The Phantom Stranger
Phantom Stranger No. 1
August-September 1952
Cover: Ghosts, Phantom Stranger, and Anne Parris //Carmine Infantino
/ Sy Barry
Story: “The Haunters From Beyond” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (first appearance; last chronological
appearance in the four stories in SECRET ORIGINS (3rd series) #?)
Intro: Anne Parris (only appearance)
Villains: Bruce Parris, Rita Westcott (first and only appearance for
both)
Synopsis: A woman descended from a Puritan judge who condemned witches
at the Salem trials appears to be haunted by two of her ancestor’s victims.
But the Phantom Stranger intervenes to expose the “ghosts”’ true identities.
Story: “When Dead Men Walk” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Edgar Jones, Margo Phillips (only appearance for both)
Villain: Matt Wright (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger foils a man’s plot to get away with
murder by impersonating three ghosts.
Story: “The House of Strange Secrets” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Neal Hunter (only appearance)
Villain: A magician (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger comes upon a magician’s plan to achieve
immortality by committing murder.
Phantom Stranger No. 2
October-November 1952
Cover: Phantom Stranger, Myra Hunter, and two attacking shadows //Carmine
Infantino / Sy Barry
Story: “The Killer Shadow” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Myra Hunter (only appearance)
Villain: John Neville (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger intervenes to prevent a woman from being
killed by a man whose methods involve using her shadow.
Story: “Three Signs of Evil” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Mark Davis (only appearance)
Villains: A cult (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When an artist unknowingly intrudes on a murderous cult’s
plot to tap into ultimate power, the Phantom Stranger must rescue him from
becoming a human sacrifice.
Story: “Death’s Strange Deputy” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Adam Horton, Caldwell (only appearance for all)
Villain: Velie (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A man becomes convinced he has been created by a magician
to kill an evil sorceror, but the Phantom Stranger unmasks his deceiver’s
plot.
The Phantom Stranger No. 3
October-November 1952
Cover: Phantom Stranger dragging Marcia Mitchell out of “ghost world”
//Carmine Infantino / Sy Barry
Story: “Ghosts For Sale” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Greystone, Marcia Mitchell, Phillip Mitchell, Mrs. Mitchell
(only appearance for all)
Villains: Tabor, Al (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When a magician’s assistant really vanishes from a cabinet,
the Phantom Stranger arranges to undergo the trick himself and find out
where she went.
Story: “Dead Man’s Hand” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Wild Bill Hickok of Earth-One (in flashback; dies in this story),
Hank Wheeler (only appearance)
Villain: Jim Pomeroy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After a rodeo rider appears to be doomed to death by the
“Aces and Eights” jinx of Wild Bill Hickok, the Phantom Stranger sits in
on a poker game to unmask the culprit.
Story: “The Day of Destiny” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sy Barry
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Dr. Jayson Adams, Mr. Linton (only appearance for both)
Villains: Leonard Hall and other swindlers (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: News of a man’s dream come true convinces a businessman to
sell his oil company, but the Phantom Stranger shows him his folly.
Phantom Stranger No. 4
February-March 1953
Cover: Phantom Stranger witnessing woman summoning spirit //Carmine
Infantino / Sy Barry
Story: “The Hairy Shadows” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Murphy Anderson
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Story: “The Riddle of the Ghostly Trumpet” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Manny Stallman
Inker: Bernard Sachs
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Story: “The Dream Killer” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Murphy Anderson
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger No. 5
April-May 1953
Cover: Phantom Stranger and two men on roller-coaster car, beckoned
by Death //Murphy Anderson / Bernard Sachs
Story: “The Living Nightmare” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Bernard Sachs
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Jerry Samson, Della (only appearance for both)
Villains: Windy Baxter, Maxon, a gambling ring (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: A boxer is labelled a reincarnation of Samson after fighting
a lion to save a child, but the Phantom Stranger proves to him that he
is the victim of a gambler’s hoax.
Story: “The Unseen Familiar” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Murphy Anderson
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Rufus Wilde (dies in this story), Carl (only appearance)
Villains: Pritchett and his partner (first and only appearance for
both)
Synopsis: After the death of his rich uncle, a student of the mystic
arts hears the claim of a wizard’s “familiar” that the entity is responsible
for the man’s death, but the Phantom Stranger shows up to reveal the truth.
Story: “The Stars Screamed Danger” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Frank Giacoia
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Intro: Phil, Caspar, Joan, Jimmy (only appearance for all), Jerry
Cahill, Peggy Cahill (both next appear in PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series)
#3)
Villain: Vasti (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After a fortune teller predicts danger for an amusement park,
Death seems to appear to its patrons, until the Phantom Stranger enters
the scene.
The Phantom Stranger No. 6
June-July 1953
Cover: Phantom Stranger and woman trying to shut door on demon’s hand
//Bob Brown
Story: “The Ghosts in the Locked Room” (8 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Bernard Sachs
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Story: “Doorway In the Sky” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Murphy Anderson
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Story: “Horror In Miniature” (6 pages)
Editor: Whitney Ellsworth
Writer: John Broome
Artist: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (next chronological appearance
in PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series) #6 (flashback))
Showcase No. 80
February 1969
Cover: Phantom Stranger and children facing ghostly panther and beckoning
hands //Neal Adams
Story: “The Three Signs of Evil” (24 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Jerry Grandenetti
Inker: Bill Draut
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (last chronological appearance
in PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series) #7 (flashback); next appears in PHANTOM
STRANGER (2nd series) #1)
GS: Dr. Thirteen (Dr. Terrence “Terry” Thirteen; chronologically between
PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series) #8 (flashback) / 1)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (last appearance in STAR-SPANGLED
COMICS #130?; next appears in PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series) #1)
Intro: Robbie and other children (only appearance for all)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Credits as given above only apply to pages 1-3, 11, 12, and
21-24. Pages 4-10 reprint “Three Signs of Evil” from PHANTOM STRANGER
(1st series) #2 and pages 13-30 reprint “I Talked With the Dead” from STAR-SPANGLED
COMICS #122.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and ghostbreaker Dr. Thirteen appear
in a town scheduled to be visited by a fifty-year curse.
Phantom Stranger (2nd series) No. 1
May-June 1969
Cover: Phantom Stranger, Larry, and Ching Hi Fu’s adept //Bill Draut
Story: “Defeat the Dragon Curse or Die” (24 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Bill Draut
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in SHOWCASE #80)
GS: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in SHOWCASE #80)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (last appearance in SHOWCASE #80)
Intro: Harry, Rosemary, John Martin, Carson Rand, Bart Benson (all
die in this story), Larry, Mildred, Frank, Mr. Fong (only appearance
for all),
Villains: Ching Hi Fu (a demon) and his adept (only appearance for
both)
Comment: Credits above only apply to pages 1-3 and 16-24; pages 4-7
reprint “When Dead Men Walk” (as “When Ghosts Walk”) from PHANTOM STRANGER
(1st series) #1 and pages 8-15 reprint “The Hermit’s Ghost Dog” from STAR-SPANGLED
COMICS #125.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen join forces again to
discover who has killed a boy’s parents and is trying to destroy modern
buildings in Chinatown.
