PS P.S.: Skybox Trading Card - 1993

This card--from the same set as the Tim Hunter subset from earlier in the week--is a real beauty, and I'm glad a couple of you pointed out its existence to me.

Regular IATPS commenter (and now Fantom Stranger) MW Gallaher first told me about the card (and pointed me to his neat Jim Aparo blog to see it), and then uber-helpful Fantom Stranger Richard Duncan sent it to me. Thanks fellas!


Even though this card came out sixteen years ago, I had never seen it before, so it was an especially nice treat to see the late, great Jim Aparo drawing the Phantom Stranger one more time. So when I decided to wrap up the blog with the items I missed, this seemed like the perfect item to go out on.


...and that's about it. Many of you commented that you hoped the blog would go out on October 31st, because, being Halloween, that would've been the perfect moment to wrap it all up. Initially I didn't think we'd make it, but thanks to you committed PS fans, here we are-ending it all with an exact year of posts (okay, a year and a day), a really nice way to go out.


Of course, The Phantom Stranger as a character isn't gone--if anything, the Stranger has made more appearances in the last few years than he did in almost all of the 90s, and he'll continue to be an ongoing concern in the DCU.

He's also scheduled to make his first animated appearance in an upcoming episode of Brave and the Bold--I can't wait to see the show's take on him!

And, like all of my blogs, IATPS isn't really gone forever (one of the things I love most about the blogs, they are as final as you want them to be)--I plan to do occasional updates as the Strange racks up more appearances. Like the character itself, this blog would pop up when you least expect it!


My thanks to everyone who came by and checked out what I was doing here, left a comment, or sent something in. I Am The Phantom Stranger never had the audience of some of my other blogs, but it was a remarkably consistent one--meaning the people who liked what I was doing stayed with me through this whole journey, which was great.

I also have to thank Mike W. Barr, Alan Brennert, Gerry Conway, Nick Cuti, Dan Mishkin, and my pal Paul Kupperberg for taking time out to talk to me for the blog. Getting to talk to the people whose work I've loved so much is one of the best things about doing these blogs, and each one of them was great fun to talk Phantom Stranger with.

Some of you wrote in to ask if I ever tried to interview Len Wein, who wrote arguably the best run of Phantom Stranger stories with Jim Aparo. The answer to that is I tried--I contacted Len about an interview, and he agreed. I sent him the questions, but not too long after that he had that terrible fire that destroyed his home, so obviously after that he had a lot more to worry about than doing our interview.

I felt so bad over the news that Len and his family lost almost everything in the fire that when Mark Evanier spearheaded the "Let's Rebuild Len Wein's Comic Book Collection" effort, I promptly sent Len my copies of all the Phantom Strangers he did with Jim Aparo--as much as I enjoyed having those great books in my collection, I decided I'd enjoy the idea of them residing with the author even more.


So that's it! Thanks to everyone for coming, and I hope you all enjoyed our time following The Phantom Stranger!

PS P.S.: Who's Who #12 - Feb. 1986

Another appearance I can't believe I missed was the first Who's Who entry for the Justice League, which featured the entire team...which of course includes The Phantom Stranger!

This oversight was corrected by Fantom Stranger Russell Burbage--thanks to his last minute efforts, IATPS made it to today, October 31st! Thanks Russell!

But we still have one more item to get to, so be here when we wrap it all up tomorrow, November 1st!

PS P.S.: Alex Ross Poster - 2004

Yet another item I missed was this 2004 gatefold poster by Alex Ross featuring all the members of the classic Justice League of America, plus some of their friends, honorary members, and assorted hangers-on:

This was sent to me by Fantom Stranger Russell "Eagle Eyes" Burbage. Thanks Russell!

PS P.S.: Vertigo Tarot Deck - 2008

Another item I missed was The Vertigo Tarot Deck, which featured various Vertigoians(?) as Tarot characters, featuring art by Dave McKean.

In this case, The Phantom Stranger is The Hermit:

This set was pointed out to me by Fantom Stranger Jacob Levy. Thanks Jacob!

PS P.S.: The Vertigo Encyclopedia - 2008

This updated, expanded version of The Vertigo Encyclopedia was published by DK in 2008, and featured Who's Who-ish listings for various characters from the Vertigo universe.

