Even today, the Phantom Stranger has wildly varying power levels (even if he doesn't do the Scooby Doo thing much any longer). My take on the Phantom Stranger is, his job isn't to stop evildoers, but to help people at moral crossroads. Thus he tends to have exactly enough power to offset whatever evil forces are stacked against them, so they can choose good or evil freely.
That's mostly his solo adventures, when he's battling Tannarak or a random demon. But these days the Phantom Stranger usually shows up when there is major magic that needs to be countered, and he plays a more traditional superhero role. I guess he's allowed to do both.
Heh. Yes, he does. One of the best uses of him in recent years was one story where Hal retreated into a Perfect World he made for himself inside his ring and as he was sitting there on a park bench, the Phantom Stranger walked by to bring him back.
It's funny, HJF, but I've got kind of a similar take on the Spectre. My theory is his power levels wax and wane based on the level of the threat he's facing (or the level of evil). Gangsters and thugs don't require GIANT AWESOME SPECTRE so they get a more restrained version. Still working out the kinks; not ready to publish a paper yet.
I do like the thought of Phantom Stranger not being an instrument of wrath or vengeance or whatever, but more of "God's Fixer." Or you could say he's a representative of Order but operates very low-key so as not to trigger a Chaos backlash, as opposed to Dr. Fate's more high-profile Agent of Order status.
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ReplyDeleteEven today, the Phantom Stranger has wildly varying power levels (even if he doesn't do the Scooby Doo thing much any longer). My take on the Phantom Stranger is, his job isn't to stop evildoers, but to help people at moral crossroads. Thus he tends to have exactly enough power to offset whatever evil forces are stacked against them, so they can choose good or evil freely.
ReplyDeleteThat's mostly his solo adventures, when he's battling Tannarak or a random demon. But these days the Phantom Stranger usually shows up when there is major magic that needs to be countered, and he plays a more traditional superhero role. I guess he's allowed to do both.
Plus he plays Candyland with Hal Jordan's niece.
- HJF1
Heh. Yes, he does. One of the best uses of him in recent years was one story where Hal retreated into a Perfect World he made for himself inside his ring and as he was sitting there on a park bench, the Phantom Stranger walked by to bring him back.
DeleteIt's funny, HJF, but I've got kind of a similar take on the Spectre. My theory is his power levels wax and wane based on the level of the threat he's facing (or the level of evil). Gangsters and thugs don't require GIANT AWESOME SPECTRE so they get a more restrained version. Still working out the kinks; not ready to publish a paper yet.
ReplyDeleteI do like the thought of Phantom Stranger not being an instrument of wrath or vengeance or whatever, but more of "God's Fixer." Or you could say he's a representative of Order but operates very low-key so as not to trigger a Chaos backlash, as opposed to Dr. Fate's more high-profile Agent of Order status.