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: "Journey to the Tomb of the Ice Giants"
Pages: 25

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

Writer: Dennis J. O'Neil
Artist: Jim Aparo

Reprinted From:
Phantom Stranger #8 (1970)

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #7; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #9)

Supporting Character(s)

• Doctor Thirteen (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #7; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #9)
• Marie Thirteen (first name given as Maria in this story; last appearance in Phantom Stranger #7; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #12)

Villain(s)

• Tala (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #7; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #9)
• Mickey Gorrsky (Ivan's nephew; no further appearances)
• A group of ice giants (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Mr. Muttson (an oil company owner; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• The crew of an icebreaker (Harry named; no further appearances)
• Muttson's assistant (no further appearances)
• An unnamed sheriff and a chemist (no further appearances)
• Ivan Gorrsky (a wealthy recluse; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story frames another story entitled:
"The Adventure of the Brittle Blossom"

Synopsis:
An icebreaker searching the arctic for oil encounters a giant made of ice. Word of the encounter reaches the ship's owner Mr. Muttson. A short time later Muttson is found frozen solid in a block of ice in his steam room. Dr. Thirteen is called in to investigate. Although the Ghost Breaker believes the death to have a rational explanation, forensics reveal that the ice came from the arctic.

Dr. Thirteen and his wife travel by helicopter to the arctic where the icebreaker remains damaged. After finding a giant sword in the ice, the couple is attacked by an ice giant. The Phantom Stranger tries to negotiate their release. When talk fails, the Stranger attacks. This too fails. Then he convinces the giants to abandon the world which he tells them has been spoiled by mankind. The giants retreat, taking Marie Thirteen as their permanent prisoner.

After the Phantom Stranger uses dynamite to seal the ice giants in their cave forever, he finds Marie Thirteen alive and well. Tala had disguised herself as Marie and been the one taken away by the giants. The sorceress was able to free herself later. Marie Thirteen then tries to explain what happened to her husband, but he doesn't believe her.