Phantom Stranger No. 2
July-August 1969
Cover: Phantom Stranger and Billy Hatton menaced by bird from totem
pole //Bill Draut / Neal Adams?
Story: “The Man Who Died Three Times” (23 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Bill Draut
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Hatton, Billy Hatton (only appearance for
all)
Villains: Mr. Big and his gang (including Lefty), Rama-Guru (only appearance
for all)
Comment: Credits as given above only apply to pages 1-3, 9-11, and
20-23. Pages 4-8 reprint “The House of Strange Secrets” from PHANTOM
STRANGER (1st series) #1 and pgs. 12-19 reprint “The Girl Who Lived 5,000
Years” from STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #128.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and Terry Thirteen join forces to learn
the secret of a man who believes he has nine lives, and is apparently determined
to lose all of them.
Phantom Stranger No. 3
Cover: Phantom Stranger, Jody Cahill, and Jay Cahill on merry-go-round
//Neal Adams
Story: “How Do You Know My Name?” (chapter 1; 8 pages)
Chapter 2: “No Such Thing as Ghosts” (8 pages)
Chapter 3: “Some Day In Some Dark Alley” (7 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Bill Draut
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen
Intro: Mr. Yanchus (dies in this story), Jody Cahill (only appearance)
Other Characters: Jerry Cahill, Peggy Cahill (last appearance
for both in PHANTOM STRANGER (1st series) #5; last appearance for both)
Cameo appearance: Marie Thirteen (in flashback)
Villain: Jay Cahill (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Credits as given above only apply to pages 1-2, 8-9, 16-23.
Pages 3-7 reprint
“The Stars Screamed Danger” from PHANTOM STRANGER (1st series) #5 and
pgs. 10-15 reprint ? from STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #126.
Synopsis: The Cahill amusement park is once again haunted by disastrous
accidents, but the Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen work to learn the
real cause of the Cahills’ problems.
Phantom Stranger No. 4
November-December 1969
Cover: Tala on winged demon, Spartacus, Wild Rose, Attila, and Phantom
Stranger //Neal Adams
Story: “There Is Laughter In Hell This Day” (chapter 1; 6 pages)
Chapter 2: “There Is Laughter In Hell Tonight” (6 pages)
Chapter 3: “Even the Whales Are Weeping” (11 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Bill Draut
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Characters: Spartacus, Wild Rose, Attila, Mister Square
(first appearance for all), Marie Thirteen
Intro: Linda Phillips (dies in this story), Shark-Tooth (only appearance)
Villains: Tala (first appearance), Reed Jones (first appearance; in
flashback; dies before this story opens)
Synopsis: A tourist’s impulsive act costs him his life and liberates
Tala, an evil mystical entity, from her bondage, bringing her into contact
with the modern world--and with the Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen.
Phantom Stranger No. 5
January-February 1970
Cover: Phantom Stranger, Mr. Square, Attila, Wild Rose, Tala, and ghost
of Earl Winthrop //Neal Adams
Story: “The Devil’s Playground” (1 page)
Chapter 1: “If He’s Dead, Whose Voice Did We Hear?” (5 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Return of the Ghost of Earl Winthrop” (6 pages)
Chapter 3: “We Thought You Were Dead” (11 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Characters: Marie Thirteen, Spartacus, Attila, Wild Rose,
Mister Square
Intro: Earl Winthrop III (dies in this story and returns as a ghost;
only appearance), Vera (dies in this story)
Villain: Tala
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger becomes involved in the case of a ghost
who returns from the dead with the task of getting a woman to weep for
him, or face eternal doom.
Phantom Stranger No. 6
March-April 1970
Cover: Phantom Stranger watching Headless Horseman menace David Drew-Gorham
and Lotty in car //Neal Adams
Story: “No. 13 Thirteenth Street” (6 pages)
“The Case of the Diabolical Deggs House” (7 pages)
“The Haunting of Drood Wood, or, Give Me Back My Head” (10 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer, penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #89; also appears in flashback, chronlogically between PHANTOM STRANGER
(1st series) #6 / flashback in next issue)
GS: Dr. Thirteen (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #89; also appears
in flashback, chronologically between STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #130 / flashback
in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Attila, Mister Square, Wild Rose, Spartacus
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Deggs, Nancy Deggs, Jimmy Deggs, David Drew-Gorham,
Ilene Drew-Gorham, Lotty, the “Headless Horseman” (a ghost; all in flashback),
Maude (only appearance for all)
Villains: Creepy Conway, Ainsley Drew-Gorham (both in flashback), Abigail,
“Thing” (first and only appearance for all), Tala
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen
help Batman and Robin battle Josiah Heller in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #89.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger, Dr. Thirteen, and their four young
friends converge on a house that is supposedly haunted by a poltergeist.
Phantom Stranger No. 7
May-June 1970
Cover: Tree menacing man; Phantom Stranger vignette //Neal Adams
Story: “The Curse” (6 pages)
“The Curse of Shaft Seven” (3 pages)
“Curse of the Sea Siren” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #89; also appears in flashback, chronologically between flashback
in last issue / SHOWCASE #80)
GS: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #89; also appears
in flashback, chronologically between flashbacks in last issue and next
issue)
Supporting Characters: Attila, Wild Rose, Mister Square, Spartacus
(all next appear in issue #9), Marie Thirteen
Intro: Abel Krone, Nick Smith, Frank and his father, Tony, Nicholas,
Lee Phillips, Michael Liptom, William Howell (all die in this story), Wilton,
Bill (all in flashback), Vanessa Vulcan, Andrew Vulcan, Selena (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Tala (next appears in issue #9), Count Druga (in flashback;
first and only appearance), Vincent Krone (in flashback; first appearance;
dies in this story), Thomas (first and only appearance), Nicholas (first
appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger, Dr. Thirteen, and their four teenaged
friends join forces to look into a curse which appears to have claimed
the lives of three of a woman’s suitors.
Phantom Stranger No. 8
July-August 1970
Cover: Ice Giant freezing a ship’s crew; Phantom Stranger vignette
//Neal Adams
Story: “Journey To the Tomb of the Ice Giants” (6 pages)
“The Adventure of the Brittle Blossom” (19 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen (also appears in flashback, chronologically between
flashback in last issue / SHOWCASE #80)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Ivan Gorrsky (in flashback), Muttson (both die in this story)
Villains: Mickey Gorrsky (in flashback; first and only appearance),
the Ice Giants (first appearance; next appear in issue #19), Tala
Synopsis: When a tycoon freezes to death in a solid ice block inside
a steam bath, Dr. Thirteen investigates, despite the pleas of the Phantom
Stranger for him not to get involved.
