Yao

Yao is the Ancient One, the centuries-old Sorcerer Supreme of Earth who trained Stephen Strange in the mystic arts. Born in the Himalayas, this enigmatic master of the arcane serves as Strange's mentor and gatekeeper against supernatural threats to humanity.

Born from the imaginations of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Yao made their debut in 1971's Etranges Aventures #23, stepping into the Bronze Age under the banner of Arédit-Artima. With a catalog presence stretching across more than five decades to 2023, this character has quietly endured, most at home within the mystical pages of Doctor Strange and Docteur Strange : L'intégrale. Yao keeps rarefied company — sharing adventures with the likes of Docteur Strange, Cléa, and even the dread Dormammu — which speaks to the cosmic, sorcerous world this character inhabits. With 15 appearances including one collector-recognized key issue, Yao is a rewarding discovery for fans who love to dig deeper into the esoteric corners of comics history.