Comic Title: Phantom Stranger Omnibus HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2023
On Sale Date: August 29, 2023 Direct Market Date August 30, 2023
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Direct Market Date August 22, 2023
Source: DC Connect, #32

Direct Market Date November 1, 2022
Source: Previews, #25

Direct Market Date November 1, 2022
Source: Panels, June 2022

Direct Market Date May 24, 2022
Source: Panels, #20

Cover Price: $150.00
Page Count: 1200

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Tarry Till I Come Again"
Pages: 10

Feature(s):
Phantom Stranger (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko

Reprinted From:
Secret Origins #10 (1987)

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Animal Man #23; next appearance in Secret Origins #10)

Villain(s)

• Soldier of King Herod (in flashback; no further appearances)
• Two members of the inquisition (in flashback; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Father Knox (a priest; no further appearances)
• Mrs. Harmon (an elderly woman; no further appearances)
• Rebecca and her son (in flashback; die in this story; no further appearances)
• Jesus (in flashback; no further appearances)
• A young woman (in flashback; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Phantom Stranger (during the time of Jesus; last appearance in Secret Origins #10; next appearance in Animal Man #22)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Merlin (in flashback)

Comments:
This story alleges that the Phantom Stranger is the Wandering Jew.

This is one of four possible origins presented for the Phantom Stranger. Since the stories are all substanially different, it is unclear which, if any, of them are canonical.

Synopsis:
The Phantom Stranger visits a priest at Christmas time to confess. He tells the priest that he was once known as Isaac. His wife and child were killed by soldiers looking for the the baby Jesus. Decades later, when Jesus had grown to adulthood, Isaac blamed him for the death of his family. He bribed a soldier and was the man who beat Jesus. As a result of his actions, Isaac was cursed with immortality and wanderlust.

As time passed, the Wandering Jew happened upon a girl that resembled his former wife Rebecca. She was being taken by members of the inquisition, so for the first time since he was cursed, the wanderer took action in human affairs. He manages to keep the woman from the inquisition, but he was unable to save her life. Still, she did not blame God for her fate.

Now, centuries later, the Phantom Stranger reveals that he has learned from his time spent as a wanderer. He then hears the voice of God release him from the curse. However, the Phantom Stranger elects to remain on Earth to help dispel darkness from the world. Father Knox has witnessed the confession. The Phantom Stranger causes the priest to fall asleep, then takes his leave.