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Showcase Presents: The Phantom Stranger #1
Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger, Vol. 1
Written by Bob Kanigher, Dennis O'Neil, Gerry Conway, John Broome, Len Wein, and others
Art by Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo, Murphy Anderson, Neal Adams, and others
Cover by Jim Aparo, Neal Adams and Bill Draut
Over 500 pages of supernatural phenomena with tales from the Phantom Stranger and his skeptical counterpart Dr. 13! This volume reprints Showcase #80 and spooky tales
from The Phantom Stranger #1-21.
Art by Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo, Murphy Anderson, Neal Adams, and others
Cover by Jim Aparo, Neal Adams and Bill Draut
Over 500 pages of supernatural phenomena with tales from the Phantom Stranger and his skeptical counterpart Dr. 13! This volume reprints Showcase #80 and spooky tales
from The Phantom Stranger #1-21.
543 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Robert Kanigher
577Ìýbooks8ÌýfollowersSee also as Bob Kanigher
One of the most prolific writers in comics, particularly in the Silver Age. He took over scripting duties on Wonder Woman after William Moulton Marston's death, and handled the character's transition from the Golden to the Silver Age. He also created Barry Allen, the second Flash, for editor Julius Schwartz's superhero revival of 1956, as well as writing and editing DC's pioneering war titles.
His creations include Sgt. Rock, the Unknown Soldier, Barry Allen, Ragman, the Losers, Black Canary, the Metal Men, Poison Ivy, Enemy Ace, the Suicide Squad, and Rex the Wonder Dog.
One of the most prolific writers in comics, particularly in the Silver Age. He took over scripting duties on Wonder Woman after William Moulton Marston's death, and handled the character's transition from the Golden to the Silver Age. He also created Barry Allen, the second Flash, for editor Julius Schwartz's superhero revival of 1956, as well as writing and editing DC's pioneering war titles.
His creations include Sgt. Rock, the Unknown Soldier, Barry Allen, Ragman, the Losers, Black Canary, the Metal Men, Poison Ivy, Enemy Ace, the Suicide Squad, and Rex the Wonder Dog.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 7, 2022
Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger, Vol. 1 collects Showcase #80 and Phantom Stranger #1-21.
So DC has solicited and cancelled the big honkin' Phantom Stranger omnibus three or four times in recent years. The two Showcase Presents volumes popped up on shopgoodwill a couple weeks ago and I grabbed the lot for $11 plus ridiculous Fedex shipping costs.
This is a mixed back. Doctor Thirteen co-stars with Phantom Stranger for about half the book and is a relentless dickheaded skeptic. Seriously, I kept waiting for him do die by the hand of the very supernatural forces he was being ridiculously obtuse about. Once Thirteen gets pushed into the backup feature and isn't constantly pissing in the Phantom Stranger's corn flakes, the book improves by several orders of magnitude.
Neal Adams draws many of the covers. Other people draw the interiors but Jim Aparo is THE Phantom Stranger artist for me. The stories aren't remarkable, especially when Dr. Thirteen is being a wet blanket. Once Len Wein takes over and kicks Thirteen to the backup feature, the book really gets going. The Man Without A Heart is easily my favorite story but the one with the blind girl that falls in love with the Stranger is another favorite. I was surprised at how many of the stories had a strong ecological message.
Someone described The Phantom Stranger as Tales from the Darkside or the Twilight Zone if they all featured a common character. I agree with that to an extent. The Phantom Stranger himself is an enigma. I think explaining too much about him would kill the mood. His powers are whatever the plot requires at the time, making him a walking Sonic Screwdriver at times.
Despite the rocky start, this was a bad ass book. I'm glad I have volume 2 on deck. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
So DC has solicited and cancelled the big honkin' Phantom Stranger omnibus three or four times in recent years. The two Showcase Presents volumes popped up on shopgoodwill a couple weeks ago and I grabbed the lot for $11 plus ridiculous Fedex shipping costs.
This is a mixed back. Doctor Thirteen co-stars with Phantom Stranger for about half the book and is a relentless dickheaded skeptic. Seriously, I kept waiting for him do die by the hand of the very supernatural forces he was being ridiculously obtuse about. Once Thirteen gets pushed into the backup feature and isn't constantly pissing in the Phantom Stranger's corn flakes, the book improves by several orders of magnitude.