Phantom Stranger No. 9
September-October 1970
Cover: Phantom Stranger’s shadow over Edward Ashley’s body near speared
voodoo doll //Neal Adams
Story: “Obeah Man” (20 pages)
Editor, plotter: Joe Orlando
Scripter: Mike Sekowsky
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen (also appears in flashback, chronologically indeterminate
but happening “six months ago”)
Supporting Characters: Attila, Wild Rose, Mister Square, Spartacus
(last appearance for all in issue #7; last appearance for all), Marie Thirteen
(next appears in issue #12)
Intro: Edward Ashley, Abo (both in flashback), an African president
(only appearance), his secretary (dies in this story)
Villains: Ju-Ju Man (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story),
Rodney Ashley (in flashback; first and only appearance), a Papaloi (first
and only appearance), Tala (between issues #7 / 13)
Synopsis: The killing of an African president’s secretary by voodoo
means causes him to call on Dr. Thirteen, but the Phantom Stranger cuts
himself in.
Phantom Stranger No. 10
November-December 1970
Cover: Michelle descending staircase, Tannarak’s hand, Phantom Stranger’s
shadow //Neal Adams
Story: “Death, Call Not My Name” (part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “Knock Not On My Door” (9 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Dr. Thirteen (next appears in issue #12)
Intro: Dianna (in flashback), Irene, Michelle (only appearance for
all), Lotti Schultz (dies in this story)
Villain: Tannarak (first appearance)
Synopsis: A wizard seeking immortality claims the lives of several
women, but the Phantom Stranger hopes to end the string of killings.
Story: “Charlie’s Crocodile” (4 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer:
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Elaine Cuddy (dies in this story)
Villains: Charlie Cuddy (first appearance; dies in this story), Mr.
Scratch (first and only (?) appearance)
Synopsis: A man seeking a way to kill his wife is given a method by
a man named Scratch, but doesn’t foresee a possible backfire.
Phantom Stranger No. 11
January-February 1971
Cover: Lynn Berg being drawn into shadows by monstrous hand, Phantom
Stranger’s shadow //Neal Adams
Story: “Walk Not In the Desert’s Sun” (part 1; 11 pages)
Part 2: “And the Gods Call Me Messiah” (11 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Lynn Berg (only appearance), Teddy Berg (dies in this story)
Villains: The Army of Evil, aliens (first and only appearance for all),
Tannarak (next appears in issue #17)
Synopsis: People consumed by hatred are disappearing throughout Earth,
and the Phantom Stranger believes the phenomenon is connected with a newly-formed
Army of Evil.
Phantom Stranger No. 12
March-April 1971
Cover: Phantom Stranger carrying ghost of Irena Randolph into Jason
Phillips’s bedroom //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Marry Me--Marry Death” (15 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Irena Randolph Phillips (dies in this story but returns as a
ghost), Wanda Phillips, Carl Trent (only appearance for all)
Villain: Jason Phillips (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: After murdering his first wife, a man keeps his promise to
have her body preserved--but soon learns he must deal with her restless
spirit as well.
Story: “A Time To Die” (7 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Jack Oleck
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in issue #10)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (last appearance in issue #9)
Intro: McKay (dies in this story)
Villain: The Black Friar (Dr. Hall; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen seeks to stop a series of killings in Broomsboro
which are apparently the work of a ghostly friar.
Phantom Stranger No. 13
May-June 1971
Cover: Freddy Forsyte “shooting down” Prof. Anson with imaginary bullet;
Phantom Stranger on computer screen //Neal Adams
Story: “A Child of Death” (17 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Prof. Anson, Dr. Kurasawa Genji (both die in this story), Dr.
Morandi, Dr. Regent, Dr. Sjalmar, Dr. Anders, Mrs. Forsyte (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Freddy Forsyte (first appearance; dies in this story), other
mutants (in flashback; first and only appearance), Tala (between issues
#9 / 23)
Synopsis: A four-year-old boy seems to have the power to kill just
by pointing his finger and saying “Bang! Bang!”, requiring the Phantom
Stranger to investigate.
Story: “The Devil’s Timepiece” (5 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Intro: Bentley Ames (dies in this story)
Villains: A murderer (first appearance; dies in this story), auctioneer
and attendees at a witches’ auction (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen finds that a friend of his has apparently been
stabbed to death by the pitchfork in the hands of a devil figure on a clock.
Phantom Stranger No. 14
July-August 1971
Cover: Phantom Stranger (in silhouette), Swampster, Elly Mae Mullins,
Charley Bates //Neal Adams
Story: “The Man With No Heart” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Tom Nicolosi
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Villains: Broderick Rune (first appearance; dies in this story), Rashid,
Dr. Ferret, Fred and his partner (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An enemy traps the Phantom Stranger and has the Stranger’s
heart transplanted into his body.
Story: “The Spectre of the Stalking Swamp” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Colorist: Tom Nicolosi
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Elly Mae Mullins, Charlie Bates, Sheriff Rufus Taylor
(only appearance for all)
Villain: The Swampster (Prof. Zachary Nail; first appearance; next
appears in SWAMP THING (1st series) #11)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen goes into a Louisiana swamp in search of a monster
who has abducted persons, only to become the “monster”’s next victim.
Phantom Stranger No. 15
September-October 1971
Cover: Ororo, Ngumi, Chuma, Phantom Stranger //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Iron Messiah” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #98)
Intro: John Kweli (dies in this story), Ororo, Ngumi
Villain: Amos Trent (first and only appearance), N’Gumi (first appearance;
dies in this story), Chumi (a robot; first appearance; destroyed in this
story)
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger teams with Batman
to battle a cult in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #98.
Synopsis: A cyberneticist goes home to an African nation, finds it
torn by war, and builds a robot in the image of a tribal god to help them
survive.
Story: “Satan’s Sextet” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Intro: Willard Wentworth (only appearance)
Villains: Satan’s Sextet (including Steve Wentworth), Steve’s girlfriend
(first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen investigates a rock group called Satan’s Sextet
which lures its listeners Pied Piper-fashion to the bottom of a bay.
Phantom Stranger No. 16
November-December 1971
Cover: Judah Tallow, Dalia, clawed hands, Phantom Stranger among wax
images //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Image In Wax” (17 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #98)
Intro: Dalia (dies in this story), Ernie Drapper (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Cain, Sargon, Merlin, Cagliostro, Nostradamus, Machiavelli
(as wax statues)
Villains: Judah Tallow, Reko, Jink (first appearance; all die in this
story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger encounters an amnesiac woman who is
being sought by both her fiancé and the strange owner of a wizards’
wax museum.
Story: “And the Corpse Cried ‘Murder’” (9 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Intro: Ross Curran, Sylvia Williams (both die in this story), Harry,
Martha (only appearance for both)
Villain: Paul Williams (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen is hired by what appears to be a man’s ghost
to solve his murder.
Phantom Stranger No. 17
January-February 1972
Cover: Phantom Stranger watching Murtz running from subway train //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Like a Ghost From the Ashes” (26 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Supporting Character: Cassandra Craft (first appearance; next appears
in issue #22)
Intro: Murtz (possibly dies in this story), the Phoenix (only appearance
for both)
Cameo appearance: Batman (on a movie screen)
Villains: Tannarak (between issues #11 / 23) and his men (first and
only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger’s power is being drained by an unknown
force, and a blind female mystic comes to aid him in his search for it.