I've never actually seen the book, so I can't say what kind of listing The Phantom Stranger got. Apparently there were two types of listings--a full one, with pictures, and a second one that was smaller and featured mostly (if not nothing but) text. I don't know which kind of listing the Stranger got, but he's in there somewhere!


Thanks to your efforts, it turns out IATPS will make it all the way to not only October 31st, but November 1st! We have a couple more pieces of merch, and one weird little thing, all coming to you in the next couple of days!

Update! Courtesy Fantom Stranger MW Gallaher comes the above image from inside this book, which is the listing the Stranger received. MW says he's mentioned on a few other pages, but this is his official entry. Thanks MW!

PS P.S.: DC Universe: Trail of Time - 2007

Fantom Stranger MW Gallaher, like a Governor from some 1940s crime movie, granted IATPS a stay of execution for 24 hours, since he pointed an item out that should--nay, needed--to be included on the blog before it signed off. Thanks MW!

This was one of the half-dozen or so of "DC Universe" prose novels that hit bookstore shelves in the middle part of the decade. And, even though he isn't on the cover (drat!), this story features a major appearance by The Phantom Stranger!

It involves a nefarious (aren't they all?) plot by Felix Faust, Mordru, and Vandal Savage which gets the attention of the Stranger and Etrigan the Demon. They in turn get Superman in on it, and even some of DC's western heroes make an appearance. Sounds like a fun book!

PS P.S.: Skybox Trading Card - 1993

This tryptych is actually three cards from Skybox's 1993 DC Comics series of trading cards, featuring a neat little visual history of Tim Hunter and the Books of Magic!

I had never even seen this before, until Fantom Stranger Richard Duncan (him again!) generously sent me all three cards for the blog.

Tomorrow: One last item, and some final comments!

PS P.S.: DC Heroes RPG: Magic Sourcebook - 1992

Here's the cover to the other RPG book, sent to me by Fantom Stranger Jacob T. Levy.

Unfortunately, the Stranger doesn't appear on the (nifty!) cover, but he's obviously a proper subject for the book, focusing as it does on DC's magic characters.

Thanks Jacob!

PS P.S.: DC Heroes RPG: When A Stranger Calls - 1987

Not being a gamer at all, I have very little knowledge of any of the DC-related RPG games/modules that came out over the last couple of decades.

Luckily Fantom Stranger Jacob T. Levy clued me in two Phantom Stranger appearances in in RPG modules--the first is this appropriately-titled one.

Sadly, I don't have any inside images available, but here's the description: "From the depths of a mystical dimension arises an ageless force of evil bent on earthly domination.

Under the guidance of the Phantom Stranger, the Justice League International must learn the secrets of an ancient tome in order to forever seal the Vengeance Gate, a dimensional portal separating the realms of chaos and order.

The race against deadly, arcane opponents is on--a journey to the corners of the globe--a harrowing adventure for the mightiest of heroes which begins when a stranger calls."

Thanks Jacob!

PS P.S.: Back Issue! #15 - April 2006

I can't believe I forgot this one!

This issue of TwoMorrows' fine publication Back Issue! focused on "Weird Heroes", and included an article on The Phantom Stranger by Tom "The Comics Savant" Stewart. Here are two pages from it:

Stewart talked to Len Wein and Paul Levitz for the piece, adding their valuable insights. A fine article, well worth hunting down--you can buy it from TwoMorrows here!

PS P.S.: Justice League of America #103: Autographed Edition

Yes, that is the Len Wein's signature on the cover to Justice League of America #103, The Phantom Stranger's first guest appearance in the book!

This was obtained for me by Fantom Stranger Russell Burbage, who spends almost as much time finding cool stuff for my blogs as I do. He met the estimable Mr. Wein at the recent Mid-Ohio Comic Con, and got him to autograph this very appropriate book. Thanks Russell!

PS P.S.: Amazing World of DC Comics #16 - Dec. 1977

While this selection is stretching it a bit in terms of our theme (The Phantom Stranger doesn't actually appear anywhere in this issue), when I saw this letter inside I just couldn't pass it up:

Wow, I didn't know that the whole "multiple origin story" idea had gone back as far as this!

PS fan Stephen Doris only had to wait another nine years before DC actually got around to it...I wonder if he was still reading comics by then?

