The Good

The Phantom Stranger and the Presence (DC's equivalent to God) discuss life and religion. The Stranger's new mission is to find Jack Ryder and help him out. Stranger must do this before meeting up with Doctor Thirteen to find the Phantom Stranger's missing family.

I really enjoy the dialogue between Stranger and the Presence. It's a nice slow paced start to the issue, and I like how this book deals with larger aspects of the DCU. It's not just about heroes fighting villains. There's a philosophical element to this book. J.M. Dematteis does a stellar job with the vast majority of the dialogue here, especially in this opening scene.

Finally, we get to see the Question, in this issue. I like how this book as been integrating the mystical side of the DCU, little-by-little. The Question is cold and ruthless here. I like the interaction between him and Stranger. Their history goes pretty far back, and they play well off of each other.

I am a tad bummed about the artist change. This issue and #6 were not drawn by Brent Anderson and Phillip Tan; however, we do get Gene Ha on pencils and inks, along with Andrew Pepoy (inks) and Art Lyon (colors). The art is quite different from previous issues, but it still has that classic style art meets contemporary style that I loved so much about Anderson and Tan working together.

The Bad

Spoilers ahoy! The gatefold cover, which I loved, ruins the end of the issue. It's literally on the last page. Why is the reveal on the cover?

Am I supposed to hate Jack Ryder because I really hate him. In the scene where we meet him, which is about three pages, he says his own name four times. Everyone else says his name quite a bit. His dialogue is pretty rough, and he sounds like he's straight out of a 50's crime film. It's a tad over-the-top.

The Verdict

I've said before that this book is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I said on a recent Super Massive Podcast that it's moved away from that status because I just really enjoy everything about this book. That being said, this is a slow issue, and it may be a bit tough for new readers to get through. Yes, Jack Ryder's dialogue is weird and he's a hard character to digest, but to me, that's part of the charm of THE PHANTOM STRANGER. It's a book that's out of place because the character is out of place.

Overall, I recommend this issue. THE PHANTOM STRANGER continues to be one of my favorite DC reads.

is that the spear of whatever, supposedly used to kill jesus? i cant remember its name.

I loved this issue

spear of destiny

Another good issue

@mightypug78: The Holy Lance, or the Spear of Destiny.

This seems interesting, I should pick up the PS that I skipped.

I think the gatefolds ruin the end of almost every issue. I've actually also been enjoying this series. The first issue was horrid, but I stuck with it and it just seemed to get better every week.

I'm really glad Dematteis is back writing comics. As sad as I am that Fialkov and Diggle are gone, books like this remind me that there are still quality writers at DC.

I wanted to pick this up because I am a huge Question fan. Slowly but surely I'm hear more and more good things about this title. This issue a decent jumping on point?

I think some call it the Lance of Longinus too.

I think I will wait for the trade of this series, then start up on it along with Pandora's series when it comes out, right now I can't afford to add another title to my pull.

Decided to pick up this issue when I saw what the other 1/2 of the gatefold and I certainly wasnt disappointed! I dropped the series after the second issue but it looks like its seriously picked up since then. I read all the issues Ive missed since except 3 and they have all been better than the last. This issue and the last issue especially where great! Cant wait to see what happens next! Im seriously curious about the plans they have for the Question and what his history is.

so...Jack isnt the Creeper (knew that part due to the crappy Katana gatefold), but now he's helping the Question kill the Phantom Neighbor? wtf? i almost want to pick the issue up. almost.

Good issue, Divine Terrier is still funny :)

@avenging_x_bolt: Apparently Jack get's stuffed so that he can become the Creeper, like Raven got handed over so she would move in the right direction. I suspect the 'Creeper' demon/spirit is going to get out of Katana's Soultaker and finds Jack on his last limb before bonding with him... kinda like the Symbiote found Eddie Brock.

ok. i guess i can live with that. what do you mean "stuffed"

I'll have to start getting this series. I love JM Dematteis' writing!

This title is getting more and more interesting by the issue. Poor Phantom Stranger getting stabbed in the back.

I'm not liking the new direction they are taking the Question. He should have no part in the Trinity of Sin. What power does he have that Stranger thought he needed help stopping him?

Working in the media myself I can't help but enjoy scenes with Ryder even if he is an annoyance. Phantom Stranger is quickly becoming one of my must read DC titles and yeah I think the Gatefold should have been something else IMO.