Comic Title: Showcase #80
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: February 1969
On Sale Date: December 12, 1968 Newsstand Date December 12, 1968
Source: House Ad, Atom and Hawkman #41, Page 10

Newsstand Date December 12, 1968
Source: Comic Reader, #70

Copyright Date December 12, 1968
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1969

Frequency: Monthly (exceptions Jan, Apr, July, Oct)
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Joe Orlando

Title: "Men Call Me the Phantom Stranger"
Pages: 9

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

Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Jerry Grandenetti
Inker: Bill Draut

Reprinted In:
Showcase Presents Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 TPB (2006)

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Phantom Stranger #6; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #1)

Guest Star(s)

• Doctor Thirteen (last appearance in Star Spangled Comics #130; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #1)

Villain(s)

• A gang of criminals (no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Marie Thirteen (formerly Marie Leeds; revealed to have married Terry Thirteen; last appearance in Star Spangled Comics #130; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #1)

Other Character(s)

• A group of young boys (Robbie named; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story serves as the framing sequence for two reprint stories.

Pages 1-3 appear first
"The Three Signs of Evil" is then reprinted
Pages 4-5 appear next
"I Talked to the Dead" is then reprinted
Pages 6-9 then conclude the framing sequence.

Synopsis:
A group of young boys sneak outside after dark and meet in a nearby cave. They have come to discuss the town curse. Their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of the Phantom Stranger who tells them a tale concerning one of his previous cases.

At the conclusion of the tale, the Phantom Stranger mysteriously disappears. At the same time, Dr. Thirteen and his wife happen along. They have come to town to disprove the town curse. Dr. Thirteen also relates a tale of his past to the boys.

When the Ghost-Breaker finishes his story, the Phantom Stranger returns. Despite opposing methods, the men agree to work together to solve the curse. It involves a claim that the town mayor will be abducted by a beast. The creature appears, but it is really a disguised helicopter which crooks are using to scare people. While police guard the mayor, they loot the town. The Phantom Stranger and Dr. Thirteen stop them. In the aftermath, the Stranger disappears again, prompting Thirteen to vow to expose him as a charlatan.