Secret Origins (1986) 10 (3)

Secret Origins (1986) 10

Jan 1987

Revelations

by Dan Mishkin, Ernie Colón, Pablo Marcos, Carl Gafford, Albert DeGuzman, Robert Greenberger

The Phantom Stranger tries to prevent some scientists from delving too deeply into the mysteries of the origins of the universe. Alt, one of the scientists, doesn’t care for the Phantom Stranger’s interference. Alt’s colleague is more receptive to the Phantom Stranger’s words. Alt does what he can to prevent the Phantom Stranger from interfering with his work. Alt thinks that the Phantom Stranger has been incapacitated and doesn’t see him pass his power on to Alt’s colleague. 

Werewolf by Night 10

Werewolf by Night 10

Oct 1973

The Sinister Secret of Sarnak!

by Gerry Conway, Tom Sutton, Petra Goldberg, Roy Thomas

The Werewolf wakes up chained in a pit. Lissa, Jack’s sister, is also chained up in the pit. Sarnak and his followers surround the pit. The Werewolf breaks free and tries to jump out of the pit. Sarnak blows on the whistle and the Werewolf falls backwards back into the pit. 

Sarnak tells Lissa, while the Werewolf recovers, about the Committee (his employers) and his background as a sound engineer. Sarnak then leaves with most of his followers. Morning comes and the Werewolf reverts to being Jack. Jack escapes from the pit but is unable to free Lissa. 

Grimjack in Starslayer 11

Starslayer 11

Dec 1983

Mortal Gods - Conclusion 

by John Ostrander, Timothy Truman, John Workman, Janice Cohen, Mike Gold

Elvanna is shocked to find that Manwyyes is a drunken slob. She doesn’t get more than a few seconds to let the reality of the situation sink in before a rival god, the four-armed, sword-wielding Zago walks into the cafe eager for a fight. He has killed all of Manwyyes followers, with the exception of Elvanna, and he is eager to finish off Manwyyes and his high priestess.

Grimjack steps in the way. His attempt to fight Zago with his own weapons proves fruitless. Once he borrows Manwyyes staff and gets his hands on one of Zago’s swords he is able to even the odds. 

Secret Origins (1986) 10 (2)

Secret Origins (1986) 10

Jan 1987

…And Men Shall Call Him Stranger

by Paul Levitz, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Gaspar Saladino, Tatjana Wood, Robert Greenberger

10 pages

This is the second of four possible Secret Origins of the Phantom Stranger.

In biblical times, presumably well before the birth of Christ, a man agonizes. Crime is rampant, his own son calls him out as being silly and foolish. A flood of supernatural origins ravages the city in which the man and his family live. Most are killed but the man survives.

Werewolf by Night 9

Werewolf by Night 9

Sep 1973

Terror Beneath the Earth!

by Gerry Conway, Tom Sutton, George Roussos, Len Wein, Roy Thomas

The Werewolf runs through the rain swept streets of Los Angeles. It is pursued by a man dressed in a raggedy red and blue outfit, whose face is concealed by a scarf. The man catches up to the Werewolf but then leaves him when summoned by Sarnak. A high pitched, ultrasonic, wave of sound hits the Werewolf and he collapses as the man runs off. 

Jack Russell, aka the Werewolf, wakes up once again human. He is in jail. The policeman on duty, sees that Jack has regained consciousness and calls for Jack’s stepfather. Lissa, Jack’s sister, and Phillip Russell, Jack’s stepfather, take him home. Jack quarrels with his stepfather and then goes up to his room. He isn’t there long before he is attacked by the man in red and blue once again but this time he has brought some help.

Grimjack in Starslayer 10

Starslayer 10

Nov 1983

Mortal Gods

by John Ostrander, Timothy Truman, John Workman, Janice Cohen, Mike Gold

Elvanna, high priestess of the Kyrians, travels to Cynosure to find Grimjack, aka John Gaunt. She hopes that he can help her find Manwyyes, her god, who has stopped responding to their people’s prayers. The Kyrians are desperate because they being overrun by the followers of Zago, the god of the blood red sun. 

This installment ends with Grimjack taking Elvanna to Wu Fang’s Cafe. Manwyyes is there, hunched over a drink. The high priestess is shocked by what she finds.

Secret Origins (1986) 10 (1)

Secret Origins (1986) 10

Jan 1987

Tarry Till I Come Again

by Mike W. Barr, Jim Aparo, Tom Ziuko, Robert Greenberger

10 pages

This is the first of four possible Secret Origins of the Phantom Stranger.

The Phantom Stranger confesses to a priest, Father Knox, on Christmas Eve. He tells the priest about his past, about how he lost his wife and child. They were murdered roughly 2000 years ago. He got a measure of revenge on Jesus Christ, the man he blamed for the death of his loved ones, but as a result of his actions he has lived on. 

The story ends with the Phantom Stranger being forgiven for his crime 2000 years ago. He is offered the chance to move on and end his life but he chooses to remain.