For those of you who have been wondering what the future holds for the Phantom Stranger now that his monthly is coming to an end, the answer is right here.
This is fantastic ! This news make my day ! :D I deeply love your run on Phantom Stranger, and I was so sad that the title has been cancelled... And I was thinking: "Phantom Stranger will join Larfleeze in the emptiness, I bought them all, I can die in peace". So actually, you just saved my life ! ... Well... maybe not... But I am happy ! :D
Wait. Phantom Stranger and Larfleeze? Now THERE'S a team-up!
But seriously, Freytraw, thanks so much for your enthusiasm. I hope you enjoy the new book. I'm delighted that the Stranger has found new life after cancellation.
"And of course we’re dealing with great themes: the nature of sin and evil, self-perception vs. world-perception, the search for redemption."
I would go further with the Trinity of Sin: each member suffers from false self-perception. The Stranger thinks he is beyond redemption; Pandora thought she was responsible for original sins; the Question thinks he is being charged with unknown sin which he did not commit.
Lots of opportunities for guest appearances (like Batman). Rick
I agree with the first two, Rick (although both the Stranger and Pandora are starting to move beyond those false perceptions; in fact that's a big part of our final PS arc), but the Question remains...a question. He may be absolutely right when he says he's innocent. We really don't know yet. And that, for me, is the fun of it. It's a very Kafkaesque situation, to say the least!
I still think the Question suffers from false self perception, but, of a different kind. He knows he doesn't know who he is, yet is mostly convinced he is good. That's a form of prejudgment; the result is arrogance. The fact that he may question his complete innocence is an indication that he too can be saved. It wouldn't surprise me if his real name is a character brought down by his own arrogance.
Presumably, the Spectre will show up in this book. He's a natural fit. And perhaps, he may finally address a conundrum about his hatred for PS. The Holy Terrier allowed Chris to be alive again. Why hasn't the Spectre directed his anger at the Holy Terrier, instead of PS, for denying him the same privilege? Rick
I see that the start of your run on Phantom Stranger is now in graphic novel format. Can volume two be used as a jumping point or do you need to have any previous knowledge of who the Phantom Stranger is in order to fully enjoy the series?
Hi, Eve: I think the second volume makes the Stranger's status quo pretty clear, so, yes, you can use it as a jumping on point. Of course, if you get confused, you can always double back and read volume one!
It would be interesting if The Question never had an answer, so to speak. There are few characters who fill that 'unknown origins' role. If I have my history correctly, the Phantom Stranger once had that quality, with four possible (and incompatible) origins presented in one issue. But I have not yet read the issue which I speak of.
At any rate, it's an exciting opportunity to see some cool characters bounce off each other.
Sometimes a Great Mystery is best left a Great Mystery, other times answers are just what we need. It's a hard call and one I certainly haven't made re: the Question.
The Stranger is a perfect example: the new Judas mythology is great, I love writing him as that character...and yet a part of me missing the old Stranger who was a total Unknown. Is one better than the other? Maybe not, but each one has his strengths.
There's definitely something to be said for both approaches...and who knows, maybe this Phantom Stranger will run into the other somewhere down the line. "Stranger things have happened..."
Completely off topic, have you ever read Stephen King's 9/22/63? I just did and I think you'd enjoy it (though not sure how you'd feel about the end)...
Yes, I read it last year and totally loved it. I haven't read much King since the 80's, really, but, being a Kennedy buff I had to pick that one up and I'm so glad I did.
I thought I had mentioned something along those lines in a post that never appeared. More specifically, no one has ever tried to connect the series 1 and series 2,3 or 4 Phantom Strangers. I don't count the Vertigo stories with Madam Xanadu. They didn't do so, either.
Let me add that you can still turn the PS-as-Judas line into something different. You're even more important than the Presence. You're the Creator. How's that for an ego boost?
Well, how about doing something about Pandora's chicken feather costume? I know...she confronts a dangerous adversary, and in desperation, she fires off her chicken feathers to confuse him. Once he realizes what she has done, he starts laughing his ass off and falls on the floor while she makes good her escape. But unfortunately, this was a single use power and she now looks like Plucked Chicken Feather Girl. The Holy Terrier looks down on her, takes pity on her stupid appearance, and gives her a new costume. Whatever it is afterward, just don't make it duck feathers. Rick
Nothing conspicuous about it, really. I did once pitch a broader vision for the Stranger that would simultaneously include and transcend the Judas aspect, but it was decided to leave things as they are—and I'm fine with that.
This is fantastic ! This news make my day ! :D
ReplyDeleteI deeply love your run on Phantom Stranger, and I was so sad that the title has been cancelled... And I was thinking: "Phantom Stranger will join Larfleeze in the emptiness, I bought them all, I can die in peace". So actually, you just saved my life !
...
Well... maybe not... But I am happy ! :D
Wait. Phantom Stranger and Larfleeze? Now THERE'S a team-up!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, Freytraw, thanks so much for your enthusiasm. I hope you enjoy the new book. I'm delighted that the Stranger has found new life after cancellation.
