Earlier this year, it was announced that Artist Editions, oversized reprints of original art as art, had found a new home in Skybound through Scott Dunbier’s newly formed publishing company ACT 4. Today, Skybound announced that it has partnered with Scott Dunbier’s Act 4 Publishing to release the Artist Edition of Paul Smith’s Doctor Strange, which will be available in stores in August 2026.
This isn’t the first time a Paul Smith comic book has received the Artist Edition treatment. Earlier this year, Smith’s X-Men work was included in Artist Edition.
Details of the official press release are below.
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist Edition Cover
Continuing their collaboration with Marvel Comics, Skybound and Act 4 present Doctor Strange Artist Edition by Paul Smith, a chance for readers to experience the masterful visual storyteller’s full-size artwork. This deluxe 12″ x 17″ hardcover spans 192 pages and features Paul Smith’s complete stories from Doctor Strange #65, #69, #70, and #72 (all four books penciled and inked by Smith), plus 40 more from various issues. Featuring over a page of additional pages, a selection of beautiful covers, and rarely seen artwork depicting every corner of the Marvel Universe. Also included here is a 10-page Daredevil story from Marvel Fanfare #1, Smith’s first published Marvel Comics work.
“Paul Smith, at this point in his career, was drawing some of the best Marvel films of all time,” said Scott Dunbier. “A good portion of the book shows Paul inking his work. His delicate line drawings are truly remarkable and just gorgeous.”
Since his debut in 1963, Doctor Strange has remained one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic characters, captivating readers and audiences alike and becoming a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Paul Smith’s notable contributions to Doctor Strange are often cited as cult classics in the character’s publishing history. With sophisticated line art and atmospheric 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 version of his popular Doctor Strange issue offers a glimpse into the craftsmanship behind his famous work.
“Paul Smith was making really amazing progress when he took on Doctor Strange,” said senior editor Nachie Marsham. “This artist’s version is a wonderful showcase of his line drawings and imagination.”
Artist editions are art books disguised as comic book collections. Although it appears to be in black and white, all of the art is scanned in color, allowing readers to see the work as close to the original as possible. The ink gradients, blue pencil, and all the unique nuances that make the original art special are all clearly visible and printed at the same size as it was drawn. The only good way to experience these pages is to watch the artist draw on the drawing board.
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist’s Edition is the next chapter in the groundbreaking release from the partnership between Act 4 Publishing and Skybound. Previously announced releases include titles released in late 2025 (Jim Aparo’s DC Classic Artist Edition) and throughout 2026 (George Perez’s New Teen Titans Artist Edition, Steve Ditko’s The Amazing Spider-Man Artist Edition, Darwyn Cooke’s Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition, Wally Wood’s EC Stories Artist Edition – Expanded Edition, and includes Mike) Mignola’s Hellboy Book 2 Artist Edition).
Upcoming releases within the publishing partnership include J. Scott Campbell’s Danger Girl Artist Edition, Dave Stevens’ Connoisseur Edition of Covers and Stories, and Jason Pearson’s Body Bags Artist’s Edition. Publication details for these books will be announced in the future.
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist’s Edition (ISBN 978-1-5343-3534-9 | MSRP $150.00) will be available in comic book shops on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and in bookstores on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist Edition (Direct Market Exclusive) Cover
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