SHOWCASE #19: ADAM STRANGE (MARCH-APRIL 1959)

Adam Strange was created by DC comics editor Julius Schwartz in 1957 when the powers that be determined they needed a science fiction hero.  Strange was a present-day archaeologist working in Peru when he was suddenly transported by "Zeta-beam" altered by cosmic radiation to the planet Rann in Alpha Centauri.  There, he is attacked by a predator and rescued by the lovely Alanna.  Strange is tasked with protecting the planet from extraterrestrials using Rann's technology. 

Gardner Fox was assigned to write Strange's adventures; the character was designed by Murphy Anderson and penciled by Mike Sekowsy.  The first Strange adventure ran in Showcase #17 (November 1958); after a three-month trial period, the character was moved to Mystery in Space, where Strange's adventures ran for 49 issues (#53-100 and #102).  Following his Mystery in Space, Strange continued to have guest appearances in a number of DC titles.  He was a backup feature in Green Arrow in the early 1980s (#132-147), and has continued in the DC universe to this day.

Adam Strange has been portrayed on television, in films, and in video games.  IGN, the video gaming and entertainment company ranked Adam Strange as the 97th greatest comic book hero of all time.

In "Challenge of the Star Hunter," Strange faces an alien who can change shape at will and who challenges Strange to capture him -- or the planet Rann and its people will face utter extinction.  Not lnly does he outwit Leothric, the Star Hunter, but he also saves a number of other worlds from the same fate.  What a guy!

The Strange returns for another adventure, Mystery of the Mental Menace."  The energy being Zakkad of Ekelon, the outermost planet of the Alpha Centauri system, has created a magnetic meteor that will allow him to gain Adam Strange's secrets of teleportation go conquer the universe.  It Strange does not reveal the secret, Zakkad will use the meteor to pull Rann out of orbit and launch it on a forever journey through space.  Gee willikers, gang, that sounds serious!

Despite the typical 1950s DC silliness, this is a pretty interesting issue.

Enjoy.

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