Comic Title: Across the Universe:The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2003
On Sale Date: June 25, 2003 Direct Market Date June 11, 2003
Source: Previews, Vol. 13 #4 (#172)

Direct Market Date June 25, 2003
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Cover Price: $19.95
Page Count: 208
Editor: Dale Crain

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Footsteps"
Pages: 10

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

Writer: Alan Moore
Artist/Colorist: Joe Orlando
Letterer: Bob Lappan

Reprinted From:
Secret Origins #10 (1987)

Feature Character(s)

• Phantom Stranger (last appearance in Secret Origins #10; next appearance in Action Comics #585)

Villain(s)

• Otis and the Sewer Survivalists (no further appearances)
• Satan (in flashback during the Fall; no further appearances)
• Asmodeus (in flashback during the Fall; no further appearances)
• Leviathan (in flashback during the Fall; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Demon (as the angel Etrigan; in flashback during the Fall; earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Swamp Thing #87)

Other Character(s)

• Josh (leader of the Subway Angels; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Phantom Stranger (during the Fall; last appearance in Secret Origins #10; next appearance in Secret Origins #10)

Comments:
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 witnesses the conflict between a group of Subway Angels who work to keep the subways clean and safe, and the Sewer Survivalists who want to live and rule in the subway tunnels. The conflict reminds him to the Fall in which Satan and his followers rebelled against Yahweh. An unnamed angel who was unable to choose sides during the conflict was cast out by both groups after the battle. Satan's followers ripped off the angel's wings and he was forced to walk the Earth alone as the Phantom Stranger. His indecision is mirrored by another young boy caught in the subway conflict. Both sides cast out the boy, and he is disfigured while being beaten by the Sewer Survivalists. The Phantom Stranger counsels him that walking can sometimes soothe the pain.