Comic Title: Showcase Presents Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2006
On Sale Date: October 25, 2006 Direct Market Date October 18, 2006
Source: Previews, Vol. 16 #7 (#211)

Direct Market Date October 25, 2006
Source: ComicList, New Releases List for Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Cover Price: $16.99
Page Count: 544
Editor: Bob Joy

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "There Is Laughter in Hell This Day"
Pages: 23

Feature(s):
Phantom Stranger (of Earth-1)

Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Bill Draut

Reprinted From:
Phantom Stranger #4 (1969)

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #3; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #5)

Supporting Character(s)

• Doctor Thirteen (first name misspelled Terence in this story; last appearance in Phantom Stranger #3; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #5)
• Marie Thirteen (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #2; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #5)
• Spartacus, Attila, Wild Rose, and Mister Square (teenagers; first appearance; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #5)

Villain(s)

• Tala (first appearance; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #5)
• Two gargoyles (destroyed in this story; no further appearances)
• Reed Jones (the fiance of Linda Phillips; in flashback; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• An unnamed tourist (dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Shark-Tooth (a homeless man; no further appearances)
• Linda Phillips (dies in this story; no further appearances)

Comments:
Chapter II: "There is Laughter in Hell Tonight"
Chapter 3: "Even the Walls Are Weeping"

This story introduces the Phantom Stranger's classic costume.

Doctor Thirteen is depicted with eye glasses and graying temples for the first time in this story.

Synopsis:
Dr. Thirteen and his wife Marie are in Haiti investigating the legend of Tala, a supernatural woman. Thirteen witnesses a ceremony in which natives chant for Tala. Influenced by the chant, a tourist dives into dangerous waters. Dr. Thirteen goes tries to save the man's life, but instead watches helplessly as the man is pulled into an underwater tunnel by a strong current. Although he is unable to save the man, Thirteen has the entrance to the tunnel destroyed with explosives to prevent more deaths.

Unknown to the doctor, the explosions release the evil sorceress Tala, allowing her to manifest on Earth. She follows Thirteen back to New York, causing a massive blackout with her dark powers. Only the intervention of the Phantom Stranger, who exhibits a supernatural light, allows Thirteen's plane to land safely. However, the doctor is still not convinced of the Stranger's supernatural powers.

Later, four teenagers enter a haunted house where the ghost of a weeping woman is said to dwell. Tala has also entered the house. She animates two gargoyles to attack the youngsters. The Phantom Stranger destroys the gargoyles. Then he has a confrontation with Tala, resulting in her departure.

Dr. Thirteen then arrives, intent on debunking the mystery of the haunted house. It is the Phantom Stranger, however, who uncovers the mystery. He finds Linda Phillips trapped inside the walls supernaturally for 100 years. He rescues her and allows her to finally meet a peaceful end. Despite the discovery, Dr. Thirteen remains convinced that the Stranger simply pulled a trick and plans to someday expose his charade.