Anonymous writes...

Mr. Weisman,

My Previous Question: In "Odnu!" we see the Earth-16 debut of the Phantom Stranger. Now, despite the ethnicity change (from Caucasian to African-American), is his real name identified as Judas Iscariot; like his New 52 counterpart (as indicated in "Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger: Futures End #1")?

Your Response to My Question: I haven't read that - or any Pre-Rebirth New 52 comics. (That's not a comment on their quality. I just wasn't reading comics during that era and didn't hop back on again until Rebirth.) So if PS is JI, it's news to me. Not saying no. Just haven't thought about it at all to see if it fits with what I do know about the Earth-16 version of PS.

My Response to Your Response: The reason I had suspected that the Earth-16 version of the Phantom Stranger was likely based on the post-Flashpoint (Prime Earth) version of the character from the comics is because he is clearly branded with the 30 silver pieces on his attire; the pre-Flashpoint (New Earth) version of the character does NOT have them. In post-Flashpoint DC Comics continuity, his origin was revealed in "Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger" Issue #0, but at the time, his identity as Judas Iscariot was implied, but NOT confirmed. His true identity as Judas Iscariot was officially confirmed during his narration in "Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger: Futures End" Issue #1. At some point in his long life, he went by the name of Phillip Stark and had a wife (Elena Stark), a daughter (Allie Stark), and a son (Tim Stark); but unfortunately they are all deceased. It is also implied in "Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger: Futures End" Issue #1 by Elena Stark that she and the Phantom Stranger have known each other for countless lifetimes LONG BEFORE she was Elena, although what that means is unclear and was never answered in the comics.

Was this helpful to you, or do you think that you might have to do some research on the pre-Flashpoint (New Earth) and post-Flashpoint versions of the Phantom Stranger in order to create a new history for the Earth-16 version of the character?