Phantom Stranger No. 18
March-April 1972
Cover: Siren, Lorelei Larkin in giant squid’s arm, and Phantom Stranger
on ship //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Home Is the Sailor” (18 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Lorelei Larkin, Jacob Larkin, a siren, Jacob Vanderdecker (the
Flying Dutchman; first and only appearance for all), Mrs. Vanderdecker
(in flashback; dies in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger tries to intervene when a lonely girl
falls in love with a man who may be the Flying Dutchman.
Story: “Stopover” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: A band of cultists (only appearance)
Villains: Three aliens (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen and Marie are on hand when a cult summons three
aliens from another dimension who have come to Earth to siphon off its
atmosphere.
Phantom Stranger No. 19
May-June 1972
Cover: Phantom Stranger, Ice Giant’s hand, frozen Milt, and Anthony
Blake, Nick Stone, and others //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Return To the Tomb of the Ice Giants” (18 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Milt, Frank (both probably die in this story), Nick Stone, Carol
(only appearance for both)
Villains: Ice Giants (last appearance in issue #8; last appearance),
Anthony Blake (first appearance; possibly dies in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger happens upon an Arctic oil project which
disturbs the living area of the Ice Giants.
Story: “The Voice of Vengeance” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: John Richards (only appearance)
Villains: Susan Richards, Briggs (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: The Thirteens are invited to a house which is seemingly haunted
by a ghost of a man who accuses his son of murdering him.
Phantom Stranger No. 20
July-August 1972
Cover: Kamset approaching Song and his brother with knife, overshadowed
by the Phantom Stranger //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “A Child Shall Lead Them” (18 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Plotter: Robert Kanigher
Scripter: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Song and his brother (only appearance for both), Song’s mother,
a High Lama (both die in this story)
Villain: Kamset (first appearance; dies in this story), smoke demons
(first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After the death of Tibet’s High Lama, a squad of six lamas
are charged with finding the new incarnation of their high priest.
But one of them has ulterior motives, and the Phantom Stranger has a life
to protect.
Phantom Stranger No. 21
Cover: Phantom Stranger and witnesses, silhouette of Johnny Glory being
executed in electric chair //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Resurrection of Johnny Glory” (18 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #103)
Intro: Chandu Gamal, Indira Gamal, Hassim (only appearance for all)
Villains: Johnny Glory (dies, is revived, and dies again in this story),
Cerebus (first appearance; dies in this story), Caddaver, Tork (first and
only appearance for both), the Dark Circle (first appearance; not to be
confused with the Legion of Super-Heroes’ enemies)
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger helps the Justice
League fight Felix Faust in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103, after which
he is voted into the group. Whether or not he accepts the honor is
debatable.
Synopsis: The Dark Circle, an evil cult, raises executed murderer Johnny
Glory from the dead in order to send him on a mission to assassinate an
Indian leader, but the Phantom Stranger is on guard duty.
Story: “Woman of Stone” (6 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Captain Matsoukis, Sevoula (only appearance for both)
Villains: Stavros Narcos, Mrs. Narcos (first and only appearance for
both)
Synopsis: When three people in Greece appear to be turned to stone
by the curse of Medusa, Dr. Thirteen is asked to investigate.
Phantom Stranger No. 22
November-December 1972
Cover: Phantom Stranger watching Morgg carry Cassandra Craft to castle
//Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Circle of Evil” (16 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #103)
Supporting Character: Cassandra Craft (last appearance in issue #17)
Villains: Dorian, Morgg (both die in this story), Dark Circle (some
of whose members die in this story)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
It is revealed in this story that Broderick Rune and Kamset were
members of the Dark Circle.
Synopsis: Cassandra Craft is used as bait by the Dark Circle to lure
the Phantom Stranger into a trap.
Story: “Creature of the Night” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Dustin Mednick (dies in this story)
Villains: Matt Driscomb, Tom and his gang, people of Santa Elmont (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen and Marie happen upon a small California town
where one man is trying to make the citizens think one of their number
is a vampire.
Phantom Stranger No. 23
January-February 1973
Cover: Tannarak (in disguise) cutting chain of chandelier above opera
audience; Phantom Stranger vignette //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Panic In the Night” (16 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Supporting Character: Cassandra Craft
Intro: Rene, Marcel (both die in this story), Jacques (only appearance)
Villains: Tannarak (last appearance in issue #17), “Quasimodo” (first
appearance; dies in this story), the Dark Circle
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and Cassandra Craft trail the Dark Circle
to Paris, where Tannarak has been employed to doom them.
Story: “The Spawn of Frankenstein” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Mike Kaluta
Feature Character: Frankenstein Monster (first appearance)
GS: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Characters: Victor Adams (first appearance; dies in this
story, but returns as a zombie in issue #26), Rachel Adams (first appearance),
Marie Thirteen (next appears in issue #26)
Intro: Jack, Klaus (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A scientist discovers the frozen Frankenstein Monster and
brings it back to America, where he hopes to revive it.
Phantom Stranger No. 24
March-April 1973
Cover: Phantom Stranger’s shadow, Cassandra Craft, and Dark Circle
members in carnival costumes //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Apocalypse” (17 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Supporting Character: Cassandra Craft (next appears in issue #40)
Intro: Miguel
Cameo appearance: Jesus Christ (as a statue)
Villains: Dark Circle (last appearance), Tannarak (next appears in
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #4), Tala (last appearance in issue #13; next appears
in DC SUPER-STARS #18), Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Pestilence, Famine,
War, and Death; first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: In Rio De Janeiro, the Stranger, Cassandra, and Tannarak
encounter the Dark Circle again and the Circle’s mistress, Tala.
Story: [untitled] (6 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Mike Kaluta
Feature Character: The Frankenstein Monster
GS: Dr. Thirteen (next appears in issue #26)
Supporting Characters: Rachel Adams
Intro: Jackson and his partner (both possibly die in this story)
Villains: Pete, Gink (first appearance for both; both die in this story)
Synopsis: Two grave robbers attempt to steal from Victor Adams’s grave,
but reckon without the presence of the Frankenstein monster.
Phantom Stranger No. 25
June-July 1973
Cover: Teresa bound beneath threatening serpent, shadow of Phantom
Stranger //Luis Dominguez (signed)
Story: “Dance of the Serpent” (15 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Len Wein (from an idea by Michael J. Pellowski)
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Jim Colter, Teresa, a cultist (all die in this story)
Villains: The Cult of the Serpent (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Despite the Phantom Stranger’s urgings, a man insists on
trying to film the Dance of the Serpent in Costa Roja.
Story: [untitled] (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Mike Kaluta
Feature Character: Frankenstein Monster
Supporting Character: Rachel Adams
Villains: Mordecai, Mammon (first appearance for both; both die in
this story)
Synopsis: The Frankenstein monster tries to stop Rachel Adams from
being sacrificed by a satanic cult.
