Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger Book

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.