GSCENE 45
GEEK SCENE BY CRAIG STORRIE
COMICS ) After many years in development hell, and a film version in 1978 that everyone wants to forget, the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, is making the transition to the big screen. Played by none other than Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, the movie will see the character’s journey from talented but arrogant neurosurgeon to the benevolent mystical protector of Earth. So for those unfamiliar with the character let’s take a quick look at his backstory and where he came from. Created in 1963 by the very talented artist Steve Ditko (co-creator of Spider-Man), Doctor Strange made his first appearance in issue #110 of Strange Tales. Whilst it was Ditko who created everything about the character it was Stan Lee’s writing and elaborate, yet bizarre, incantations that would become his most famous trait even though Lee himself admitted he’d no idea what they meant, he just thought that they sounded mystical. By the Hoary Hosts of Hogarth indeed! After a few appearances readers finally learnt Strange’s backstory in Strange Tales issue #115. Originally he was Stephen Strange, a brilliant but selfish doctor who only cared about his wealth and career. After a terrible car accident his hands are left badly damaged meaning he can no longer perform as a surgeon. Searching for a way to fix his hands he travels around the world seeking advice and treatments but to no avail. On his journey he depletes all his funds and becomes depressed and homeless. He learns of a hermit called the Ancient One (who is actually Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme) in the Himalayas and journeys to his sanctuary. The Ancient One refuses to help Strange due to his arrogance and selfishness but senses that he may not be all he appears so attempts to teach him to become a better person. While there, Strange stops the Ancient One’s disciple, Baron Mordo, from killing the
GAMES ) As it’s Halloween this month, the timing is perfect for me to delve into one of my favourite games ever made. Whilst I have spoken about this game many a time in my column, to me Silent Hill 2 is still the pinnacle of the Silent Hill series and one of the most genuinely creepy and scary survival horror games ever made. Using themes of sexual repression, true passion and desire, Silent Hill 2 finds you in control of James Sunderland - a man who has mysteriously received a letter from his dead wife asking him to come to the fog-covered Silent Hill where she will be waiting for him in their “special place”. Joined by a woman named Maria, who looks similar to his deceased wife, James must uncover the truth regarding her death whilst also trying to discover where she is waiting for him. Whilst not a truly direct sequel to the first game (oddly Silent Hill 3 is the direct sequel to the first title) you find yourself in some of the same locales but also other areas that weren’t featured in the previous title as the town draws on the psyche of its visitors; so each “Silent Hill” is different for everyone who is drawn to the town. Everything that happens to James is a clever reflection of his subconscious, including the nightmarish enemies he has to face as he tries to uncover just what is happening to him. Now that the series had moved onto the PS2, the new hardware allowed the developers to create improved fog and shadow special effects; for example, as a monster approaches its shadow cast on the wall by the flashlight glows. Whilst it may seem trivial it’s these small graphical touches that help add to and build upon the tense atmosphere that was there in the first Silent Hill. Influences from directors such as David Cronenberg and Alfred Hitchcock helped to create the art style of the game as well as give the monsters an element of humanity. None more so than the breakout star of the game and now semi mascot for the series, Pyramid Head. Designed to be a kind of executor or punisher for James, Pyramid Head’s awesome design and truly terrifying appearance help him to stand out as one of the creepiest monsters of all time. The feeling you get when watching him approach you with the noise of his sword dragging along the floor is a feeling of sheer terror and one that helps propel this game into the top five of my all-time favourite PS2 games. Like the awesome Shadow of the Colossus, Silent Hill 2 is available on the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the remastered Silent Hill Collection. Both Silent Hill 2 and 3 have been lovingly brought up to date with hi-def graphics and all new content. It’s the best option for people who can’t experience Silent Hill 2 on the PS2 or Xbox.
old man. Even though Mordo escapes, Strange accepts the Ancient One’s request to become his new apprentice and is put on the path to become the next Sorcerer Supreme. After completing his training and becoming the new Sorcerer Supreme, Strange sets himself up in New York’s Greenwich Village with his personal assistant, Wong, in his townhouse called the Sanctum Sanctorum (how cool is that name?!). Strange was Sorcerer Supreme for many years until, after using too much dark magic to protect his fellow superheroes, he renounced his status feeling he was no longer worthy of the title. After Marvel teased who would be the new Sorcerer Supreme, Strange passed his mantle onto Brother Voodoo. Voodoo became Doctor Voodoo but after only a short time in the role he sacrificed himself to save the world (he got better). Doctor Strange reclaimed the title and continues to protect Earth from mysterious and mystical threats.