Premiere 61

Notes: Star-Lord’s stories here have minor inconsistencies. But also some quality art from John Byrne and Carmine Infantino. The modern Star-Lord, especially after the huge conflicts of Annihilation and Conquest is nothing like this kitschy spacefarer.

All of Peter Quill’s early adventures are collected in a paperback called Star-Lord: Guardian of the Galaxy. It also includes the strange Timothy Zahn (Star Wars: Thrawn Trilogy) written miniseries starring Sinjin Quarrel.

Rocket Raccoon

Marvel Preview 7 Incredible Hulk Vol 1 271 Rocket Raccoon 1-4 Quasar 15

Notes: The Mantlo/Mignola miniseries is a beauty, but nothing here is particularly compelling. The origin and characterization for Rocket was drastically changed by the Annihilation era crew as well.

All of Rocket’s early adventures can be found in the Rocket Raccoon: Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant premiere classic hardcover. It can all also be found in the Rocket Raccoon and Groot Complete Collection (TPB), which also includes Tales to Astonish 13 and their backup stories from the two Annihilators miniseries.

Groot

Tales to Astonish 13 Sensational Spider-Man Vol 1 -1 Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos 2-6

Notes: This has almost nothing at all to do with Groot as he is known today.

Mantis

Avengers Vol 1 112-116 Defenders 9 Avengers 117 Defenders 10 Avengers 118 Defenders 11 Avengers 119-124 Captain Marvel Vol 1 31-32 Avengers 125 Captain Marvel 33 Avengers 126 Giant-Size Avengers 1 Avengers 127-129 Giant-Size Avengers 2 Avengers 130-132 Giant-Size Avengers 3 Avengers 133-135 Giant-Size Avengers 4 Silver Surfer Vol 3 3-9 Silver Surfer Annual 1 West Coast Avengers Vol 2 37 West Coast Avengers Annual 3 West Coast Avengers 38-39 Silver Surfer 20 Fantastic Four Vol 1 323-325 Avengers: Celestial Quest 1-8

Notes: Mantis is wild. As discussed in my post specifically addressing her, Mantis has hopped across publishers. Those excursions are not covered here. The important chunk is the Celestial Madonna Saga from Avengers 129 to Giant-Size 4. Celestial Quest is a disappointing and disjointed follow up. Even still, Abnett and Lanning mostly blaze a new path with her, ignoring most of this baggage.

One can find Mantis’ Marvel adventures in the Avengers/Defenders War (TPB/HC), Avengers: The Complete Celestial Madonna (TPB), Silver Surfer: Freedom Epic Collection (TPB), and Avengers: Celestial Quest (TPB) collections.

Bug

Micronauts Vol 1 1-10 Micronauts Annual 1 Micronauts 11-23 Micronauts Annual 2 Micronauts 24-57 X-Men and the Micronauts 1-4 Micronauts 58-59 Micronauts Vol 2 1-20 Cable 38-39 Bug 1 Alpha Flight Vol 2 10-11 Captain Marvel Vol 4 6, 12, 15-16

Other characters such as Drax, Gamora, Adam Warlock, and Moondragon have much more extensive histories that are easier kept separate. Especially considering their involvement in the first and second eras of Marvel’s cosmic history mostly under the pen of Jim Starlin.

[lunarcassiopeia]

I only recently found Vince and I absolutely fell in love with his model design so I decided to do a lil doodle!

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Strange Tales: A Doctor Strange Publication History Lesson Part 3, A Separate Reality

By Vincent Faust

Strange then jumped from anthology/tryout title Marvel Feature to Marvel Premiere. He was the lead feature here from 3-14. Starting with Marvel Premiere 9, Steve Englehart started writing Strange’s solo stories.

All of the above information has been primarily sourced from good olde Wikipedia (a totally legitimate source), the dark recesses of my own brain, the Marvel Wikia, this Polygon article, and most importantly Neilalien.com which is a fantastic Doctor Strange fansite.