"And of course we’re dealing with great themes: the nature of sin and evil, self-perception vs. world-perception, the search for redemption."
ReplyDeleteI would go further with the Trinity of Sin: each member suffers from false self-perception. The Stranger thinks he is beyond redemption; Pandora thought she was responsible for original sins; the Question thinks he is being charged with unknown sin which he did not commit.
Lots of opportunities for guest appearances (like Batman). Rick
I agree with the first two, Rick (although both the Stranger and Pandora are starting to move beyond those false perceptions; in fact that's a big part of our final PS arc), but the Question remains...a question. He may be absolutely right when he says he's innocent. We really don't know yet. And that, for me, is the fun of it. It's a very Kafkaesque situation, to say the least!
DeleteI still think the Question suffers from false self perception, but, of a different kind. He knows he doesn't know who he is, yet is mostly convinced he is good. That's a form of prejudgment; the result is arrogance. The fact that he may question his complete innocence is an indication that he too can be saved. It wouldn't surprise me if his real name is a character brought down by his own arrogance.
DeletePresumably, the Spectre will show up in this book. He's a natural fit. And perhaps, he may finally address a conundrum about his hatred for PS. The Holy Terrier allowed Chris to be alive again. Why hasn't the Spectre directed his anger at the Holy Terrier, instead of PS, for denying him the same privilege? Rick
Food for thought, as always, Rick. Thanks!
DeleteYou're welcome, as always. Rick
DeleteI see that the start of your run on Phantom Stranger is now in graphic novel format. Can volume two be used as a jumping point or do you need to have any previous knowledge of who the Phantom Stranger is in order to fully enjoy the series?
ReplyDeleteHi, Eve: I think the second volume makes the Stranger's status quo pretty clear, so, yes, you can use it as a jumping on point. Of course, if you get confused, you can always double back and read volume one!
DeleteAlways a big fan of The Question, Recent event turnarounds make it possible for me to jump on board this series. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear it, Douglas -- and I hope you enjoy the new series.
DeleteIt would be interesting if The Question never had an answer, so to speak. There are few characters who fill that 'unknown origins' role. If I have my history correctly, the Phantom Stranger once had that quality, with four possible (and incompatible) origins presented in one issue. But I have not yet read the issue which I speak of.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, it's an exciting opportunity to see some cool characters bounce off each other.
--David
Sometimes a Great Mystery is best left a Great Mystery, other times answers are just what we need. It's a hard call and one I certainly haven't made re: the Question.
DeleteThe Stranger is a perfect example: the new Judas mythology is great, I love writing him as that character...and yet a part of me missing the old Stranger who was a total Unknown. Is one better than the other? Maybe not, but each one has his strengths.
That should have been "a part of me MISSES the old Stranger..." (Bangs head against desk)
DeleteThere's definitely something to be said for both approaches...and who knows, maybe this Phantom Stranger will run into the other somewhere down the line. "Stranger things have happened..."
DeleteCompletely off topic, have you ever read Stephen King's 9/22/63? I just did and I think you'd enjoy it (though not sure how you'd feel about the end)...
Best,
David
Yes, I read it last year and totally loved it. I haven't read much King since the 80's, really, but, being a Kennedy buff I had to pick that one up and I'm so glad I did.
DeleteThe two Strangers meeting? Cool idea!
I thought I had mentioned something along those lines in a post that never appeared. More specifically, no one has ever tried to connect the series 1 and series 2,3 or 4 Phantom Strangers. I don't count the Vertigo stories with Madam Xanadu. They didn't do so, either.
ReplyDeleteLet me add that you can still turn the PS-as-Judas line into something different. You're even more important than the Presence. You're the Creator. How's that for an ego boost?
Rick
Sorry if one of your comments never appeared, Rick. Things occasionally get lost in cyberworld.
DeleteVery interesting idea about connecting all the Strangers...but I don't see it happening in TRINITY OF SIN. At least not in the immediate future.
I'm the Creator? Well, we all are, aren't we...and Creations, as well!
Well, how about doing something about Pandora's chicken feather costume? I know...she confronts a dangerous adversary, and in desperation, she fires off her chicken feathers to confuse him. Once he realizes what she has done, he starts laughing his ass off and falls on the floor while she makes good her escape. But unfortunately, this was a single use power and she now looks like Plucked Chicken Feather Girl. The Holy Terrier looks down on her, takes pity on her stupid appearance, and gives her a new costume. Whatever it is afterward, just don't make it duck feathers. Rick
DeleteHmmm. I getting the distinct feeling you don't like that costume, Rick...but maybe I'm just reading into things. : )
DeleteBy the way, I did notice you were conspicuously silent when I had written:
Delete"Let me add that you can still turn the PS-as-Judas line into something different."
Nothing conspicuous about it, really. I did once pitch a broader vision for the Stranger that would simultaneously include and transcend the Judas aspect, but it was decided to leave things as they are—and I'm fine with that.
Delete