as well for the sake of the story; this is, however, disproved in Swamp Thing Annual #2. This allows him to provide helpful advice and assistance to others. He claims that "nothing remains hidden to [him]". His knowledge has even allowed him to come to the aid of DC Universe characters trapped out of their own times. In Animal Man #19, Animal Man had found himself trapped in the 1960s in a ghost-like state in between reality and non-reality. He wandered listlessly, until the Stranger met him and offered a helping hand. The Stranger was already aware of Animal Man's current state of despair, and even knew that he was from the future (i.e. the late 1980s). In Swamp Thing Annual #2, the Stranger was not completely aware of all the details of Alec Holland's transformation into the Swamp Thing; he knew enough to be aware of the swamp creature's existence and life, but was still surprised when he encountered the shade of Alex Holland in Heaven, as he had assumed the creature and Holland to be one and the same. The Phantom Stranger is one of the few true immortals of the DC Universe, actually incapable of being killed. When attacked by the Spectre in the Day of Vengeance story, the Stranger expresses doubt that even the Spectre could kill him, mysteriously adding that "I doubt the Universe would allow it". The Spectre resorted to transforming the Stranger into a harmless mouse, as killing the Phantom Stranger was indeed beyond even the Spectre's power. Although the Phantom Stranger does not wear a mask, the shadow of his fedora almost constantly cloaks his eyes. When shown unhatted in the Madame Xanadu miniseries, set in the Arthurian Age where the Stranger's disguise was a simple cloak, his eyes appear completely white - devoid of irises and pupils - and sunk in a gaunt, sad visage. Other versions In DC: The New Frontier #6, the Phantom Stranger calls several magic-based heroes to a banquet on the Moon, where he counsels them not to interfere in the new heroes' battle with the Center. In Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #13, the Phantom Stranger and Boston Brand recruit Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. to solve a mass kidnapping of supernatural beings. Collected editions Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 collects Showcase #80 and Phantom Stranger (vol. 2) #1-21, 544 pages, October 2006, Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger Vol. 2