The Phantom Stranger #13 (DC/1971)

 

The Phantom Stranger #13 (DC)

Bob Kanigher (w) Jim Aparo (a)

One of the most enigmatic of comic book characters The Phantom Stranger was something I developed an interest in later in my life. Seemingly always appearing out of nowhere and in many ways similar to but far less powerful than the Spectre the Phantom Stranger intervened in wider events than just the supernatural.

This story A Child of Death is one of these. Despite the mystery that revolves around the death of of two scientists working on a nuclear project there is obviously something sinister. A ranting arrogant German scientist blames the Stranger and fights with him but ends up sedated after talking about an apparition.

Posing as Professor Sackville's assistant the Stranger enters the lab openly as they discover the real threat comes from within. The boy. Every time someone has died the boy was there with his toy gun. Turns out the little brat was adopted and as they go to find him the"boy" turns out to be a mutant from a group of humans exiled below the Earth and physically unable to develop a body beyond that of a four year old. 

Despite the biological absurdity it appears these little men live under the Earth and their home is threatened by nuclear tests and "disguised" as harmless children are sent to infiltrate the worlds atomic establishments but too late as their world dies in the latest test leaving the Stranger angry. 

A sad story from the era which saw a radical movement against the bomb become part of modern culture and the issues are referenced in the dialogue.

Also appearing in this issue is a back up story The Devil's Timepiece featuring the ever sceptical Dr Thirteen who involves himself with mystery surrounding a mystical Grandfather clock. Too late for his friend who he finds dead with pitch fork wounds. Of course there's nothing supernatural here. The culprit is the son of a man who went to prison seeking revenge. However the Doctor muses about the curse surrounding the clock as once again it's presence has led to death.

I have a few of these comics and of all the series that DC has produced with The Phantom Stranger this is the best and worth picking up from time to time. Anything with Jim Aparo art is a joy to read!