Phantom Stranger No. 26
August-September 1973
Cover: Marie Thirteen, Phantom Stranger’s shadow, and Frankenstein
Monster //Mike Kaluta (signed)
Story: “From Dust Thou Art” (20 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writers: Len Wein, Marv Wolfman
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Frankenstein Monster, Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in issue #24;
next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #428)
Supporting Characters: Rachel Adams (last appearance), Marie Thirteen
(last appearance in issue #23; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #428),
Victor Adams (as a reanimated corpse; last appearance in issue #26; dies
again in this story)
Villains: Flagermot, Pornipus (two demons; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen join forces to fight
the Frankenstein Monster, who is trying to save Rachel Adams and Marie
Thirteen from twin demons.
Adventure Comics No. 428
July-August 1973
Story: “The Ghosts on the Glasses” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (between PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd series)
#26 / 34)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (between PHANTOM STRANGER (2nd
series) #26 / 34)
Intro: Mrs. Randolf (only appearance), Mrs. Mullins (dies in this story)
Villain: Desmond Randolf (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen investigates the death of a man who was frightened
to death after putting on his glasses.
Phantom Stranger No. 27
October-November 1973
Cover: Shadow of the Phantom Stranger behind Dr. Zorn, facing three
blazing guns //Nick Cardy
Story: “Dr. Zorn: Soul-Master” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Jango Moody, Tanya Barkdale, Admiral Tulin, Gen. Reeves, Arthur
(only appearance for all)
Other Characters: Richard M. Nixon, Henry Kissinger
Cameo appearances: Madame Cheng, the Tsiang twins (in photographic
slides; first and only appearance for all)
Villain: Dr. Matthew Zorn (first appearance; next appears in issue
#29)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger investigates a “Dr. Feelgood” and comes
upon a plot to assassinate the president.
Story: “The Terror and the Compassion” (6 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Bernard Baily
Feature Character: Frankenstein Monster
Intro: Betty Anne
Villains: A man and a band of snake-cultists (first appearance for
all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Frankenstein Monster must stop a girl from being sacrificed
by cultists.
Phantom Stranger No. 28
December 1973 / January 1974
Cover: Man seeing a distorted, demonic reflection of his face in mirror,
with Phantom Stranger’s shadow //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Counterfeit Madman” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Mrs. Fields, Miss Meggs, Trupin, Mr. Vaneveer (only appearance
for all)
Villain: Willie Lemmick (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger unravels the mystery of a “schizophrenic”
whose personality may not be split after all.
Story: “Night of the Snake God” (5 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Bernard Baily
Feature Character: Frankenstein Monster
Other Character: Betty Anne (dies in this story)
Villains: The man and the snake-cultists
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Frankenstein monster’s attempt to save the girl’s life
backfires when she accidentally dies in his hands.
Phantom Stranger No. 29
February-March 1974
Cover: Phantom Stranger, voodoo doll, and Craig //Luis Dominguez (signed)
Story: “The Devil Dolls of Dr. Z” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #110)
Intro: Duggan, Leon Manley, Maxine Manley, Mildred Gale, Craig, Mrs.
Lane (only appearance for all)
Villains: Dr. Matthew Zorn (last appearance in issue #27; last appearance),
a mugger, Burton, the Brotherhood of Blood (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger helps the Justice
League fight the Key in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110.
Synopsis: Dr. Zorn is up to his old tricks again with a cult of his
own devising, and the Phantom Stranger is there to lend a hand to an apartment
building cop.
Story: “The Snake-god Revealed” (6 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Bernard Baily
Feature Chraracter: Frankenstein Monster
Villains: Harper, the snake-god (first appearance for both), the man
(last appearance), snake-cultists
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Frankenstein Monster is “saved” by a snake-cult leader
who believes he has raised the monster from Hell.
Phantom Stranger No. 30
April-May 1974
Cover: Phantom Stranger watching Baal as piper luring children over
bridge //Luis Dominguez (signed)
Story: “The Children’s Crusade” (14 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (last appearance in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110)
Intro: Mayor Burke, Mrs. Burke (voice only), Harmon, Stu and his wife,
Children of Baal (including Mitch and Marian; only appearance for all)
Villains: Ara Ben-Baal (Joseph Vail), Baal (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: A cult leader holds a large group of children in his grasp,
but the Phantom Stranger seeks to loosen his grip.
Story: “Turnabout” (6 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Bernard Baily
Feature Character: Frankenstein Monster (next appears in SUPERMAN #344)
Villains: Harper, the snake-god, snake-cultists (last appearance for
all)
Comment: This is the last Spawn of Frankenstein story.
Synopsis: The monster makes a last battle against Harper and his cultists.
Phantom Stranger No. 31
June-July 1974
Cover: Phantom Stranger facing machine-gun burst from soldier who is
reached for by giant stone hand; Black Orchid vignette //Luis Dominguez
(signed)
Story: “Sacred is the Monster Kang” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Marie (only appearance; in flashback)
Villains: Sgt. Harrison Jones (first appearance; dies in this story),
Marshall Feng, Chu, Anra Kang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In Southeast Asia, a sergeant with a narcotic monkey on his
back interferes with the operation of a temple intended to keep a demon
imprisoned.
Phantom Stranger No. 32
August-September 1974
Cover: Demon over gravestone, Carol James, and Phantom Stranger’s shadow
//Luis Dominguez (signed)
Story: “It Takes a Witch” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Bill Draut
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Carol James, Miles Lanyard, Mary Haggarty, Sheriff Charlie Steber
Villains: Miles Lanyard (first appearance; dies in this story), a biker
gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An old woman is accused of witchcraft, but the Phantom Stranger
seeks to uncover the real sorceror.
Phantom Stranger #33
October-November 1974
Cover: Deadman and Phantom Stranger //Jim Aparo (signed)
STORY
"Deadman's Bluff" (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: "Strangest of Enemies" (6 pages)
Part 3: "The Blind-Alley Blues" (6 pages)
Credits
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Mike Grell
Feature Character
The Phantom Stranger (of Earth-B; first and only appearance)
Guest Star
Deadman (of Earth-B; last seen in World's Finest Comics #227; last
appearance)
Villains
Dr. Matthew Zorn (of Earth-B; first and only appearance), Fats Ruskin,
Lou Ubric (first appearance for both; both die in this story) and his gang,
Koo, Marzini, Hadley, and a gang of street hoods (first and only appearance
for all)
Other Characters
A federal narcotics agent (first and only appearance)
Comments
This story is not canonical. Deadman is depicted as still
being on the trail of his murderer, a storyline from the noncanonical Forever
People #9 and 10.
Synopsis
Dr. Zorn, a foe of the Phantom Stranger, has perfected a hypnotic
machine that can make his subject--Lou Ubric, a drug lord--do whatever
he wants, with no memory of the doing. On a tape recording, Ubric
has confessed to Zorn under hypnosis that he was involved in the killing
of Boston Brand. Zorn has a conference with the Phantom Stranger,
surreptiously tapes their talk, and then rearranges the Stranger's words
to make it sound as though he is confessing to Brand's murder.