PS P.S.: The DC Comics Encyclopedia - 2004

This was an appearance by the Stranger that I completely forgot about, thankfully Fantom Stranger Richard Duncan thought to send it to me--the 2004 DC Comics Encyclopedia, published by DK.

All of DC's main characters are covered, including the Stranger:

...thanks Richard! I wonder how anyone determined how much the Phantom Stranger actually weighs?

Richard is also a member of The Aquaman Shrine's F.O.A.M. group, making him a "club member" of two of my blogs! Let your freak flag fly, Richard!

PS P.S: Lobo #50 - April 1998

While I didn't miss chronicling the Stranger's appearance in Lobo #50, at the time of the post I hadn't managed to get a hold of a copy of the book itself, so all I could do was post the cover.

But Fantom Stranger Chris Roach helpfully provided me with a scan of the page in question from Lobo #50:

...thanks Chris! I wonder what the Stranger is drinking?

Okay, that seems to be it on the comic front, in terms of missing PS appearances. But there are a couple more items I need to get to, so be here tomorrow!

PS P.S.: Swamp Thing #46 - March 1986

"Revelations" by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben.

...man, this was embarrassing.

A few weeks after the appropriate timeline on the blog, I got an email from Amy Kerns, who was a faithful follower of IATPS, pointing out I missed this issue of Swamp Thing--not only does the Stranger appear inside, he's right there on the cover! Ouch!

This issue took place right in the middle of the Crisis, and when Swamp Thing finds himself suddenly aboard the Monitor's satellite, he searches out some people he knows, like The Phantom Stranger:

Good catch, thanks Amy!

This makes Amy our first Fantom Stranger--a term I award to anyone who sent some PS-related item in that I missed. I really can't believe I missed this one.

Tomorrow we induct another Fantom Stranger!

Back Issue! #36 - Oct. 2009

This issue of TwoMorrows' Back Issue! is, as the cover suggests, all about monsters.

But the magazine also found room for a whole article about everyone's favorite killjoy, Dr. Terrance Thirteen!

The Phantom Stranger is, naturally, mentioned all over the place in this piece, and it features interviews with PS scribes Mike Friedrich, Len Wein, and others. An interesting look back at an unusual character!

...and with that, I Am The Phantom Stranger is finally caught up with all the appearances DC's ultimate man of mystery has made, both in and out of DC's books. It's been a long trip--over a year, chronicling every single appearance of the Stranger!

But, try as I did not to, I did manage to miss a couple things during my attempt at an air-tight chronology, so we'll be spending the last few days of IATPS on those items I missed! Be here!

Blackest Night #3 - Nov. 2009

"Blackest Night" by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Oclair Albert.

The Phantom Stranger is both mentioned and appears in the pseudo-text page feature running in the back of each issue of Blackest Night:

I like how whoever put this page together (presumably Designer Steve Wands) used a shot of the Stranger from an old Phantom Stranger cover, by Jim Aparo. Nice touch!

Blackest Night #2 - Oct. 2009

"Blackest Night" by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Oclair Albert.

With all the various dead people arising, of course The Phantom Stranger is involved. Here, he and his magi friends look into the disturbed grave of Boston Brand:

...ick!

Madame Xanadu #10 - June 2009

Untitled by Matt Wagner, Amy Reeder Hadley, and Richard Friend.

All the versions of the Stranger Madame Xanadu has encountered are on display:

Zatara is angry at Madame Xanadu for doing this, but she says it doesn't concern him.

The Stranger "escorts" MX into another dimension, another reality, where he attempts to explain their mystical connection and why he has had to do the things he has done.

Madame Xanadu is skeptical, and the Stranger, free of her mystical bonds, departs, wishing her peace of mind. And with the tip of his fedora, he is gone.

This issue ends with Madame Xanadu as we first came to know her, operating her small tarot card-reading shop in New York.

The Phantom Stranger Returns...For One Month

Yesterday, DC revealed that in January, eight long-cancelled DC series will be returning to DC's schedule for one month only--January 2010--to take the place of Blackest Night, which is skipping that month to prepare for the double-sized conclusion.

One of the titles being...er, brought back from the dead is the original Phantom Stranger series, picking up the numbering where it left off back in 1976! Yes, there will be a Phantom Stranger #42, hitting the stands in January! Wa-hoo!

