Ancient One
Encyclopedia
The Ancient One is a fictional character
in the Marvel Comics
Universe
. He was the mentor of Doctor Strange
and preceded him as Sorcerer Supreme
.
, Tibet
, over 500 years ago. In his youth he was a peaceful farmer, but his friend Kaluu discovered the power of magic. Kaluu shared his knowledge of the mystic arts, but the two friends disagreed on how they would use it. The Ancient One wanted to protect his village and help others. Kaluu also wanted to protect his village, but his method was to organize the village into an army and conquer the neighboring villages, building a large empire. The Ancient One and Kaluu cast a spell, eliminating sickness, disease and age from Kamar-Taj and shortly afterwards Kaluu was crowned king by the villagers under Kaluu's mind-control spell. The Ancient One tried to stop Kaluu and in their battle the village of Kamar-Taj was wiped out. Kaluu was banished to an alternate dimension, but the Ancient One lost his immortality, though he would still age far slower than any regular human.
Over the next few centuries, the Ancient One traveled the Earth, battling demons and evil spirits, banishing many from the Earth. He increased his own knowledge, while gathering books with dangerous knowledge and guarding them. He encountered the being Eternity
through his meditations who gave him the Amulet of Agamotto
, a powerful mystical artifact. In Babylonia
he defeated a griffin
guarding the Book of the Vishanti
, taking the tome of mystical knowledge with him.
He finally settled down in the Himalaya Mountains, building a palace as his home with an order of monks to protect and assist him. In a tournament organized by the sorcerer Aged Genghis
, the Ancient One won the title of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme
. He took a student, who would one day become Mister Jip
, but banned him from his home when he found out the student had been studying the forbidden books of black magic to increase his own power.
In London, during the Great London Fire
, the Ancient One battled Dormammu
and forced him to retreat. This was only one of his many battles with Dormammu. While the Ancient One kept Earth safe, he never completely defeated Dormammu and Dormammu would return again and again.
Feeling himself getting older and weaker, the Ancient One set out to find a student. He approached Anthony Ludgate Druid, a psychiatrist with mystical talents. Posing as the High Lama, the Ancient One trained him to become Doctor Druid
. He was also approached by Baron Mordo
, a Transylvania
n nobleman who wanted to become his student. The Ancient One saw the corruption within Mordo's heart, but hoped that his teachings would redeem the man. The Ancient One accepted and began to teach Mordo. Mordo seemed to change at first, but grew jealous when the Ancient One began to protect a boy called Stephen Strange
, claiming that this boy had incredible magical talents and would become the new Sorcerer Supreme. Mordo began to plot against Strange, sending demons and nightmares to plague the boy, though the Ancient One kept protecting him and erasing the encounters from the boy's mind. Mordo's torture nevertheless affected the boy and Strange became a self-centered surgeon. The Ancient One was aware of Mordo's actions, but decided to limit the damage and keep Mordo close where he could keep an eye on him.
After a car crash, Stephen Strange came to the Ancient One to cure the nerve damage in his hands. The Ancient One accepted him as his student when he tried to warn the Ancient One of Mordo's dealings with Dormammu. Mordo soon left the palace and Stephen became the Ancient One's successor as Doctor Strange
. The Ancient One would often assist Stephen, but when the extra-dimensional monster called Shuma-Gorath
tried to invade Earth through the Ancient One's mind while he was in the Crypts of Kaa-U, the Ancient One prompted Strange to destroy the portion of the Ancient One's mind which constituted his ego, or sense of self. This blocked the way for Shuma-Gorath, trapping him within the Ancient One's mind, and killed the Ancient One's physical body. This ended the Ancient One's corporeal existence, but allowed his soul to achieve transcendence
and become one with the universe and with Eternity
. Stephen inherited the Ancient One's title as Sorcerer Supreme and the power that came with it.
The Ancient One has since demonstrated his existence by manifesting himself as an avatar of Eternity, intervening in a struggle between Doctor Strange and Eternity. He also briefly regained his corporeal form when the Creators
caused the universe to reject him, during which time he lived as an alcoholic
derelict in the Bowery
section of Manhattan
. He resumed his oneness with the universe upon Doctor Strange's defeat of the Creators.
The Ancient One reappeared in the Dead Girl
mini-series as an opponent of Dr. Strange. By committing increasingly evil acts in the afterlife, the Ancient One is demoted to Hell. There, he becomes an ally of the Pitiful One and other banished characters seeking to become alive again. In a climactic battle, Strange defeats his former teacher. However, in the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z, select entries, including that of the Ancient One himself, state that this was probably an impostor.
During Hercules's journey to the underworld in the Dark Reign
storyline, the Ancient One was seen in Erebus gambling for his resurrection.