Neal Adams draws many of the covers. Other people draw the interiors but Jim Aparo is THE Phantom Stranger artist for me. The stories aren't remarkable, especially when Dr. Thirteen is being a wet blanket. Once Len Wein takes over and kicks Thirteen to the backup feature, the book really gets going. The Man Without A Heart is easily my favorite story but the one with the blind girl that falls in love with the Stranger is another favorite. I was surprised at how many of the stories had a strong ecological message.
Someone described The Phantom Stranger as Tales from the Darkside or the Twilight Zone if they all featured a common character. I agree with that to an extent. The Phantom Stranger himself is an enigma. I think explaining too much about him would kill the mood. His powers are whatever the plot requires at the time, making him a walking Sonic Screwdriver at times.
Despite the rocky start, this was a bad ass book. I'm glad I have volume 2 on deck. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
July 26, 2017
Nice collection of these 60's and 70s era horror comics. If you are looking to enjoy some of the classic bronze age comics this is recommended
December 21, 2012
The Phantom Stranger has always been a character I loved but didn't know much about. My first real experience with him, other than small appearances her and there, was in Secret Origins #10. Four different origin stories, none of them saying that this was the definitive origin. This appealed to me. Fast forward twenty-five years and I'm looking through the Showcase Presents on Amazon. I saw that they had the Phantom Stranger. This was a series I didn't know exist. I thought he was just a back-up feature in Showcase or the equivalent. I needed this. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The story is very bronze age. The first thirteen stories are reprints from the Stranger's 1952 series with a new reframing sequence. With a new focus and storyline, coupled with his new look designed by, I believe, Neil Adams made a interesting comic. The stories range all over the place, from okay to really good. The first volume is a mixed bag. The supporting cast are nice, though Dr. Terrance Thirteen and the group of teenagers can be grating at times. What I really love is the character of Cassandra Craft. She's the woman who loves the Stranger and is loved in return. Their relationship is really interesting because you know it can't last, but the try to make it work. The Villains are memorable. The Ice giants, the Dark Circle, Tala and Tannarak are very good, but aren't used any more. Other than appearances of the last two in Books of Magic.
This book is a good superhero horror book. Well worth the read.
The story is very bronze age. The first thirteen stories are reprints from the Stranger's 1952 series with a new reframing sequence. With a new focus and storyline, coupled with his new look designed by, I believe, Neil Adams made a interesting comic. The stories range all over the place, from okay to really good. The first volume is a mixed bag. The supporting cast are nice, though Dr. Terrance Thirteen and the group of teenagers can be grating at times. What I really love is the character of Cassandra Craft. She's the woman who loves the Stranger and is loved in return. Their relationship is really interesting because you know it can't last, but the try to make it work. The Villains are memorable. The Ice giants, the Dark Circle, Tala and Tannarak are very good, but aren't used any more. Other than appearances of the last two in Books of Magic.
This book is a good superhero horror book. Well worth the read.
February 19, 2014
enjoyed this collection of my favorite DC hero. the Bronze Age was an interesting time of mostly "done in ones" and this collection is just that. each story features interesting mystical tales starring the Stranger, and there are a number of backups starring Dr Thirteen as he tries to uncover the "logical" explanations behind mysterious happenings.
the highlight of the book is the consistent art of Jim Aparo and many covers by Neal Adams.
worth checking out if you're into Bronze Age comics, Phantom Stranger, or Aparo.
the highlight of the book is the consistent art of Jim Aparo and many covers by Neal Adams.
worth checking out if you're into Bronze Age comics, Phantom Stranger, or Aparo.
September 12, 2017
I read through this collection really slowly, and as I completed the last stories, learned of the death of writer Len Wein.
I missed the first of these issues, and began buying and reading during Len's scripting toward the close of this volume, 1971-2, featuring art by Jim Aparo and Tony DeZuniga.
The Phantom Stranger takes an interesting, Comics-Code approved, position in these tales, usually beginning with some narration directly to the reader, breaking the theatrical 'fourth wall,' setting the scene.
