THE PHANTOM STRANGER is one of those books I'm drawn to. I find it so interesting on so many levels, and I feel like, for once, I am right in the trenches with other Phantom Stranger fans, since this is a character I've always wanted to know more about. I love the dynamic between Stranger and Constantine here. I can't wait to see where it fully goes.On the down side, I didn't like how Constantine knew everything about Stranger, and some of the dialogue, later in the issue, didn't work and was awkward to read.Overall, I really enjoyed issue four of THE PHANTOM STRANGER, and I'd recommend it, but I highly suggest picking up issues 0-3. Read Full Review

After reading "Phantom Stranger" #4 and reflecting on it a bit, I found myself wondering, "Could the Trinity War not be about people, but rather about Justice Leagues?" After all, Constantine introduces his group as "Justice League Dark" in this issue and we have seen some conflicts of interest between Constantine and Steve Trevor, known to be associated with the upcoming "Justice League of America." Yes, that's boundless speculation, but good stories inspire imagination and "Phantom Stranger" #4 has, at least, ignited a spark to inspire thinking about the future of the DC Universe. It's also enough, thanks in no small part to DeMatteis guiding hand, to summon me back for more soon. Read Full Review

The artwork is extremely variable in quality in this issue. As with past issues, it seems as though the majority of the detail is focused on the action-heavy scenes. The more ordinary, domestic material suffers from a lack of clarity. Some figures are little more than outlines filled in with color that approximates a living person. With the script quality on the upswing, maybe the time has come for a change in artists as well. Read Full Review

Despite the involvement of the JLD and a new writer on board, The Phantom Stranger still plagued by its fair share problems. So much in fact that this series will have to make drastic improvements before it becomes worthy of being on readers radar. Perhaps the Strangers involvement in DCs upcoming Trinity War can invigorate this series? If not, then this series may very well be circling the drain. Read Full Review

The first problem that I had with the issue, actually, was the cover by Jae Lee. While I understand why people like his work, not every title is appropriate for his "endless-folds-of-fabric-on-weirdly-greasy-people" style, and that negative perception sets the issue off on bad footing. Admittedly, I love the old version of the Phantom Stranger, and I'm extremely uncomfortable with overtly Judeo-Christian elements in a world filled with demons, psychic monkeys and a dozen other concepts that mesh very oddly with the biblical themes. DeMatteis is responsible for dialoguing many books that I love, but this issue is filled with page after page of clunky exposition and melodramatic declarations, without anything really HAPPENING. The Phantom Stranger #4 doesn't look bad at all, but ends up being an awkward, predictable and dull read, earning 1.5 out of 5 stars overall. Read Full Review

Go read Talon, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Action Comics, Dial H, Frankenstein or any of the other genuinely few good books DC has and give them a fighting chance. Read Full Review