Before I dive into this issue, I’m going to go on a small talk about this series. As much as I liked issues 0, 1, and 2, I can clearly see the improvement since then. The story has improved, and the issues have gone from good and enjoyable to amazingly done and enjoyable, especially since DeMatteis took over writing full time in issue 9, and even since he joined co-writing in issue 6. Anyway, the point is, this issue is not quite as good as last month’s issue, but it still is a good issue and I love how strong this series has become. (This post will contain Spoilers).
So, this does follow Justice League Dark #22, and it picks up the story of Batman’s group (Batman, Katana, Phantom Stranger, Green Lantern (Simon Baz), Flash, Vibe, Steve Trevor, and Catwoman). The issue starts with just the Stranger, Bats, Katana, and strangely Deadman traveling through Heaven’s basement. Here there be souls that suck the life force out of living creatures. They attempt to do so to Bats and Katana, but Deadman tricks them into trying it on him, which weakens them because he’s dead already. They hurry on, Batman growling to the Stranger that he doesn’t care about the metaphysics, he just wants results.
Flashback to “an hour ago–or perhaps it was an instant (impossible to tell when you’re at the crossroads of space and time)…we stood within The House of Mystery“. Just outside, Trevor wants to go in, but Catwoman wisely advises him not to. Also, Deadman has showed up, claiming he feels he’ll be more useful here than with Wonder Woman. Inside, Bats and the Stranger are arguing about going to see Doctor Light. The Stranger does not wish to (for good reason, he was threatened with being erased from existence if he returned) but Batman won’t give up on Superman. He wants to see if Light knows anything. What finally convinced the Stranger is not Batman explaining how Superman’s a symbol of hope, but really the fact that Dr. Light had a wife and daughters. Finally, still grieving over the loss of his family, the Stranger agrees.
An interesting note on these panels, is that a mirror they are looking at shows Superman, Superman locked up, Doctor Light, Superman killing Doctor Light, and Doctor Light’s family as Batman works to persuade the Stranger. After the Stranger turns away and agrees to lead Batman, the mirror shows Zauriel, which neither of them see.
The Stranger takes Bats, of course, and Deadman because he’s dead and Katana because she has a sword full of souls, I believe. Trevor demands answer, but they vanish, and so he yells at his people to follow them. “Happy to, Colonel, all you have to do–is tell us where they went” responds Catwoman. It’s a nice little moment that reminds us these other heroes are characters too, just not ones important to this particular story.
Flash forward and they’re out of Heaven’s basement. Deadman is surprised by the neighborhood-like Heaven, but the Stranger simply explains that Heaven is tailored to the beliefs of each soul. But before they can go on, Batman, Deadman and Katana disappear. The Stranger is frustrated at his mistake, and heads off to find the Heavens each of his companions have made.
First, is Katana’s. This was my least favorite part of this issue. Katana meets her husband and she dives right in to the…eh…exotic meeting. She’s enjoying her husband’s company, to say the least, when the Stranger shows up and casts him away. She is instantly back into her armor, and attacks the Stranger, slicing off his head, ignoring his warning that it might not have even been her husband. Off course, he comes right back, and he says he’s the one who needs forgiveness, he should have known it might happen.
They move on to Batman. This is an amazing scene. A young Bruce is on the couch with his parents at Christmas. Thomas is reading a Christmas Carol, which fits the tone of the scene. At first Katana wonders why he’s so young, but Batman comes out of the shadows. He just wanted a glimpse, and perhaps he can return when his war on crime is done, but it shows the depth of Batman’s character incredibly.
They leave and find Deadman, who fittingly doesn’t need a Heaven of his own. He’s happier doing his work on earth. Instead, he found Dr. Light. A little note here: Deadman found light, Batman was ready to leave, but Katana was immersed in her Heaven and attacked the Stranger when he came to her. She’s not exactly in the same league as the other two. I honestly preferred Catwoman’s couple of lines in this issue to Katana. The positive thing I will say, is that at least she did something, as opposed to her near-invisibility in JLA.
Unfortunately, Light’s unconscious, still adjusting to “life” in Heaven. Katana uses her sword to break the sphere he’s in, and the Stranger wakes him. Both he, and Batman, try to interrogate Dr. Light, but he doesn’t know anything. Batman thinks their mission was in vain. The Stranger, however….
“If we take Light back with us…return him to life–then there never was a murder. Superman… is free. And you, Arthur–you’ll have your family back. Nothing–in life or death–is more important than that.”
This quote too, shows that while the Stranger does care about Superman, he’s still feeling the effects of his own family being taken, and wishes to help Dr. Light. They all agree, but Light gives the Stranger something as a last gift to give to his family, should he not make it out of Heaven.
The angels arrive, led by Zauriel. These last three pages of the issues are great. Both artistically amazing, and in story. The other three learn that the Stranger faces “extinction”. They realize just how much that he’s sacrificed for them, but Zauriel sends them out of Heaven. He then sends Dr. Light back to his sleep, and turns to deal with the Stranger.
The Stranger admits he had no good reason for doing it, but he did it, foolish as it was. He believes his old master, who some called a fool, would be proud of what he did tod–
And he’s erased by Zauriel. Chances are, he was merely sent somewhere else, or something of the sort. Perhaps the dog/God/voice will bring him back. Who knows? We’ll have to wait two months for this, as Phantom Stranger doesn’t have a September Villains Month issue.
The art in this issue is almost as good as last issue. There’s nothing bad, there just aren’t quite as many absolutely amazing panels. That said, it was a beautiful read.
Overall, this was another fantastic issue of Phantom Stranger. I really love this series, and I can’t stress enough how much I suggest it. Even if you don’t like the first issues, this series has really improved since then. As a Trinity War tie-in, I think this was the strongest one yet. It told a contained story, but it felt important. The only complaint I have is that this probably means the Stranger won’t appear in any more Trinity War issues. After this though, I’m willing to sacrifice that. While Katana isn’t as much fun, the Stranger, Bats, and Deadman all are great to read. I give this a strong 8/10. This series has been so strong, especially in the last couple of issues. If you aren’t reading it, you should give it a shot. I actually believe this would be a pretty good jumping-on point, which is good for the semi-ad that tie-ins are.
So, are you just as excited to see what happens to the Stranger now that’s he’s erased from existence? How does he come back? I sure am looking forward to the Sin-Eater, the Question, and others that are coming in the next couple of issues.
Erathon Reviews 