These are some period pieces, and there is a scary joy in the art of Aparo, especially. I also like the reprints from 1950s Phantom Stranger, which leave me wanting more. Other scripters include Robert Kanigher, Mike Friedrich, Denny O'Neil, and Gerry Conway.
Godspeed, Mr. Wein. Thank you for all the great stories.
Recommended.
I missed the first of these issues, and began buying and reading during Len's scripting toward the close of this volume, 1971-2, featuring art by Jim Aparo and Tony DeZuniga.
The Phantom Stranger takes an interesting, Comics-Code approved, position in these tales, usually beginning with some narration directly to the reader, breaking the theatrical 'fourth wall,' setting the scene.
These are some period pieces, and there is a scary joy in the art of Aparo, especially. I also like the reprints from 1950s Phantom Stranger, which leave me wanting more. Other scripters include Robert Kanigher, Mike Friedrich, Denny O'Neil, and Gerry Conway.
Godspeed, Mr. Wein. Thank you for all the great stories.
Recommended.
November 14, 2007
In reading all of these old comic books and absorbing the culture of the 50s, 60s and 70s, the thing i've discovered is that i like the lesser-known titles a lot more. This is probably because they pander less to the hippies. So since there were more hippies than non-hippies buying comic books back in the day, the titles the hippies liked became popular. At least that's the theory i've come up with.
That said, Phantom Stranger was really good. It's like a cross between The Twilight Zone and Scooby-Doo, but with 90% less camp. In the beginning it seems like the Phantom Stranger and his foil, Dr. Terrence Thirteen, are both disproving seemingly supernatural things, Scooby-Doo style. Also like the Doo, you can usually tell who the culprit is from the first few pages. As it goes on, the stories become more rooted in supernatural, where the Stranger is dealing with actual supernatural forces and seems to be supernatural himself, and Dr. Thirteen is constantly trying to expose him as a fraud. Eventually the magazine splits into two separate stories, a Phantom Stranger one, and a Dr. Thirteen one, which seem to be complete opposites.
Another thing i liked is that it doesn't have any core cast to speak of. Each story has different leads, aside from the Stranger himself, and takes place in different settings. The recurring characters were enjoyable, except for Tala, the supernatural opposite of the Stranger (he is supposed to represent light, she, darkness). She was pretty stereotypical and boring.
All in all a good read. I rifled through this at about 100 pages a day, reading just on the bus and my breaks at work.
That said, Phantom Stranger was really good. It's like a cross between The Twilight Zone and Scooby-Doo, but with 90% less camp. In the beginning it seems like the Phantom Stranger and his foil, Dr. Terrence Thirteen, are both disproving seemingly supernatural things, Scooby-Doo style. Also like the Doo, you can usually tell who the culprit is from the first few pages. As it goes on, the stories become more rooted in supernatural, where the Stranger is dealing with actual supernatural forces and seems to be supernatural himself, and Dr. Thirteen is constantly trying to expose him as a fraud. Eventually the magazine splits into two separate stories, a Phantom Stranger one, and a Dr. Thirteen one, which seem to be complete opposites.
Another thing i liked is that it doesn't have any core cast to speak of. Each story has different leads, aside from the Stranger himself, and takes place in different settings. The recurring characters were enjoyable, except for Tala, the supernatural opposite of the Stranger (he is supposed to represent light, she, darkness). She was pretty stereotypical and boring.
All in all a good read. I rifled through this at about 100 pages a day, reading just on the bus and my breaks at work.
June 14, 2015
500+ pages of good, old-fashioned proper comic books! You've got some great artwork in this one, covering the first half of DC's Phantom Stranger title. Mostly by industry legend Jim Aparo, who's stuff looks amazing in black-and-white. The stories are a bit repetitive with their framework, but it's hard to complain because you've always got a good payoff. Dr. 13 (a.k.a. Dr. Terrence Thirteen) appears in most, either trying to prove the Phantom Stranger is a charlatan or in his own stories of exposing supernatural frauds.
Definitely recommended. Don't let the fact that it's not cover jaundice you opinion of the content - it holds up well in this format, and today, as great comic literature!