Of course, IATPS will be over by then, and while I still haven't decided how I'm going to be keeping up with all the Stranger's future appearances, I can definitively say that this blog will come back for one special post to commemorate Phantom Stranger #42, the day after it is released.

See? You can never quite keep The Phantom Stranger down...

Solomon Grundy #1 - May 2009

"Born on a Monday" by Scott Kolins.

The Phantom Stranger does a classic, old-school bit of introducing the story this time around:

He instructs Grundy's alter-ego, Cyrus, that he has seven days to find his murderer, and forgive him--"That way leads the path to your salvation!"

But of course, its never that easy. And of course, the Stranger doesn't hang around...

Madame Xanadu #9 - May 2009

"The Last of the Future" by Matt Wagner, Amy Reeder Hadley, and Richard Friend.

After spending some time romancing Zatara, Madame Xanadu's Stranger totem begins to move on its own accord, eventually leading to something unbelievable:

To be continued!

Brave and The Bold #22 - April 2009

"Without Sin Part Four" by David Hine, Doug Braithwaite, and Bill Reinhold.

Even though the Phantom Stranger got bumped from the cover for this, the fourth and final chapter of this story, he still plays a huge role.

After fighting and defeating the malevolent alien force that was using Cora as conduit, the heroes discover that Cora, while not completely healed, has come out of this better than before.

The Phantom Stranger even gets the last word:

Madame Xanadu #8 - April 2009

"Through the Crystal" by Matt Wagner, Amy Reeder Hadley, and Richard Friend.

The Phantom Stranger continues his cryptic comments about the vicious murders taking place, but when he states that it not yet time for the horror to end, Madame Xanadu is aghast:

He reappears later on, and MX gets so mad she slaps the Stranger across the face. She ends up getting so mad she uses a piece of his cloak (ripped off during their last encounter) as part of a sort-of voodoo doll of him, promising to herself that the next time they meet, she "will be ready."

To be continued!

Justice League of America (Vol.2) #29 - March 2009

"Star Struck!" by Len Wein, Chris Cross, and Rob Stull.

What a treat, having Len Wein writing the JLA again!

In a "twice-told tale from the JLA Casebook", we see the JLA square off against the cosmic vampire known as Starbreaker.

Starbreaker's lurch towards Earth was noticed by a select few, including a certain Stranger writer Wein has a lot of familiarity with:

Unfortunately, that's it for the Stranger in this issue, but nice to have him even for a cameo in this old-school JLA adventure!

Brave and The Bold #21 - March 2009

"Without Sin Part Three" by David Hine, Doug Braithwaite, and Bill Reinhold.

Inside his dreams, the Phantom Stranger encounters the young girl, Cora, who seems to be the focal point for all the mystical energy winding its way through the galaxy.

After waking up from his enforced sleep, he joins back up with Green Lantern:

...while they are on the other side of the galaxy, the Stranger arranges for Cora to be rescued from the institution she's stuck in...by Green Arrow!

To be concluded!

Faces of Evil: Solomon Grundy #1 - March 2009

"The Curse!" by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins.

In a book devoted entirely to Solomon Grundy(!), we find the undead muck monster turned back into a regular person named Cyrus.

Cyrus has been given "an opportunity", explained to him by Green Lantern and...The Phantom Stranger!:

To be continued!

Brave and The Bold #20 - Feb. 2009

"Without Sin Part Two" by David Hine, Doug Braithwaite, and Bill Reinhold.

The mysterious, malevolent forces at work extend far past Earth, out into distant galaxies and involve other Green Lanterns and even the Guardians.

Of course, distance doesn't mean much to the Phantom Stranger, but he runs into trouble when he encounters the Belamort, a creature that works as a sort of pleasure-inducer:

...although that doesn't look too pleasure-giving, does it?

To be continued!

Madame Xanadu #7 - Feb. 2009

"Through the Crystal" by Matt Wagner, Amy Reeder Hadley, and Richard Friend.

While The Phantom Stranger is teaming-up with Green Lantern over in Brave and the Bold, he also kept appearing here in Madame Xanadu, this time running into MX into Victorian England:

Once again, Madame Xanadu reads the Stranger the riot act for being seemingly indifferent to the suffering that is happening, in this case a series of what-will-be very famous murders.

She doesn't know the half of it--in this issue we see the Stranger literally standing by as another murder takes place. Yikes!