The psychic energies of Zorn and the Stranger draw Deadman to
Zorn's office, where he hears the tape and believes the Phantom Stranger
to be his murderer. But, after entering Zorn's body and having a
brief fight with the Stranger, Deadman discovers Ubric's file in Zorn's
office drawer and the scraps of recording tape with the rest of the Stranger's
speech. Deadman finds Ubric at a meeting with two other drug lords
and takes over his body. But, when a federal agent is captured and
the Phantom Stranger appears, Deadman throws Ubric's body in front of bullets
intended for the agent, and Ubric dies. Deadman, out of Ubric's body,
angrily argues with the Phantom Stranger about the worth of what he has
done, and then leaves. The agent takes the other two drug lords captive.
Phantom Stranger No. 34
December 1974 / January 1975
Cover: Charlie Varda, Phantom Stranger, and robot of Alonzo Varda //Jim
Aparo (signed)
Story: “A Death In the Family” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Arnold Drake
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Chararcter: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in issue #32)
Intro: Charlie Varda (dies in this story), Malava, Mr. and Mrs. Varda
(all in flashback; only appearance for all)
Villains: Alonzo Varda, Enrico (both die in this story), Joey Varda
(in flashback; dies in this story)
Synopsis: The death of his gangster brother brings Charlie Varda into
the rackets, but the Phantom Stranger tries to aver him from the revenge
route.
Story: “And the Dog Howls Through the Night” (8 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Steve Skeates
Artist: Tony De Zuniga
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS
#428; next appears in DC SUPER-STARS #18)
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (last appearance in ADVENTURE
COMICS #428; next appears in DC SUPER-STARS #18)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Anderson (only appearance for both), an old man
(dies in this story)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen tries to solve the mystery of a transient ghost.
Phantom Stranger No. 35
February-March 1975
Cover: Phantom Stranger’s shadow watching as Nathan Seine sees Margaret’s
soul leave her body //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Demon Gate” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: David Michelinie
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Margaret Seine (dies in this story)
Villains: Nathan Seine (first appearance; next appears in issue #35)
and his men (first and only appearance for all), Gola (first appearance;
destroyed in this story), the Nether gods (first appearance; next appear
in issue #40)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger becomes the victim of a man who wishes
to steal his soul to sustain his dying wife.
Phantom Stranger No. 36
April-May 1975
Cover: Phantom Stranger’s silhouette, Carolyn Teigs sifting through
treasure chest, snake near skeleton //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Crimson Gold” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: David Michelinie
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Villains: Lawrence Capehart III, Carolyn Teigs (both die in this story)
Synopsis: A search for gold proves fatal to two explorers.
Phantom Stranger No. 37
June-July 1975
Cover: Phantom Stranger’s shadow, Alan Catron as mummy emerging from
coffin and strangling Jason Osburn //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Images of the Dead” (18 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: David Michelinie
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #218)
Intro: Alan Catron, Anne Catron
Villains: Nathan Seine (last appearance in issue #35), Jason Osburn,
a crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger oversees Wonder
Woman’s battle with Felix Faust in WONDER WOMAN #218.
Synopsis: To pay his stricken wife’s hospital bills, an artist agrees
to fake an Egyptian tomb for a museum...and then finds out that he is to
be the mummy inside it.
Phantom Stranger No. 38
August-September 1975
Cover: Fleeing nun, man’s hands with hangman’s noose, and Phantom Stranger
//Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Curse of the Stalking Skull” (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Fred Carrillo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN
#218)
Intro: A nun (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Bruce Gordon (Eclipso; in flashback)
Villains: Nathan Seine (next appears in issue #40), Gola II and other
golems, villagers (first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Nathan Seine attempts to trap the Phantom Stranger again
to revive his dead wife, but finds that his folly carries a terrible price.
Phantom Stranger #39
October-November 1975
Cover: Sensei and demon vs. Deadman and Phantom Stranger //Jim Aparo
(signed)
Story: "Death Calls Twice For a Deadman" (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Fred Carillo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Deadman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104)
Supporting Characters: Cleveland Brand and Lorna Hill (both last seen
in Brave and the Bold #86; both next appear in Adventure Comics #459),
Vashnu (last seen in Brave and the Bold #104; next appears in ADVENTURE
COMICS #459), Tiny (last seen in Strange Adventures #213; next appears
in Adventure Comics #459)
Villain: The Sensei (last seen in Justice League of America #94;
next appears in Detective Comics #485)
Cameo appearances: Rama Kushna (as a statue), the Hook and Batman (in
flashbacks)
Comment: This story is canonical, and does confirm that the Hook
was indeed the murderer of Boston Brand and was killed by the Sensei.
Accordingly, the stories in Forever People #9 and 10, World's Finest Comics
#223 and 227, and Phantom Stranger #33 can be disregarded as noncanonical
and inaccurate.
Synopsis: Cleveland Brand, Tiny, and Lorna Hill are teleported
from the Hills Brothers Circus to the lair of the Sensei, who explains
to them that he must settle a "debt of honor" by killing them in combat,
in revenge for Deadman's (and Batman's) causing him to kill the Hook, his
prize pupil, and for frustrating their attempt to destroy Nanda Parbat.
However, the Phantom Stranger appears and engages the Sensei in a mystic
duel. The Sensei admits defeat, and grants the Stranger and Deadman's
friends freedom, if they can achieve it. The Stranger saves them
from a deathtrap, and uses the Sensei's device to teleport them back to
the circus. The Sensei is already long gone by the time Deadman shows
up in a borrowed body.
Phantom Stranger #40
Dec. 1975 / Jan. 1976
Cover: Deadman, Cassandra Craft, and Phantom Stranger vs. mystic monster
//Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: "In the Kingdom of the Blind" (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Fred Carillo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
GS: Deadman
Supporting Character: Cassandra Craft (last seen in issue #24; age
given as 24 years in this story)
Intro: Adam Shapiro, Madame Romano (dies in this story)
Villains: Nathan Seine (last seen in issue #38), a mystic monster
(first appearance; dies in this story), the Nether gods (last seen in issue
#35)
Other characters: A psychic and a teacher (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: Nathan Seine hopes to gain the power of one of the Nether
Gods by creating a mystic monster which will leech power from persons with
magic capacities and transfer the power to himself. The monster attacks
Cassandra Craft and the Phantom Stranger, within sight of Deadman.
Deadman takes over the body of an Indian psychic, distracts the monster,
and makes it turn loose the Stranger and Cassandra to pursue him.
Freed, the Stranger is able to lure the monster onto an electric line,
which causes it to explode.
Phantom Stranger #41
February-March 1976
Cover: Deadman and Phantom Stranger //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: "A Time For Endings" (12 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Fred Carillo
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #222)
GS: Deadman (next appears in Brave and the Bold #133)
Supporting Characters: Cassandra Craft (next appears in SUPERMAN
#344)
Other Character: Adam Shapiro (dies in this story)
Villains: Nathan Seine (dies in this story), the Nether gods (last
appearance)
Cameo appearances: Margaret Seine (in flashback)
Comments: This is the last issue of the second series of The Phantom
Stranger.
The Phantom Stranger and Deadman share billing on this story.