Definitely recommended. Don't let the fact that it's not cover jaundice you opinion of the content - it holds up well in this format, and today, as great comic literature!
October 8, 2018
I like the Phantom Stranger, and was excited to read some of his early adventures. This volume of his first stories, together with the first stories of Dr. 13, Ghostbreaker, and several stories featuring both, was sadly disappointing.
Part of the problem was my own fault, as I'd forgotten how bad old comics dialog was. The hippies are especially painful.
Part of the problem was reading 22 issues back to back. The stories are repetitive and formulaic, and I got tired of neither the Stranger nor Dr. 13 ever facing a worthy opponent.
Silver Age DC enthusiasts may enjoy this. For other readers, I recommend dipping in for a couple of stories but not struggling through the whole volume.
My favorite of the Stranger stories was "Walk Not in the Desert's Sun." My favorite Dr. 13 story was "Stopover."
Part of the problem was my own fault, as I'd forgotten how bad old comics dialog was. The hippies are especially painful.
Part of the problem was reading 22 issues back to back. The stories are repetitive and formulaic, and I got tired of neither the Stranger nor Dr. 13 ever facing a worthy opponent.
Silver Age DC enthusiasts may enjoy this. For other readers, I recommend dipping in for a couple of stories but not struggling through the whole volume.
My favorite of the Stranger stories was "Walk Not in the Desert's Sun." My favorite Dr. 13 story was "Stopover."
October 23, 2022
A mish-mash of a collection of ghost stories and ghostly mysteries very much of its time. I think this is one of those examples where having an interval between reading the individual comics works better than bingeing on an anthology.
The early issues are mostly archive stories held together by a very tiresome device involving Doctor Thirteen screaming: "Fake" every two panels, once the characters go their separate ways it's all a lot more readable. The archive stories are hokey but charming. The newer stories are variable, the Phantom Stranger is brought on as a Deux ex Machina far too often and many of the Doctor Thirteen stories could have featured any of the back-up characters in Detective Comics between the late forties and late eighties.
The saving grace is some great art by Jim Aparo and Tony Dezuniga and brilliant covers by Neal Adams.
The early issues are mostly archive stories held together by a very tiresome device involving Doctor Thirteen screaming: "Fake" every two panels, once the characters go their separate ways it's all a lot more readable. The archive stories are hokey but charming. The newer stories are variable, the Phantom Stranger is brought on as a Deux ex Machina far too often and many of the Doctor Thirteen stories could have featured any of the back-up characters in Detective Comics between the late forties and late eighties.
The saving grace is some great art by Jim Aparo and Tony Dezuniga and brilliant covers by Neal Adams.
November 6, 2023
This huge volume includes both reprints of the 1950s Phantom Stranger comics as well as original material from the late 60s/early 70s. I was very impressed with this series. The 50s comics came across as much better than typical comics of the time, and the later material was good as well. It was a cross between a superhero comic and supernatural comic. It had the vibe of House of Mystery, but with a superpowered narrator who is actively involved in the stories. I enjoyed both the art and writing.
Also included are stories featuring Dr. 13, Ghost Breaker. The only previous Dr. 13 comic I'd read was a weird Vertigo re-imagining where he came across like a nut. These are a little better. He's basically a debunker of the supernatural who sometimes finds himself in situations that can't be explained.
Overall I really enjoyed this volume and I'm looking forward to the concluding volume.
Also included are stories featuring Dr. 13, Ghost Breaker. The only previous Dr. 13 comic I'd read was a weird Vertigo re-imagining where he came across like a nut. These are a little better. He's basically a debunker of the supernatural who sometimes finds himself in situations that can't be explained.
Overall I really enjoyed this volume and I'm looking forward to the concluding volume.
October 18, 2024
The Phantom Stranger is truly a hidden gem in DC's shared universe. He's superhero and horror host in one character. The stories here are varied and uneven, going from hauntings in the city to dark rituals in exotic locales, and they're never unenjoyable.
Doctor Thirteen is another hidden gem. Him butting heads with the title character makes for fun reading. Being an occult investigator who absolutely cannot/will not believe in the supernatural, his solo stories area refreshing break from the multitude of Van Helsing wannabes so proliferate in comics.
