Customer Reviews

Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger - Volume 2

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Some folks compained last time at the inclusion of Dr. 13 backup stories. Personally, I liked them because they tied into the narrative framing.

This time around, DC has omitted the backup stories. On one hand I'm kind of annoyed, since I kind of wanted to read the Black Orchid back-up stories - they were part of the PS books, and I'd prefer to have the whole comic.

On the other hand, DC has given us more Phantom Stranger at a very reasonable price and from what I know, unlike Dr. 13, BO never really tied into the PS stories so it's not a huge deal. Plus, I can see why they did it - seeing as a lot of folks didn't like the back-ups in the previous volume. Just thought everyone should know the back-up stories are missing if that's a consideration (I know for many folks who hated Dr. 13, this might even be a plus).

Not as good as the first volume and considerably more of a superhero book and less of an occult one, but all in all, it's some pretty solid stuff and is a a must buy for comics fans, especially occult comics.

Who is this Phantom Stranger? What's that amulet that he wears? Why the hat? Volume 2 answers none of these questions, but there's more stories illustrated by the late, great Jim Aparo. There's no back story for PS (unlike similar otherworldly characters The Spectre or Deadman) and it's not clear exactly what his powers are, so we're left with a somewhat undefined character. Volume 2 reprints a variety of appearances in other titles (Brave & Bold, Justice League, DC Superstars)and teams him with Batman and Deadman. In the PS title, the art switches to Gerry Taloac; his loose, somewhat cartoony style didn't suit the stories. We also get the Spawn of Frankenstein backup feature, which features the beautiful art of M.W. Kaluta, but only in the first three installments. The story starts out great, with a wonderful creepy atmosphere, but becomes meandering and pointless. Overall, there's enough great comic book reprints here to warrant the affordable price.

I really enjoy these Showcase reprints. I just wish they were in color. I would gladly pay extra to get them in color.