Comic Title: Secret Origins #10
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: January 1987
On Sale Date: October 9, 1986 Newsstand Date October 9, 1986
Source: DC Releases, #32

Newsstand Date October 9, 1986
Source: Amazing Heroes, #101

Shipping Date September 16, 1986
Source: Amazing Heroes, #101

Shipping Date September 16, 1986
Source: DC Releases, #32

Shipping Date September 16, 1986
Source: Comics Journal, #110

Copyright Date September 16, 1986
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1986
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.25
Page Count: 48
Editor: Robert Greenberger

Notes:
This issue is labeled: "Legends Spin-Off Chapter 6".

Title: "Tarry Till I Come Again"
Pages: 10

Feature(s):
Phantom Stranger (Post-Crisis)

Crossover Event:
Legends

Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Animal Man #23; next appearance in Secret Origins #10)

Villain(s)

• Soldier of King Herod (in flashback; no further appearances)
• Two members of the inquisition (in flashback; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Father Knox (a priest; no further appearances)
• Mrs. Harmon (an elderly woman; no further appearances)
• Rebecca and her son (in flashback; die in this story; no further appearances)
• Jesus (in flashback; no further appearances)
• A young woman (in flashback; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Phantom Stranger (during the time of Jesus; last appearance in Secret Origins #10; next appearance in Animal Man #22)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Merlin (in flashback)

Comments:
This story alleges that the Phantom Stranger is the Wandering Jew.

This is one of four possible origins presented for the Phantom Stranger. Since the stories are all substanially different, it is unclear which, if any, of them are canonical.

Synopsis:
The Phantom Stranger visits a priest at Christmas time to confess. He tells the priest that he was once known as Isaac. His wife and child were killed by soldiers looking for the the baby Jesus. Decades later, when Jesus had grown to adulthood, Isaac blamed him for the death of his family. He bribed a soldier and was the man who beat Jesus. As a result of his actions, Isaac was cursed with immortality and wanderlust.

As time passed, the Wandering Jew happened upon a girl that resembled his former wife Rebecca. She was being taken by members of the inquisition, so for the first time since he was cursed, the wanderer took action in human affairs. He manages to keep the woman from the inquisition, but he was unable to save her life. Still, she did not blame God for her fate.

Now, centuries later, the Phantom Stranger reveals that he has learned from his time spent as a wanderer. He then hears the voice of God release him from the curse. However, the Phantom Stranger elects to remain on Earth to help dispel darkness from the world. Father Knox has witnessed the confession. The Phantom Stranger causes the priest to fall asleep, then takes his leave.