Being reprinted in black and white does nothing to detract from the experience of reading these classic comics. In fact it may add a little something, like watching old horror movies.
Doctor Thirteen is another hidden gem. Him butting heads with the title character makes for fun reading. Being an occult investigator who absolutely cannot/will not believe in the supernatural, his solo stories area refreshing break from the multitude of Van Helsing wannabes so proliferate in comics.
Being reprinted in black and white does nothing to detract from the experience of reading these classic comics. In fact it may add a little something, like watching old horror movies.
June 13, 2020
DC Showcase are a great value. Over 500 pages of thrilling adventures. The artwork by the likes of Bill Draut, Curt Swan, Jim Aparo, Mike Sekowsky, Tony Dezunga, and many more is top notch. The writing and plots aren't quite up to the standards of the art, the over-the-top hippy dialogue is hilarious at times but the stories get better when Len Wein takes over the writing. And the Neal Adams covers are terrific.
May 16, 2019
I remember reading "The Phantom Stranger" in the early '70s when I was a kid, but these have not aged well. I wanted more of the title charscter, and less of the annoying Dr. Thirteen. Every tale is a stand-alone, and there are no story arcs. The only saving grace is that the writing, especially by Len Wein, gets better near the end of the collection.
February 19, 2019
Up to page 102
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2019
I never read these growing up, but i love the art. The stories remind me of Outer Limits or Twilight Zone if they always had a similar protagonist.
November 9, 2021
Some kooky, creepy fun with the Phantom Stranger. I could do without Dr. Thirteen though.
We cover this more on Howe's Things Halloween:
We cover this more on Howe's Things Halloween:
October 7, 2014
Interesting to read these early stories of a character that has been a mainstay of the magical section of the superhero universe. What's really interesting is that the very early stories feature a very different version of the character less a godlike being more a person with some magical talent being there to help people with even a hint that he might not have any powers at all, and then it changes over a single issue, even the costume changes from a suit and tie to the more recognisable costume he has worn ever since.
Another interesting idea is that alongside the stories about pure magic, demons, ice giants and others are stories about DR Thirteen the Ghost Breaker in which he and his wife prove that magic isn't real, although by isn't real we sometimes mean is caused by aliens. It seems an odd juxtaposition and yet it works because the character is so familiar and well written that it feels a natural fit once the character starts having solo adventures rather than constantly claiming that all the magic he sees are done by trickery when we have just seen that in this universe magic is most definitely real.
Another interesting idea is that alongside the stories about pure magic, demons, ice giants and others are stories about DR Thirteen the Ghost Breaker in which he and his wife prove that magic isn't real, although by isn't real we sometimes mean is caused by aliens. It seems an odd juxtaposition and yet it works because the character is so familiar and well written that it feels a natural fit once the character starts having solo adventures rather than constantly claiming that all the magic he sees are done by trickery when we have just seen that in this universe magic is most definitely real.
September 29, 2022
This is Showcase's first compilation of The Phantom Stranger comic books, arranged chronologically. The first half is composed of predictable characters and plots, and for the first time I see some typos in a DC comic book. What's more, the artwork is inconsistent and lousy. So lousy the Stranger scarcely looks like the guy he eventually morphs into in future editions. It is basically a rehash of the usual characters: four teenagers (of the hippie kind, TPS having peaked in the early seventies), villains Tala and Tannarak, and the excessively irritating Dr. Terrence Thirteen and his Stepford wife Marie. This is understandable, as I suppose the editors were still trying to figure out how best to position and package their supernatural Dirty Harry, and cater to which particular audience. Everything picks up by the second half of the book, and I could recognize characters on sight, being the same familiar characters I've come across in my old collection of TPS. The artwork, the plots and the prose improve tenfold, and I see editor Joe Orlando's name on the credits. Judging by this, I guess credit does go to Mr. Orlando.
