While I would rather not have had The Spectre's introduction to the New 52 be a subplot of The Phantom Stranger's origin story, I'm nevetheless glad to see that Corrigan/The Spectre is going to be a part of the New 52. A character that isn't quite as popular or well known, like The Spectre, is a character that is perfect for a new writer with new ideas to work with. Maybe DC Comics can revive some of that groundbreaking storytelling that they were so full of at one point with a new take on The Spectre. Only time will tell... Read Full Review

I was honestly quite skeptical of DC's "Third Wave", as two of my favorite series (Justice League International and Resurrection Man) were cancelled to make room for new titles. But after reading The Phantom Stranger, I feel better about the other three upcoming series. Dan Didio knows what kind of writer he is, and he recognized that his full-blown style (as presented throughout O.M.A.C.) was too much. For The Phantom Stranger, Didio reels in his bombastic style just enough to make the series more accesible to a larger audience without sacrificing the pulp and charm that make his writing so good. Read Full Review

Im pleasantly surprised by the Phantom Stranger. Im shocked at how strong this comic turned out to be. I wasnt sure what to expect going in, but I liked what Dan Didio did with this tale. As long as Brent Anderson stays with this title for a bit, I could see this being a great read in the future. Theres strong potential here, Im optimistic for the next issue, because so far were off to a good start. Read Full Review

In a bonus twist, we're treated to the origin of another of the DCU's darker and more mysterious figures this issue and I can't wait to see where this one's going to turn up as teh New 52 Universe continues to unfold. Read Full Review

The Brent Anderson art is pretty solid, and there's enough here to make us take a look at a second issue next month. It's probably not going to ever be the most scintillating read, but this is likely where all the important stuff about the upcoming "Trinity War" will be revealed, so it'll be crucial. Alas, it's a little hard to shake the notion that defining the Phantom Stranger detracts from how cool he is. Read Full Review

Then again, I can't say I'm not at least intrigued to read another issue to see if things get better. So at least there's that. Read Full Review

While I really enjoyed this book, it's not really a standout book. Sure, it's fun and a tad campy, in a good way, but it's not what I was hoping for, especially because the main character seems like a pivotal character in this new universe. I really enjoyed seeing the origin in this issue, and I love how much fun I had reading it. Read Full Review

The art by Brent Anderson gets the job done, but his layouts and character designs are as ho-hum as the story they depict. Didio tells his story with an air of mystery about the Phantom Stranger's true identity, but it's hard to imagine anyone not realizing that he is Judas, as in the guy who betrayed Jesus. For a Jewish man born two thousands years ago in the Middle East, he sure does look an awful lot like a modern day Caucasian guy. Maybe that's part of the mystery? Read Full Review

This series has a lot of potential, especially if DiDio plans on delving into the mysticalside of the DCU, but this issue as a whole left a lot to be desired. The Strangers origin is compelling, but the second half of the book (aside from the exciting cameo from a spectral character) is rather uneventful. However, it does set the stage for much bigger things to come. I for one am extremely looking forward to seeing where DiDio takes the Stranger on his next journey and firmly believe that issue #0 is just the tip of the iceberg. Read Full Review

This issue is the first to deliver on the promise of the bigger story that will lead us into next year's Trinity War, but it is nothing more than exposition with a bit of uninspiring art behind it. What begins by covering the same ground as the FCBD book rapidly becomes a weighty, pseudo-biblical tale, plodding through a ton of explanatory text for what is otherwise a fairly straightforward story. Read Full Review

Andersons pencils seem similarly perfunctory, not really capturing the terror, eeriness or danger that this story really could have used to heighten its drama. As it stands, the story just sort of happens on the page no grit, no grime it just is. After absolutely loving DiDios previous run on O.M.A.C. for its bombastic, jump-off-the-page ridiculousness, Phantom Stranger unfortunately really fell flat for me. And for a book that undoubtedly has important ties to many of next years universe-spanning events, the disappointment is easily doubled. Not a great start for the New 52s Third Wave of titles. Heres hoping for better next week. Read Full Review

Where's Cassandra Craft? Where are Tannarak or Tala? Where's a Lovecraftian tentacle monster, or even a hint of real mystery or terror? A ghost even? Or a conniving demon? For that matter, I'd settle for Constantine or Doctor Thirteen! Zatanna? Lemire is using half of them pretty well in Justice League Dark, but this bland Stranger wouldn't fit in anymore. He seems unlikely to become someone who at least knows all about people who matter. This is one big misfire, a disappointment. Read Full Review

Overall its a sub-par comic. Its too vague to hold my interest, and it doesn't raise any questions or give the reader a hook for the next issue. The Phantom Stranger just seems to accept his world of enigma, and has no drive to ever get any answers to what exactly is going on. If the comic continues in such a fashion, then it will just be boring. Save your money on this one, I really do not recommend it. Read Full Review

Others have scoffed at DC exec Dan DiDio's efforts to write super-hero comics, but the irreverent fun and tribute to Jack Kirby in the most recent O.M.A.C. series, which was co-written by DiDio, made me open to his work. Unfortunately, his efforts here are more in keeping with the awkward, ham-fisted scripting and plotting of the Challengers of the Unknown feature from DC Universe Presents than the flair and bombastic entertainment of O.M.A.C. Read Full Review

To quote Doctor Smith, “Oh, the pain. The pain.” A wrong turn for a great character that I want to see corrected. If you're a fan, you're in for disappointment. Read Full Review

The most frustrating thing about "The Phantom Stranger" #0 is that Corrigan's story doesn't get a real conclusion. It just stops, the character carted off stage for presumably other appearances to come. That's potentially the biggest pitfall for this series; it's going to need a story of its own, not just introductions of other characters. Having a book about Judas wearing Jesus's cloak while unveiling new DC Comics characters may sound like a riot, but in this case it just falls flat. "The Phantom Stranger" needs to bring some mystery back, and quickly. Read Full Review

Just as I'll be doing from any future editions of this incarnation of this character. Read Full Review

Wow. Despite refusing to use the name, Didio hamfistedly rams the Stranger's identity down the throats of the reader so no other conclusion can possibly be drawn. And here I thought Michael Bay was unsubtle. The comic also (almost as an afterthought) gives us an emotionally empty retelling of Jim Corrigan and the Spectre's origin that, like nearly everything else in the New 52, will make you nostalgic for the original. Pass. Read Full Review