During a demonic invasion of New York via the Eye of Agamotto
, Iron Fist finds himself transferred into a white void when he comes in contact with the Eye, resulting in him coming face-to-face with what appears to be the Ancient One, who claims that he - along with a currently-unidentified associate - is responsible for the demonic invasion due to his anger at Strange's recent "failures," although a casual comment by Spider-Man
prompts Strange, Doctor Voodoo, and Daimon Hellstrom
to realize that they are actually dealing with Agamotto himself, as the Ancient One's demands for the Eye defy everything he told Strange about how the Eye is passed on from one sorcerer to another.
's Strange series, Doctor Strange's origin was adapted. In this series, the Ancient One differs slightly from the established Ancient One. He is an ancient magician
, physically frail from old age, but spiritually and psychically powerful. He is depicted as an old, bald man with a long, flowing, white beard and moustache. He is usually shown sitting cross-legged, immersed in prayer or meditation, dressed in nothing but a simple white robe. He retreated from human society more than a thousand years ago, preferring to live alone in the depths of a dark cavern, sustaining himself through prayer and meditation, having otherwise no need for food or drink.
He also possessed a variety of mystical objects, including the Book of the Vishanti, the Orb
, Amulet, and Eye of Agamotto
, and various mystical objects and devices gathered throughout his lifetime.
His abilities after becoming one with Eternity are unknown.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. He was the mentor of Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
and preceded him as Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme or Sorceress Supreme is a title granted in the fictional Marvel Universe to the "practitioner of the mystic or magic arts who has greater skills than all others or commands a greater portion of the ambient magical energies than any other organism on a given world or dimension". By...
.
Fictional character biography
The man who would one day become the Ancient One was born in Kamar-TajKamar-Taj
Kamar-Taj is a fictional location in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared in Strange Tales #110 and was created by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers...
, Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, over 500 years ago. In his youth he was a peaceful farmer, but his friend Kaluu discovered the power of magic. Kaluu shared his knowledge of the mystic arts, but the two friends disagreed on how they would use it. The Ancient One wanted to protect his village and help others. Kaluu also wanted to protect his village, but his method was to organize the village into an army and conquer the neighboring villages, building a large empire. The Ancient One and Kaluu cast a spell, eliminating sickness, disease and age from Kamar-Taj and shortly afterwards Kaluu was crowned king by the villagers under Kaluu's mind-control spell. The Ancient One tried to stop Kaluu and in their battle the village of Kamar-Taj was wiped out. Kaluu was banished to an alternate dimension, but the Ancient One lost his immortality, though he would still age far slower than any regular human.
Over the next few centuries, the Ancient One traveled the Earth, battling demons and evil spirits, banishing many from the Earth. He increased his own knowledge, while gathering books with dangerous knowledge and guarding them. He encountered the being Eternity
Eternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
through his meditations who gave him the Amulet of Agamotto
Eye of Agamotto
The Eye of Agamotto is a fictional mystical item in the Marvel Comics universe. The artist Steve Ditko, drew inspiration from the real world charm called 'The All Seeing Eye of the Buddha', known among Buddhists as "The Amulet of Snail Martyrs", a Nepali symbol meant to protect its wearer against...
, a powerful mystical artifact. In Babylonia
Babylonia
Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia , with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as a major power when Hammurabi Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as...
he defeated a griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
guarding the Book of the Vishanti
Book of the Vishanti
The Book of the Vishanti is a fictional grimoire appearing in Marvel Comics, most closely associated with the character of Doctor Strange. It first appeared in Strange Tales #116 and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It is the greatest known source of "white" magical knowledge on the...
, taking the tome of mystical knowledge with him.
He finally settled down in the Himalaya Mountains, building a palace as his home with an order of monks to protect and assist him. In a tournament organized by the sorcerer Aged Genghis
Aged Genghis
Aged Genghis is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in Strange Tales #136.-Fictional character biography:...
, the Ancient One won the title of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme or Sorceress Supreme is a title granted in the fictional Marvel Universe to the "practitioner of the mystic or magic arts who has greater skills than all others or commands a greater portion of the ambient magical energies than any other organism on a given world or dimension". By...
. He took a student, who would one day become Mister Jip
Mister Jip
Mister Jip is an evil fictional character belonging to the Marvel Comics universe, possessing a grotesque appearance and various mystical powers...
, but banned him from his home when he found out the student had been studying the forbidden books of black magic to increase his own power.
In London, during the Great London Fire
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
, the Ancient One battled Dormammu
Dormammu
Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
and forced him to retreat. This was only one of his many battles with Dormammu. While the Ancient One kept Earth safe, he never completely defeated Dormammu and Dormammu would return again and again.
Feeling himself getting older and weaker, the Ancient One set out to find a student. He approached Anthony Ludgate Druid, a psychiatrist with mystical talents. Posing as the High Lama, the Ancient One trained him to become Doctor Druid
Doctor Druid
Doctor Druid, also known as Doctor Droom and Druid, is a fictional character, a supernatural monster-hunter in the Marvel Comics universe....
