Phantom Stranger #42 (2010)

Previously, Spectre, Phantom Stranger, Blue Devil, and Zatanna Zatara had come to the Gotham City Cemetery to investigate the grave of Boston Brand (Deadman) and found it empty. Before they could investigate fully, a Black Lantern Power Ring took control of Crispus Allen. Somehow, the Ring has suppressed the divine portion of the Spectre, Aztar. It is revealed that the heroes sent Zatanna to get help while they faced the Black Lantern (Crispus Allen). Their attacks have no effect so the Stranger attempts to get through to the suppressed Aztar. The Stranger challenges Aztar, telling him that, surely, he will not allow a mere bauble, the Black Lantern Power Ring, to contain him. Aztar briefly resurfaces but is overpowered and drawn back into the Black Lantern (Crispus Allen). The Black Lantern then senses his target, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and flies away to destroy him. After, the Stranger and Blue Devil search Boston’s grave where they find his circus mask and items important to him in life, which the Stranger calls totems. The Stranger reminds Blue Devil that the Spectre noted that both Boston’s spirit and his body are now wandering the Earth, but he could not discern where. Thus, the Stranger proposes that they use Blue Devil’s Trident of Lucifer to discover the whereabouts of Boston’s body and soul. They learn that both are in Nanda Parbat. In Nanda Parbat, scores of Black Lanterns are outside the city attempting to destroy the city’s protective barrier. Deadman is possessing and forcing them to literally tear themselves apart, but they are regenerating. The Stranger and Blue Devil arrive and one of the Black Lanterns that is possessed by Deadman attacks him, saying that they here to devour the light of Nanda Parbat and the Stranger’s heart. Deadman’s psyche has been repressed by the Black Lantern. The Stranger reminds Deadman of who he was in life, and this allows him to reclaim control and destroy the possessed Black Lantern from within. The Stranger then says that Deadman must possess Boston’s former body, but Deadman says he has tried and he has been repeatedly ejected from it. The Stranger tells him that Boston’s body does not belong back in a grave, it belongs in Nanda Parbat where it will await a destiny of light. Despite his reluctance, the Stranger convinces Deadman to again try to possess his body. If he is possession of the body, it will be allowed to enter the city. Deadman possesses his body and the Stranger folds the body in his cloak forcing them to remain as one. Under the Stranger’s direction, Deadman’s force of will expels the corruption from Boston’s body and as they enter the barrier, the Black Lantern Power Ring is left deactivated on the outside. With their mission accomplished, they lie Boston’s body to rest inside the city. Blue Devil agrees to remain and help the inhabitants of Nanda Parbat protect Boston’s remains. Deadman reveals that he learned the key to defeating the Black Lanterns is a mysterious white light. He resigns to travel to the heroes with this crucial information.