Sometime after this story, the Phantom Stranger helps the Justice
League reinduct Wonder Woman in WONDER WOMAN #222, then helps them fight
Captain Cold and his cohorts in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #139, Count Crystal
and the Construct in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #145-146, and the Key in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #150. Then he teams with Deadman again
to fight Tala in DC SUPER-STARS #18 and with Superman and Batman to fight
Captain Calamari in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #249.
Synopsis: Nathan Seine captures Cassandra Craft with his mystic powers
and, with the aid of the Nether gods, regains his sight and intends to
use her as bait for the Phantom Stranger. When he sends her, unconscious,
into the realm of the Nether gods, Seine gains great powers and enlarges
into a demoniac giant. However, Cassandra is able to telepath a plea
for help to the Stranger and Deadman. The two heroes battle and defeat
Seine, though Fred Shapiro is killed during the battle. Cassandra
Craft is returned to the Earth-plane, and the Nether gods, tiring of the
expense of power on Earth, decide to abandon their assault on that world--but
not before they snatch and kill Nathan Seine. Deadman is angered
at the death of Fred Shapiro, whose body he was using at the time of Shapiro's
death. The Stranger transports himself and Cassandra away, leaving
Deadman alone.
House of Secrets No. 150
February-March 1978
Cover: Molloch and Robert Korman vs. Rabbi Samuel Shulman and Father
John Christian //Jim Starlin (signed)
Story: “A God By Any Other Name” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Gerry Talaoc
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #149; next appears in SHOWCASE #100)
GS: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in DC SUPER-STARS #18; next appears
in GHOSTS #95), Abel
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen (last appearance in DC SUPER-STARS
#18; next appears in GHOSTS #?), Goldie
Intro: Abigail Korman
Other Characters: Rabbi Samuel Shulman, Father John Christian (in flashback;
last appearance for both in issue #89; last appearance for both)
Cameo appearance: Thomas Corbett (in flashback)
Villains: Molloch (first and only appearance?), Robert Korman (first
appearance; in flashback; dies in this story), Dr. Robert Korman (first
appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger enters the House of Secrets to help
discover the solution to a dark god’s possession of man through machine.
Phantom Stranger’s interim appearances:
SHOWCASE #100
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #156, 157, 210-212
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #145
SUPERMAN #144
DC SPECIAL SERIES #21
DC COMICS PRESENTS #25
DETECTIVE COMICS #500
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200
Ghosts No. 95
December 1980
Cover: Dr. Thirteen //Jimmy Janes / Bob Smith
Story: “All the Stage Is a Haunt” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Michael Adams
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (last appearance in HOUSE OF SECRETS
#150)
Ghosts No. 96
January 1981
Cover: Dr. Thirteen and Mark Fleming’s ghost in airplane //Don
Heck
Story: “The Wings of Death” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Michael Adams
Inker: Sal Trapani
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Character: Marie Thirteen
Intro: Max Curry, Doug Kelley, Barry Podner, Frank Harvey, Mark Fleming
(a ghost; only appearance for all)
Villain: Mark Coyne (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen investigates a flying circus which appears to
be haunted by a dead pilot.
Ghosts No. 97
February 1981
Cover: Dr. Thirteen and Marie Thirteen watching the Spectre reach for
woman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Dr. Thirteen, Ghost-Breaker, and the Spectre” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Michael Adams
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
GS: The Spectre (last appearance in ?)
Supporting Characters: Marie Thirteen, Jim Corrigan (of Earth-One;
last appearance in ?)
Intro: Swami Rishni (dies in this story), Estelle Philips, Sgt. Dietz
(only appearance for both)
Villains: People’s Freedom Army (including Dina and Welles; first appearance
for all; all die in this story)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: A seance on which Dr. Thirteen is sitting in is interrupted
by a band of terrorists, who are subsequently killed by the Spectre.
Ghosts No. 98
March 1981
Cover: Ghost of Dr. Thirteen’s father, Dr. Thirteen, and the Spectre
//Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Haunted House and the Spectre” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Michael Adams
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (origin retold in flashback, with added
detail)
GS: The Spectre
Supporting Characters: Earl Crawford (last appearance in ADVENTURE
COMICS #436), Jim Corrigan (of Earth-One), Marie Thirteen, Dr. Thirteen’s
father (as a ghost; last appearance in STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #122)
Intro: Margie (only appearance)
Villain: Daryl Sonntag (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen learns that his father’s old partner arranged
his death, and sees what appears to be the ghost of his father just before
the Spectre kills the murderer.
Ghosts No. 99
April 1981
Story: “Death and the Spectre” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Michael Adams
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen (next appears in issue #101)
GS: The Spectre (next appears in ?)
Supporting Characters: Paul Geist, Earl Crawford, Jim Corrigan (of
Earth-One), Dr. Thirteen’s father (as a ghost; last appearance for last
three)
Villains: Two bank robbers (first appearance; both die in this story)
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen comes face-to-face with the Spectre and is given
a vision of the world beyond, in which he meets his father’s ghost.
Ghosts No. 101
June 1981
Story: “The Haunted Hospital” (part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “Voodoo” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inkers: Rodin Rodriguez (part 1), Tony DeZuniga (part 2)
Letterers: John Costanza (part 1), Jerry Serpe (part 2)
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Dr. Thirteen
Supporting Characters: Marie Thirteen, Paul Geist
Intro: Douglas “Mad Dog” Madison, Steven Arnold, Louis Oussou (as a
ghost; dies in flashback in this story; only appearance for both)
Villains: Madame Celestine and her henchmen (including Pierre; only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Dr. Thirteen almost dies in a supernatural incident,
he is led to investigate murders committed by a voodoo cult.
Ghosts No. 102
July 1981
Cover: Dr. Thirteen //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Fine Art of Haunting” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Rodin Rodriguez
Letterer: Pierre Bernard, Jr.