. He was also approached by Baron Mordo
Baron Mordo
Baron Karl Amadeus Mordo is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by Marvel Comics and appearing as an enemy of Doctor Strange...
, a Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
n nobleman who wanted to become his student. The Ancient One saw the corruption within Mordo's heart, but hoped that his teachings would redeem the man. The Ancient One accepted and began to teach Mordo. Mordo seemed to change at first, but grew jealous when the Ancient One began to protect a boy called Stephen Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, claiming that this boy had incredible magical talents and would become the new Sorcerer Supreme. Mordo began to plot against Strange, sending demons and nightmares to plague the boy, though the Ancient One kept protecting him and erasing the encounters from the boy's mind. Mordo's torture nevertheless affected the boy and Strange became a self-centered surgeon. The Ancient One was aware of Mordo's actions, but decided to limit the damage and keep Mordo close where he could keep an eye on him.
After a car crash, Stephen Strange came to the Ancient One to cure the nerve damage in his hands. The Ancient One accepted him as his student when he tried to warn the Ancient One of Mordo's dealings with Dormammu. Mordo soon left the palace and Stephen became the Ancient One's successor as Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
. The Ancient One would often assist Stephen, but when the extra-dimensional monster called Shuma-Gorath
Shuma-Gorath
Shuma-Gorath is a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard, best known for his later interpretations as a demonic enemy of Doctor Strange in Marvel Comics publications. He is also well known for being an unconventional playable character in the Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom video...
tried to invade Earth through the Ancient One's mind while he was in the Crypts of Kaa-U, the Ancient One prompted Strange to destroy the portion of the Ancient One's mind which constituted his ego, or sense of self. This blocked the way for Shuma-Gorath, trapping him within the Ancient One's mind, and killed the Ancient One's physical body. This ended the Ancient One's corporeal existence, but allowed his soul to achieve transcendence
Transcendence (philosophy)
In philosophy, the adjective transcendental and the noun transcendence convey the basic ground concept from the word's literal meaning , of climbing or going beyond, albeit with varying connotations in its different historical and cultural stages...
and become one with the universe and with Eternity
Eternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
. Stephen inherited the Ancient One's title as Sorcerer Supreme and the power that came with it.
The Ancient One has since demonstrated his existence by manifesting himself as an avatar of Eternity, intervening in a struggle between Doctor Strange and Eternity. He also briefly regained his corporeal form when the Creators
Creators (comics)
-Publication history:The Creators first appeared in Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts #19-20 , and was created by Marv Wolfman and Alfredo Alcala....
caused the universe to reject him, during which time he lived as an alcoholic
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
derelict in the Bowery
Bowery
Bowery may refer to:Streets:* The Bowery, a thoroughfare in Manhattan, New York City* Bowery Street is a street on Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y.In popular culture:* Bowery Amphitheatre, a building on the Bowery in New York City...
section of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. He resumed his oneness with the universe upon Doctor Strange's defeat of the Creators.
The Ancient One reappeared in the Dead Girl
Dead Girl
Dead Girl is a fictional character, a mutant superheroine in Marvel Comics' X-Statix series. She is a mixture of ghost and zombie...
mini-series as an opponent of Dr. Strange. By committing increasingly evil acts in the afterlife, the Ancient One is demoted to Hell. There, he becomes an ally of the Pitiful One and other banished characters seeking to become alive again. In a climactic battle, Strange defeats his former teacher. However, in the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z, select entries, including that of the Ancient One himself, state that this was probably an impostor.
During Hercules's journey to the underworld in the Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
storyline, the Ancient One was seen in Erebus gambling for his resurrection.
During a demonic invasion of New York via the Eye of Agamotto
Eye of Agamotto
The Eye of Agamotto is a fictional mystical item in the Marvel Comics universe. The artist Steve Ditko, drew inspiration from the real world charm called 'The All Seeing Eye of the Buddha', known among Buddhists as "The Amulet of Snail Martyrs", a Nepali symbol meant to protect its wearer against...
, Iron Fist finds himself transferred into a white void when he comes in contact with the Eye, resulting in him coming face-to-face with what appears to be the Ancient One, who claims that he - along with a currently-unidentified associate - is responsible for the demonic invasion due to his anger at Strange's recent "failures," although a casual comment by Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
prompts Strange, Doctor Voodoo, and Daimon Hellstrom
Daimon Hellstrom
Daimon Hellstrom, also known as the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:He first appeared in Ghost Rider Daimon Hellstrom, also known as the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics...
to realize that they are actually dealing with Agamotto himself, as the Ancient One's demands for the Eye defy everything he told Strange about how the Eye is passed on from one sorcerer to another.
