W: Mike Friedrich, Robert Kanigher, Mike Sekowsky, Denny O’Neil, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Steve Skeates, & various
A: Neal Adams, Mike Sekowsky, Vine Colletta, Jim Aparo, Tony DeZuniga & various
Pub: DC Comics
Reprinting stories from: Phantom Stranger #1-21, and Showcase #80
The earliest issues of ‘The Phantom Stranger’ are collected here. And I mean earliest; Stories from The Stranger’s 1952 mini-series were reprinted in ‘Showcase’ #80 and the first issues of the monthly series. Stories with Dr. Thirteen are also collected here, as the good Dr. shared the series with the Phantom for much of its run.
The format of these comics changed over time. At first, the Stranger and Thirteen would introduce and narrate separate tales before meeting at the end to fight a common foe. Then the two men appeared in the same story, with Thirteen continuously denouncing the clearly supernatural events happening before him. The final issues return to the original format with The Stranger and Thirteen appearing in separate stories, never meeting at all. The last format worked best. Thirteen quickly became irritating with his constant vows to expose the Stranger. And when the ghosts and monsters are clearly real, the skeptic sounds like an idiot. (Ironically, The Phantom Stranger’s first stories also saw him debunking phony monsters and hauntings.)
Those of you hoping for a pre-Crisis origin for The Stranger will be disappointed. His true identity is never revealed, neither is the source of his powers. The Strangers acts as an “agent of light”, with whatever powers are needed to combat the forces of darkness. He’s often the right person at the right time. Whenever someone needs an ally against the forces of evil, he appears. He literally is the mysterious stranger who walks in and out of people’s lives leaving them changed forever.
Interest in Dr. Thirteen has grown since his appearances in the recent ‘Tales of the Unexpected’. Fans of that version of the character would be interested in his early incarnation here. Thirteen was a “ghost-breaker”, a professional skeptic who proved supernatural events were elaborate hoaxes or crimes in disguise. Imagine “Scooby-Doo” staring only an annoying dork and his hot wife. Thirteen was determined to prove The Phantom Stranger was a faker and had no supernatural powers whatsoever. He could give J. Jonah Jameson lessons in ranting! Hopefully, his recent revival has made him more likeable. Still his stories are entertaining mysteries in the classic sense. A crime has been committed, usually murder, and Thirteen has to deduce how and why it was done. Since he’s usually the only person not overcome by fear and superstition, he’s the smartest guy in the room. Until the Stranger shows up; then he’s a raving maniac.
I’ve found art in horror comics to be among the best in comics overall. This collection has work by legendary Batman artist Jim Aparo, who’s dramatic art style is on full display here; Tony DeZuniga, an artist whose work I can only describe as “quintessential 70’s”. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since that decade; shelf-jumping covers by Neal Adams; and a sampling of clean, classic art from the 1950’s. This books is just great to look at.
Unfortunately, it’s not as much fun to read. I’ve found most horror comics to be decidedly unscary. The stories often fall into familiar formulas. And when the supernatural origin of the villain is revealed, it feels like a cheat. I know, the whole comic is about a man with magic powers fighting demons, monsters, and other magic threats. But saying “it was all done by magic” still feels like lazy writing. The writers could have created an atmosphere of suspense and mystery that matched the artwork-I’ve seen it done. But between Dr. Thirteen’s rants of revenge, the Ice Giants, the life-sucking immortal alchemist, and the heavy-handed morality lessons, it all gets tiresome.
Those of you who enjoy horror comics like Marvel’s “Tomb of Dracula” and “Werewolf By Night” might enjoy this more than me. Some of the stories read like ‘Tales from the Crypt’-lite. But there is plenty of entertainment and general weirdness to be found for your comic dollar.
Though I’m disappointed that none of Bob Kanigher’s stories were as strange as his war stories. Irony!
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