July 2, 2024
OK, who do I petition to get this series done in color and in hardcover? I bought this on a whim because I have been intrigued by the character's appearance in the other DC titles that I have read (like the Superman- Man of Steel trades), so I skimmed my toe in the waters of this phone book and...wow! These are superb comic books, written largely by Len Wein (some guy who created a little known character called Wolverine a few years later) with artwork by Jim Aparo, a Neal Adams clone of the highest order, and Neal Adams himself. Adams in an absolute master of the art form, often imitated but seldom duplicated...although Aparo is pretty darn close. Adams mostly sticks to cover art, but what covers they are!
The Phantom Stranger's 'adversary', or counterpoint, is a skeptic named Dr. Thirteen, the Ghost Breaker, whose primary goal is to prove that the Stranger is a fraud. Mystery heaped upon mystery, they still don't really tell you the character's true origin or nature of his powers some 540 pages later.
The Phantom Stranger's 'adversary', or counterpoint, is a skeptic named Dr. Thirteen, the Ghost Breaker, whose primary goal is to prove that the Stranger is a fraud. Mystery heaped upon mystery, they still don't really tell you the character's true origin or nature of his powers some 540 pages later.
December 11, 2011
I collected some Phantom Strangers a good few years ago as they weren't too dear. So there was a bit of nostalgia in picking these two volumes up.
Worth it to read how things have changed with comics. Starting with two opposite viewpoints of the PS and Dr 13 in telling 'horror' stories in the midst of another story. Then to a more 'relevant' feel of what is happening of the times with trendy teenagers - not quite the scooby gang, with some nice Neal Adams artwork. The real joy at the end is the Lein Wein/Jim Aparo combination of great story telling - maybe not in your face realism or haunting horror. The use of Tony De Zunga early work as well and having just read the last Jonah Hex book with his art work. I can only say I prefer the early story, some wonderful line work.
Another book that deserves a look.
Worth it to read how things have changed with comics. Starting with two opposite viewpoints of the PS and Dr 13 in telling 'horror' stories in the midst of another story. Then to a more 'relevant' feel of what is happening of the times with trendy teenagers - not quite the scooby gang, with some nice Neal Adams artwork. The real joy at the end is the Lein Wein/Jim Aparo combination of great story telling - maybe not in your face realism or haunting horror. The use of Tony De Zunga early work as well and having just read the last Jonah Hex book with his art work. I can only say I prefer the early story, some wonderful line work.
Another book that deserves a look.
June 22, 2020
Classic tales of the Phantom Stranger written and drawn by some of the best DC had to offer in the late 60's/early 70's. The original conceit of a possible ghost going around debunking fake supernatural occurrences didn't last long and the Phantom Stranger as a wandering do-gooder encountering a variety of menaces both spectral and corporeal are among some of my favourites ever. The mysterious and inscrutable Stranger always appealed to me and when the likes of Neal Adams and Jim Aparo are illustrating zany yarns by Len Wein you can't go wrong. Dr. Thirteen's appearances were also fun as he plays the skeptic role much better. Always a treat to revisit these comics.
July 3, 2013
The first half of this volume is QUITE bad. At first the Phantom Stranger is a dull enigma, then the comic turns into a constant fight between him and Dr. 13. In the latter half of the volume, the book recovers somewhat, thanks mainly to the writing of Len Wein, but it's never particularly good.
January 1, 2015
Super fun read once the writing settled down. I loved the 70's Jim Aparo artwork. I believe this was a prime era for his work here as well as on the Spectre, Batman and Aquaman. Very entertaining stuff.
October 15, 2015
Great collection of mostly "one-and-done" comics. The art is pretty cool at points. I'd love to get my hand on color versions of some of these.
The stories are a bit cheesy, but they are always fun. I'd like to see more from Dr. Thirteen.
The stories are a bit cheesy, but they are always fun. I'd like to see more from Dr. Thirteen.
July 6, 2016
This collection of the first appearances of the most enigmatic DC hero are a fine sample of Golden Age horror comics narrative, with fantastic drawings. The stories tend to be repetitive, but they are still fascinating.
May 19, 2009
I love these comics! Too bad there really had too find
August 28, 2009
Reprints the original comic issues 22-41 plus crossovers in B&W.
January 2, 2020
This is the older comics it’s all very short stories like 3 pages a story but still a good throwback
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