Strange (2005)
In J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
's Strange series, Doctor Strange's origin was adapted. In this series, the Ancient One differs slightly from the established Ancient One. He is an ancient magician
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, physically frail from old age, but spiritually and psychically powerful. He is depicted as an old, bald man with a long, flowing, white beard and moustache. He is usually shown sitting cross-legged, immersed in prayer or meditation, dressed in nothing but a simple white robe. He retreated from human society more than a thousand years ago, preferring to live alone in the depths of a dark cavern, sustaining himself through prayer and meditation, having otherwise no need for food or drink.
Powers and abilities
In his prime, the Ancient One was a master of the mystic arts, with a vast knowledge of magical lore. He had the ability to manipulate the forces of magic for a vast number of effects. He was able to tap into extra-dimensional energy by invoking entities or objects of power existing in dimensions tangential to Earth's through the recitation of spells. He was capable of astral projection, levitation, interdimensional teleportation, and a large number of other effects.He also possessed a variety of mystical objects, including the Book of the Vishanti, the Orb
Orb of Agamotto
The Orb of Agamotto is a fictional magical item in the Marvel Comics universe. It is a powerful scrying crystal ball owned and used by Doctor Strange for clairvoyance. It can also be used to detect magic in use anywhere in the world and provide Strange with a location and visual.The orb rests in...
, Amulet, and Eye of Agamotto
Eye of Agamotto
The Eye of Agamotto is a fictional mystical item in the Marvel Comics universe. The artist Steve Ditko, drew inspiration from the real world charm called 'The All Seeing Eye of the Buddha', known among Buddhists as "The Amulet of Snail Martyrs", a Nepali symbol meant to protect its wearer against...
, and various mystical objects and devices gathered throughout his lifetime.
His abilities after becoming one with Eternity are unknown.
Alternate versions
- In the Guardians of the GalaxyGuardians of the GalaxyThe original Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 .-Publication history:...
timeline, Doctor Strange ceded the role and title of Sorcerer Supreme to his own pupil and became known as the Ancient One himself. - On Earth-311, although only mentioned, Stephen Strange, was trained by an "Ancient One". First mentioned in 1602 #1
- On Earth-938, an Ancient One trained Doctor DoomDoctor DoomVictor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
. However his body was destroyed in the attempt to revive Cynthia von Doom. He appeared in What If? vol. 2 #52 - There was an Ancient One who was imprisoned in the ancient past by wizards. He was later freed in the modern era by MordredMordred (comics)Mordred the Evil is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is based loosely on the Mordred of Arthurian legend.-Fictional character biography:...
and sent to kill the Black Knight, however he ended up fighting both Whitman and Captain BritainCaptain BritainCaptain Britain , briefly known as Britannic, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, he first appeared in Captain Britain Weekly, #1...
and sank into quicksand. He appeared only in Hulk Comic #4 - There is a mystic order known as the Ancient Ones that formerly included the sorcerer who would become the Ancient One. The order of sorcerers has no name; only its elder members are known as the Ancient Ones.
Television
- The Ancient One figures prominently in the finale of the unsuccessful series pilot/TV-movie Dr. StrangeDr. Strange (1978 film)Dr. Strange is a made-for-TV movie based on the Marvel Comics fictional character Dr. Strange, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It was both directed and written by Philip DeGuere...
, depicted as an unseen entity voiced by Michael AnsaraMichael AnsaraMichael Ansara is a Syrian-born American stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the American television series Broken Arrow, Kane in the 1979-81 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Commander Kang on three different Star Trek TV series.- Early life and...
. - The Ancient One makes a non-speaking appearance in the Spider-ManSpider-Man (1994 TV series)Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated series starring the Marvel Comics superhero, Spider-Man. The show ran on Fox Kids from November 19, 1994, to January 31, 1998. The producer/story editor was John Semper, Jr. and production company was Marvel Films...
episode "Doctor Strange". He is shown only in a flashback detailing Doctor Strange's origin.
Film
- The Ancient One appears in Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer SupremeDoctor Strange: The Sorcerer SupremeDoctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme is a direct-to-DVD & BD animated movie based on the Marvel Comics character Doctor Strange. The film was released August 14, 2007 and had its American broadcast premiere on Cartoon Network November 1, 2008....
voiced by Michael Yama.
Video game
- In Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
, the Ancient One (voiced by James Sie) is seen in a void within a blurry mirror in the Sanctum Sanctorum. There is special dialogue between him and Doctor StrangeDoctor StrangeDoctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
as well as Deadpool (who mistakes the Ancient One for his "Grampy"). In Doctor Strange's dialogue with the Ancient One, Doctor Strange tells him that the Masters of Evil have threatened the world and asks that the Ancient One watches over the superhero alliance and aid them in whatever way he can.
External links
- Ancient One at Marvel.com