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Chararcter: Dr. Thirteen (next appears in BATMAN #341)
Comment: Sometime after this story Dr. Thirteen helps Batman battle
Man-Bat in BATMAN #341-342, the Cat-Man in DETECTIVE COMICS #509, and Rupert
Thorne in DETECTIVE COMICS #520 / BATMAN #354.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 1
May 1982
Story: “In Shadowed Depths” (9 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Bruce Jones
Artist: Dan Spiegle
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #200)
Intro: Mama Balloo, Pete (only appearance for both)
Villains: Rev. David Foster (first appearance; dies in this story),
Joe, other thugs (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger becomes involved when a former voodoo
priestess takes revenge on a corrupt minister.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 2
June 1982
Story: “Soul On Fire” (8 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Dan Spiegle
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Roger Jacobs, Mindy and her mother, Mrs. Dan Sweeney, Dan Sweeney,
Jr., Colleen Sweeney (only appearance for all)
Villain: Dan Sweeney (a ghost; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger comes to the aid of a fireman haunted
by the ghost of his old partner.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 3
July 1982
Story: “The Beauty of the Beast” (8 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Dan Spiegle
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Rachel Markham, Sue Markham, Bradford Sykes, Jimmy (only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Against the advice of the Phantom Stranger, Bradford Sykes,
a dabbler in magic, places the mind of plain-looking but generous Sue Markham
into the body of her cruel, beautiful sister Rachel, and vice versa.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 4
August 1982
Story: “Hospital of Fear” (8 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Joanna Helms, Frederick Rune
Cameo appearance: Broderick Rune (first and only appearance; in a photograph)
Villain: Tannarak (last appearance in PHANTOM STRANGER #24)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger intervenes to save a woman who has been
turned into a mental zombie by a mystic incantation that saved her life,
and finds himself in the clutches of Tannarak.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 5
September 1982
Story: “But the Patient Died” (8 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Other Characters: Dr. Frederick Rune, Joanna Helms (last appearance
for both)
Villain: Tannarak (reverts to nonexistence in this story; New Earth
Tannarak first appears in BOOKS OF MAGIC (mini-series) #3)
Synopsis: Tannarak threatens to separate the Stranger’s soul from his
body and imprison it in a jar, but Frederick Rune and Joanna Helms enter
the fray as pawns on either side.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 6
October 1982
Story: “Till Death Do Us Join” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Dan Spiegle
Letterer: Carrie McCarthy
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Margaret “Maggie” Brennan, Bobby Jones, Mr. Weems (all die in
this story), Mr. Jones (as an off-panel voice), Charlie, Sam (only appearance
for all)
Other Character: Death
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger protests when the ghost of a suicidal
woman wants to take Death as a lover.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 7
November 1982
Story: “The Haunting of Amanda Dove” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Fred Carrillo
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Marcus, Trelah, other incarnations of Marcus and Trelah (all
in flashback; only appearance for all), Amanda Dove
Other Character: The Voice
Villain: Gen. John Whitman (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger, after saving a woman from killing herself
in remorse over her fiancee’s death, bargains with a mysterious Voice to
be allowed to show the woman her past lives.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 8
December 1982
Story: “If the Sword Should Slay the Dove” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Fred Carrillo
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger
Other Characters: Amanda Dove, Gen. John Whitman (both die in this
story)
Cameo appearances: Marcus, Trelah (in flashback)
Villain: Domingo (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger takes Amanda Dove to see the latest
incarnation of her lover, Gen. John Whitman, and tries to stop the war
he is currently involved in.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 9
January 1983
Story: “Sanctuary of Shadow” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Artist: Fred Carrillo
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Father Carlin (in flashback; dies in this story), a priest (only
appearance), Kenneth Malley
Villains: Mikhail and other gargoyles (first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and a builder investigate a murder and
strange phenomena inside a church scheduled for demolition.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 10
February 1983
Story: “By All That’s Holy” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Artist: Fred Carillo
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Other Character: Kenneth Malley (last appearance)
Villains: Rasputin, Dmitri (first appearance for both; both die in
this story), Mikhail, gargoyles (all die in this story)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger and his ally are sentenced by living
gargoyles to be killed by being crushed by the great clapper of the church’s
bell.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 11
March 1983
Story: “And I Shall Stand in the Shadow of Death” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Fred Carillo
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Other Character: Death (in a different incarnation than in issue #6)
Cameo appearance: Mr. Bedford (as an illusion; first and only appearance)
Intro: Millicent Bedford, Mrs. Bedford (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Millicent Bedford wishes to ease her aged, comatose mother
by disconnecting her from a life-support system. But the Phantom
Stranger shows her the fate that might befall her mother if she dies.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 12
April 1983
Story: “Ageless” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Artist: Fred Carrillo
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Kara Klark (dies in this story), Hank Barri, Kara Klark II,
a doctor (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An 18-year-old with an accelerated aging disease feels and
looks 70, but wishes to become an astronaut and romance young Kara, who
has recently dumped her boyfriend. The Phantom Stranger leads him
to a doctor who reverses his disease with an experimental drug so that
he may achieve his heart’s desires.
Saga of the Swamp Thing No. 13
May 1983
Story: “The Man Who Isn’t There” (6 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Artist: Fred Carillo
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Karie Jones, Benny Jones, Miss Jones, Yehudi
Jones, Mr. Bienculli, Rosa (only appearance for all)
Villains: Dan D. Candy and his two hoods (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story the Phantom Stranger helps Swamp
Thing fight Nathaniel Broder in issues #14-15.
Synopsis: Yehudi Jones is noticed by no one else in the world, and
learns to get along by pilfering from people. But the Phantom Stranger
forces him to reject his “nonentitiness” to save Rosa, a beautiful girl,
from corruption by drug peddler Dan D. Candy.
Phantom Stranger’s later appearances:
Saga of the Swamp Thing #14, 15
Batman and the Outsiders #8
DC Comics Presents #72
Justice League of America #231
Swamp Thing Annual #2
Fury of Firestorm #32
Blue Devil Annual #1
Crisis on Infinite Earths #5, 7, 10-12
Swamp Thing #49, 50
Secret Origins (3rd series) No. 10
January 1987
Cover: Four Phantom Strangers //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Tarry Till I Come Again” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: The Phantom Stranger (first version of origin revealed;
name given as Isaac)
Intro: Father Knox, Mrs. Harmon (only appearance for both), Rebecca
and her son, an accused witch (in flashback; all die in this story)
Other Characters: Jesus Christ, the Voice
Villains: A wizard (first and only appearance), Romans, Caesar Nero
(of Earth-One; all in flashback)
Comments: Even though the four stories in this issue are post-Crisis
stories, they represent the only attempts to give the Phantom Stranger
an origin. Since one of these (the fourth) seems to jibe with clues
given in previous stories, all will be indexed here.
Synopsis: On a Christmas Eve night, a priest despairing that good will
win out in the world is visited by the Phantom Stranger, and hears of how
he was once known as the Wandering Jew.
Story: “And Men Shall Call Him Stranger” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Tatjana Wood
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (second origin revealed in this
story)
Intro: Joshua, his brothers, and his mother (the Phantom Stranger’s
former family), an angel (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Because he lost faith and committed suicide, a man from ancient
times is sentenced by an angel to walk among men forever, but not to remember
his own identity.
Story: “Revelations” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Dan Mishkin
Penciller: Ernie Colon
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Albert De Guzman
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Phantom Stranger (third version of origin revealed)
Other Character: Cosmic Hand
Villain: Dr. Alt (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: At a time in which the universe is in danger of ending, a
young scientist must stop a colleague’s attempt to view Creation.
Story: “Footsteps” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Joe Orlando
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Feature Characer: Phantom Stranger (fourth version of origin revealed)
Intro: Josh, Otis, other Subway Survivalists (only appearance for all)
Villains: Etrigan (first chronological appearance; next chronological
appearance in THE DEMON #1), Leviathan, Asmodeus (first appearance for
both), Satan
Comment: This version of the Phantom Stranger’s origin is alluded to
in several stories and has the best chance of being the “true” origin.
Synopsis: During the time of the rebellion against Heaven by a third
of the angels, one angel chose neither side, and, as a result, had his
wings torn away and was accepted by neither side in turn. Thus, he
became the Phantom Stranger. In the present, he comes upon a man
beaten and rejected by both Guardian Angels and Subway Survivalists, and
offers the man his hand, as a brother who can walk with him for a little
while.