Comic Title: Showcase #17
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Nov/Dec 1958
On Sale Date: September 18, 1958 Copyright Date September 18, 1958
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1958

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 32
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "Secret of the Eternal City"
Pages: 15

Feature(s):
Adam Strange (of Earth-1)

Writer: Gardner F. Fox
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Frank Giacoia

Reprinted In:
Secret Origins #1 (1961)
Strange Adventures #217 (1969)
Mysteries in Space:The Best of DC Science-Fiction Comics SC (1980)
Essential Showcase 1956-1959 TPB (1993)
Secret Origins Replica Edition #1 (1998)
Adam Strange Archives Vol. 1 HC (2004)
Showcase Presents:Adam Strange Vol. 1 TPB (2007)
DC Universe:Secret Origins HC (2012)
Showcase Presents:Showcase Vol. 1 TPB (2012)
DC Universe:Secret Origins TPB (2013)
Adam Strange:The Silver Age Omnibus HC (2017)

Feature Character(s)

• Adam Strange (an archeologist; next appearance in Showcase #17)

Supporting Character(s)

• Alanna (next appearance in Showcase #17)
• Sardath (scientist from Rann; father of Alanna; next appearance in Showcase #17)

Villain(s)

• The Eternals (an ancient alien race; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Several Inca villagers and two scientists of Samakand (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
While escaping from some Inca villagers, Adam Strange is struck by a Zeta Beam originating from the planet Rann. Originally designed for communications, the Zeta Beam has been altered by its long journey through space, and it teleports Adam Strange to Rann.

On a world 25 trillion miles from Earth, Adam meets Alanna, a woman and her scientist father, Sardath. Using their advanced technology they teach Adam their language. Adam then gets a tour of the planet from Alanna. Rann itself was more advanced than Earth, but a great war caused much technology to be lost, and a majority of its population has reverted to barbarism.

While exploring the city-state of Kamorak, Adam and Alanna come under attack from alien invaders searching for the element Vitatron. Alanna believes it exists in Samakand, a city which only appears once every 25 years. Adam and Alanna contact the scientists of Samakand and are able to lure the invaders there and trap them in the fourth dimension.

After the threat has passed, the Zeta radiation in Adam’s body wears off, and he is transported back to Earth. Having found a new home and new love on Rann, Adam calculates the next occurance of the Zeta Beam which will once again return him to Rann.